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Rules & Requirements for Meditation

“There is nothing like a best time.  People can do meditation, practice meditation whenever they find it convenient.  If Swamiji specifies a time and says that it is good for you to meditate at that time, you won’t be able to do it at that time.  That’s the reason you can practice meditation at any time that is convenient for you.”

“People can take any food that they like.  If they practice meditation every day for one hour, the meditation itself will let them know what kind of food is good for them.  Let us say that Swamiji tells a person not to eat a particular type of food.  Then whenever he tries to meditate, his mind will start dwelling on that kind of food.  That’s the reason he does not want to specify any kind of food.”

“Simply start doing the meditation as you are for at least one hour a day.  As you proceed along meditation, automatically you will develop good habits.  If I tell you all these rules and the discipline that have to be followed to be able to do good meditation, then you won’t even start.”

“The meditation Swamiji teaches is something related to the spirit, the atma.  You have to build up the strength of the spirit by meditation.  Such practices are not related in any way to anything concerned with the physical body.  You can do whatever you like.  Swamiji is not concerned with those things.  You have to control your own minds and be on the proper path.  That will help you a lot.  That is good.”

“If you do practice that is enough.  All that is required is that you control your mind.  You will get whatever is required if you just control your mind.  Qualities that people think are important will themselves lead you astray.  You will keep getting thoughts trying to check whether you have the right qualities instead of just meditating.  You will keep getting doubts and you will not be able to do your practice.”

“If you do the meditation, automatically mistakes will be taken care of.  You will have control of the mind.”

“If you reach that stage, then talking about it would be good to pull you up.  If Swami tells you about it now you will think of that in your meditation instead of doing your meditation.”

From the printed “Meditation Instructions” that Shivabalayogi gave after initiation into dhyana meditation:

“Shri Swamiji does not prescribe any particular posture for meditation.  You may adopt whatever posture you find comfortable. If you are not used to sitting on a floor, you may sit on a chair or a bed.  You may select whatever time you find convenient for meditation.  There are no restrictions concerning diet, cleanliness or the like.”

 

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Divine Play:   Shivabalayogi’s life and blessings, 290 pages and over a hundred photos.  Generally available in bookstores and online.

Swamiji’s Treasure:  The most comprehensive collection of biography, experiences, conversations & photographs of Shivabalayogi.

Tapas Shakti:  Published at Swamiji’s request in India, January of 1992.  Contains his biography, conversations & experiences.