Swami Sivananda Vani

[Guest guest]

Different Methods in Sadhana

 

Those who follow the path of Karma yoga should do disinterested,

selfless service to the suffering humanity and society in various

ways. You should surrender he fruits of action to the Lord as

Ishvarpana. You should get rid of selfishness and control the

indriyas. You should completely concentrate your lives in the

service of humanity. You should consider that the whole world is a

manifestation of the lord. if you serve humanity with such bhav,

your hearts will be purified soon. You will get knowledge of the

self through chitta shuddhi. This is the sadhana for the karma

yogins. This is very important for all beginners in the spiritual

path.

 

If you follow the path of devotion, you should do japa, read the

Holy Scriptures such as the Bhagavata or the Ramayana. You should

practise navavidha bhakti. You should observe vratas; do anushtan,

offer prayers and manasic puja. You should also serve humanity, fo

the Lord dwells in all beings.

 

A Raja Yogi slowsly ascends the yogic ladder through the eight

rungs. You have to purify yourself through the practice of yama-

niyama. You should pracise asanas and pranayama to steady the body

and the mind and to purify the nadis. Then by the practice of

pratyahara, dharana, and dhyana, you will enter into samadhi.

 

Those who take up the path of Vedanta or Jnana Marga should acquire

first the four means -- viveka, vairagya, shad-sampat

andmumukshutva. Then they should approach a Brahma nishta Guru and

hear the truth from him. Through such hearing reflection and

meditation, they will attain atma sakshatkara.

 

The jnani ultimately exclaims with joy. The Atma alone is, one

without a second. Atma is the only reality. I am Brahman: Aham

Brahmasmi Sivoham. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma. The liberated jivanmukta

sees the Self in all beings and all beings in the Self.