Dhyana (Practice of Mind control) last Part -by H.H Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

[Ravishankar.G]

Dear All,

Contd.....

A spiritual aspirant who practices dhyana should remember and follow certain rules. His speech, food intake and sleep should be within permissible limit. This does not mean he should totally give them up. Not so. The person who has control over his taste buds ('jihva') easily wins over his senses and progresses geometrically in his sadhana (practice).

He should speak only what is absolutely necessary, for, his tapas (penance) is wasted in it. Can one who exerts much effort to earn tapas lose it in a fraction of a second in wasteful talks?

Sleep is the sign of 'tamo guna' (lethargy/laziness). One should avoid eating old/stale food, thick curd, hot and spicy food, all of which 'activate' 'tamo guna'! The sadhak (Aspirant) should avoid company that dampens the spirit. Solitude is the best 'company' that a sadhak should seek. It is in solitude that one feels closer to Lord / the Self.

Dhyana that is performed as a 'sadhana' (spiritual practice) gradually becomes 'sadhya' (natural). But this is achieved not in a day or two but with continued effort for a long number of years.

Arjuna asks Lord Krishna who advocates various ways of spiritual practice, "Krishna! On your advice I give up my dharma and practice sadhana. What happens if my time on earth comes to an end even before I successfully complete my sadhana?"

Lord Krishna, "By giving up your dharma with the sole purpose of practicing sadhana to attain ME you do not incur any sin. Do not worry if your time on earth comes to an end before you complete your sadhana, for; you would reach the world where those who have performed the best of Punyas (good deeds) reach. You would then be born again on this earth in a wealthy family and continue your tapas, even from an early stage of your life, from where you had left it off."

And, here Sankara explains the term 'wealthy family' as 'a family which is devoted to God' and not one that is financially well off.

The Sadhak should abstain from using others' things - clothes, vessels, beds, footwear, etc. The objects for his personal use should be kept separately. This is because the 'vasanas' of those whose things we use will affect us.

Once, in a kingdom, some dangerous criminals had escaped from the prison. The King immediately ordered the message to be announced to the people in order to caution them. It was a drumbeater who would stand at the junction of streets and announce the message of the king to the people. It so happened that the drumbeater was ill. So, he sent his little grandson to do the job. The little boy stood below a tree and beat the drum. When people gathered to hear him, he announced, "Be forewarned! The five senses ('indriyas') that are the criminals have escaped. If proper precaution is not taken they will harm you."

The king who heard about the announcement of the little boy asked his family Guru ('Kula Guru') in wonder, “How can a little boy born in an outcaste speak such high Vedanta?

The little boy was brought to the court. The Kula Guru looked at the boy. The Kula Gurus were tapasvis and could read the past and future. He then informed the king, This little boy was a learned Brahmin in his past birth. He was going to another village by foot to perform some Vedic rites. The Sun was up and he was unable to take another step on his bare feet.

He happened to pass by a cremation ground. He found the footwear of the 'vettiyan' (one who cremates dead bodies in the cremation ground). He immediately wore them and proceeded on his journey. In consequence of having worn the 'vettiyan's footwear he has attained a birth in such a family!

Therefore, a Sadhak should be very careful and not receive anything that is not his due from anyone.

The path of a Sadhak is not bed of roses. Though the path is filled with thorns, with enthusiasm and perseverance coupled with Guru's Grace it becomes smooth sailing.

The initiating Mantra given by the Guru is the fire that burns away our 'vasanas'(latent impressions) and leads us to our goal safely "
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Regards & Chant the Maha Mantra:
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
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