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Subject: [proutist_universal] METHODS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SADHANA
METHODS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SADHANA
by Ac. Maheshananda Avt.
Tantra, according to Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, is 95% practice and only 5% theory. What this means for spiritual aspirants is that the direct intuitional realization we achieve through our systematic sadhana is more important and more relevant to our lives, than mere learning.
Above all, sadhana is to be experienced. By experimenting with our own sadhana, that is, by practicing the advice that Baba has given us, we can experience the deeper layers of the mind and the bliss that is the "birthright of every human being."
The following techniques have come from Baba's published works and from seminar classes taught by the Central Office workers. Try them and you will enjoy deeper, more blissful sadhana.
1. Before sadhana your body, mouth and stomach should be clean. If you meditate immediately after taking bath, your body will feel completely fresh. Half bath (vyapak shaoca) includes cleaning the mouth with water, for any slight taste will create another distraction. Heavy eating, or eating the wrong foods, may result in constipation or indigestion, which will make you sleepy when you later meditate.
2. Wear clean, loose clothing. Though hard physical service work is good for the body and mind, and physical dirt and sweat need not disturb us, by putting on clean clothing before sadhana you will feel fresher. Tight pants will prevent you from sitting longer. A lungi (sarong) is an excellent type of men's clothing for meditation.
3. Sit on a sadhana blanket. Baba recommends that you keep one blanket that is only used for your personal sadhana. It will insulate you from the ground and should not be used by others so that only your sadhana vibration is maintained on it. Baba recommended a black wool blanket, because wool is a good insulator from the electrical currents in the earth, and black is the absence of colors.
4. Create a "tantra pitha" vibration in your regular sadhana place. A "tantra pitha" is a place where intense spiritual practices have been performed. Do not meditate on your bed if you can help it, as that place will tend to make you sleepy. You should keep one room or at least part of a room where no other activity except sadhana is done. It need not be a large space--one or two square meters in the corner is sufficient. By doing your daily sadhana there, you will gradually create such a conducive vibration that merely sitting there will begin to elevate your mind.
5. Maintain your puja table beautifully. Place a framed pratik and pratikrti (the photo of the Guru) on a small table in front of your sadhana place. It is better if you are not looking down at these, so the table should be at the height of your eye level or a little higher when you sit for sadhana. A clean tablecloth and fresh flowers will help create an inspiring, sentient atmosphere.
6. Sit very straight. Only when your spine is completely straight can it carry the spiritual energy of the kundalinii. By raising your head high and sitting very erect your mind will be completely alert and awake. Relaxing your back somewhat, allowing your spine to curve even a little, will cause your mind to become drowsy and wander.
7. Practice sitting in padmasana (lotus) or siddhasana for a long time. The lotus posture keeps your mind undisturbed and unpolluted by the troubles of the world, just as the lotus flower is ever pure even though it grows in dirty water. This posture is best for withdrawing the mind (first lesson). Women should also practice pranayama (fourth lesson) and dhyana (sixth lesson) in padmasana, while men should sit in siddhasana for these.
Train your body with the determination of an athlete until you can sit motionlessly for one hour or more. Then your concentration will remain undisturbed and you can enter the deeper layers of the mind.
8. Begin with 80 times japa. Baba gave this instruction in 1978 on the first page of the revised edition of Caryacarya II. Before doing first lesson or other lessons, begin by repeating your Ista Mantra exactly eighty times. You can count either mentally or with your fingers, but do not use your first finger (which is commonly used as an expression of the ego). If you practice this in coordination with your breathing, it should take you five or ten minutes. Concentrating only on the sound of the mantra and its meaning will help your mind to naturally forget your usual distracting thoughts, and prepare you for your lessons.
9. Breathe slowly and deeply. Tantrik scriptures state that controlling the breath is the key to controlling the prana (vital energy of the body), and controlling the prana is the key to controlling the mind. Do not hold your breath or strain, but allow your breathing to naturally become slower and deeper. This will immediately give your mind a feeling of much deeper concentration.
10. Do the three "shuddhis" of the first lesson slowly and carefully. Shuddhi in Sanskrit means withdrawal of the mind. In the first lesson, the first mental technique is "bhuta shuddhi" which means to withdraw the mind from the physical world. The second technique is "asana shuddhi", to withdraw the mind from the physical body. The third technique is "citta shuddhi," to withdraw the mind to a point. Do these three processes slowly with deep concentration, to prepare the mind properly for the deeper ideation of the first lesson and other lessons.
11. Get all the lessons as soon as possible. In Caryacarya II (page 4) Baba writes, "Human life is short. It is wise to get all the instructions regarding sadhana as soon as possible." Each of the six main lessons of Sahaj Yoga systematically improves and deepens your sadhana, because they are based on the different limbs of Astaunga Yoga. It is your duty to request and remind your Acarya for instruction in the next higher lesson. If the Dada or Didi replies that you are not yet ready, then ask what you can do to become ready (which usually means becoming more strict in the Sixteen Points). Do not be content with less than all six lessons.
12. Take advantage of the four sandhya times of the day for doing sadhana. These are the best times of the day when the vibration of the earth is most conducive for spiritual practices. The first period is "Brahma Mahurta" from 3:00 AM until 45 minutes after dawn. The second period, especially for LFT's and WT's, is at noon from 11:15 AM until 12:45 PM. The third period is from 45 minutes before sunset until 45 minutes after sunset. The last period is at midnight from 11:15 PM until 12:45 AM. Do not bathe during this midnight period, as there the body secretes certain hormones then. Don't postpone your sadhana, for you will enjoy it more during these best times.
13. Do "pancajanya" every day at 5:00 AM. Baba gave this program for all Margiis and workers in 1982. He named it after the conch shell that Krsna captured in his youth from a pirate, which he blew as his battle cry. Performing this spiritual practice (5 minutes of Prabhat Samgiit, followed by 15 minutes of kiirtan, then sadhana) at exactly 5:00 AM every day requires a lot of self-discipline. Baba said He gave us this program to instill "active habits" in us.
14. Do sadhana late at night. All Margiis should follow the workers rule of doing half bath and at least a few minutes of sadhana before sleeping at night. If you are well established in the repetition of your mantra and you fall asleep repeating it, it is possible for your subconscious mind to continue repeating it during your sleep.
15. Read svadhyaya daily. Read at least one page of Baba's spiritual philosophy books each day. This is a part of our Sixteen Points. Reading it aloud will increase your comprehension. This allows you to "hear" and be guided by the Guru's words each day.
16. Repeat your mantra as much as possible throughout the day and especially during all spare time. Repeating your mantra with your eyes open is called "Ardha Iishvara Pranidhana" which means half meditation; it gives the sadhaka the benefits of mantra repetition without the full benefits of closing and stilling all the sensory and motor organs. It therefore is not a substitute for full meditation, though it does help to establish the mantra in the mind and thus will give you deeper sadhana when you do sit. Remember, no one can waste your time except yourself, because in whatever situation you may find yourself delayed or left waiting, you can always repeat your mantra and thus utilize the time for your spiritual progress.
17. Dance kiirtan daily, singing loudly. Baba gave this advice repeatedly to Margiis and workers. When we dance kiirtan before our sadhana, all our sensory and motor organs become stimulated with the spiritual wave of the "Baba Nam Kevalam" universal mantra. Do it long enough that no other mundane thoughts enter your conscious mind. Baba told the workers that if their minds are very disturbed and they have only one hour for your spiritual practices, it is better to sing kiirtan for fifty minutes and meditate for only ten minutes, because at least for those ten minutes they will enjoy deep meditation.
18. Do long kiirtan sometimes. When you personally do kiirtan for more than one hour, it fills you with a divine intoxication. So organize and participate in Akhanda Kiirtan at least once a month.
19. Gaze at the pratik for long periods. The symbol of the pratik is a yantra, a visual symbolization of your spiritual and social goal. Staring at it silently is called "full maonabrata" and helps to establish the sublime Ideology in the heart and mind.
20. Gaze at Baba's photo for long periods. Whenever the mind feels disturbed in sadhana, take a break and look at the Guru's photo (pratikrti) for a while. This will again bring your mind towards your spiritual goal (Ista).
21. Sing Prabhat Samgiit. These songs of Baba have the characteristic that however clashed your mind may be, singing any of them will bring your mind back to the flow of devotion. Learn some and then try it.
22. Do sadhana in a lonely place sometimes. This recommendation of Baba in Guide to Human Conduct (last page) helps to withdraw the mind. My trainer once advised us that if we go on a physical outing (e.g., a picnic or a sports event) the more people who go, the better. If we go on an intellectual outing ( e.g., a visit to a museum or a discussion group), a small number of participants is better. But if we go on a spiritual outing, it is best to go alone. Go alone on a spiritual retreat in some natural environment for a few hours, a day or longer.
23. Do sadhana in a cemetery sometimes. There are two main reasons why Tantrik sadhakas do this--first, because cemeteries are usually quiet and lonely, so that no sounds will disturb your concentration; second, because we associate such a place with death, which is the greatest fear of everyone. By meditating in a cemetery we face such fear head on. However, Baba has instructed that Margiis should not go at night unless accompanied by an Avadhuta.
24. Attend Dharmacakra every week. This instruction to attend collective meditation is told to each Margii at the time of initiation. Baba writes in Caryacarya I (pp. 22-23) that every Margii in good health must attend (He exempted nursing mothers from this rule). If duties of state or service to a patient prevent you, then go to the Jagrti any time that day and do sadhana; otherwise "he/she should completely skip one main meal before the end of the week."
No matter how advanced you are spiritually, the collective sadhana vibration will benefit you and help you to overcome obstacles that arise in your sadhana. Dharmacakra is also the basic foundation of Ananda Marga and helps us to develop one of our treasures: "an intensely keen unity among yourselves" (p. 43).
25. Have satsaung as much as possible. To be in the company of Acaryas, LFT's and other Margiis, sharing experiences and stories of Baba and news of the organization, helps immensely in keeping your mind more and more in the flow of devotion.
26. Eat a balanced sentient diet. This was one of Shiva's "seven secrets of success." Because our food is biologically and chemically transformed to create every cell of our body, a sentient diet is very important to maintain a sentient mind.
27. Do asanas daily. Practicing yoga postures daily is essential to maintain healthy glands and balanced secretions of hormones. Baba gives special instruction in the fifth lesson of meditation to prevent the pollution of the cakras that takes place when, for any reason, asanas are not performed that day. The gradual flexing of the body that takes place during asanas also helps you to be able to sit motionlessly in sadhana for longer periods.
28. Do long kaoshikii and tandava. Both these dances are physico-psycho-spiritual, meaning that they develop not only the body, but the mind and one's devotional sentiment as well. They give a tremendous feeling of inspiration to the sadhaka.
"While dancing kaoshikii one seeks to establish the link between the microcosm and the Macrocosm. This process is commonly known as mysticism. Kaoshikii pertains to the innermost kosas, the layers of existence. The kaoshikii dance is like the blossoming of the innermost self.
29. Be strict in the Sixteen Points. Baba gave this practical formula to create in every person the necessary strength to eradicate their individual weaknesses. For example, by fasting every week or two we avoid being a slave to food (as most people are) and are able to do without it at any time.
30. Practice silence more. Do you want to hear God? Then you must be quiet and listen. You will hear Him speaking through the words of children and those whom others do not listen to. You will also hear Him in the quiet sounds of nature: the wind, the streams, the bird calls. And you will hear Him most deeply when you are alone in silent meditation.
31. Sleep less. "The ancient people believed that excessive sleep is good for health, but this is not the case. Rather, too much sleep not only impairs the health, but has an adverse effect on the mind. . . . As for myself, I usually do not sleep more than four hours a night for many months at a stretch, and have no difficulty. Those who know special techniques to control the nerve cells or nerve fibers may forego sleep altogether. Those who sleep too much must strive to reduce their sleeping time as far as practical." (Baba in Ananda Vacanamrtam VIII, pp. 28-29).
32. Serve others. "If someone works only for their own spiritual elevation, for their own liberation, are they not selfish? While working for your own liberation, you must also serve others." ( Great Universe, p. 258). Though you may become very physically tired while assisting Ananda Marga service projects, your sadhana afterwards will usually feel fantastic--because you have been doing work that pleases Him.
33. Teach others meditation and the Ideology. Any Margii may teach anyone the universal meditation mantra, "Baba Nam Kevalam." You may also teach anyone Kaoshikii, self-massage and the dead pose. You may also explain our spiritual and social philosophy to all.
Teaching others spirituality is one of the highest forms of service. Do not be disappointed if very few or none of your students become active Margiis. You are planting spiritual seeds that will never be lost and will definitely sprout someday. Doing this basic pracar "is a part and parcel of sadhana, to lead others along the path of righteousness."
34. Attend all retreats and seminars. You will learn more about Ananda Marga at live-in seminars and conferences than you will during months and years of doing individual sadhana. The schedule that Baba taught us to implement at retreats is 24 hours worth of spiritual practices, satsaung and Ideology--as well as the most blissful kiirtans you will ever experience in your life.
35. Develop a strong determination for sadhana. Baba often praised the spiritual determination of Buddha, who achieved enlightenment by taking the vow, "May my body dry up in this very posture and may my skin, bones and flesh be destroyed; but until the intuition, which is difficult to attain in millennia, remains unattained, my body shall not move even an inch from this place."
36. Be a strict moralist. "Spiritual practice in its very inception requires mental equilibrium. This sort of mental harmony may also be termed morality." ( Guide to Human Conduct, page 1)
37. Take your clash to Baba. When you are upset, go to any empty room with Baba's photo and confront Him. Release your anger, or your tears, on Him. Don't leave until He gives you again the peace of mind to continue.
38. Become "mad for the organization." Baba, as the founder and President of the organization, created, from its very inception, all its policies, guidelines, structure, codes of discipline, strategy and training programs. It is His means to accomplish His Mission--to establish a universal world society of justice, righteousness and rationality. By plunging ourselves into noble organizational work, we are constantly reminded of our spiritual mission and we open ourselves to His guidance and correction.
39. Ideate that you are serving Baba and that He is meditating on you. This is the inner spirit of Dhyana, the sixth lesson.
40. Do Guru Puja and Pranam. The physical postures of viirasana (for Guru Puja) and sastaung pranam (for men) or diirga pranam (for women) are the ideal physical expressions of surrender to the Supreme, the most significant spiritual ideal of all.
