SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0215 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

Every aspirant should try to possess a serene mind . An aspirant with a restless mind cannot make an iota of progress . The first prerequisite is serenity of mind .

Silent meditation in the morning , renunciation of desires , Sattvic diet , discipline of the senses , observance of Mouna ( Silence ) daily for one hour will pave a long way in the attainment of a settled peace of mind .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0216 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

All vain , habitual thoughts , feelings , cares , anxieties , confused ideas , all sorts of imaginary fears , must be eradicated .

Then only you will have a peaceful mind .

The foundation of Yoga can be well and truly laid only if the aspirant possesses serenity of mind to a maximum degree .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0217 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

A calm mind only can grasp the truth .
A silent mind only can receive the Divine Light .

A peaceful mind only will be a proper vessel to hold the Spiritual Light .

The spiritual experiences will be permanent if one possesses a quiet mind . Otherwise they will come and go .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0218 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

One who has controlled the mind is really happy and free .

Physical freedom is no freedom at all .

If one is easily carried away by emotions and impulses , if one is under the grip of moods , cravings and passions , how can one be really happy ?

One is like a rudderless boat . One is tossed about hither and thither like a piece of straw in a river . One laughs for five minutes and weeps for five hours .

What can spouse , children , friends , money , fame , titles , powers , do for one swayed by the impulses of the mind ?

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0219 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

A true hero is one who has controlled the mind .

There is a proverb :

" One who has controlled one’s mind has controlled the world " .

True victory is victory over the mind . Then only one can enjoy real freedom .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0220 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

Through rigorous discipline and self-imposed restrictions , you will have to eradicate all your desires , thoughts , impulses , cravings , etc .

Then only you can free yourself from the thraldom of the mind .

You should not give leniency to the mind . You should curb it by drastic measures .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0221 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

Rajasic mind always wants new things . It wants variety . It gets disgusted with monotony .

It wants change of place , change of food , and change of everything , in short .

But a yogic student should train the mind to stick to one thing . One should not be afraid of monotony .

One should have asinine patience , adamantine will and untiring perseverance . Then only one can succeed in Yoga .

One who wants something new always , is unfit for Yoga .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0222 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

You should stick to one place , one teacher , one method , one system of Yoga . Then only rapid progress is possible .

You should have real thirst for GOD-Realisation .

Then all obstacles will be obviated . Then only you can stick to the path of Yoga .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0223 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

Mere emotional bubbling for the time being out of sheer curiosity or for getting powers and Siddhis cannot bring any tangible results .

When you have made some progress in meditation , you cannot be carried away by surging emotions .

Occasional irritability and undesirable cravings of various sorts may manifest , but you will have strength to control or repress them .

You will not yield to them .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0224 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

Gradually these cravings will be completely burnt by the fire of meditation .

If you are careless , if you are irregular in your Yogic practices , if your dispassion wanes , if you give up your Sadhana for some days on account of laziness , the adverse forces will take you away from the true path of Yoga .

You will be stranded . It will be very difficult for you to rise up again to the original pinnacle .

Therefore be very regular in your practices .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0225 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

The restless mind must be rendered quiet by reducing your wants , by destroying useless earthly desires .

Have one strong desire for liberation < : GOD : > . Then you can open your mind to the higher spiritual influences .

The Divine Light will slowly descend .

You can actually feel the inner change and spiritual uplift .

Gradually the personal consciousness will merge itself into the Cosmic Consciousness , the individual will will merge into the Divine Will or Cosmic Will .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0226 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

You will have to squeeze out all Rajas from the mind . Rajas is passion .

All worldly ambitions are the products of Rajas .

Ambition renders the mind restless .

If the ambition is not realised , the mind is filled with depression and anxieties .

SADHANA : TPPTSP | SEL0227 | SWAMI SIVANANDA

|| INNER YOGIC DISCIPLINE ||

The ambitious one has no peace of mind . One worries :

" Will I succeed in my attempt ? Even if I succeed , will I be able to have the same influence and power which soandso possesses ? "

Ambition is a great obstacle in Yoga .

You must try to get peace of mind .