Upadesamritam

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In the name of Tapascharya (austerities) do not spoil your health.

Constant repetition of " Vairagya Dindima " of Sri Sankara, with

feeling, study of " Vairagya Sataka " of Bhartrihari and " Vairagya

Prakarana " of Yoga-Vasishtha, reflection on the Slokas of Gita which

treat of Vairagya, and finding out the defects in the sensual life

will surely intensify your Vairagya.

 

Spiritual growth is gradual. There is progressive evolution. You

should not be in a feverish hurry to accomplish great Yogic feats or

enter into Nirvikalpa Samadhi (superconscious state) in two or three

months. You will have to ascend the ladder of Yoga step by step. You

will have to march in the spiritual path stage by stage.

 

This world is your best teacher. You will have yet to learn many

lessons from this world. The worldly duties are not ties when done in

the spirit of Nishkama Karma Yoga (selfless service). You are not

required to renounce the world and take shelter in the Himalayan

caves to claim back your lost divinity. The secret of renunciation is

renunciation of egoism and desires. Live in the world but be not

worldly-minded. He who, living in the midst of the temptations of

this world, attains perfection, is a true hero indeed.

 

Guru's grace is needed by the disciple. This does not mean that the

disciple should sit idle and expect a miracle from the Guru to push

him directly into Samadhi. The Guru cannot do Sadhana or the

spiritual practice for the student. He can guide the aspirant, clear

his doubts, pave the way, remove snares, pitfalls and obstacles and

throw light on the path. The disciple himself will have to place each

footstep in the spiritual path. He will himself have to place his

footstep in each rung of the ladder of Yoga.

 

Know things in their proper light. Do not be deluded. Emotion is

mistaken for devotion; violent jumping in the air during Sankirtan

for divine ecstasy; falling down in swoon on account of exhaustion

from too much jumping for Bhava Samadhi; Rajasic restlessness and

motion for divine activities and Karma Yoga; Tamasic man for Sattvic

man; movement of air in the back due to rheumatism for ascent of

Kundalini; Tandri and deep sleep for Samadhi; Manorajya or building

castles in the air for meditation; physical nudity for the Jivanmukti

state.

 

Understand the laws of the universe. Move tactfully in this world.

Learn the secrets of Nature. Try to know the best ways to control the

mind. Conquer the mind. Conquest of mind is really conquest of nature

and the world. Conquest of mind will enable you to go to the source

of Brahman and you can realise: " I am the all-pervading Sat-Chit-

Ananda Atman or the Self " .

 

Learn to discriminate and become wise. Fight out the inner battle,

again and again, and come out victorious, O Sushil!

 

May you all become dynamic Yogins and radiate joy and peace to all

corners of the world!

 

(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)