Gregg Hill's Reflexology and Japanese Massage Institute presents:

DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA

MEDITATIONS FOR

NOVEMBER
 Gregg Hill's Reflexology and Japanese Massage Institute presents:
DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA

TAINT NOT THY NAME – 1

Maintain your good name. A good name is really the source of one’s strength. One lives in
vain if one's reputation is lost. He is a dead man though he may be alive. A man does not die so
long as his fame lasts.
Your character depends upon the quality of the thoughts held in your mind and the mental
pictures and ideals entertained by you. As you think, so you become. If your thoughts are of a
base nature, you will have a bad character. If you entertain noble thoughts, sublime ideals and
holy pictures, you will have a magnanimous character. You will have a magnetic personality.

BE AS B OLD AS A LION – 2
Never think that you are a wretched person. Drive away such wrong ideas. Be as brave as a
lion, Be always cheerful. In reality you are the Atman. This body is only a sheath that has to be
thrown away. Nobody can hurt the Atman. It is invulnerable.
When your house is on fire how daringly you enter it to remove your child who is asleep in
the room! Even so, you must be very courageous when you tread the spiritual path. You must be
absolutely fearless. You must not have the least attachment to your body. Then only can you have
Self-realization quickly.

HUMILITY IS P OWER – 3
Humility is a bomb of infinite potency which alone can destroy the invincible citadel of
egoism. Egoism is harder than granite. He who is endowed with the divine quality of humility can
conquer the three worlds. The humble man is really blessed. He will soon enter the realms of
eternal peace.
The spirit of the Srutis and Upanishads cannot be understood even in a hundred years by
those who are proud and conceited and who think themselves very learned. Therefore, give up
conceit and become humble.

GIVE UP VANITY – 4
If there be any good virtues in you, think that there are many more in others. This will
develop humility in you. A worldly-minded man thinks too much of himself, He thinks that there
is none equal to him in appearance, intelligence and experience. This gives rise to vanity and
arrogance.
He who is humble and regards worldly titles and honour as mere straw, is indeed a great man
The knowledge of your weaknesses will instill humility in your heart. It will force you to equip
yourself with strength and find out suitable methods to attain victory over the weaknesses.

FOREBEARANCE – KEY TO WILL-P OWER – 5

He who is endowed with the power of endurance, who is steadfast and balanced in pleasure
and pain, is fit for immortality. This is what the Bhagavad Gita says.
This body is your instrument but not your real Self. Forbearance develops will-power. It is
 Gregg Hill's Reflexology and Japanese Massage Institute presents:
DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA

one of the qualifications of an aspirant on the path of Jnana. It brings happiness herein and
hereafter.
The quality of forbearance has one drawback. People misconstrue those who practice
forbearance for impotent, effeminate people. Bear with joy whatever amount of pain or trouble
others may give you. Increase your power of endurance, bearing heat and cold and pain and
hunger to the maximum.

ADAPT AND ADJUST – 6

Study the psychology of men. Analyze human nature. When you move with different minds,
adjust yourself well. Have perfect adaptability and develop tolerance. Then only can you be
happy.
Wherever you go you carry with you your mind, your desires and mental impressions.
Attraction and repulsion are everywhere, even in the caves of the Himalayas. Create your own
world and environment from within. Then alone can you be happy anywhere and everywhere and
under all circumstances, this is wisdom.

OPTIMISM IS A LIVING STAMINA – 7

Optimism is the doctrine or view that everything in nature and in the history of mankind is
ordained for the best, that the order of things in the universe has been adapted to produce the
highest good. It is a sunny temperament as opposed to a pessimistic one. Pessimism is the
opposite of optimism.
An optimist sees opportunities in all difficulties; a pessimist sees difficulties in all
opportunities.
There is a bright side to every situation. Adopt a hopeful, confident state of mind. Then the
trouble is already half overcome.
An optimist gets the best out of life. He hopes for the best and makes the best of
circumstances and people. He thinks the best of people.
Optimism is hope. it is a happy life. It saves people. It makes them happy and cheerful.
The accident is not as terrible as you had feared. The hill is not as steep as you had thought.
The difficulty is not as great as you had expected. Things came out better than you had hoped.

I GNORE CRITICISM – 8
Are you the Atman or mind or body? Even though you have read my writings a thousand and
one times, you still identify yourself with the mind and body and lose your mental balance when a
little criticism is made. So strong is your egoism.
People criticize your body and mind or become your friends. Why do you get agitated then,
my dear Krishna? You are still weak. You have not grown spiritually. Ignore criticism.
Why do you brood over past events? You cannot have peace of m in d if you indulge in this
habit. Rise above criticism and petty remarks. You will then enjoy peace of mind.

CARE N OT FOR S CANDALS – 9

Do not be afraid of insult, disrespect, dishonour, abuse or harsh words. Wear them as
 Gregg Hill's Reflexology and Japanese Massage Institute presents:
DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA

ornaments around your neck.

Many worry themselves a lot if they hear a little scandal about themselves. Do not be afraid as
these are vain sounds only. They are merely vibrations in tine air. They are nothing at all. Allow
scandals to enter through one ear and pass out immediately through the other. You are the pure,
all-pervading immortal Atman in whom there is no sound. You are beyond all sounds. Nothing
can affect you; you are invulnerable.

GLORY OF C ONTENTMENT – 10
A contented mind is a continuous feast. A man of contentment is always peaceful. Knowledge
of the Self will arise only in a man who is endowed with contentment.
Contentment is the sweet ambrosia to allay all kinds of physical and mental sufferings and
torments. He who is not desirous of what he does not have, who is free from elation and
dejection, is said to be a contented man. Glory to such exalted souls!

PEACE ABOVE ALL – 11

When you feel extremely drowsy at night, you do not eat even if a very delicious dish is
offered at that moment. You have no desire to attend any kind of musical performance either. All
that you want then is peaceful rest.
This clearly proves that the mind wants rest and not objects. Worldly people do nor know
where to find rest and how to get it. They try to get this rest or peace from external objects. They
fail hopelessly in their attempts. Perennial peace can be had in one's Self only through the
attainment of Self-realization.

SIMPLICITY IS GRACEFUL – 12
Simplicity is freedom front duplicity, affectation or pretension. In dress, in food, in character,
in style, in manners, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. There is beauty and
majesty in simplicity. It is nature's first step and the last of her arts.
Be what you say and say what you are. Write as you speak and speak as you think. Be simple
like a child. The door of Moksha will then be opened to you.
The greatest of truths are the simplest, and so are the greatest of men. Goodness and
simplicity are indissolubly united. A simple,/rank man is the most agreeable man. Purity and
simplicity are the two wings with which man soars into the kingdom of God.

GIVE UP DIPLOMACY – 13
Diplomacy only creates suspicion arid hatred in others. You can win the hearts of all through
love, frankness and simplicity. You can capture the hearts of others through selfless service and
humility.
He who has given up selfishness and greed and is endowed with courage, fearlessness,
patience, love and mercy, is alone fit for attaining Self-realization.

THE FIVE REQUISITES – 14

 Gregg Hill's Reflexology and Japanese Massage Institute presents:
DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA

Five things are necessary if you desire to practice vigorous and deep meditation and attain the
Self quickly. They are: the vow of silence, light diet or diet of milk and fruit, personal contact
with a Guru, a place with charming scenery, and a cool place.
Build a strong spiritual fortress through regular meditation. Develop a magnetic aura around
you which cannot be penetrated even by the mighty messengers of Maya or Satan. Your will
should be rendered strong, pure and irresistible by ceaseless meditation on the Atman, eradication
or' desires and control of the senses.

HOW TO C ONSERVE ENERGY – 15

Conserve energy by talking little, by observing the vow of silence, by getting control of anger,
by practicing Brahmacharya and Pranayama, and by expelling useless and irrelevant thoughts.
You will then have an abundance of energy at your disposal.
Abandon all sensual objects ruthlessly. They are the wombs of pain. Develop balance of mind
slowly and gradually. Subdue the senses. Annihilate lust, anger and greed. Yon will behold the
imperishable Atman.

AN A SPIRANT AND A W ORLDLY MAN – 16

What does a passionate man do? He repeats the same ignoble act and fills his stomach as
many times as he can.
What does an aspirant with burning desire for Self-realization do? He takes a little milk and
repeats the process of meditation the whole day and night, and eventually enjoys the bliss of the
immortal Self.
Both the worldly man and the aspirant are busy in their own ways. The former is caught in the
wheel of births and deaths while the latter attains immortality and peace.
The mind can be controlled only by continuous practice. You must always keep it occupied in
divine contemplation. If you slacken in your efforts, idle thoughts will at once enter.

IMPORTANCE OF M ORNING MEDITATION – 17

If you get up during Brahmamuhurta you will have a clear and calm mind. There is a spiritual
influence and mysterious silence during the early morning hours. Brahmamuhurta is the period
from 3:30 am till sunrise.
All saints and Yogis practice meditation at this period and send their spiritual vibrations to the
whole world. You will be greatly benefited by their vibrations if you commence your prayer,
meditation and Japa at this period. You need not exert. The meditative mood will come by itself
without much effort. So practice meditation in this early morning period.

V OICE OF THE HIMALAYAS – 18

Even a spark of desire is a very great evil. Watch each sense when it goes astray. Withdraw it.
Practice abstraction again and again. Curb all your passions slowly through Japa, prayer,
meditation, Satsang, study of scriptures and Sattwic food. Remain ever free and delighted in your
own all-blissful Atman or Soul.
Meditation is death for the mind, the demoniacal king of the passions and the senses. The
 Gregg Hill's Reflexology and Japanese Massage Institute presents:
DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA

more you polish the surface of your inner heart by practicing dispassion and meditation, the more
the Grace will shine there. Never become impatient on the spiritual path. Be patient. Be calm.
Strive, strive, strive with faith and single-minded devotion.
Regular meditation makes the mind less powerful in its extrovert tendencies. Even a little
victory in the inner battle with your mind and senses will develop your will and give you
assurance and courage. But do not be swayed by success. Be humble and grateful to God.
Far more precious than gold and diamond is the spiritual wealth of Self-realization.

BECOME A FLAME AT G OD – 19
Just as the light burns within a hurricane lamp, so also the Divine Flame has been burning
from time immemorial in the lamp of your heart.
Close your eyes, merge yourself within the Divine Flame. Plunge deep into the chambers of
your heart. Meditate on this Divine Flame and become a flame of God. Withdraw all the senses
from their objects.
Propitiate the Lord by means of your austerities. Meditate on Lord Hart, get into the dazzling
divine car and reach the supreme abode of Vishnu.

THE GREAT MARCH – 20

When you reach the grand spiritual summit of the thought-free state you will enter the realm
of eternal peace, immortality and supreme bliss.
0 Ram, commence your homeward journey now. March boldly on the spiritual path. Be not
afraid of difficulties. Be bold. Ascend peak after peak. Cross the deep ravines of subtle
infatuation and pride that you meet on your way. Chop the thoughts that wage guerrilla warfare.
Enter now into the infinite domain of pure bliss and highest knowledge. Regain your lost pristine
divine glory.

FORMULAE FOR MEDITATION – 21

Fire is generated by rubbing two pieces of wood. Even so, the fire of wisdom is generated by
intense meditation on the Supreme Self.
In the beginning the mind is disciplined by fixing it on a concrete object or symbol. When it is
rendered steady and stable, it can then be fixed on an abstract idea such as, "I am Brahman."
Meditate always on the following formulae: "I am pure Consciousness. I am Satchidananda
Brahman. I am the immutable, self-effulgent, immortal Self. I am the silent witness of the three
states of waking, dream and deep sleep."

THE STATE OF FREEDOM – 22

A desire arises in the mind. It is gratified and another desire arises. In the interval between the
two desires there is perfect stillness of mind.
When the mind is fully concentrated on Brahman, it becomes one with Brahman, like
camphor that becomes one with the flame, like salt that becomes one with water, like water that
becomes one with milk. The mind melts in Brahman. It becomes of the nature of Brahman. This
is the state of Kaivalya or freedom. Therefore, know Brahman and be free.
 Gregg Hill's Reflexology and Japanese Massage Institute presents:
DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA

THE FINAL UNION – 23

You will have to pass through the six stages of meditation before you finally enter into perfect
Samadhi. In the state of Samadhi the perception of forms will completely vanish. There will be
neither meditation nor meditator now.
In this supreme state you will attain the highest knowledge and supreme peace. This is the
goal of life. This is the final beatitude of life. You now become an enlightened and liberated sage.
You are absolutely free from pain, sorrow, fear, doubt and delusion. The bubble becomes one
with the ocean; the river joins the ocean and becomes one with it.

MEDITATION DISS OLVES D OUBTS – 24

Regular meditation opens the doors of intuitional knowledge, makes the mind still, calm and
steady, awakens an ecstatic feeling and brings the Yogic student in contact with. the source or the
Supreme Purusha.
If there are doubts they are cleared by themselves as you march on the path of meditation.
You will yourself know tile way to place your foot on the next rung of the spiritual ladder. A
mysterious inner voice will guide you. Listen attentively to this voice, O Yogindra.

IDLENESS I S N OT REST – 25
Real rest can be had during meditation when the mind rests in the Atman. Change of work can
give rest. Remaining idle without work and allowing the mind to wonder wildly like a furious
elephant, or building castles in the air, cannot bring rest to the mind and soul.
The man who cannot fix his mind in meditation and prayer cannot have knowledge of the
Self. The unsteady man cannot practice meditation, He cannot have intense devotion to
knowledge of the Self, or any burning longing for liberation. He who does not practice prayer,
Japa and meditation cannot have peace of mind. How can there be real lasting happiness for those
who are unpeaceful?

WASTE NOT PRECIOUS TIME – 26

In the Gita it is stated: "The Yogi, labouring with assiduity, purified from sin and perfected
through manifold births, reacheth the Supreme Goal."
If you can give up idle talk, gossip and curiosity, and if you do not interfere in the affairs of
others, you will have ample time to practice intense meditation. If worldly thoughts try to enter
the mind during meditation, reject them. Have steady devotion to truth. Be cheerful.

NEVER C OMPLAIN OF ENVIRONMENTS – 27

Environments are not bad but your mind is such. Your mind is not disciplined properly. Wage
war with this horrible and terrible mind. Do not complain of unfavourable environments.
Complain against your own mind first. Train it first.
If you practice concentration amidst unfavourable environments, you will grow strong, you
will develop your will-force quickly, you will become a dynamic personality. See good in
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DAILY MEDITATIONS
BY SWAMI SIVANANDA

everything and transmute evil into good. This is real Yoga. This is the real work of a Yogi.

THE MAGIC PILL – 28

Try to identify yourself with the eternal, ever pure Atman that resides in the chambers of your
heart. Think and feel always: "I am tile Atman that is ever pure." This one thought will remove all
troubles and all fanciful thoughts. The mind will try to delude you. It will lurk like a thief. Start
this anti-current of thought.
There is no magic pill more effective than silence and solitude to remove the disease of
tossing of the mind.

SIGNS OF PROGRESS – 29
Your mind will sometimes shudder when evil thoughts enter it. This is a sign of your spiritual
progress. You are growing spiritually. You will be much tormented when you think of your evil
actions committed in the past. 'This is also a sign of spiritual upheaval. You will not repeat the
same actions now.
Your mind will tremble, your body will quiver whenever the wrong mental impression of
some evil action urges you to do the same act through three of habit. Continue your meditation
with full vigour and earnestness. All memory of evil actions, all evil thoughts, all evil promptings
of Satan will die by themselves.

THE NAME IS OMNIPOTENT – 30

The Name of the Lord is a potent and unfailing antidote for those who are bitten by the
serpent of worldliness. It is a nectar that can confer immortality and perennial peace. The God of
Death is terribly afraid of those who repeat the Name of the Lord. He cannot approach them.
Repeat the Name of the Lord al all limes and attain the state of fearlessness.
May the Lord guide you in all your activities! May He enlighten your path, enabling you to
achieve the goal of life, namely, God-realization! May you live drowned in a life of joy, bliss and
prosperity!