INTROSPECTION, SELF-ANALYSIS & DISSOLUTION OF EGOIC TENDENCIES
Daily introspection and self-analysis is an indispensable requisite. Then alone can you remove your defects and can grow rapidly in spirituality.
Even so, you should find out your defects through daily introspection and self-analysis and then eradicate them through suitable methods. If one method fails, you must adopt a combined method. If prayer fails, you should take recourse to Satsanga or association with the wise, pranayama, meditation, dietetic regulation, enquiry, etc.
You should destroy not only big waves of pride, hypocrisy, lust, anger, etc., that manifest on the surface of the conscious mind, but also their subtle impressions which lurk in the corners of the subconscious mind. Then only are you perfectly safe.
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The body idea, lust and egoism are very deep-rooted in men. Hence, O Man! Struggle hard to eradicate these simple enemies of your body and mind. Continue the fight unceasingly. You will succeed eventually in their annihilation.
~Swami Sivananda