Sivananda daily reading for 15th January - Self-reliance

SELF-RELIANCE

Pure reason urges a man to do what is the best. The asuric (lower) nature of man fights and struggles against the higher nature of the man. The impulses of a man who has not undergone the ethical disciplines run counter to his reason. All advice, all rebuke and exhortation, all admonition found in the scriptures of the world testify that the irrational part is not amenable to reason.

The basis of good manners is self-reliance. For this reason, the great founders and eminent teachers of all religions have repeatedly proclaimed the need for recognising the Godhead within and for self-reliance in the last resort, rather than texts, persons or customs.

Self-control is greatest in the man whose life is dominated by ideals and general principles of conduct. The final end of moral discipline is self-control. The whole nature of man must be disciplined. Each element requires its specific training. Discipline harmonises the opposing elements in him. Self-control will enable the aspirant to know the truth, to desire the good, and to win the right - and thus to realise the reality.

Discipline is the training of our faculties, through instructions and through exercise, in accordance with some settled principle of authority. You must discipline not only the intellect but also the will and the emotions.

A disciplined man controls his actions. He is no longer at the mercy of the moment. He ceases to be a slave of his impulses and senses (indriyas). Such mastery is not the result of one day's effort. It is acquired only by protracted practice and daily self-discipline. You must learn to refuse the demands and impulses of your lower nature. A self-controlled man is able to resist wrong actions, towards which a worldly man is most strongly impelled. *

Discipline yourself and grow strong. Stand unshaken. Rest in the Atman (the immortal blissful soul). Perfection is not impossible of achievement. It is within the easy reach of human endeavour. All desires are fulfilled after Self-realisation.

If you lack wisdom, ask God sincerely and he will give you wisdom. Physical health, intellectual understanding, moral integrity and spiritual wisdom lead to ultimate perfection.

Taken from: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sivanandadaily/

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

What is the nature of the Self? – Sri Ramana Maharshi

Q: What is the nature of the Self? A: What exists in truth is the Self alone. The world, the individual soul and God are appearances in it. Like silver in mother-of-pearl, these three appear at the same time and disapper at the same time. The Self is that where there is absolutely no 'I-thought'. That is called 'Silence'. The Self itself is the world; the Self itself is 'I'; the Self itself is God; all is Siva, the Self. Sri Ramana Maharshi

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

Who Am I? - Sri Ramana Maharshi

As all living beings desire to be happy always, without misery, as in the case of everyone there is observed supreme love for one’s self, and as happiness alone is the cause for love, in order to gain that happiness which is one’s nature and which is experienced in the state of deep sleep where there is no mind, one should know one’s Self. For that, the path of knowledge, the enquiry of the form ‘Who am I’, is the principal means. Sri Ramana Maharshi – Who Am I?

Swami Sivananda Pocket Spiritual Gems 7: The Yogi Sees Equality

Sarva bhutasthamatmanam Sarva bhutani cha atmani, Ikshate yoga-yuktatma Sarvatra samadarsanah. With the mind harmonized by Yoga, he see the Self abiding in all beings and all beings in the Self; he sees the same everywhere.

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