Teachings of Swami Sivananda
by Swami Sivananda
by Swami Sivananda
1. Brahman or the Absolute is the only reality. It is Sat-Chit-Ananda
2. Brahman or the Absolute manifests itself as Jiva or the individual soul, Ishvara or the Lord and the universe. The light of Brahman alone is Jiva and others.
3. The world and the ego are unreal. This universe is nothing but a diversity of Maya. Mind alone is the universe. World is nothing but mind manifesting as such only through the potency of Brahman.
4. Those who are without Atmic enquiry will see as real this world which is nothing but the nature of Sankalpa. Sankalpa alone manifests itself as Jiva, Ishvara and the Universe. This universe as universe ever is not. There is no world in the three periods of time.
5. All things though appearing different are no other than Brahmic light, in short, world static means Brahman. Brahman in motion is world.
6. Individual is no other than Brahman. The body with its organs, etc., is no other than mind. The mind manifests itself as the external world in the shape of pains and pleasures, bondage and liberation, right and wrong. The mind subjectively is this universe. Time, space and causation are the creations of the mind.
7. Actions of the mind alone are truly termed as Karma. True liberation results from the disenthralment of the mind. The play of the mind constitutes this universe.
8. Those who have freed themselves from the fluctuations of their mind are endowed with the supreme meditation.
9. If the impurities of the mind are removed it will become calm, steady and blissful. Then the Samsaric delusion with its births and deaths, pain and pleasure will be destroyed.
10. The conception of the reality of the world will increase on the contemplation on the non-Atma or worldly objects.
11. Through the grace of Ishvara also the higher spiritual state will be attained.
12. Atma can be realised by controlling Maya. All ideas of the world will vanish if Maya is controlled.
13. Manifold pains will arise in the mind in the absence of Samadhi which leads to the attainment of Brahmic bliss.
14. Nothing can create differentiation and disturbance in the mind if you do not long for the fruits of actions. The Jnana vision alone will enable one to realise Atman personally.
15. All will be Brahman through Sushupti Mauna. The same result can be obtained through the giving up of Sanga or desires. The path to the higher goal will be rendered smooth by the preceptor who is able to make his disciple progress through various means as well as by renunciation, though many obstacles may intervene.
16. The Neophyte on the path of Vedanta or Jnana Yoga should possess the fourfold qualifications, viz., Viveka (discrimination between the real and the unreal), Vairagya (dispassion), Shad Sampat (sixfold virtues) and Mumukshutva (intense longing for emancipation).
17. Cultivate pure Vasanas, Shanti (peace), Santosh (contentment). Practise Brahma Vichara(enquiry). Take recourse to Satsanga or association with the wise. You will soon attain self-realisation.
18. The renunciation of Ahamkara (egoism) leads to the attainment of Atma Jnana.
19. Through the performance in the world of Nishkama Karma (Selfless actions) even sensual pleasures are transmuted into spiritual or Brahmic Bliss.
20. The Supreme Immortal Bliss of Atman can be attained through Samadhi consequent upon Atmic enquiry.
21. The result of quiescence of mind etc., which is developed through Samadhi can also be attained through Atma Vichara or Atmic enquiry.
22. Mental abnegation and control of Prana are the two requisites for the control of the mind which leads us to quiescence.
23. Abandon the attraction towards sensual objects and you will get quiescence of the mind. Nirvanic Bliss where all are Brahman only will result through Jnana or Yoga.
24. Renunciation of egoism alone constitutes the renunciation of all. Doership or enjoyership arises through the idea of ‘I’.
25. SERVE, LOVE, GIVE, MEDITATE. This is Sadhana in a nutshell. Be good, Do good. Be humble. Be noble. This is the highest Sadhana. Enquire ‘Who am I’? and know thy Self. Find the knower, find the seer. This is Sadhana in essence.
26. A Jivanmukta is a liberated sage. He is emancipated while living. He has cut off all bonds. He has destroyed his mind. He is in a state of mindlessness. He is absolutely free. He has identified himself with Brahman or the Absolute Consciousness. He has no identification with the body. He is free from egoism, lust, anger, greed, selfishness, pride, likes, dislikes, exhilaration or depression (Harsha-soka). He is balanced in pleasure and pain, censures and praises, honour and dishonour, respect and disrespect. He has equal, vision. He has supreme knowledge of Brahman. He is a Brahmajnani. He is a Brahmavid or Knower of Brahman. He can clear all your doubts. You will feel extreme elevation and inspiration in his presence. He radiates joy and peace everywhere.
27. He may be absorbed in Samadhi or he may work like an ordinary man of the world. Internally he has the Bhava or mental attitude “I am a witness” (Sakshi) “I am non-doer” (Akarta) “I am non-enjoyer” (Abhokta) because he has no egoism or individuality. So he is not bound by Karma.
28. He is a Gunatita. He is beyond the reach of the three Gunas or qualities, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. He has Trikalajnana or the knowledge of the three periods of time. He has omniscience. He enjoys the sense-objects offered by others like a child. He beholds this world like one seen in dreams.