Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

The Key Stone in Sadhana
by Sri Swami Sivananda

Having checked all other operations of the mind, bring it to bear upon a single point. This gathering together and bringing to bear upon of a force at a given point on any object, idea or act, forms the process of concentration. The concentrated application of a force makes for maximum results with minimum time and effort.

This law is equally applicable to man in all branches of his life’s activities. With the utmost concentrated and careful attention the surgeon executes minute operations. The deepest absorption marks the mental state of the technician, the engineer, the architect or the expert painter, engaged in drawing the minute details of a plan, chart or sketch where accuracy is of paramount importance. A like concentration is displayed by the skilled Swiss workman that fashions the delicate parts of watches and other scientific instruments. Thus in every art and science.

The tremendous power that any force develops when collected and directed through a given point is fully recognised. This is seen in the rush of the water at the sluices of dams, in the impelling power of steam from a railway boiler. As the sunlight when passed through a lens emerges as a single fiery ray of intense power, the whole mind attains a single-pointedness through Dharana. Now experience has shown that interest and attention of the mind is attracted by three distinct means viz., sound, vision (physical or mental) and imagination or idea. The Yogi enters into deep meditation by concentrating his mind upon the mystic inner sound of Pranava. This is the Anahata Nada which becomes audible when the inner sheaths are perfectly purified and harmony established; or again a Mantra is repeated in a harmonious tone and the mind is concentrated on the continuous unbroken sound. A concrete form of any aspect of the deity or the syllable OM is chosen for fixing the mind. The rational and Vedantic type fills the mind with some sublime idea or formula upon which the mind is made to dwell intensely and continuously.

During concentration the mind becomes calm, serene and steady. The various rays of the mind are collected and focussed on the object of meditation. The mind is centred on the Lakshya. There will be no tossing of the mind. One idea occupies the mind. The whole energy of the mind is concentrated on that one idea. The senses become still. They do not function. When there is deep concentration, there is no consciousness of the body and surroundings. He who has good concentration can visualise the picture of the Lord very clearly within the twinkling of the eye.

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The following article was recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:

• Karma Yoga

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Dhyana Yoga
by Sri Swami Sivananda

Meditation is the key which unlocks the treasure-trove of the highest intelligence, of wisdom, of divinity, of genius. No man who wishes to make a success of his life can afford to neglect it.

The genius among scientists, the successful businessman, the best among philosophers, the Yogi and the seeker after Truth, all of them meditate. Their achievements are the fruits of their meditation.

The secrets of meditation have remained the close preserve of Yogis, till the Sage of the Himalayas, Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, in his supreme compassion and all-consuming love for all mankind, came forward to elucidate the philosophical foundation, the method, the experiences, the obstacles and the successful fulfilment of meditation.

His writings on this vital subject are presented by him in this inspiring book.

For more information, please see: Dhyana Yoga

SPECIAL CONCESSION

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20% on Orders Above Rs. 300/-
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Please visit our online bookstore for further details:
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ADAPT AND ADJUST: Sri Swami Hariomananda was habituated to repeating, “Ram, Ram, Ram”, and greeting persons with the same words.

On seeing him, the Master also greeted him with the words, “Ram, Ram, Ram.”

Then, turning to the other disciples, he said, “When I meet a devotee, I say, ‘Ram, Ram, Ram’. When I meet a Vedantin like Sri Tiwari, I say, ‘Om, Om, Om’.”

On another occasion, when a devotee bade the Master good night at the time of departing, the Master said to him, “Do not say, ‘good night’ as the Westerners do. Say, ‘Om Namo Narayanaya.’ You are not an Englishman.”

The devotee in question could not give up the habit and refused to say ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’, shaking his head.

The Master then said, “You will not repeat it? All right, good night, sir!”

“Admit your faults daily before your preceptor or teacher. Then alone will you find the strength to rise above any worldly weaknesses.” – Sri Swami Sivananda

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