EPISTLE OF SWAMI SIVANANDA - 7

          Epistle of Swami Sivananda - 7
 

Behold! You must be diligent and vigilant always. Do not give leniency to the mind.

Be regular in your meditation. Meditation is the very essence and life of all spiritual sadhanas.

Meditate on the form of Lord Krishna with flute in His hand. Concentrate on trikuti (the space between the eyebrows). Repeat mentally - Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

May Lord Krishna be your centre, ideal and goal.

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Meditation is a sound and safe method by which you can unlock your inner power and attain God-realisation.

When you are in meditation you will touch the level of cosmic consciousness in a flash of illumination.

You will know that life is eternal and that you are eternal. God is the only reality. God is the only truth. God alone exists. Know this, realise this.

God is love. He dwells in your heart. Recite His name always. Sing His glories, Do kirtan (chanting).

Conquer the whole world by truth and love.

In silence alone you can hold communion with God. When there is conflict of duty, sit and meditate. Hear the inner voice and act immediately.

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During meditation one enters into a half sleepy state - this is called tandra. If one is really meditating, his body will be light and his mind will be cheerful.

If he is sleeping, the body will be heavy, the mind will be dull and the eye lids will be heavy.

During deep meditation you will forget the external world first and then the body. You will feel that there is no body. You will experience immense joy, indescribable peace.

Natural retention of the breath, without inhalation and exhalation, will come by itself.

Meditate on a concrete form in the beginning. Meditate on any form of the Lord. Think of his attributes: omnipotence, purity, perfection, etc. Gradually the mind will be prepared to take up the higher, formless meditation.

Be patient. Be persevering. Cultivate burning dispassion, burning longing for God-realisation. Gradually you will enter into deep meditation and samadhi.

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