Yoga and Vedanta

TWENTY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Get up at 4. a.m. daily. Do japa and meditation.

2. Sit on padma or siddha asana for japa and dhyana.

3. Take sattvic food. Do not overload the stomach.

4. Do charity ‑ one tenth of your income or one anna per rupee.

5. Study daily one chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.

6. Preserve veerya (vital force). Sleep separately.

7. Give up smoking, narcotics, intoxicant drinks and rajasic food.

8. Fast on Ekadasi days or take milk and fruits only.

9. Observe mouna for two hours daily and during meals also.

10. Speak the truth at any cost. Speak a little and sweetly.

11. Reduce your wants. Lead a happy, contented life.

12. Never hurt the feelings of others. Be kind to all.

13. Think of the mistakes that you have made (self‑analysis).

14. Do not depend upon servants. Have self‑reliance.

15. Think of God as soon as you wake up and when you go to bed.

16. Have always a japa‑mala on your neck or in your pocket.

17. Adhere to the motto ‑ 'Simple living and high thinking'.

18. Serve the sadhus, sannyasins and the poor, the sick and the suffering.

19. Have a separate meditation room.

20. Keep a daily spiritual diary. Stick to your routine.

These 20 instructions contain the essence of yoga and vedanta. Follow them strictly. Do not be lenient to your mind. You will attain supreme happiness.
                                          Swami Sivananda

tonight while i was doing meditation, i remembered how disciplined i used to be with my spiritual practice. i am going to start working on regaining that rhythm of daily spiritual practice. reading these instructions, i was a reminded that there's still a long way to go, but i am on my way. i will start with the instructions that are in bold first. i will let you know how this goes! right now i am really excited and feel like a huge weight has been lifted of my shoulders.