Ponder These Truths

Swami Chidananda

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• Publié par: Nifor
• Nombre de lectures: 58
• Langue: English

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PONDER THESE TRUTHS

Early Morning Meditation Talks


By


Sri Swami Chidananda






SERVE, LOVE, GIVE,
PURIFY, MEDITATE,
REALIZE
So Says Sri Swami Chidananda Sri Swami Sivananda
Sri Swami Sivananda Founder of
The Divine Life Society








A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION

1991 Edition: First
(3,000 Copies)



World Wide Web (WWW) Edition: 2000
WWW site: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/





This WWW reprint is for free distribution







© The Divine Life Trust Society








ISBN 81 7052 090 4








Published By
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
P.O. S HIVANANDANAGAR—249 192
Distt. Tehri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh,
Himalayas, India.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Early morning group meditation has long been a part of the life at Sivananda Ashram.
Usually held in the sacred Samadhi Shrine of His Holiness Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, the
saintly founder of the Divine Life Society, it includes chanting, kirtan, guru stotra, santi path and
silent meditation, followed by a message from one of the senior Swamis.
For many years these prayer gatherings were a daily occurrence, but by the 1980’s they
were being held only on special occasions. One such special occasion was the birthday celebration
of Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on September 24, 1984. During his short talk, Swamiji
suddenly said: “What would really be a wonderful birthday gift for me is if you were to hold these
group meditations every morning at this time. And if you will, I promise that whenever I am in the
Ashram I will come and give the message.”
Immediately, one of the senior Swamis offered to lead the prayers, and the very next
morning the regular early morning gatherings were resumed. They have continued to this day, and,
true to his word, whenever Swamiji is in the Ashram, regardless of the condition of his health or the
weather, he has never failed to attend and give a message.
Many of the Ashram residents noticed that there was a very special quality about these talks.
They felt that the talks were so helpful and valuable that they should be shared with others. So,
taping and transcribing began. This volume contains a selection of 75 of the talks recorded from the
beginning of August 1987 until the end of December 1990. They are being brought out in 1991, the
year that marks Swamiji’s 75th birth anniversary (platinum jubilee).
In the editing of these talks, no attempt was made to convert them into essay style. Rather,
the intent was to stay as close as possible to the spoken word, so that Swamiji’s messages,
frequently spontaneous and highly inspired, would be conveyed as he spoke them.
Sanskrit language words have been put in italics with the exception of a few words like
Brahman, Atman, Yoga, Vedanta, Guru and Ashram which are commonly found in an English
dictionary. Often, while using a Sanskrit word, phrase or verse, Swamiji would give either a
translation or a free rendering of it. These have been included in the text. Otherwise, the meaning
follows in parentheses or can be found in the glossary.
The publishers would like to acknowledge the very valuable and helpful contribution of all
those residents of the Ashram who taped, transcribed, edited, checked, and prepared the talks for
printing. Many were involved and our grateful thanks to them all.
The talks are full of the inspiration and wisdom of a true son of our ancient Indian culture.
They have been an inspiration to those who heard them and to those who have prepared them for
publication. May they be an equal inspiration, help and solace to you!
The Divine Life Society
Guru Purnima, 1991
iii*
PREFACE
Radiant Immortal Atman! Beloved and blessed children of the Divine! Devotees of the
Lord, spiritual seekers and aspirants, sadhaks upon the path of sadhana, Yogis engaged in Yoga
practice while living your life in different fields of secular activity, either as Ashramites upon the
banks of the Ganga in this holy Ashram of Gurudev, or as people in service, people in business, or
people engaged in different professional fields!
Engaged thus variously, you are nevertheless seeking souls trying to make this life a steady
upward movement towards the great Goal which infuses a new meaning into your life, which
infuses a certain purposefulness into your life, a Goal which makes life worth living, a Goal
makes life a very clear means to the accomplishment of a sublime end. Thus, in your own personal
subjective inwardness, you are engaged in this quest towards spiritual awakening, unfoldment and
progress towards ultimate divine perfection by attaining Self-realisation.
To you all, a cordial welcome to the spiritual presence of Gurudev in this sacred Samadhi
Hall of his holy Ashram on Divine Mother Ganga’s bank. Welcome to Muni-ki-reti which is the
entrance way to the Himalayan shrines that make this entire area a divine area. It is an area of
penance and prayer, seclusion and silence, deep meditation and struggle for Self-realisation.
Welcome to this sanctified area of blessed Mother India!
...Above all, the central purpose of these daily sharings is that you may benefit yourself and
that you may enrich your life, strengthen your aspiration and move Godward with greater
determination. That and that alone is the object of, the purpose behind these daily sharings; there is
nothing else. If you are able to see the path clearly, if you are able to move with determination, if
you are able to keep the shining Goal ever before you without forgetting it even for one split second,
and if you are able to lead the divine life, then I am richly blessed, I am richly blessed indeed. I seek
nothing else.
God’s divine grace and Master’s choicest blessings ever shower upon you and make your
life a life of glory, moving gradually towards the supreme Goal, the divine goal of your life! This is
my prayer at the feet of Gurudev as well as God Who resides within you as your Indwelling Reality,
as the Light of lights beyond all darkness, shining in the innermost chambers of your heart. Be
aware of that Light within you. Be aware of that supreme Light which is your goal, and live a life
illumined and radiant with divinity. God bless you!
Swami Chidananda
\
* Salutation and conclusion of the early morning meditation talk December 24, 1989.
ivCONTENTS
PUBLISHER’S NOTE ......................................ii
PREFACE.............................................iv
1. You are Unique in the Eyes of God..............................1
2. Spiritual Life .........................................2
3. Yoga and Vedanta.......................................4
4. The Vision of Our Ancients..................................5
5. Never Forget Your Divinity..................................8
6. Purushartha—Self Effort ..................................10
7. Steadfastness In Spiritual Practice..............................12
8. Make This a Perfect Day4
9. Early in the Morning.....................................16
10. Abide Beyond the Pairs of Opposites............................18
11. The Practice of Truth ....................................20
12. Connect Yourself With God.................................21
13. The Power of Persistence ..................................23
14. Transcend Your Environment................................25
15. Serve Love Meditate Realise7
16. All Things are Possible ...................................30
17. Why Do You Suffer Unnecessarily? ............................31
18. Companions Until Illumination ...............................33
19. Subheccha—Good Desire..................................36
20. Two Indispensable Truths8
21. Base Your Life Upon Wisdom ...............................41
22. Mind—Your Greatest Friend ................................43
23. What Has To Be Known?..................................44
24. The Necessity of Introspection7
25. The Peace Within ......................................49
26. Nullifying Embedded Impressions .............................51
27. Enthusiasm—God In You..................................54
28. Be Aware Only of the One .................................55
29. Nothing Succeeds Like Success...............................58
30. A Positive Mind—Your Greatest Asset...........................60
31. Surrender...........................................62
32. The Immanence of God ...................................64
33. True Dispassion .......................................67
34. No One Can Give You Salvation ..............................69
35. Temptation..........................................71
36. Worship God as Virtue ...................................73
37. Knowledge is Meant to be Lived ..............................75
38. The Paradox of God-Realisation7
39. Higher Knowledge and Lesser Knowledge .........................80
40. The Part of Technique in Spiritual Life...........................82
41. Four Powerful Transforming Factors ............................85
v42. Cultivate Peace .......................................86
43. Dynamic Sr