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DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA
MEDITATIONS FOR
NOVEMBER
Gregg Hill's Reflexology and Japanese Massage Institute presents:
DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA
BE AS B OLD AS A LION – 2
Never think that you are a wretched person. Drive away such wrong ideas. Be as brave as a
lion, Be always cheerful. In reality you are the Atman. This body is only a sheath that has to be
thrown away. Nobody can hurt the Atman. It is invulnerable.
When your house is on fire how daringly you enter it to remove your child who is asleep in
the room! Even so, you must be very courageous when you tread the spiritual path. You must be
absolutely fearless. You must not have the least attachment to your body. Then only can you have
Self-realization quickly.
HUMILITY IS P OWER – 3
Humility is a bomb of infinite potency which alone can destroy the invincible citadel of
egoism. Egoism is harder than granite. He who is endowed with the divine quality of humility can
conquer the three worlds. The humble man is really blessed. He will soon enter the realms of
eternal peace.
The spirit of the Srutis and Upanishads cannot be understood even in a hundred years by
those who are proud and conceited and who think themselves very learned. Therefore, give up
conceit and become humble.
GIVE UP VANITY – 4
If there be any good virtues in you, think that there are many more in others. This will
develop humility in you. A worldly-minded man thinks too much of himself, He thinks that there
is none equal to him in appearance, intelligence and experience. This gives rise to vanity and
arrogance.
He who is humble and regards worldly titles and honour as mere straw, is indeed a great man
The knowledge of your weaknesses will instill humility in your heart. It will force you to equip
yourself with strength and find out suitable methods to attain victory over the weaknesses.
one of the qualifications of an aspirant on the path of Jnana. It brings happiness herein and
hereafter.
The quality of forbearance has one drawback. People misconstrue those who practice
forbearance for impotent, effeminate people. Bear with joy whatever amount of pain or trouble
others may give you. Increase your power of endurance, bearing heat and cold and pain and
hunger to the maximum.
I GNORE CRITICISM – 8
Are you the Atman or mind or body? Even though you have read my writings a thousand and
one times, you still identify yourself with the mind and body and lose your mental balance when a
little criticism is made. So strong is your egoism.
People criticize your body and mind or become your friends. Why do you get agitated then,
my dear Krishna? You are still weak. You have not grown spiritually. Ignore criticism.
Why do you brood over past events? You cannot have peace of m in d if you indulge in this
habit. Rise above criticism and petty remarks. You will then enjoy peace of mind.
GLORY OF C ONTENTMENT – 10
A contented mind is a continuous feast. A man of contentment is always peaceful. Knowledge
of the Self will arise only in a man who is endowed with contentment.
Contentment is the sweet ambrosia to allay all kinds of physical and mental sufferings and
torments. He who is not desirous of what he does not have, who is free from elation and
dejection, is said to be a contented man. Glory to such exalted souls!
SIMPLICITY IS GRACEFUL – 12
Simplicity is freedom front duplicity, affectation or pretension. In dress, in food, in character,
in style, in manners, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. There is beauty and
majesty in simplicity. It is nature's first step and the last of her arts.
Be what you say and say what you are. Write as you speak and speak as you think. Be simple
like a child. The door of Moksha will then be opened to you.
The greatest of truths are the simplest, and so are the greatest of men. Goodness and
simplicity are indissolubly united. A simple,/rank man is the most agreeable man. Purity and
simplicity are the two wings with which man soars into the kingdom of God.
GIVE UP DIPLOMACY – 13
Diplomacy only creates suspicion arid hatred in others. You can win the hearts of all through
love, frankness and simplicity. You can capture the hearts of others through selfless service and
humility.
He who has given up selfishness and greed and is endowed with courage, fearlessness,
patience, love and mercy, is alone fit for attaining Self-realization.
Five things are necessary if you desire to practice vigorous and deep meditation and attain the
Self quickly. They are: the vow of silence, light diet or diet of milk and fruit, personal contact
with a Guru, a place with charming scenery, and a cool place.
Build a strong spiritual fortress through regular meditation. Develop a magnetic aura around
you which cannot be penetrated even by the mighty messengers of Maya or Satan. Your will
should be rendered strong, pure and irresistible by ceaseless meditation on the Atman, eradication
or' desires and control of the senses.
more you polish the surface of your inner heart by practicing dispassion and meditation, the more
the Grace will shine there. Never become impatient on the spiritual path. Be patient. Be calm.
Strive, strive, strive with faith and single-minded devotion.
Regular meditation makes the mind less powerful in its extrovert tendencies. Even a little
victory in the inner battle with your mind and senses will develop your will and give you
assurance and courage. But do not be swayed by success. Be humble and grateful to God.
Far more precious than gold and diamond is the spiritual wealth of Self-realization.
BECOME A FLAME AT G OD – 19
Just as the light burns within a hurricane lamp, so also the Divine Flame has been burning
from time immemorial in the lamp of your heart.
Close your eyes, merge yourself within the Divine Flame. Plunge deep into the chambers of
your heart. Meditate on this Divine Flame and become a flame of God. Withdraw all the senses
from their objects.
Propitiate the Lord by means of your austerities. Meditate on Lord Hart, get into the dazzling
divine car and reach the supreme abode of Vishnu.
IDLENESS I S N OT REST – 25
Real rest can be had during meditation when the mind rests in the Atman. Change of work can
give rest. Remaining idle without work and allowing the mind to wonder wildly like a furious
elephant, or building castles in the air, cannot bring rest to the mind and soul.
The man who cannot fix his mind in meditation and prayer cannot have knowledge of the
Self. The unsteady man cannot practice meditation, He cannot have intense devotion to
knowledge of the Self, or any burning longing for liberation. He who does not practice prayer,
Japa and meditation cannot have peace of mind. How can there be real lasting happiness for those
who are unpeaceful?
everything and transmute evil into good. This is real Yoga. This is the real work of a Yogi.
SIGNS OF PROGRESS – 29
Your mind will sometimes shudder when evil thoughts enter it. This is a sign of your spiritual
progress. You are growing spiritually. You will be much tormented when you think of your evil
actions committed in the past. 'This is also a sign of spiritual upheaval. You will not repeat the
same actions now.
Your mind will tremble, your body will quiver whenever the wrong mental impression of
some evil action urges you to do the same act through three of habit. Continue your meditation
with full vigour and earnestness. All memory of evil actions, all evil thoughts, all evil promptings
of Satan will die by themselves.