20 IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONS (thankx)

August 18, 2005

Namaskar

thanx babithaji this is good thing what you are doing is agood job giving good informations to all in a simply manner to understand i have no words to tell about you i am very happy happy.

keep on mailing this kind of informations

L. KANNAN

Babitha Vasanth <babitha70 wrote:

Eamil forwarded from Divyabhakti group:

20 IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONSBy SRI SWAMI SIVANANDAsource: http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/teachings/20instr.htmThese twenty instructions contain the very essence of all YogaSadhana, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Yoga will all come to one whofollows them whole-heartedly. They are the unfailing keys to quickand effective development and culture of the physical, mental, moraland spiritual self of man.1. BRAHMAMUHURTAGet up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahmamuhurta which is extremelyfavourable for Sadhana. Do all your morning spiritual Sadhana duringthis period from 4 a.m. to 6:30 or 7 a.m. Such Sadhana gives quickand maximum progress.2.

ASANASit 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) formaintenance 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. JAPAYou can repeat any Mantra (sacred syllable), such as pure Om or OmNamo Narayanaya, Sri Ram, Sita Ram, Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram,Om Namah Sivaya, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om SaravanabhavayaNamah, 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 DISCIPLINETake Sattvic food. Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic, onion, sourarticles, oil, mustard, asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet(Mitahara). Do not overload the stomach. Give up those things whichthe mind likes best for a fortnight once or twice in a year. Eatsimple simple food. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food asmedicine to keep the life going. Eating for enjoyment is a sin. Giveup 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. MEDITATIONHave a separate meditation room under lock and

key. If this is notpossible then a corner of the room should be set apart with a smallcloth screen or curtain drawn across. Keep the room spotlessly clean.6. SVADHYAYA Study systematically the Gita, Ramayana, Bhagavatam, Vishnu-Sahasranama, Lalita-Sahasranama, Adityahridaya, Upanishads, YogaVasishta, Bible, Imitation of Christ, Zend Avesta, Quran, theTripitakas, the Granth Sahib and other religious books from half anhour to one hour daily, and have Suddha Vichara (pure thoughts).7. ELEVATE THE MINDGet by heart some prayer - Slokas (prayer verses), Stotras (hymns)and repeat them as soon as you sit in the Asana before starting Japaor meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly.8. BRAHMACHARYAPreserve the vital force (Veerya (seminal energy)) very, verycarefully. 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 beextremely moderate in their marital connections with their spouse.This is very important.9. CHARITYDo charity regularly, every month, or even daily according to yourmeans. Never fail in this item. If necessary forego some personalwants but keep up this charity regularly.10. HAVE SATSANGGive up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholic liquors entirely.Have constant Satsang (association with holy people). Do not developany evil habits. Deliberately exert to develop positive virtuousqualities.11. FASTFast on Ekadasi (11th day of the Hindu lunar fortnight) or live onmilk and fruits only. Christians must fast on alternate Sundays,Muslims on alternate Fridays, and Parsis on a suitable day everyfortnight.12. JAPA

MALAHave a Japa Mala (rosary) around your neck or in your pocket orunderneath your pillow at night. This will remind you of God. Twirlthe beads during your leisure. You should repeat the Name at alltimes, whatever task you may be engaged in.13. OBSERVE MOUNAObserve Mouna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours daily. Do notmake gestures and inarticulate noises during the period of silence.14. DISCIPLINE OF SPEECHSpeak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly. Alwaysutter encouraging words. Never condemn, criticize or discourage. Donot raise your voice and shout at little children or subordinates.15. BE CONTENTReduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the number tothree or two. Lead a happy, contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry.Be mentally detached. Have plain living and high thinking. Think ofthose who do not

possess even one-tenth of what you have. Share withothers.16. PRACTICE LOVENever hurt anybody. Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah (Non-injury is the highestvirtue). 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 RELIANTDo not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of allvirtues.18. HAVE SELF-ANALYSISThink of the mistakes you have committed during the course of theday, just before retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep a dailyspiritual diary and self-correction register as Benjamin Franklindid. Maintain a daily routine and resolve-form. Do not brood overpast mistakes.19. DO YOUR DUTYRemember that death is awaiting you at every moment. Never fail tofulfil your duties. Have pure conduct

(Sadachara).20. REMEMBER GODThink 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 HisName always. Surrender yourself completely to God (Saranagati).This is the essence of all spiritual Sadhana. It will lead you toliberation. All these spiritual canons must be rigidly observed. Youmust not give any leniency to the mind.

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