Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Swami Sivananda's Yoga Questions and Answers 2: Q: What is the difference between pleasure and Bliss?

Q: What is the difference between pleasure and Bliss? A: Pleasure is derived from contact with sensual objects. It is changing, fleeting and illusory. But Bliss is eternal. It is attained through realisation of Self or Atman. Taken from: Yoga Questions and Answers Swami Sivananda A Divine Life Society Publication

Friday, May 16, 2008

Swami Sivandanda Pocket Spiritual Gems 2: Tat Tvam Asi

Tat Tvam Asi Thou art not this perishable body; Thou art all-pervading, immortal Atman Tat Tvam Asi, Thou art That.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Swami Sivananda's Parables 1: Parable Of The Lost Wrist-Watch

Parable Of The Lost Wrist-Watch PARABLES OF SIVANANDA By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION A man was frantically searching for something in a dark room. He was weeping and shouting. He was making a mess of the things kept in the room. He broke some and tumbled on others. Yet, what he was searching for, he could not get. A friend came to the threshold and asked for the reason of the man's misery. He replied: "O my friend, I have lost my wrist-watch. It is gone." The friend said: "How can it go away from here? But, what a fool you are to search for it in the darkness! I have brought the light. Now, calm yourself. Think deeply and try to remember where it ought to be. You will soon discover it." The man did so, and got the wrist-watch. The friend explained: "The watch was not lost, nor have you gained it now. It was there all the time. But because of the darkness that prevailed in the room, and because you were searching for it where it was not, you did not get it. You were ignorant of its whereabouts. Now that the ignorance is removed, you think you have got it. It was ever yours and was never lost." Similarly, within the deepest recesses of man's heart is the Self, full of bliss and peace. But, blinded by the darkness of ignorance, man is unable to see it and experience the bliss and the peace. Searching for happiness and peace, he wanders about among the objects of this world, makes a mess to himself and the things of the world, causes misery to others and to himself, weeps and shouts. But the object of his quest is not found. At last the Guru appears with the lamp of wisdom in his hand. He says to the man: "Remove the darkness of your ignorance with this lamp of wisdom; calm yourself; restrain all the mental modifications. Then analyse all experience and meditate on the result. You will discover the Self. You had not lost it before; nor have you gained it now. It has always been there. Only you were ignorant of it. Now that in your pure heart and calm mind, the Self shines, self-luminous, you feel that you have regained it. In fact you had never lost it."

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Daily meditations by Swami Sivananda 3: Time is Precious

May 3rd – Time is Precious: Know the value of time. You cannot salvage even a second spent in a worthless manner. Time is most precious. Utilise every second in spiritual pursuits and in service. The moment you turn your mind Godward, you will gain immense strength and peace. If you are truthful and pure in your daily life, you will inherit the kingdom of God. As soon as you get up from your bed in the early morning, do Japa and meditation. Then do Asanas and Pranayama.

Sivananda Gurugram: May

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahimsa is cosmic love. Ahimsa is true sacrifice. Ahimsa is forgiveness. Ahimsa is true strength. - Swami Sivananda
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OM