Vivekananda Mailing List-11/2/03

[Guest guest]

The next means to the attainment of Bhakti-Yoga is strength

(Anavasâda). " This Atman is not to be attained by the weak " , says the

Shruti. Both physical weakness and mental weakness are meant here. " The

strong, the hardy " are the only fit students. What can puny, little,

decrepit things do? They will break to pieces whenever the mysterious

forces of the body and mind are even slightly awakened by the practice

of any of the Yogas. It is " the young, the healthy, the strong " that

can score success. Physical strength, therefore, is absolutely

necessary. It is the strong body alone that can bear the shock of

reaction resulting from the attempt to control the organs. He who wants

to become a Bhakta must be strong, must be healthy. When the miserably

weak attempt any of the Yogas, they are likely to get some incurable

malady, or they weaken their minds. Voluntarily weakening the body is

really no prescription for spiritual enlightenment.