How does one go beyond the mind?

There are many starting points -they all lead to the same goal.You may begin with selfless work,abandoning the fruits of action;you may then give up thinkingand in the end give up all desires.Here, giving up (tyaga) is the operational factor.Or you may not bother about anything you want,or think, or do and just stay put in the thought and feeling 'I am", focussing 'I am" firmlyin your mind. All kind of experience may come toyou -- remain unmoved in the knowledge that all perceivable is transient,and only the 'I am' endures.

Nisargadatta Maharaj

What is the nature of mind ?

What is called mind is a wondrous power residing in the Self. It causes all thoughts to arise. Apart from thoughts, there is no such thing as mind. Therefore, thought is the nature of mind. Apart from thoughts, there is no independent entity called the world . In deep sleep there are no thoughts, and there is no world. In the states of waking and dream, there are thoughts, and there is the world also. Just as the spider emits the thread (of the web) out of itself and again withdraws it into itself, likewise the mind projects the world out of itself and again resolves it into itself. When the mind comes out of the Self, the world appears. Therefore, when the world appears (to be real), the Self does not appear; and when the Self appears (shines), the world does not appear. When one persistently inquires into the nature of the mind , the mind will end leaving th Self ( as the residue ) .What is referred to as the Self is the Atman .The mind always exists only in dependence on something gross ; it cannot stay alone .It is the mind that is called the subtle body or the soul ( jiva ) .

Bhagawan Ramana Maharsihi

Value of Money

Money has value only when it is spent to protect human values .

William Penn

Viduraneeti on Wealth

With all the wealth on earth you are not truly rich if you are not loved or admired by people around you .

Viduraneeti

Who is Rich?

A poor man with contentment of what he has is really the rich man . A rich man who craves for more wealth is really a poor man .

Adi Shankara

Mahesh Yogi on Prayer

It is strange that in our prayer we seldom ask for a change of character , but always for a change in circumstances .

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Kabir on Prayer

Everyone prays when he is suffering .He does not pray when he is in comfort .If one prays when in comfort , how could he ever suffer .

Kabirdas

Watch Your mind

“In the middle of any day, sit on your couch and watch your mind operate and see that there is nothing you can do about it. That is where you get the knowledge that you can’t turn yourself off. Just see that your mind is churning and you can do nothing about it. ”

Vernon Howard

Mature Mind

A mature mind sees long-distance cause and effect. An immature mind sees only instant ego-gratification regardless of the consequences.

Vernon Howard

Proper Exercise

Proper Exercise is one of the 5 fundamental points of Yoga as taught by Swami Vishnu-devananda founder/Guru of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers.

What is Proper Exercise?

There are numerous modern physical culture systems designed to develop the muscles through mechanical movements and exercises. As Yoga regards the body as a vehicle for the soul on its journey towards perfection, Yogic physical exercises are designed to develop not only the body. They also broaden the mental faculties and the spiritual capacities.

The Yogic physical exercises are called Asanas, a term which means steady pose. This is because the Yoga Asana(or posture) is meant to be held for some time. However this is quite an advanced practice. Initially, our concern is simply to increase body flexibility.

The body is as young as it is flexible. Yoga exercises focus on the health of the spine, its strength and flexibility. The spinal column houses the all-important nervous system, the telegraphic system of the body. By maintaining the spine's flexibility and strength through exercise, circulation is increased and the nerves are ensured their supply of nutrients and oxygen.

The Asanas also affect the internal organs and the endocrine system (glands and hormones).

Traditionally, Yogis practice Surya Namaskar, the sun salutation, before the Asanas. Although there are many Asanas (8,400,000 according to the scriptures) the practice of the 12 basic postures brings out the essence and all major benefits of this wonderful system.
These 12 Basic Postures are:

1. Headstand (Sirshasana)
2. Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)
3. Plough (Halasana)
4. Fish (Matsyasana)
5. Forward bend (Paschimothanasana)
6. Cobra (Bhujangasana)
7. Locust (Shalabhasana)
8. Bow (Dhanurasana)
9. Spinal twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
10. Crow pose (Kakasana) or Peacock pose (Mayurasana)
11. Standing forward bend (Pada Hasthasana)
12. Triangle (Trikonasana)

Soorya Namaskar

The Sun Salutation or Soorya Namaskar limbers up the whole body in preparation for the asanas .It is a graceful sequence of 12 positions performed as one continuous exercise .Each position counteracts the one before stretching the body in a different way and alternately expanding and contracting the chest to regulate the breathing .Practised daily it will bring great flexibility to your spine and joints and trim your waist .

From the book , Sivananda Companion to Yoga

Real Yoga

Some Yogic students think that only he who can fly in the air , walk on water , and do such other miracles , can be called a Yogi .It is a sad mistake .To be peaceful , to be calm , to radiate joy , to have an intense aspiration to realize God , to have the spirit of service and devotion , to be self controlled - this is real Yoga .

Swami Sivananda

Ten Commandments for Yoga Students

1) Practice Asanas and Pranayama in the early morning or 3 hrs after food .
2) Offer prayers to Guru and God before commencing the practice .
3) Take SAttvic food ,a void hot , pungent , sour articles of food and stimulants like tea , coffee ,etc .
4) Keep a clean room under lock and key ; let it be well-ventilated , cool , free from insects and from other sources of disturbance .
5) Observe strict Brahmacharya ; avoid un-necessary talks .
6) Reduce your wants .Develop contentment .
7) Take bath before the practice ; is that is not possible , have a wash before and bath at least half and hour after the practice .
8) Sit facing East or North .
9) Be regular an systematic in your practice .
10) Obey your Guru implicitly in all respects .

Swami Sivananda

Not judging others

To let go of judgment does not mean that you don't see what they do .It means that you recognize their behavior as a form of conditioning , and you see it and accept it as that .You don't construct an identity out of it for that person .
That liberates you as well as the other person from identification with the conditioning , with form , with mind .The ego then no longer runs your relationships .

Eckhart Tolle

Trying to be better

Trying to become a good or better human being sounds like a commendable and high-minded thing to do, yet it is an endeavor you cannot ultimately succeed in unless there is a shift in consciousness.

Eckhart Tolle