SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0131 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

The workings of Maya are very extremely subtle , so very difficult to overcome and human nature is fundamentally so Asuric and unregenerate that real spiritual development and progress in Sadhana are indeed very hard to obtain .

To achieve success in any measure in the spiritual life is the most difficult and an up-hill task that truly it is Divine Grace alone that can raise the aspirant from darkness to Light .

So vehement , self-assertive and rebellious is the egoistic self of the human that it refuses to be changed from its vicious state to a state of virtue , goodness and saintliness .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0132 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

It is a great blunder to think that the mere act of renunciation is sufficient achievement in spiritual life .

lf renunciation makes you feel that you have at once just become quite superior to the rest of humanity and has bestowed on you the right to preach and to dictate to others , then the very purpose of renunciation gets blasted .

You destroy the very foundation of spiritual life by this egotistical assumption .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0133 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

The eradication of egoism in all its numerous aggressive forms comprises the very core of spirituality and all spiritual Sadhana .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0134 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

Right from the very beginning of your spiritual life , you must understand clearly that in true humility , sincere desire to root out gradually pride , egoism and jealousy , earnest and unceasing introspection to find out one's own defects and improve oneself lies your hope of progress .

Without this basis , any Sadhana becomes a delusion and waste .

It makes the aspirant puffed up , more proud and egoistic .

When this happens , all good advices and instructions fall flat upon one .

Higher influences cease to have any effect as the aspirant becomes deliberately and obstinately non-respective to them .

Eternal vigilance should be exercised by every aspirant if one is to avoid falling into this dangerous state . Spiritual life is not a light matter . To grow in Yoga is not an easy joke .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0135 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

Sadhakas must take to the path sincerely . Always feel that you are just a beginner and strive diligently to acquire the primary virtues of kindness , charitability , patience , forbearance .

With boldness , manliness and self-reliance , combine humility , softness of speech and behaviour and self-denial .

Be ready to serve others and put up with provocation and abuse without retaliation . Remove all harshness and rudeness from your nature . Courtesy and politeness must become part of your very nature .

Then alone the hardened heart gets softened and good sentiments and spiritual emotions arise in it .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0136 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

Concentration , meditation and Samadhi are still far from now who has not purified oneself and got rid of evil traits .

Sinning and evil has become so much a habit with the human that one never feels that one is committing them even though day and night one is doing so constantly .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0137 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

The greatest harm is done by the fact that even while in this unregenerate state , the aspirant becomes deluded by Maya into thinking that one has already progressed considerably in spirituality .

One deceives oneself with the thought that as far as one is concerned one is pretty advanced in Sadhana .

One thinks one has acquired that Nirlipta ( unattached ) attitude where one can commit any sort of act and yet remain unaffected by it .

THIS SELF-DECEPTION PUTS A BAR TO ALL PROGRESS .

Under this grave delusion one allows oneself to be unrestrained and runs wild , intolerant of criticism , resentful of the least opposition , utterly disregardful of others feelings and absolutely unamenable to advice and correction .

All senses of discrimination , sane judgment and introspection vanish from one .

Even the common courtesy and culture possessed by an ordinary worldly person take leave of the aspirant on account of one's presumption of spiritual advancement and growth of wisdom .

One becomes disposed to attack even venerable and elderly persons and spiritually superior souls .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0138 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

O aspirants ! Beware of these dangers in your spiritual life .

Be vigilant always . Always regard yourself as a beginner just commencing Sadhana . Never underestimate the importance of Yama , Niyama , of ethical culture and Sadhana-Chatushtaya . They are everything .

Japa , Kirtan , Svadhyaya , Upasana should all be done side by side with this ethical training and character-building .

Without the latter , Sadhana becomes fruitless as filling a vessel which is full of holes in the bottom .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0139 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

Without the eager and earnest desire to obey the Guru and improve oneself , without service , humility , sincerity , simplicity and eagerness to learn and improve oneself , Sadhana is useless like rowing a boat which is firmly anchored to the river-bed or like sowing seeds upon the rock .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0140 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

Spirituality means growing into the form of the Divine Ideal . It is the transformation of your nature from the human to the Divine .

You can hope to achieve perfection only when you effect this transformation .

It is purification and change of heart alone that makes Dharana and Dhyana possible .

To grow in Sattva , you must entirely destroy the Asuric side of your nature .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0141 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

Never imagine for a moment that you are anywhere near the Goal unless and until you strive with earnestness and diligence to rid yourself of evil tendencies , get established in a pure Sattvic ethical character .

Remember this point clearly .
Constantly reflect upon this .
Meditate upon this .
Know what true spirituality is .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0142 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

Fully realise the importance of becoming a changed person ethically and morally , before you can claim to be a Sadhaka .

Carefully avoid the dangers of self-deception by constant vigilance and introspection .

Do Sadhana regularly and pray for Grace .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0143 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

Imagine not that you have scaled the heights of spirituality . Patiently wait for the result .

When your nature is changed , purified and prepared , Grace will flow down of itself , illumination will flash by itself , in the firmament of your pure heart .

Bliss and Ananda will spontaneously flow in and fill you when you have emptied yourself of all harshness , egoism , pride and passion .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0144 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| THE DIFFICULTY OF PROGRESS IN SADHANA ||

Perfection and Immortality will be yours .

Where there is kindness , humility and purity , there spirituality springs up , saintliness shines , divinity descends and perfection manifests itself .