Swami Sivananda
Swami Sivananda Daily Readings 1
28/01/09 19:14
Just
reflect for a while when you have failed in an attempt. Try
to
be more careful in the next attempt. Try to remove those factors that
led you to fail previously. Fortify yourself now. Be careful and
vigilant. Be active and nimble as the squirrel. Be quick and at the
same time be capable and efficient. Do not commit mistakes.
Call forth all your latent energies or dormant faculties. When the
house is on fire - how alert you are. How skilfully and promptly you
act at that particular moment. You do not know where the power and
the energy are flowing from at that time. You are fully concentrated.
You contrive by skilful methods, then and there, to save your
property and the lives of those dwelling in the house. You do
marvellous actions and then, when the difficulty is over you say that
some mysterious `power of God' has worked through you!
Always cut the Gordian knot at once. Do not waste time. When once you
have resolved on a definite line of action, carry it out dexterously,
with a cool and calculating deliberation and consideration.
Procrastination is the thief of time. One who procrastinates can
never succeed in life, or in any of his undertakings.
The vast majority of persons, even so-called `educated' people, have
no definite aim in life. They drift here and there like a log of wood
on a restless ocean. They do not know what to do. After finishing
their B.A. or M.A. courses students do not know how to proceed. They
do not have power of judgment to select any good vocation that is
suitable to their temperament, that will bring them prosperity in
life. They become lazy. They are not suitable for any kind of
speculative business or any kind of activity demanding knack, pluck
and skill.
In persons of this sort, those who waste their time and energy, they
finish their life's career in gloom, despair and sorrow. The energy,
the intellect are there but they have no ideal, no clear-cut
programme of life. Their life is a failure.
Clearly understand the purpose of life. Then chalk out the line of
work that is congenial to your aim. Live up to your ideal. You can
realise the ideal right now, this very second. But if you walk with
faltering steps it will take ten years. The ideal must be there and
then you can develop your will.
-H.H. Swami Sivananda
be more careful in the next attempt. Try to remove those factors that
led you to fail previously. Fortify yourself now. Be careful and
vigilant. Be active and nimble as the squirrel. Be quick and at the
same time be capable and efficient. Do not commit mistakes.
Call forth all your latent energies or dormant faculties. When the
house is on fire - how alert you are. How skilfully and promptly you
act at that particular moment. You do not know where the power and
the energy are flowing from at that time. You are fully concentrated.
You contrive by skilful methods, then and there, to save your
property and the lives of those dwelling in the house. You do
marvellous actions and then, when the difficulty is over you say that
some mysterious `power of God' has worked through you!
Always cut the Gordian knot at once. Do not waste time. When once you
have resolved on a definite line of action, carry it out dexterously,
with a cool and calculating deliberation and consideration.
Procrastination is the thief of time. One who procrastinates can
never succeed in life, or in any of his undertakings.
The vast majority of persons, even so-called `educated' people, have
no definite aim in life. They drift here and there like a log of wood
on a restless ocean. They do not know what to do. After finishing
their B.A. or M.A. courses students do not know how to proceed. They
do not have power of judgment to select any good vocation that is
suitable to their temperament, that will bring them prosperity in
life. They become lazy. They are not suitable for any kind of
speculative business or any kind of activity demanding knack, pluck
and skill.
In persons of this sort, those who waste their time and energy, they
finish their life's career in gloom, despair and sorrow. The energy,
the intellect are there but they have no ideal, no clear-cut
programme of life. Their life is a failure.
Clearly understand the purpose of life. Then chalk out the line of
work that is congenial to your aim. Live up to your ideal. You can
realise the ideal right now, this very second. But if you walk with
faltering steps it will take ten years. The ideal must be there and
then you can develop your will.
-H.H. Swami Sivananda
Comments
The Science of Seven Cultures (Sadhana Tattwa)
10/11/08 09:42
Sadhana Tattwa
Click here for a link to all books written by Swami Sivananda
SEVEN-FOLD SELF CULTURE BY SWAMI SIVANANDA
NOTE: These instructions were for a 1940’s-1950’s Indian audience. Please see the context.
(a) An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory. Practise Yoga, Religion and Philosophy in daily life and attain Self-realisation.
(b) These thirty-two instructions give the essence of the Eternal (Sanatana Dharma) in purest form. These are suitable for modern busy householders with fixed hours of work. Modify them to suit your convenience and increase the period gradually.
(c) In the beginning take only a few practicable resolves which form a small but definite advance over your present habits and character. In case of ill health, pressure of work or unavoidable engagements, replace your active Sadhana by frequent rememberance of God.
1. HEALTH CULTURE
1. Eat moderately, take light and simple food. Offer it to God before you eat. Have a balanced diet.
2. Avoid chillies, garlic, onions, tamarind etc., as far as possible. Give up tea, coffee, smoking, betels, meat and wine entirely.
3. Fast on Ekadasi days, take milk, fruits and roots only.
4. Practice Yoga Asanas or physical exercises for fifteen to thirty minutes everyday. Take a long walk or play some vigorous games daily.
2. ENERGY CULTURE
5. Observe silence (Mouna) for two hours daily and four to eight hours on Sundays.
6. Observe celibacy according to your age and circumstances. Restrict the indulgence to once a month. Decrease gradually to once a year. Finally take a vow of abstinence for whole life.
3. ETHICAL CULTURE
7. Speak the Truth, Speak little, speak kindly, speak sweetly.
8. Do not injure anyone in thought, word or deed. Be kind to all.
9. Be sincere, straightforward and open hearted in your talks and dealings.
10. Be honest. Earn by sweat of your brow. Do not accept any money, thing or favour unless earned lawfully. Develop nobility and integrity.
11. Control fits of anger by serenity, patience, love, mercy and tolerance. Forget and forgive. Adapt yourself to men and events.
4. WILL CULTURE
12. Live without sugar for a week or month. Give up salt on Sundays.
13. Give up cards, novels, cinemas and clubs. Fly from evil-company. Avoid discussions with materialists. Do not mix with persons who have no faith in God or who criticise your Sadhana.
14. Curtail your wants. Reduce your possessions. Have plain living and high thinking.
5. HEART CULTURE
15. Doing good to others is the highest religion. Do some selfless service for a few hours every week, without egoism or expectation of reward. Do your worldly
duties in the same spirit. Work is worship. Dedicate it to God.
16. Give two to ten percent of your income in charity every month. Share what you
have with others. Let the world be your family. Remove selfishness.
17. Be humble and prostrate yourself to all beings mentally. Feel the Divine
Presence everywhere. Give up vanity, pride and hypocrisy.
18. Have unwavering faith in God, the Gita and your Guru. Make a total self-
surrender to God and pray : “Thy will be done : I want nothing” .Submit to the
divine will in all events and happenings with equanimity.
19. See God in all the beings and love them as your ownself. Do not hate anyone.
20. Remember God at all times or, atleast on raising from bed, during a pause in work
and before going to it. Keep a Mala in your pocket.
6. PSYCHIC CULTURE
21. Study one chapter or ten to twenty five verses of the Gita with meaning, daily.
Learn Sanskrit atleast sufficient to understand Gita in original.
22. Memorise the whole of the Gita, gradually. Keep it always in your pocket.
23. Read the Ramayana, Bhagavata, Upanishads, Yogavasistha or other religious
books or on holidays.
24. Attend religious meetings, Kirtans and Satsanga of saints at every opportunity.
Organise such functions on Sundays or holidays.
25. Visit a temple or place of worship atleast once a week and arrange to hold kirtans
or discourses there.
26. Spend holidays and leave periods, when possible, in the company of saints or
practice sadhana at holy places in seclusion.
7. SPIRITUAL CULTURE
27. Go to bed early. Get up at four o’clock. Answer calls of nature, clean your mouth and take a bath.
28. Recite some prayers and Kirtan. Practice Pranayama, Japa and meditation from five to 6’o clock. Sit on Padma, Siddha, or Sukha Asana throughout, without movement, by gradual practise.
29. Perform your daily Sandhya, Gayatri Japa, Nithyakarma and worship, if any.
30. Write your favourite Mantra or Name of the God in a notebook for ten to thirty minutes, daily.
31. Sing the Names of God (Kirtan), prayers, Stotras and Bhajans for half to one hour at night with family and friends.
32. Make annual resolves on the above lines. Regularity, tenacity and fixity are essential. Record your Sadhana in a spiritual diary daily. Review it every month and correct your failures.
Click here for a link to all books written by Swami Sivananda
SEVEN-FOLD SELF CULTURE BY SWAMI SIVANANDA
NOTE: These instructions were for a 1940’s-1950’s Indian audience. Please see the context.
(a) An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory. Practise Yoga, Religion and Philosophy in daily life and attain Self-realisation.
(b) These thirty-two instructions give the essence of the Eternal (Sanatana Dharma) in purest form. These are suitable for modern busy householders with fixed hours of work. Modify them to suit your convenience and increase the period gradually.
(c) In the beginning take only a few practicable resolves which form a small but definite advance over your present habits and character. In case of ill health, pressure of work or unavoidable engagements, replace your active Sadhana by frequent rememberance of God.
1. HEALTH CULTURE
1. Eat moderately, take light and simple food. Offer it to God before you eat. Have a balanced diet.
2. Avoid chillies, garlic, onions, tamarind etc., as far as possible. Give up tea, coffee, smoking, betels, meat and wine entirely.
3. Fast on Ekadasi days, take milk, fruits and roots only.
4. Practice Yoga Asanas or physical exercises for fifteen to thirty minutes everyday. Take a long walk or play some vigorous games daily.
2. ENERGY CULTURE
5. Observe silence (Mouna) for two hours daily and four to eight hours on Sundays.
6. Observe celibacy according to your age and circumstances. Restrict the indulgence to once a month. Decrease gradually to once a year. Finally take a vow of abstinence for whole life.
3. ETHICAL CULTURE
7. Speak the Truth, Speak little, speak kindly, speak sweetly.
8. Do not injure anyone in thought, word or deed. Be kind to all.
9. Be sincere, straightforward and open hearted in your talks and dealings.
10. Be honest. Earn by sweat of your brow. Do not accept any money, thing or favour unless earned lawfully. Develop nobility and integrity.
11. Control fits of anger by serenity, patience, love, mercy and tolerance. Forget and forgive. Adapt yourself to men and events.
4. WILL CULTURE
12. Live without sugar for a week or month. Give up salt on Sundays.
13. Give up cards, novels, cinemas and clubs. Fly from evil-company. Avoid discussions with materialists. Do not mix with persons who have no faith in God or who criticise your Sadhana.
14. Curtail your wants. Reduce your possessions. Have plain living and high thinking.
5. HEART CULTURE
15. Doing good to others is the highest religion. Do some selfless service for a few hours every week, without egoism or expectation of reward. Do your worldly
duties in the same spirit. Work is worship. Dedicate it to God.
16. Give two to ten percent of your income in charity every month. Share what you
have with others. Let the world be your family. Remove selfishness.
17. Be humble and prostrate yourself to all beings mentally. Feel the Divine
Presence everywhere. Give up vanity, pride and hypocrisy.
18. Have unwavering faith in God, the Gita and your Guru. Make a total self-
surrender to God and pray : “Thy will be done : I want nothing” .Submit to the
divine will in all events and happenings with equanimity.
19. See God in all the beings and love them as your ownself. Do not hate anyone.
20. Remember God at all times or, atleast on raising from bed, during a pause in work
and before going to it. Keep a Mala in your pocket.
6. PSYCHIC CULTURE
21. Study one chapter or ten to twenty five verses of the Gita with meaning, daily.
Learn Sanskrit atleast sufficient to understand Gita in original.
22. Memorise the whole of the Gita, gradually. Keep it always in your pocket.
23. Read the Ramayana, Bhagavata, Upanishads, Yogavasistha or other religious
books or on holidays.
24. Attend religious meetings, Kirtans and Satsanga of saints at every opportunity.
Organise such functions on Sundays or holidays.
25. Visit a temple or place of worship atleast once a week and arrange to hold kirtans
or discourses there.
26. Spend holidays and leave periods, when possible, in the company of saints or
practice sadhana at holy places in seclusion.
7. SPIRITUAL CULTURE
27. Go to bed early. Get up at four o’clock. Answer calls of nature, clean your mouth and take a bath.
28. Recite some prayers and Kirtan. Practice Pranayama, Japa and meditation from five to 6’o clock. Sit on Padma, Siddha, or Sukha Asana throughout, without movement, by gradual practise.
29. Perform your daily Sandhya, Gayatri Japa, Nithyakarma and worship, if any.
30. Write your favourite Mantra or Name of the God in a notebook for ten to thirty minutes, daily.
31. Sing the Names of God (Kirtan), prayers, Stotras and Bhajans for half to one hour at night with family and friends.
32. Make annual resolves on the above lines. Regularity, tenacity and fixity are essential. Record your Sadhana in a spiritual diary daily. Review it every month and correct your failures.