Sivananda Gurugram - April 2009

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH Identify yourself with the all-pervading Self. Lead the life of oneness and unity. - Sri Swami Sivananda SIVANANDA YOGA FAQ ~~~ Frequently Asked Questions Q 1: How does the mind differ from the Soul? A: The mind is a special, limited particularization of the Soul-consciousness, which is unlimited and never ceases to be all-pervading. The mind is the form of the collective totality of desires, and hence, it is inert and powerless. But it appears to be conscious and powerful as the Inner Self or the Soul is reflected through it. The mind alone is the real person or the individual and it is the real doer of all actions. It is the experiencer of every condition in the universe, both objectively and subjectively. The Soul is the Absolute which is not really affected by any experience of the mind. The mind is mortal, while the Soul is immortal. Q3: How do you train your disciples for quick spiritual success? A: As a drastic measure to overhaul the vicious worldly Samskaras, I ask the students to drown themselves in active service for some months or years. The period of training varies according to the evolution of the students. They must know cooking, washing, and nursing of the sick. They must serve the Sadhus and the Sannyasins in every possible way. Side by side they must be able to learn all the Yogic exercises, concentration, Japa, meditation, etc. They must be able to write essays on philosophy and Yoga. They must do Kirtan and deliver lectures also. I teach them on all these points. I give them lessons in the treatment of some ordinary diseases. When I find that the students are able to control their senses and advance in concentration and meditation and when I find that they have developed all the Sattvic qualities, I send them to cool places with instructions fordeep meditation. Important Dates for April: APRIL 2009 03 – Rama Navami 05 - Ekadasi 09 - Full Moon (Hanuman Jayanti) 12 - Easter 13 - Tamil New 21 - Ekadasi 25 - New Moon

Victory in the inner battle - Swami Sivananda

Even a little victory in the inner battle with your mind and senses will develop your will-power and give more assurance and courage.

But do not get swayed by success. Be humble and grateful

Swami Sivananda

How will the mind become quiescent? - Sri Ramana Maharshi

Question: How will the mind become quiescent?

Bhagavan: By the enquiry ‘Who am I’. The thought ‘Who am I?’ will destroy all other thoughts, and like the stick used for stirring the burning pyre, it will itself in the end get destroyed. Then, there will arise Self-realisation.

What is the nature of the mind? - Sri Ramana Maharshi

Question: What is the nature of the mind? Bhagavan: What is called ‘mind’ is a wondrous power residing in the Self. It causes all thoughts to arise. Apart from thoughts, there is no such thing as mind. Therefore, thought is the nature of mind. When one persistently inquires into the nature of the mind, the mind will end leaving the Self (as the residue). What is referred to as the Self is the Atman. The mind always exists only in dependence on something gross; it cannot stay alone. It is the mind that is called the subtle body or the soul (jiva). Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi

Daily meditations by Swami Sivananda 6: Mind - The Cause of Pain and Joy

22^nd September

Neither this body nor the Atman nor the gods nor the planets nor work nor time cause pain or pleasure. It is this wretched mind that causes pleasure and pain and creates this worldliness.

This terrible mind generates thoughts, cravings, egoism, desires and likes and dislikes. Man then does various actions with egoism and expectation of fruit. Therefore, he has to take birth again and again in accordance with the nature of actions

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

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