Sivananda Day-to-day (520)

 
From: "Sivananda" <pannir@PROTECTED>
Date: March 7th 2020

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

Namaste!

Spiritualisation of Human Nature
by Sri Swami Sivananda

The petty, obstinate egoism which actuates the human personality is a serious obstacle in meditation or the path of Self-realisation. This little self-arrogating principle supports its surface thoughts and dominates its habitual ways of feeling, character and action. This is Rajasic and Tamasic egoism which conceals or covers the higher, divine, Sattvic nature. It veils the self-luminous Immortal Soul or Atman.

You may have aspiration to the Truth. You may be endowed with devotion. You may possess a will to overcome the obstacles and hostile forces. If the little ego asserts or persists, if the external personality has not consented to change or transformation, you cannot have rapid progress in the spiritual path. It will have its own ways and inclinations.

The lower nature must be thoroughly regenerated. The habitual lower personality of the Sadhaka must be entirely changed. If this is not done any spiritual experience or power is of no value. If this little ego or human personality persists in retaining its petty, limited, selfish, ignoble, false and stupid human consciousness, any amount of Tapas or Sadhana will bear no fruit. This means that you do not really thirst for God-realisation. It is nothing more than idle curiosity. The aspirant says to the preceptor "I want to practise Yoga. I want to enter into Nirvikalpa Samadhi. I want to sit at your feet," but he does not want to change his lower nature and old habits. He wants to have his own ways and old habits, old character, behaviour and conduct.

If the aspirant or Yogic student declines to change his petty, lower nature or if he refuses even to admit the need for any change in his lower, habitual personality, he can never make even an iota of real spiritual advancement. Any partial or temporary elevation, slight occasional inspiration during some exalted moments, any momentary spiritual opening within, without any true or radical transformation of the lower nature or habitual little personality, is of no practical value.

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March 9 is the Jayanti (appearance) of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and March 10 is the celebration of Holi festival. Sri Swami Sivananda has written on the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the significance of the Holi festival:

  1. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by Sri Swami Sivananda.
  2. Holi by Sri Swami Sivananda.

 

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam


BOOK SYNOPSIS

Education For Perfection
by Sri Swami Sivananda

With great joy, we offer our readers the revised edition of ‘Education for Perfection’ by Worshipful Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. This wonderful booklet, first published in year 1954, comprises the soul-elevating address of Sri Gurudev at the University of Roorkee.

According to Sri Gurudev, education loses all its value if it does not have ethical discipline and spiritual culture as its foundation. Through this illuminating lecture interspersed with inspiring songs and Kirtans, Sri Gurudev enlightens the youth of India on the real purpose of life and the true meaning of education, and also inspires them to be sincere seekers of Supreme Truth like Nachiketas and Maitreyi.

We do hope that the present day students and educationists will be greatly inspired by the ideal of real education propounded by Worshipful Gurudev.

For more information, please see: Education For Perfection


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/-

40% Special Discount on the following Pictorial Volumes of Worshipful Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji and Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji:

1. ES8 Glorious Vision                Rs. 650
2. ES4 Gurudev Sivananda        Rs. 250 
3. EC70 Ultimate Journey           Rs. 500
4. EC71 Divine Vision                 Rs. 300

Please visit our online bookstore for further details:
http://www.dlsbooks.org/


GOD IN A BULL: It was October 4, 1948. “What a nice cottage! Is it for meditation purposes, Swamiji?” asked a visitor, gazing as he was in the direction of the Master’s dwelling, beyond which on the river bank stood a small shed.

“No, no. It is not a cottage in the sense that you take it to be. I shall explain it to you,” said the Master, and took the visitor along. And what was discovered inside? An old, emaciated bull in a dying condition.

“My God!” exclaimed the visitor.

“Yes, you have just said it,” replied the Master. “It is your own God. Don’t you see your God in the bull, too?”

Two Ashramites were there tending to the bull. In the evening the poor creature died despite all attention, and under the Master’s instructions was consigned to Mother Ganges with the Maha Mantra Kirtan.


“The Yogi should not forget himself. He is always a self-aware person, not in a metaphysical sense, but in a practical sense. Be aware of yourself, physically as well as psychologically. Keep watch over the movements of your thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Keep a close watch upon your reactions. This is very important. It is our reactions to things, people, surroundings and circumstances which reveal exactly what we are. That is the depth of your real inner state. Introspection is Yoga and Sadhana (spiritual practice). Self-examination is Yoga and Sadhana. Detached observation of your reactions is Yoga and Sadhana. It is this which reveals to you the state of your interior.” – Swami Chidananda


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