Q&A about sciptures and discrimination with Swami Satyananda

[Guest guest]

Question: Most every scripture purports itself to be the

ultimate road to realization. Why is it necessary to

have that statement included?

 

Swami Satyananda Saraswati answers: Because it is true, and it

boosts the faith of the practicianers.

 

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Question: We are taught that vairaagya and viveka (dispassion, or

detachment, and discrimination) are extremely important attitudes

and qualities in spiritual life.For many of us, this is easy to

understand intellectually, but can be hard to incorporate and

practice.You gave us some techniques already to cultivate vairaagya

in our practice.Can you tell us how to cultivate and strengthen

viveka?

 

Also, which shastras or particular scripture do you recommend

consulting which would tell us about other important qualities to

cultivate, and also give us a context for that?

(I am familiar with Devi Gita, are there others you would

recommend?)

 

 

Swami Satyananda Saraswati answers: Discrimination is cultivated

through goal setting. When you have defined the goal, the path

becomes academic. Then we obviously have criteria by which to

discriminate. All we have to do is to remember the goal and ask if

this decision takes me closer or farther away.

 

Every scripture is revered because it defines the goals and

spiritual life and demonstrates the path. If writings are regarded

as scripture it is because they have these qualities.