International Mano Yoga Deeksha February 2006 Hyderabad India:
Sri Swami Somanatha Maharishi
Notes from the translations of Swami’s talks given during the retreat
Impermanence is like a reflection
Keep the mind still. The mind is like the sky, like space
Realise what you are - divine
Act without attachment, then all is perfect JOY
Even the Gods were once human
Through the practice of Yoga we too can become Gods
Monday 13th February 2006
The challenge is to discover how to remove the evil tendencies of the mind
There are three times of transition, dawn, noon and dusk.
These are the “change” times or Shankya
Fear and superstition are weaknesses of the mind
For a yogi there is no auspicious time
Yogis are on a higher level and not concerned with dress or food
The Yogi is on two planes at once and may not be conscious of what he is doing
Don’t misunderstand his actions; he is not always aware of the world
Spirit is infinite in a limited body
The Yogi wants to be alone but for the sake of people he lives in the body
Inside he wants to be free but even the Yogi may yield to desire due to circumstance even though he wants to be very still inside
Maturity is when we use our good tendencies to lead a detached life
Like the ingredients of a meal that sacrifice themselves for the final product so too use the good tendencies of the body.
Sticking to truth is the essence of a detached life even though truth is often bitter
Do not give up the body, it is an essential vehicle
Cultivate good feeling, make full use of the body try to give up evil tendencies
The secret of this is the practice of Yoga
The body is necessary for libration
Tuesday 14th February 2006
Man is superior because he has the power of discrimination and a questioning attitude
Work is Divine – this means Mano Yoga (work) will lead us to the Divine
Heartbeat derives energy from nature
Repeating the mantra aloud wastes the life force, try to be still – that is the way that I teach
Forget worship of idols, try to connect to the omnipresent life force
The method to reach this force is Mano Yoga.
Forget superstition and rituals
The Yogi evolves from his own effort
He can develop power over God and nature
Rituals do not help people evolve. Have an enquiring nature
Every act derives energy from God, the life force
For meditation a Japa mala is necessary in the beginning.
The primordial sound will be with you wherever you go.
Hear the primordial sound wherever you go.
If you remain neutral when praised or scolded, that is the test of a real Yogi.
Any mantra may be used for Japa. Man (mind) tra (repetition).
Turn the beads towards you to invite the shakti in
Shiva is beyond creation and dissolution. Shakti is always there.
If you realise this there is nothing more for you to know
Don’t try to imitate the Rishis before realising that level by your own effort.
Rishis are beyond rules, we have to observe rules
Symptom of a real disciple is that he is totally devoted to the object of devotion
Total devotion to God will develop immense will power
The False yogi thinks of death and material things.
You must be able to distinguish between real and false Yogis
Real test is the ability to control the mind
In the world but not involved; an ordinary life lived with detachment
Must have one pointed concentration and be able to put all attention on a single point to approach the state of voidness
Being one pointed and having Tyaga – renunciation are both essential
Give up human tendencies to attain one pointed concentration
Be like an actor in your family life; be detached
Maharaj, can you give us a glimpse of your mind?
Swami’s answer: I have already opened my mind to you. You have to see. I am in your house, I am in your kitchen. I have spoken to you. You have gone around and around my mind and have not yet been able to enter into my mind.
More devotion is required, complete devotion is required
More work is required in Mano Yoga sadhana and I will definitely merge with you
This is definitely possible if you work hard at your practice.
