The kingdom of peace is beyond all speech and thought. Peace is not merely the absence of noise, tumult, strife or quarrels, controversies or disputes. It is not a condition or environment from which all undesirable elements are removed. This peace is not an inert passive state. It is not a hypnotic trance. It is not a negative physical condition. It is a positive state of spiritual attainment. It is your centre, ideal and goal. It is perfect awareness. It is a magnificent, indescribable state in which the pure soul enjoys the highest divine bliss and transcendental divine knowledge. You will become absolutely fearless and desireless by drinking this divine nectar of peace. You will be in communion with the Supreme Soul or Atma by attaining this peace. In this state of peace there are no yesterdays or tomorrows, no sunset or daybreak-there is eternal sunshine. It can hardly be acquired from external sources. It can be reached only by patient spiritual practices.
You may be in quite adverse circumstances. You may remain in the midst of calamities, troubles, tribulations, difficulties and sorrows, and yet, you may enjoy the inward harmony and peace if you rest in God by withdrawing the senses, by stilling the mind and eradicating its impurities. Lord Jesus was persecuted in a variety of ways. He was put to death on the cross and yet what did he say? He said, "O Lord, forgive them! They know not what they are doing." How peaceful He was even when His life was at stake! He was enjoying the inner peace.
The goal of life is attainment of self-realisation or God-consciousness. There is one supreme, undying, intelligent principle or essence or Atma or the Supreme Self who dwells in the chambers of your heart. He exists in the past, present and future. He is Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute and Bliss Absolute. The ignorant may vainly search for their happiness in perishable external objects that are conditioned in time, space and causation. He has no peace of mind. His desires are not gratified. He amasses wealth, begets children, gets titles, honours, name and fame and yet his mind is restless. He has no abiding joy and lasting happiness. He is still in want of something. He has no feeling of fulness. This feeling of fulness and eternal satisfaction can only be obtained by realising one's own Self through self-restraint, purity and meditation.
How long do you want to lead a life of duality, restlessness, discontentment and dissatisfaction? How long do you wish to lead a life of ignorance, bitterness, hatred and separation? How long do you wish to continue your selfish struggles? How long do you wish to behold differences and distinctions? How long do you wish to keep the barrier between man and man?
You cry for peace or Santi. But where to get it and through whom? You can realise peace in your own heart through association with the sages and by meditation. You can find this peace only in stillness. Peace can be found only within. You certainly cannot find it in external objects. Look within. Sit silently in a quiet room for one or two hours. Close your eyes. Concentrate on a point between the two eyebrows. Withdraw the senses and the mind from the external objects. Be still. Silence the surging emotions and bubbling thoughts. Forget the body and the world. Enter into the great calm. Get deep down into the innermost recesses of your heart. Plunge in the ocean of peace. Realise your oneness with the one Supreme Self that dwells in the chambers of your heart. Have four daily sittings in winter and two in summer. Be regular in your practice. Regularity is of paramount importance.
It is useless to talk of the cessation of war while you are all full of petty jealousy and private hatred. Remove your discordant, inharmonious vibrations first. There will be no more war between nations. Individuals only go to constitute a nation. Lead an ideal life of peace. Ruthlessly kill suspicion, prejudice of all sorts, envy, selfishness, greed for power and possessions. Lead a simple life. Practise daily meditation and establish peace in your own heart. Then radiate it to your neighbours and all who come in contact with you. Disseminate it far and wide.
Mysterious is this peace. If you yourself enjoy this peace, you can contribute peace to the world. Realise this Peace that passeth all understanding and be free. May this Peace guide you all! May this Peace be your centre, ideal and goal!
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Next: Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 9.Philosophy and Meditation on 'Om'
Energy Enhancement Enlightened Texts Sri Swami Sivananda Essence of Yoga
Chapter 6
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 1.You are the Master of your Destiny
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 1.You are the Master of your Destiny, 1. Get up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahma Muhurta which is extremely favourable for meditation on God at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 2.Know Thyself
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 2.Know Thyself, That 'Being' who is described in the Upanishads is Brahman or Atman or the Absolute. He is the fountain-head of all scriptural knowledge. He is the source or womb for everything. He is Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute and Bliss Absolute. He is indivisible, all-pervading, self-contained, eternal and immortal. He is beyond time, space and causation. He is beginningless and endless. He is the indweller of all beings. He is the witness of the activities of all the minds at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 3.Message of Amrita
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 3.Message of Amrita, Amrita Putra! Are you always peaceful? Are you noble? Do you possess self-restraint? Are you endowed with divine virtues? Are you free from ignorance? Do you possess knowledge of the Self? Have you got illumination? Have you realised the immortal, pure Self? How do you stand before these questions? If you have not got these things, then come, sit down and listen! Here is the message of Amrita for you all! Even if you practise a particle of this, you will go beyond death, sorrow and pain at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 4.Vedanta
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 4.Vedanta, The term Veda is derived from the Sanskrit root. 'Vid'-to know. 'Anta' means end. Thus Vedanta literally signifies 'end of wisdom.' Philosophy is called Vedanta, because, it explains what that end is and how to achieve it. Vedanta is the religion of the Vedas or the Upanishads. It is the only universal, eternal religion. It is the essence of the teachings of the Srutis at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 5.Message of Gita
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 5.Message of Gita, The Atma is not born nor does He ever die. He is unborn, eternal, changeless, ancient and inexhaustible. He is not killed when the body is killed. He slays not, nor is he slain. A Sthitaprajna or Jivanmukta is free from desires, longings, fears, mineness, 'I-ness' and attachment. He is satisfied in his own self. He is indifferent amidst sensual pleasures. He is not elated by getting desirable objects. He has a poised mind at all times and under all conditions. He is centred in his own self at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 6.Essence of Yoga-Vasishtha
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, If the four sentinels that wait at the gates of Moksha (salvation), viz., Santi (peace), Vichara (Atmic enquiry), Santosha (contentment), and Satsanga (association with the wise), are befriended, then there will be no obstacle in the attainment of the final emancipation. Even if one of them is befriended, then he will introduce you to the rest of his companions at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 7.Message of Wisdom
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 7.Message of Wisdom, The desire to know the Brahman springs only in the person whose mind is pure, who is free from desires and who is free from the deeds done in this birth and in the previous ones, becomes disgusted with the external, ephemeral perishable objects at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 8.Message of Peace
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 8.Message of Peace, The kingdom of peace is beyond all speech and thought. Peace is not merely the absence of noise, tumult, strife or quarrels, controversies or disputes. It is not a condition or environment from which all undesirable elements are removed. This peace is not an inert passive state. It is not a hypnotic trance. It is not a negative physical condition. It is a positive state of spiritual attainment. It is your centre, ideal and goal. It is perfect awareness. It is a magnificent, indescribable state in which the pure soul enjoys the highest divine bliss and transcendental divine knowledge. You will become absolutely fearless and desireless by drinking this divine nectar of peace. You will be in communion with the Supreme Soul or Atma by attaining this peace. In this state of peace there are no yesterdays or tomorrows, no sunset or daybreak-there is eternal sunshine. It can hardly be acquired from external sources. It can be reached only by patient spiritual practices at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 9.Philosophy and Meditation on 'Om'
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 9.Philosophy and Meditation on 'Om', Brahman or the Supreme Being is the highest of all. Om is His name. So, Om is to be adored. Om is everything. Om is the symbol of Brahman. It is the word of power. It is the sacred monosyllable. It is the essence of the Vedas. It is the boat to take you to the other chore of fearlessness and immortality at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 10.Sat-Chit-Ananda-Svarupoham
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 10.Sat-Chit-Ananda-Svarupoham, You will soon realise your identity with the Supreme Self and shine in your pristine Brahmic glory at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 11.Jivanmukta
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 6: Philosophy And Vedanta, 11.Jivanmukta, A Jivanmukta or liberated sage is absolutely free from desires, fear, selfishness, egoism, mineness, attachment, greed and hatred. He is full of pure love, compassion and mercy. He has mastery over the mind and senses. He does not identify himself with the body. He always dwells in his own Inner Self. He is ever contented and happy at energyenhancement.org
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