20 Spiritual instructions

[Guest guest]

By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

 

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 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-vegetaraian 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.