Sivananda Day-to-day (594)

 
From: "Sivananda" <pannir@PROTECTED>
Date: May 23rd 2026

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

Namaste!

Instructions on Meditation
by Sri Swami Sivananda

Mokshapriya said:

O Blessed Teacher, now instruct me on Meditation. My mind is ever wandering despite my effort in the early morning during Brahmamuhurta-4 a.m.

Swami Sivananda replied:

O Mokshapriya, hearken to me with rapt attention and one-pointed mind. Dhyanam nirvishayam manah: meditation is freeing the mind from thoughts of sense-objects. Mind dwells on God and God alone during meditation.

All on a sudden you cannot jump to meditation and Samadhi. You will fall down and break your legs. Can a student of Third Form understand the “Theory of Relativity”, “Advanced Mathematics”, etc.?

Purify your heart first through selfless service, recitation of Lord’s Names, Pranayama, etc. Get yourself established in Sadachara or right conduct. Have perfect ethical perfection. Then alone will you be established in deep meditation.

Meditation follows concentration and Samadhi follows meditation.

A gross mind, O friend, O Mokshapriya, wants a concrete object for meditation, in the beginning. Meditation on a concrete form such as the form of Lord Krishna with flute in hand, or the form of Lord Jesus or Lord Buddha is very necessary in the beginning. This is Saguna meditation or meditation on the form of the Lord with attributes.

Think of His attributes such as Omnipresence, Omniscience, Omnipotence, purity and perfection, etc. when you meditate on His form.

Gradually the mind will be prepared and disciplined to take up the higher Nirakara and Nirguna meditation, formless and attributeless meditation on the Pure Nirguna Brahman.

Deep meditation cannot come in a day or a week or a month. You will have to struggle hard for a long time. Be patient. Be persevering. Be vigilant and diligent. Get rid of all Vasanas, cravings and ambitions. Cultivate burning dispassion, burning aspiration or longing for Self-realisation. Gradually you will enter into deep meditation.

Struggle, O Mokshapriya, struggle again. Strive hard. Meditate. Meditate. Meditate. You will surely attain success in the end. Mark my word, O spiritual hero!

Source


The following articles were recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam


The following book was recently reprinted:

EK6 Chhandogya Upanishad by Sri Swami Krishnananda


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

The discount on publications is as follows:

20% on Orders Above Rs. 300/-
30% on Orders Above Rs. 3,000/-
40% on Orders Above Rs. 25,000/-

Please visit our online bookstore for further details:
https://www.dlshq.org/presta/


ADVICE TO WOMEN: Kumari V. and two other girls were in the Master’s cottage.

The Master turned to the two girls and said, “Look at Kumari V., how bold she is! She does not feel shy at all to sing the Lord’s Names and lecture on His glories. You should cultivate this wonderful quality. Then only can you do real service to humanity and spread the message of divine life.”

For a moment it looked as if the Master was idolizing Kumari V., but he said to her, “Be modest like the two girls. Reduce your ceaseless talking. Do not run about restlessly here and there. How quiet-going these girls are and how modest! These are the essential feminine virtues.”

To all of them the Master said, “You must harmoniously blend in yourself the best masculine virtues as well as the best feminine qualities. Then only will you be successful in your spiritual life. Then only will you develop an integral personality full of compassion, modesty, humility and the spirit of active selfless service. Be both man and woman.”


“Never miss a day in meditation. Be regular and systematic. Take Sattvic food. Fruits and milk will help mental focussing. Give up meat, fish, eggs, smoking, liquors, etc.” – Sri Swami Sivananda


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