The Foundations of Spiritual Development E-Book

Swami Sivananda

• Herausgeber: Schwab, Heinrich
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Seitenzahl: 237

Beschreibung

Editor: Swami Omkarananda Daily readings for every day in the year from the inspiring works of Sri Swami Sivananda. A title from chapter 14: "Foundation of Self-Realisation": 19th May - "The Two Axes of Self-Knowledge: Man cannot know himself save through meditation, through a deep dive into the calm chambers of the heart and a direct glance at the mirror of life within. To have a comprehensive understanding of what we are, we must impress on our mind the two facts, viz. the existence of the Eternal Reality and the radical unity of all manifestations from star to mineral form, from inanimate nature to organized life. Every human being is a manifestation of the Lord; and, therefore, it is possible for everyone to become one with the Infinite. Reflection on the above truths of essential existence generates faith and conviction. Direct vision of the Reality supplants all vain arguments. Realization of truth makes everything clear and self-explanatory." Some of the 34 chapters of 366 subjects divided into five parts Sri Swami Omkarananda named as follows: Out of Part 1: Spiritual Dynamics in the World of Mind. - Mind: Its Tendencies and Its Transcendence, The Science and Psychology of Thought, Psycho-Analysis, Parapsychology and the Indian Standpoint, Spiritual Therapeutics and the Effects of Negative Emotions, The Genesis of Human Bondage. Out of Part 2: The Psychic World and the Process of Spiritual Evolution. - Concentration, Meditation and Samadhi, Human Nature and the Psychic Pitfalls, Mantra and the Phenomenon of Conscience. Out of Part 3: Intuitional Planes and the Structure of the Life Divine. - Intellectual Acrobats and the Spiritual Supermen, Intuitive Experience and Conceptual Knowledge, The Structure of the Life Divine. Out of Part 4: Patterns of Human Greatness. - Will-Power and the Formation of Personality, The Transcendental Reaches of Blessedness. Out of Part 5: The Evolutionary Aims and the Techniques of Spiritual Perfection. - The Aspirant and the Innate Impetus Towards the Infinite, The Guide and Spiritual Guidance, The Dynamics of Devotion, Evidences of the Divine Presence, Frowns of Fortune and Spiritual Growth, Sex-Sublimation, Integral Yoga, Vedanta: Its Disciplines and Its Value, Religion: Its Philosophy and Its Purpose.

Leseprobe

The Foundations of Spiritual Development

OTHER WORKS

OF SRI SWAMI OMKARANANDA

Sivananda Literature (Two Volumes)

Shakespeare on Sivananda

Sivananda and the Modern Man

Studies in the Personality of Sivananda

Everyman’s Philosophy of Sivananda

The Dawn of Divine Life

The Story of an Eminent Yogi

The Religion of Sivananda

Studies in Sivananda Literature

etc. etc.

ON SRI SWAMI OMKARANANDA

An Eminent Avatara Purusha: Paramahamsa Swami Omkarananda Saraswati (including a selection of Swami Omkarananda’s own words)

by Swamini Vidyaprakashananda

The Foundations of

Spiritual Development

DAILY READINGS FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR, FROM THE INSPIRING WORKS OF SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

compiled and edited by

SRI SWAMI OMKARANANDA

Printed and Published 2004 ByGIRI TRADING AGENCY PRIVATE LIMITED10, Kapaleeswarar Sannadhi Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004. Tamil Nadu. INDIA

Published and printed by Sivananda Literature Research Institute. All Rights reserved by Sivananda Literature Research Institute, Sivanandanagar P.O., Dist. Tehri Garhwal U.P., Himalayas, India

First Edition ...................................................... 1958

Second Edition ................................................. 1965

Third Edition .................................................... 1987

Fourth Edition .................................................. 1993

Fifth Edition ..................................................... 2004

THE RELEASE OF THE SECOND EDITION COMMEMORATES SRI SWAMI OMKARANANDA’S VISIT TO EUROPE, THIS 7TH OF MAY 1965, FOR EXPOUNDING, IN A PURELY SELFLESS SPIRIT, TO THE EUROPEAN AUDIENCES, THE DYNAMIC PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE OF YOGA, VEDANTA AND DIVINE LIFE.

Printed in recognition of the meritorious services rendered to The Divine Life Society by

Mrs. Johanna Herrmann, Winterthur, Switzerland, Europe. 1965

Photograph overleaf:

Sri Swami Omkarananda with Mrs. Hanna Herrmann.

After presenting to the young Swami an imposing list of the riddles and problems which both the common and the cultured European Mind encountered on the arena of the Life and Thought in the mid-sixties of the twentieth century, the eighty-five year old Mrs. Hanna Herrmann is receiving from him some of the answers, and also his special instructions on the liberties she enjoyed in her effort at rendering three of the Swami’s early works into chaste German. The works of the Swami, in German, were released from Europe, pretty soon after their departure to the Continent.

This photograph was taken in the Sivananda-Ashram, Rishikesh, on the 15th March, 1965.

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

To the first edition

A good, holy thought to start the day with, is more precious than all the wealth you can acquire and all the happiness that you can enjoy during the day.

These divine thoughts will, if meditated upon in the early morning hours of every day, enrich your daily life in every way. They are illuminating and are assigned the functions of shaping the spiritual development of the readers.

1st January, 1958

– The Publishers.

To the second edition

The new title for this second revised edition is dictated to us by the nature of the themes treated, and the trends of the inspired teaching presented, in this valuable work.

7th May, 1965

– The Publishers.

The third edition

8th September, 1987

– The Publishers.

The fourth edition

8th September, 1993

– The Publishers.

The fifth edition

8th May, 2004

– The Publishers.

PREFACE

The Mundane Ideal and the Spiritual Deliverance

A divine perfection of the human being is our aim. That man is capable of selfdevelopment and of some approach to an ideal state of perfection which his mind is capable of conceiving, is common to all thinking humanity. But some conceive it as a mere mundane change and others as a total conversion of the human personality. The mundane ideal is something outward, social, political, economic, a rational dealing with our fellowmen and environments, a better and kindlier way of living. It also includes the development of the intelligence, will and reason, a noble ethical, a rich aesthetic, a fine emotional life. Education and the creation of better and favourable social environments is the method adopted for achieving this aim.

The mundane ideal has for its field, the present life and its activities only. Intellectual, emotional, ethical and aesthetic development, political freedom, economic well-being are all good and absolutely necessary for an allround growth of the individual as well as of the race, but without any definite purpose in life, without any delivering and illuminating aim, they end invariably in frustration. They constitute a constant movement in a circle. To realise the Eternal Truth and to express it through the perfected instruments, the mind and the body, is the principle and whole object of spiritual life and this is the only ideal which can give permanent satisfaction and peace to the thinking mankind.

1st January, 1958

–

Swami Omkarananda.

FOREWORD

Start the day with a good, soul-elevating thought. Meditate on the Lord. Repeat His Name. Elevate the mind to the realms divine. Now come out of your meditation room. Look upon the whole world as the Virat-Swarup of the Lord. Feel that the Lord’s Divine Energy is flowing through you, serving His own manifestations. Whenever, during the day, this zeal is diminished, recall to the mind the sublime thought-current with which you started the day. Raise the mind to the same level. Thus would you live forever in an exalted state.

1st January, 1958

– Swami Sivananda.

CONTENTS

Publisher’s Note

Preface

Foreword

PART I

Spiritual Dynamics in the World of Mind

Chapter 1

Mind: Its Tendencies and Its Transcendence

1. The Grass-Hopper Habits of the Mind

2. The House-Fly Nature of the Mind

3. The Dog’s Tail Human Nature

4. Mind: Its Machiavellian Movements

5. The Surging Emotions and True Freedom

6. The Devilry of the Human Mind

7. The Havoc of Imaginary Fears

8. Conquest of the Three Arch-Enemies

9. Restless Mind and the Dubious Mastery

10. Easy Method for Mind Control

11. An Exercise for Mental Relaxation

12. Introspective Analysis of the Mind

13. The Techniques of Self-Transcendence

14. Mind-Control by Discrimination

Chapter 2

The Science and Psychology of Thought

15. Studies in Thought

16. The Marvels of Thought

17. Spanish Flu and Thought: An Analogy

18. Mind: Its Pervasive Power

19. Thought: Its Form and Its Name

20. The Drawing Power of the Mind

21. Thoughts and Counter-Thoughts

22. Chemistry of Food and Thought

23. Importance of Positive Thoughts

24. The Determining Role of the Last Thought

Chapter 3

Psycho-Analysis, Parapsychology and the Indian Standpoint

25. Provenances of the Mental Processes

26. Categories in Indian Psychology

27. Theme for a Thesis in Psychology

28. A Psychological Law and Spiritual Development

29. A Subject for Psychologist’s Research

30. ESP and the Subconscious Operations

31. Wireless Telegraphy in Ancient India

32. Proofs for Metempsychoses

33. Oriental Wisdom and a Western Theory

34. Psychoanalysis and the Eastern View

Chapter 4

Spiritual Therapeutics and the Effects of Negative Emotions

35. Psychogenic Sources of Diseases

36. Psychosomatic Relationship: An Illustrative Instance

37. Psychophysical Parallelism: An Explanation

38. The Corroding Effects of Worry and Anger

39. Spiritual Treatment and the Dangerous Effects of Hypnotic Cure

40. Methods of Counteracting Psychogenic Factors in Diseases

41. Therapeutic Potentialities of Meditation

42. The Cell Theory and the States of Mind

43. Simple Spiritual Prescriptions

44. Meditation – a Preventive, a Germicide, a Tonic, Elixir Divine

45. Therapeutic Value of Renunciation, Love and Truth

46. Roads to Mental Health

Chapter 5

The Genesis of Human Bondage

47. The Metaphysical Origin of Human Evils

48. The Works of Ignorance

49. Bondage: Its Central Cause

50. The Hot-Bed of All Aberrations

51. The Threefold Root of Most Diseases

52. The Genealogy of Miseries

Chapter 6

False Views and Snares of Delusion

53. Instances of Human Delusion

54. Deception from Self-Ignorance

55. The Phantom of Reputation

56. The Treacherous Frankenstein’s Monster

57. Illusion Originating from Excessive Extroversion

58. The Great Illusion

59. The Two Types of Fools

60. The Web of Man

61. Suspicion and Its Beclouding Power

62. Appearances Are Deceptive

63. True Freedom and the Inextricable Snares of Ignorance

64. Inseparable Pairs of Opposites

65. Fictitious Distinctions

66. Troupe of Sorrows Attendant upon Each Sensuous Enjoyment

67. Impacts that Constitute Evil Company

68. The Effects of Evil Company

69. Fifteen Evils of Company

70. Exhibitions of Talents Hinder Higher Aspirations

71. The Torment of Tantalus

PART II

The Psychic World and the Process of Spiritual Evolution

Chapter 7

Concentration, Meditation and Samadhi

72. The Miraculous Powers of Mind

73. Aids to Concentration

74. Twenty Techniques that Heighten Powers of Concentration

75. Benefits of Concentration

76. Inspirational Value of Meditation

77. Initial Results of Regular Meditation

78. The Man of Meditation

79. The Influence of a Developed Mind

80. The Diversity of Approach

81. Samadhi and Certain Similar Mental States

82. Samadhi: An Issue of Long-Continued Diligence of Herculean Effort

83. Ineffable Nature of the Highest Spiritual Experience

Chapter 8

Human Nature and the Psychic Pitfalls

84. Season for the Ascent of the Animal in Man

85. Perilous Pitfalls on the Path – I

86. Perilous Pitfalls on the Path – II

87. Perilous Pitfalls on the Path – III

88. Spiritual Realization and Psychic Pitfalls

89. Supernormal Powers and Spiritual Experience

90. Psychic Powers and Real Yoga

Chapter 9

Mantra and the Phenomenon of Conscience

91. The First Fruits of Prayer

92. Psychological Consideration of Prayer

93. Mantra: Its Force and Its Functions

94. Rationale of the Mantra-Repetition

95. Particular Mantras for Particular Benefits

96. Miraculous Uses of the Mantras

97. The Rational Character of Miracles

98. The Counsel of Conscience

99. The Evolution of Conscience

100. Reversal in the Sensitivity of Conscience

101. Discernment of the Right Action

Chapter 10

The First Steps in Spiritual Evolution

102. Equipment Preparatory to the Spiritual Venture

103. Personal Demand and Bewildering Number of Doctrines

104. Necessaries of Spiritual Development

105. First Things First

106. Divine Will and the Only Human Duty

107. The Pattern of Saintliness

108. Incomparable Friends and Formidable Foes

109. Pursuit of the Eternal Values

110. Dependence on the Divine

111. Interrelated Fundamentals of Spiritual Life

112. The Touchstone of Knowledge and Spirituality

113. Important Prerequisites

114. Self-Realization this Moment

Chapter 11

The Spiritual Progressions

115. The Irreligious and the Conscious Endeavour

116. Feverish Hurry and Progressive Evolution

117. Mechanism of Spiritual Unfoldment

118. Signs of Spiritual Progress

119. When the Mind Expands

120. Optimum Utilization of Time

PART III

Intuitional Planes and the Structure of the Life Divine

Chapter 12

Intellectual Acrobats and the Spiritual Supermen

121. Intellectual Feats and Intensive Sadhana

122. Letters and Life

123. The Living Liberated Man

124. The Occultist and the Jnani

125. The Solid World of the Sage

126. The Vision of the Deathless Sage

127. The Voice of a Self-Realized Sage

128. Idle Talk and Transcendental Experience

129. The Persisting Communities of Spiritual Individuals

130. The Salt of the Earth

131. The Great Superman of the East

Chapter 13

Intuitive Experience and Conceptual Knowledge

132. Advaitic Wisdom and Human Reason

133. Intellect and the Nature of Intuition

134. Intuitive Discernment and Blindfold Efforts

135. The Definition of Intuition

136. Ancient Standards and Modern Measures

137. Direct Perception and Conceptual Activity

Chapter 14

Foundation of Self-Realization

138. Dynamic Movements of Spiritual Reflection

139. The Delphic Injunction

140. The Two Axes of Self-Knowledge

141. Treasure-Trove of Self-Knowledge

142. The First Step and the Preceding Psychological Training

143. The Art of Introspection

144. Scientific Procedure of ‘Looking Within’

145. Intellectual Discovery of the Light Divine

146. A Chain of Interiors

147. Reasoning into the Substratum

148. Where Wisdom Dawns

149. Not an Act of Becoming But a Fact of Being

150. The Persuasions of Self-Experience

Chapter 15

The Processes of Self-Knowledge

151. The Psychic Ordeal Involved in Self-Realization

152. The Primary Bases of Self-Realization

153. Sadhana for Self-Realization

154. The Method of Self-Realization

155. Sequence of Merging

156. The Imperative Need

157. Attunement with the Divine

158. Precursory Condition for God-Realization

159. Prerequisites of a Perfect Life

160. The Terminological Inexactitude

Chapter 16

The Structure of the Life Divine

161. Fitness for Life Divine

162. Foundation of Divine Life

163. Integral Parts of the Life Divine

164. The Anatomy of Life Divine

165. When Cosmic Life Intervenes

166. In the Realm of the Real

PART IV

Patterns of Human Greatness

Chapter 17

Cardinal Principles of Greatness

167. The Promises of Perseverance

168. Culture and the Prevailing Culture

169. Ahimsa: The Dynamic Spiritual Love

170. The Main Strand of Greatness

171. The Importance of Manners

172. Triune Aspect of the Twin-Virtue

173. The Nature of Nobility

174. The Transmuting Power of Patience

175. The Meaning of Manliness

176. Blessed Are the Meek

177. The Quintessence of Courtesy

178. The Good and Not Good

179. Good Life and God Life

180. Pen Picture of an Honest Man

181. Guides to Spritual Living

182. Nature’s Comment on Jesus’ Command

183. Praise and Censure: An Appraisement

184. Spiritual Self-Enrichment

185. Modesty: The Best of Moral Excellences

Chapter 18

Will-Power and the Formation of Personality

186. Personality and Control of Thoughts

187. Personality and Physical Features

188. Prana, Power and Personality

189. The Shaping of Personality

190. Ill-health: A Myth

191. Nature, Status and Power of Will

192. Aids to the Development of Will Power

193. The Harvest of a Controlled Desire

194. The Signs of Growing Will

Chapter 19

Self-Development and the Spirit of Selfless Service

195. Purity of Mind and Selfless Service

196. Fields for Cultivating Selflessness

197. Definition of a Selfish Action

198. Evils of Selfishness

199. Social Scavengery

200. Spiritual Triads for Practice

201. Censoriousness and Self-Reformation

202. The Graded Levels of Spiritual Growth

203. The Three-Pronged Method

204. Mental Power Through Controlled Thoughts

Chapter 20

The Transcendental Reaches of Blessedness

205. Contentions of Contrary Temperaments

206. The Factor that Determines Happiness

207. The Experience of Peace

208. Peace of Mind

209. The Conquest of Happiness

210. Peace of the Inner Self

211. Sources of Blessedness

PART V

The Evolutionary Aims and the Techniques of Spiritual Perfection

Chapter 21

The Essentials and the Evolutionary Aims of Life

212. Godhead: The Objective of Aspiration

213. This is the Goal

214. The Essentials of Life

215. Lessons in the School of Life

216. Is Life Evil?

217. The Meaning of the Absolute in Actual Life

218. The Wisdom of Life

219. The Hindu View of Life

220. The Chaotic Nature of Worldly Life

221. The Rich Expansive Life

222. Transempirical Passages of Life

223. Significance of Life and Death

224. Integral View of Phenomenal Existence

225. Aims and Ideals

Chapter 22

The Aspirant and the Innate Impetus Towards the Infinite

226. The Restless Quest

227. Symptoms of Spiritual Adolescence

228. The Divine Discontent

229. The Best-Qualified Aspirant

230. The Wrestle Against Finitude

231. The Theo-Centric Vision

232. Summits Beyond Summits

Chapter 23

Man: His Inheritance and His Destiny

233. Metaphysical Significance of Man – I

234. Metaphysical Significance of Man – II

235. Metaphysical Significance of Man – III

236. Metaphysical Significance of Man – IV

237. An Integral Study of Man

238. Man: A Centre of Limitless Powers

239. The Inheritance of an Endless Empirical Past

240. Man: His Divine Heritage

241. Man: His Divine Destiny

242. Man: His Essential Nature

243. Infinite Delight

Chapter 24

Sadhaka and Some Aspects of Sadhana

244. Typical Personality Traits of an Aspirant

245. The Habit of Dillydallying

246. Several Succeeding Stages of the Purificatory Process

247. The Core of Conscious Spiritual Effort

248. The Necessity for a Decisive Step

249. Retroaction of Samskaras in Sadhana

250. Principles and Their Perversion – I

251. Principles and Their Perversion – II

252. The True Import of Self-Control

253. Struggling Aspirant’s Sheet-Anchor

254. The Aspirant: An Individual Apart

255. The Hidden Enemies of Aspirants

256. Factors that Run Counter to Progress

257. The Rewards of Spiritual Endeavour

258. Spiritual Sadhana and Its Results

259. The Need for Endurance in Sadhana

Chapter 25

The Guide and Spiritual Guidance

260. The Guide: A Constitutional Necessity

261. Greatness of the Guru

262. Indispensability of Guidance from the Guru

263. Do Not Despair

264. Psychological Wisdom

265. The Tragedy of a Wasted Life

266. The Childlike Heart

267. The Folly of Human Judgement

Chapter 26

The Dynamics of Devotion

268. Devotion: A Fruition of Experience

269. Services Tendered by Devotion

270. Love Begets Love

271. The Devotee and the Cultivated Love

272. Spiritual Excellences

273. Twin Dependency of Devotion

274. Devotion: A Ritual, a Discipline, a Meditation

Chapter 27

Evidences of the Divine Presence

275. Interrogatory Approaches to the Supreme Intelligence

276. Rhetorical Questions On the Reality of God

277. The Intangible Power Behind the World-Show

278. The Reality of the Unseen

279. Manifestations that Disclose Divine Wisdom

280. Nature: A Mirror of Divine Omnipotence

281. The Finite Display of Divine Attributes

282. The Meaning and Spirit of Truth

283. The Benign Power

284. The All-Pervasive Lord

285. The Being is Beyond the Mind

286. Amazing Response of the All-Merciful

287. The Laws and Love of God

288. The Thought of the Divine

Chapter 28

Fate, Fatalism and Free-Will

289. The Mechanism of Destiny

290. Free Will and Fatalism

291. Fate

292. The Boomerang Character of All Action

293. Construct a Wheel of Fortune

294. Fatalism and the Doctrine of Karma

Chapter 29

Frowns of Fortune and Spiritual Growth

295. Progress by Ordeal

296. Conditions for Sainthood

297. Suffering and Pain

298. Necessity of Adversity

299. Results of Trials

300. Sequences of Dispensation

301. The Right Frame of Mind

Chapter 30

Continence and the Techniques of Sex-Sublimation

302. The Transformation of the Seminal Energy

303. The Maintenance of Brahmacharya

304. Spiritual Psychology of Sex Attraction

305. Six Methods of Sex Sublimation

306. Philosophy and Forms of Physical Passion

307. Sublimation of the Emotion of Anger

308. An Objective Process of Sublimation

309. An Analogy From the Field of Electrons

310. Restraint and Its Results

Chapter 31

Philosophy and Philosophizing

311. The Pursuit of Philosophy

312. Philosophy: An Intellectual Science

313. Requisites of Philosophizing

314. A Method of Philosophizing

315. Some Philosophical Reflections

316. The Object of Philosophic Search

317. Science, Philosophy, Religion and Spiritual Experience

Chapter 32

Integral Yoga and the Limitations of Science

318. Scientific Knowledge and the Experience of Yoga

319. Science and the Perception of Yoga

320. The Limitations of Science

321. A System of Self-Development

322. Groundwork of Yoga Practice

323. Component Parts of Yoga Practice

324. The Pivotal Point of All Yoga

325. Integral Development

326. The Integration of Yoga

327. The True Synthesis of Yoga

328. Facets of Development

329. Spontaneous Ascent of Kundalini

330. The Uniqueness of Asanas

331. Mastery Over Nature’s Powers Through Pranayama

332. The Carnegie Principle and Raja-Yoga

333. Uses of Yoga

334. Personality of a Yogi

335. Supernormal Powers

336. Most Prominent of the Methods

337. Manifold Methods of Approach

Chapter 33

Vedanta: Its Disciplines and Its Value

338. The Functions of Vedanta

339. Being Oneself

340. The Witness: A Philosophical Explanation

341. The Perception of the One Self

342. Principles of Vedanta Sadhana

343. Vedanta Technique of Self-Transcendence

344. The World: A Wondrous Fair

345. The Upanishad’s View of Food

346. The Method of Vedanta

347. Uses of Vedanta

348. Influence of the East on the West

Chapter 34

Religion: Its Philosophy and Its Purpose

349. Religion and the Modern Man

350. The Central Theme of Religion

351. A Definition of Religion

352. The Religion of the Heart

353. The Essential Unity of All Religions

354. Wisdom Behind Religious Observances

355. Ethics and Sociology

356. The Religion of Religions

357. Unity of Religions

APPENDIX

The Enduring Bases for International Ideals

358. Indian Social Ethics

359. India and Modern Civilization

360. Individual Good and the Welfare of Mankind

361. Practicable Ideals for the Nations

362. The Importance of Ethics

363. Towards One World

364. The Central Meaning of All Relationship

365. Science and Technology

366. The Ultimate Message

Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Occuring in this Book

Photograph overleaf:

Sri Swami Omkarananda is standing beside the Divine Master Sri Swami Sivananda.

Daily Readings

Part I

Spiritual Dynamics in the World of Mind

Chapter 1

Mind: Its Tendencies and Its Transcendence

1st January

The Grass-Hopper Habits of the Mind

Mind is ever restless, never stays on a fixed point for a considerable period. It jumps hither and thither. Mind is ever changing and oscillating. Its wandering habit manifests in various ways. The mind in the vast majority of persons has been allowed to run wild and follow its own sweet will, inclinations and desires. The mind of worldly persons is gross: it is not fit for concentration, self-analysis and introspection. The mind that is dominated by rajas is restless and turbulent: it agitates the body and the senses and makes them subject to foreign influences. An aspirant’s mind is calm, collected, sharp and subtle. A well-disciplined mind alone is required for the powerful process of reaching the highest state of liberation. Spiritual enquiry must be set afloat in the mind.

2nd January

The House-Fly Nature of the Mind

The tendency of the mind is always to move downwards. It would rather revel in darkness and multiply and die there, than come and live for a short time in the sunshine, like flowers. Man’s mind is something like the house-fly. Of course, sometimes, if some sweet-smelling object is kept, it may perch upon it for a moment. But the next moment it would prefer to alight upon a dungheap. Its nature is there. So, perhaps, a nice tune might attract its attention for a while, but the next moment, if something is given to it to which it is always accustomed, this house-fly of the human mind at once goes and sits upon that. It is used to frivolities to mere flippancies. It is used to taunt and give torment to others. When a very delicious dish is put before it, it forgets the spiritual path and alights upon it.

3rd January

The Dog’s Tail Human Nature

The workings of maya, through the complex mechanism of the human mind, are so very extremely subtle and so very difficult to overcome with human nature being fundamentally so asuric and unregenerate, so primitive and undivine, that the process of sublimation of this human nature, the subjection of this being to moral reform and spiritual conversion is not easily achieved. The untransformed nature of man is so obstinate that it does not yield to an ethical rebirth and, therefore, real spiritual development and progress in sadhana are indeed very hard to obtain. To achieve success in any measure in the spiritual life is a very difficult and uphill task, so much so that truly it is divine grace alone that can raise the aspirant from darkness to Light.

4th January

Mind: Its Machiavellian Movements

One of the vexing paradoxes on the spiritual path is that your mind is both your best friend and also your bitter enemy. Mind becomes a true friend only after being gradually trained to be so. Until then it should be regarded as a troublesome and treacherous enemy inside us. It is extremely diplomatic, cunning and crooked. It is an arch-deceiver. One of the master-strokes of the mind’s artfulness is to make the aspirant feel and smugly imagine that he knows his mind perfectly well and cannot be led away by it, and at the same time to delude him totally.

5th January

The Surging Emotions and True Freedom

Physical freedom is no freedom at all. If you are easily carried away by surging emotions and impulses, if you are under the grip of moods, cravings and passions, how can you be really happy? You laugh for five minutes and weep for five hours. What can wife, sons, friends, fame and power do for you, when you are under the sway of the impulses of your mind? He is a true hero who has controlled his mind. Conquest of the mind is the conquest of the entire world. True victory is over the mind: that is real Freedom. Thorough rigorous discipline and self-imposed restrictions will eventually eradicate all riotous thoughts, wild impulses, cravings and passions. One should become a perfect Yogi.

6th January

The Devilry of the Human Mind

The mind has the knack of making the unwary aspirant confidently think himself its master, while it makes a hopeless fool of him. Its deceptions are subtle. You have heard the saying, “The devil can quote scriptures for its own purpose”. Similarly the mind can use a virtue to indulge in a vice. It has an inborn inclination to perversion. It can even take the support of a perfectly good principle seemingly to justify the most unprincipled sort of action. Unless it is scrutinized dispassionately its tricks are never fully discovered.

7th January

The Havoc of Imaginary Fears

Mind works havoc through its power of imagination. Imaginary fears of various sorts – exaggeration, concoction, mental dramatization, building castles in the air – are all due to this power of imagination. Even a perfectly healthy man has some imaginary disease or the other, created by this juggling power of the mind. Imaginary fears involve a tremendous loss of energy. Give up all forms of fear. Constantly meditate upon the immortal, indestructible, fearless Self within you.

8th January

Conquest of the Three Arch-Enemies

Lust, anger and pride are the root of all human ills. They are the enemies of peace and are the parents of all the hosts of evils. Get up in the morning and meditate on the havoc that these three bring about in man’s life. If you work yourself up to a feeling that they drain out your vitality – physical and mental – and that for your own good you should eradicate them, then conquest of these three foes will be an easy affair. Victory over these three arch-enemies of man is the greatest conquest.

9th January

Restless Mind and the Dubious Mastery

You can bore a diamond with a bristle; you can tie an infatuated elephant with a slender silken thread; you can bring the sun down for the play of your child; you can make the flame of fire burn always downwards. Yet it is difficult to control the mind. For gaining mastery over the mind you have to know what it is, how it works, how it deceives you at every turn, and by which methods it can be subdued. As long as the mind restlessly wanders amidst objects, remains fluctuating, excited, agitated, uncontrolled, the true joy of the Self cannot be realized and enjoyed. To control the restless mind and still perfectly all thoughts and cravings, is the greatest problem of man. If he has subjugated the mind, he is the Emperor of emperors.

10th January

Easy Method for Mind Control

Do not allow the mind to wander here and there like the strolling street dog. Keep it under your control always. Then alone you can be happy. It must be ever ready to obey you. If the mind says to you “Go eastward”, then go westward. If the mind says to you, “Go southward”, then march northward. If the mind says to you, “Take a hot cup of tea in winter”, then take a cup of icy cold water. Swim like fish against the mental current. You will control the mind quite easily.

11th January

An Exercise for Mental Relaxation

Here is a beautiful daily exercise for mental relaxation. It will pour into you great inspiration and strength. Close the eyes. Think of anything that is pleasant. This will relax the mind in a wonderful manner. Think of the mighty Himalayas, the sacred Ganges, the striking scenery in Kashmir, the Taj Mahal, the Victoria Memorial in Calcutta, a lovely sunset, the vast expanse of ocean or the infinite blue sky.

Proceed also this way. Imagine that the whole world and your body are floating like a straw in this vast ocean of the Spirit. Feel that you are in touch with the supreme Being. Feel that the life of the whole world is pulsating, vibrating and throbbing through you. Feel that the ocean of life is gently rocking you on its vast bosom. Then open your eyes. You will experience immense mental peace.

12th January

Introspective Analysis of the Mind

In introspection the mind itself is the subject of study. A portion of the mind studies the remaining portion of the mind. The higher mind studies the lower mind. Introspection is apperception. Just as you watch the work done by a coolie, a portion of the mind watches the movements of the rest of the mind. By a careful watch, many defects are detected and removed by suitable sadhana.