Talk Excerpt 209 Swamiji gives advice on morning sadhana.
From Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.
Try to do one mala before getting out of bed in the morning. Then do pranayama, do a few bends (yoga exercises), then take a short walk.
Now sit relaxed. You must be relaxed, especially the cheeks and hands. Sit up in a straight line. The head, neck, back and shoulders should be in a straight line and the chin must be in line with the shoulders. You must be comfortable.
Now repeat OM three times, from the navel to the top of the head, and beyond that to the soundless.
Chant the prayers: Guru brahma and Dhyana moolam .
Visualise the Ishta Devata from the feet upward, slowly – not as flesh but as light. Feel the light flow from His feet, to bless you. Move up His legs, thighs, tummy, hands, arms. Dwell for about 5 minutes on His moon [luminous] face. Look at it part by part, especially the eyes. See His expression. He must be smiling sweetly and calmly at you.
If there is no form, imagine you are the infinite ocean – above and below – an ocean of light – or infinite sky.
When the mind is settled begin the silent repetition of the mantra. Do this with love, with bhava. Repeat the mantra of the Ishta Devata. If the mind wanders, be like a father, bring it [gently] back again and again to the feet of the Lord.
Think: I am happy in body, I am happy in mind.
Offer the fruit of your sadhana to the Guru and to God. Offer day and night to Guru and God.
At the end repeat the mahamantra twice, and, ‘Namaami twam aham devim, mahabhaya, vinashinim,’ twice.
Repeat a few slokas [scriptural verses].
Do you feel irritated after meditation? Go for a walk. Observe mauna sometimes – or repeat the guru mantra 16 times.
If someone knocks and disturbs you? Turn away or just smile. Imitate the Guru with the heart wide open.
Afterwards get up with the same peace you had during meditation. Open your eyes and try to see your Ishta Devata in everything. Ask God to give you love to worship Him and to repeat His name.
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These recordings or the excerpts from them, were made from the early 1970s onward, by Mother Radha, a close devotee of Swamiji’s and edited for uploading here by our gurubhai and her son, Brother Tim. Please be mindful that what Swamiji was saying may have been specific to an individual or a group of people with him, at the time.