20 Instuctions: Swami Sivananda (1)

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20 IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONS By SRI SWAMI

SIVANANDA  <br><br>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. <br><br>1.

BRAHMAMUHURTA: Get up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahmamuhurta

which is extremely favorable 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. <br><br>2. ASANA: Sit on Padmasana

(lotus pose), Siddhasana (adept's pose) or Sukhasana

(any pose you like) for your and for half an hour,

facing east or north. Increase the period gradually to

three hours. Practice Sirshasana (head stand) and

Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) 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. <br><br>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. <br><br>4. DIETETIC DISCIPLINE:  Take Sattvic

food. Give up chilies, tamarind, garlic, onion, sour

articles, oil, mustard, asafetida. 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-vegetarian diet should try their best to gradually give up

flesh-eating as completely as possible. They will be immensely

benefited. <br><br>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. <br><br>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). <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>continued...