Swami Sivananda's Yoga Questions and Answers 3: How can I check the wave of anger in the mind?

Q: Love and hate existed ever since the world began. Hence are they not both eternal?

A: No. Hate is not eternal. It has an end when love develops to the fullest extent. Hate is an evil vritti. It is an enemy of peace.

Q: What brings forth hate?

A: Ignorance

Q: How can I check the wave of anger in the mind?

A: If you develop cosmic love or universal love, hatred will vanish. Positive always overcomes the negative. Try to behold the Self in all. How can you hate the Self, the one common consciousness? Hatred is the effect of ignorance.

Develop Kshama (forgiveness), patience, Atma Bhava; anger will vanish. Practice of Japa and devotion will eradicate it. Try to nip it in the bud, when it is in the form of a slight ripple. Do not allow it to assume the form of a big wave. Enquire “who am I?” There is no anger in Atman. Anger is a negative mental modification. When you try to see your beloved Lord in all these names and forms anger will fly away with all it’s train of vicious qualities.

Swami Sivananda's Yoga Questions and Answers 3: Q: How can we steady the mind?

Q: The mind is attracted by brilliant lights, beauty, pleasant colours, sounds etc. How can we bring it back to steadiness?

A: If you follow the path of Vedanta, through discrimination you can clearly understand that what you see is mere appearance and unreal and that the Self, the substratum for the world, is eternal and real. Now the mind will not run towards external objects. It will move towards its source, the Atman within. If you think that the eternal objects are the mere manifestations of your own Self and so exist in you, then also the mind will not run towards, the sensual objects. If you follow the path of devotion, try to fix your mind on the Lotus Feet of your Ishta Devata whenever the mind runs outside. Gradually the mind can be controlled.

Taken from: Yoga Questions and Answers

Swami Sivananda

A Divine Life Society Publication

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