20 IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONS

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20 IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONS

By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

 

source:

http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/teachings/20instr.htm

 

These twenty instructions contain the very essence of

all Yoga Sadhana, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Yoga will

all come to one who follows them whole-heartedly. They

are the unfailing keys to quick and effective

development and culture of the physical, mental, moral

and spiritual self of man.

 

1. BRAHMAMUHURTA

 

Get up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahmamuhurta which is

extremely favourable for Sadhana. Do all your morning

spiritual Sadhana during this period from 4 a.m. to

6:30 or 7 a.m. Such Sadhana gives quick and maximum

progress.

 

2. ASANA

 

Sit on Padmasana (lotus pose), Siddhasana (adept's

pose) or Sukhasana (any pose you like) for your Japa

and meditation for half an hour,facing east or north.

Increase the period gradually to three hours. Practice

Sirshasana (headstand) and Sarvangasana

(shoulderstand) for maintenance of health and

Brahmacharya. Take light physical exercises as

walking, etc., regularly. Do twenty rounds of easy,

comfortable

Pranayama (breathing exercises). Do not strain

yourself while doing Pranayama.

 

3. JAPA

 

You can repeat any Mantra (sacred syllable), such as

pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Sri Ram, Sita Ram, Sri

Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram, Om Namah Sivaya, Om Namo

Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Hari

Om, or Gayatri (a sacred Vedic Mantra), according to

your taste or inclination, from 108 times to 21,600

times daily. Devotees

of Christ may repeat the name Jesus or Hail Mary,

Mother of Jesus. Parsis, Sikhs and Muslims may select

a name or Mantra from the Zend Avesta, Granth Sahib or

Koran respectively.

 

4. DIETETIC DISCIPLINE

 

Take Sattvic food. Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic,

onion, sour articles, oil, mustard, asafoetida.

Observe moderation in diet (Mitahara). Do not overload

the stomach. Give up those things, which the mind

likes best for a fortnight once or twice in a year.

Eat simple food. Milk and fruits help concentration.

Take food as medicine to keep the life going. Eating

for enjoyment is a sin. Give

up salt and sugar for a week or a fortnight. You must

be able to live on rice, dhal and bread without any

pickle. Do not ask for extra salt for dhal, and sugar

for tea, coffee and milk. People taking non-

vegetarian diet should try their best to gradually

give up flesh-eating as completely as possible. They

will be immensely benefited.

 

5. MEDITATION

 

Have a separate meditation room under lock and key. If

this is not possible then a corner of the room should

be set apart with a small cloth screen or curtain

drawn across. Keep the room spotlessly clean.

 

6. SVADHYAYA

 

Study systematically the Gita, Ramayana, Bhagavatam,

Vishnu-Sahasranama, Lalita-Sahasranama, Adityahridaya,

Upanishads, Yoga Vasishta, Bible, Imitation of Christ,

Zend Avesta, Quran, the Tripitakas, the Granth Sahib

and other religious books from half an hour to one

hour daily, and have Suddha Vichara (pure thoughts).

 

7. ELEVATE THE MIND

 

Get by heart some prayer - Slokas (prayer verses),

Stotras (hymns)and repeat them as soon as you sit in

the Asana before starting Japa or meditation. This

will elevate the mind quickly.

 

8. BRAHMACHARYA

 

Preserve the vital force (Veerya (seminal energy))

very, very carefully. Veerya is God in motion or

manifestation (Vibhuti). Veerya is all power. Veerya

is all money. Veerya is the essence of life, thought

and intelligence. This instruction is not for

bachelors only.Householders also must follow it as far

as possible. They must be extremely moderate in their

marital connections with their spouse.

This is very important.

 

9. CHARITY

 

Do charity regularly, every month, or even daily

according to your means. Never fail in this item. If

necessary forego some personal wants but keep up this

charity regularly.

 

10. HAVE SATSANG

 

Give up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholic

liquors entirely. Have constant Satsang (association

with holy people). Do not develop any evil habits.

Deliberately exert to develop positive virtuous

qualities.

 

11. FAST

 

Fast on Ekadasi (11th day of the Hindu lunar

fortnight) or live on milk and fruits only. Christians

must fast on alternate Sundays,Muslims on alternate

Fridays, and Parsis on a suitable day every fortnight.

 

12. JAPA MALA

 

Have a Japa Mala (rosary) around your neck or in your

pocket or underneath your pillow at night. This will

remind you of God. Twirl the beads during your

leisure. You should repeat the Name at all times,

whatever task you may be engaged in.

 

13. OBSERVE MOUNA

 

Observe Mouna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours

daily. Do not make gestures and inarticulate noises

during the period of silence.

 

14. DISCIPLINE OF SPEECH

 

Speak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak

sweetly. Always utter encouraging words. Never

condemn, criticize or discourage. Do not raise your

voice and shout at little children or subordinates.

 

15. BE CONTENT

 

Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the

number to three or two. Lead a happy, contented life.

Avoid unnecessary worry. Be mentally detached. Have

plain living and high thinking. Think of those who do

not possess even one-tenth of what you have. Share

with others.

 

16. PRACTICE LOVE

 

Never hurt anybody. Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah (Non-injury

is the highest virtue). Control anger by love, Kshama

(forgiveness) and Daya (compassion). Serve the sick

and the poor with love and affection. This is service

of God.

 

17. BE SELF RELIANT

 

Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the

highest of all virtues.

 

18. HAVE SELF-ANALYSIS

 

Think of the mistakes you have committed during the

course of the day, just before retiring to bed

(self-analysis). Keep a daily spiritual diary and

self-correction register as Benjamin Franklin did.

Maintain a daily routine and resolve-form. Do not

brood over past mistakes.

 

19. DO YOUR DUTY

 

Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment.

Never fail to fulfil your duties. Have pure conduct

(Sadachara).

 

20. REMEMBER GOD

 

Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before

you go to sleep,and at all other times whether engaged

in any work or not. Repeat His Name always. Surrender

yourself completely to God (Saranagati).

 

This is the essence of all spiritual Sadhana. It will

lead you to liberation. All these spiritual canons

must be rigidly observed. You must not give any

leniency to the mind.

 

 

S.PRAKASH KASTURI