Studying and reflecting on spiritual books and sacred texts
·
It gives us inspiration, enthusiasm and
strength to follow the path.
·
It helps us to keep the fire of aspiration
burning. By reading spiritual books on a daily basis we remind ourselves of our
purpose. Life consumes us too easily and makes us forget the goals we have set
for our inner growth and Self-realization. Daily study is a way to remind us of
our purpose and to keep us steadfast in our practice.
·
By studying the autobiographies of the
enlightened and the saints, we gain the courage to continue practicing with
patience, determination and constancy. We learn about the adversities and
challenges they went through, the endurance they showed to overcome them and
achieve self-realization.
·
It gives us important information and insights
into the path, practices, mind, ego, Self, obstacles and various topics related
to the spiritual path.
·
Studying spiritual books is a way to
substitute in a way the satsangs with enlightened or awakened beings.
·
The knowledge we gain from books affirms the
knowledge we already have and the reliability of our experience and, as a
result, boosts self-confidence.
·
Feed the mind with positive, lucid and sattvic
thoughts. Thoughts are the food of the mind and their quality affects the
quality of our mind. Sattvic thoughts increase the sattva in the mind and thus
the mind can function at its highest potential.
·
Feed the intellect with beliefs aligned with
truth.
·
It connects us with the consciousness and vibrations
of the writer and this helps us to raise our consciousness and vibration.
·
Through study and reflection, you can develop
discrimination and detachment, two abilities that are the basis on which all
spiritual practice and Self-realization is based.
· It helps
us to concentrate and forget the world and worldly thoughts (It is a type of
pratyahara, 'withdrawal of the senses').
· If we
concentrate deeply, then reading becomes a type of meditation, especially with
sacred texts such as Bhagavad Gita, Ribhu Gita, Avadhuta Gita, Ashtavakra Gita,
Vivekachudamani, Moksha Gita.
·
It helps us to develop an awareness of our
true Self (i.e., Self-awareness).