The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 3)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Sept_Oct/PracticalAspectDhyanYoga/)

They might be manifested externally, but the basic elements of life lie deep within.

Where is our life force?

It is not outside; it is inside.

And what about the intellect through which we earn wealth and gain respect?

That also is not external, but, an internal potential. We don't see introvertly, and often keep wondering why God has befuddled mankind by giving us instruments of perception of the external things and events, but no fine-tuned instrument of knowledge of the inner world. We never notice the immense treasure of talents, virtues and divinity, hidden inside our own self. What is easily seen by us is my child, my material property, my this, my that, and what not! But we can't see our future.
 

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 2)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Sept_Oct/PracticalAspectDhyanYoga/)  

This is why I stress on you to practice meditation along with the japa of the Gayatri Mantra. Mental concentration on some gross object,  e.g. an idol, or a picture of a deity, is most convenient for the majority of people, because, the human mind, in general, is not so developed that it could be focused, for a long stretch of time, without any visible or perceptible symbol. However, with sincere practice, one begins to realize the presence of God in his inner self, and learns to meditate upon it, without any external symbol.

What is the meaning of dhyan yoga?

Well, let us try to understand it. As you all might know, our life has two facets. One is the external, which is most familiar to us. The holes in our ears open externally; our eyes also open up externally and keep watching what is happening in the outside world. We can see the things outside but we don't even get a glimpse of what is there inside us.

Is there nothing? No my friends! The real substance, the essence is all inside us.

Science and Philosophy of various rituals of Marriage Ceremony

A Manual of Hindu Marriage
http://literature.awgp.org/book/a_manual_of_hindu_marriage/v1.1


विवाहित जीवन का अलौकिक आनन्द
http://literature.awgp.org/book/Vaivahik_Jeevan_Alaukik_Anand/v1.1

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 1)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Sept_Oct/PracticalAspectDhyanYoga/) 

Let us all begin with the collective chanting of the Gayatri Mantra,
"Om Bhur Buvah Swah, Tatsaviturvarenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat ||"

Brothers and Sisters, I am giving you a special training of dhyan (meditation) together with Gayatri upasana. There are two modes of upasana (worship) -  those of the name and the form (of God). There can be no devotional practice without God's name and form.

These two are supposed to be the universal modes of worship. Look at any religion, you will find the use of God's name and/or form in their modes of worship. Mohammedans recite the name of Allah on tasabiha; Christian Priests chant God's name with the help of a rosary; the Arya Samajis meditate upon divine form as sunlight; the yogis of Nada Yoga concentrate upon the sublime sounds of the Omnipresent. In any case, the support of meditation (with Divine name or form) is essential for true worship.

The Supreme Significance of the Gayatri Mantra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 19)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jul_Aug/v1.SignificanceGayatriMantra) 


You empty your accumulated vices and weaknesses here, and make place to take in something worthy from here, which will make you a better, a stronger person. I am giving you a warm farewell with something of that kind, with a wish that you learn to live for divine values also. Don't live only for bodily comforts and selfish joys, learn to lift yourself above this ordinary level of life. Your awakening, your nobility will make me happy. It will also please God.

Go with full confidence and courage. May God bless you in your efforts towards self-improvement and support the progress of your sadhana.

The Supreme Significance of the Gayatri Mantra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 18)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jul_Aug/v1.SignificanceGayatriMantra) 

Guru means the source of light. There can be no darkness once the light is switched on. You know how Virjanand had elevated his deserving disciple Dayanand, Samarth Guru Ramdas had empowered Shivaji, Ramkrishana had endowed Vivekanand with such remarkable siddhis. My guru had eliminated the darkness within me and enlightened me with the grace of Gayatri Mantra. What riddhis and siddhis I was blessed by its sadhana are all evident before you. I also want to annihilate all darkness from your lives, want to illuminate your inner selves by divine light.

The Supreme Significance of the Gayatri Mantra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 17)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jul_Aug/v1.SignificanceGayatriMantra)

How can our personality sparkle unless we remove the mist of vices and smog of ignorance? The sadhana courses that you will undergo here from time to time are meant to help you in this essential process of self-refinement. You all know that no crop can grow on barren land; ploughing it is a sheer wastage of effort. The same is true about heartless practice of devotion. If your mind and heart are filled with ego, selfish attachments, jealousy, hatred, and similar filth, where and how will the serene sentiments of devotion find place? How would you attain the nectar of devotion of the Gayatri Mantra without paving the way for its descent? The Guru, the noble spiritual master, alone can diagnose the inner ailments, and help in the cleansing, curing and refinement of the disciple’s life.