Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Testing One’s Spiritual Progress
by Sri Swami Chidananda

Some time back one of our Divine Life Society Branches printed a card with the title "Spiritual Barometer." It was meant to show the progress a person had made upon the spiritual path, in spiritual qualities and in all the various dimensions of spiritual life. For example, how far had you moved towards maturity in your newly unfolded spiritual consciousness; how far are you gradually trying to become established in your native dimension of consciousness where nothing can affect you, where the changing conditions of the body, mind, emotions, fears, imaginations, memories and projections into the future have no place? Were the spiritual qualities such as endurance, patience, strength and unshakability present? So, this was the purpose of the barometer: to test oneself.

But it was by no means comprehensive. It was a very good thing and it tested a certain aspect of the individual’s spiritual progress, but there are other things that a Sadhaka needs to know about himself. For example, it would be a good exercise to know how really interested we are in our own progress, meaning thereby, "How much am I developing in the Jnana aspect, which includes right enquiry and discrimination, and arising out of right enquiry and discrimination a state of inner detachment and dispassion? How much am I progressing in Bhakti and the devotional path? Am I constantly in remembrance of God? Is God to me a higher value than anything else in the world? Is He central to my life, or are other things occupying the centre, and God is an also-ran? How far am I progressing in Karma Yoga, selflessness, keen desire to serve, enthusiasm in serving and expecting nothing in return? Then, how far am I progressing in Yoga and all that Yoga implies—concentration, Pratyahara and Abhyasa?"

Similarly, it is worthwhile asking the question, "How far am I really interested in my spiritual progress?" If a person is really interested in physical culture and in developing a good, strong body, look at the extent to which he will go! He will sacrifice everything and commit to a strict diet and exercise, and day and night he will deny himself. These are all indications of how someone behaves who is really interested in some type of development. In your own field, are you doing all that is necessary in order to progress upon your spiritual path? How to know the answer to this? You have to devise your own test. If a patient is really interested in getting well soon, he will cooperate hundred percent with the doctor and cut out all articles of diet which are not good for him, and he will do all the things he has to do to get better.

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The following article has been posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:

• The Relevance of the Bhagavadgita to Humanity - Chapter 26: Being Spiritually Alone to Oneself

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Conquest of Mind
By Swami Sivananda

This book presents a number of most helpful hints on the Nature of Mind and many methods for the successful conquest of mind. By aspirants, devotees, seekers after Truth, psychologist, and others who are seeking peace of mind and happiness in life, this work will be found highly useful.

A glance at the Table of Contents will reveal that the Master has left no stone unturned.

For more information, please see: Conquest of Mind

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AUDIT YOUR MIND: The Swarg Ashram auditor was auditing the books of the Ashram near the Master’s table in the office. The Master looked at him and said, “Audit your mind, audit your thoughts. Have a stock-taking of the thoughts and desires of the mind.”

The auditor joined in the Master’s wit and remarked, “Only when the trial balance agrees will we attain liberation.”

The Master said, “There will be only liabilities—desire liabilities and sense-pleasure liabilities!”

“Do not try to control the mind through violent methods. You will miserably and hopelessly fail. Conquer the mind slowly and carefully through intelligent means. Overcome desires and aversion by means of meditation. Enter silence and rest peacefully forever. The mind must be slowly and carefully conquered by this power of the will diverted from the path of unrighteousness to the path of meditation. The impurities of the mind are removed and Tamas is annihilated by the ceaseless practice of selfless service, feeling all the time that service is the worship of the Lord. Mind is the dividing wall between the individual Soul and the supreme Soul. If the mind is destroyed the individual Soul becomes identical with the Supreme Soul.” – Swami Sivananda

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