Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you give away, and whatever austerity you practice, do it all as an offering to me.
conduct
Discipline
Discipline refers to the practice of cultivating self-control and mindfulness across various spiritual traditions. These traditions converge in emphasizing the importance of discipline for spiritual growth and self-awareness. They diverge in their specific methods and philosophies, offering unique perspectives on the role of discipline in achieving spiritual goals.
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Quotes
Yes, spiritual discipline is necessary.
All the blessed regions that belong to the gods can be obtained through penance. Penance is the root of great happiness. Those who practice severe penance and give up their bodies can attain the status of gods.
But if you are unable to fix your mind steadily on me, then seek to reach me through the practice of yoga, Dhananjaya.
अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् | अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय ||१२-९||
Therefore, mighty-armed one, the wisdom of one whose senses are fully restrained from their objects is firmly set.
तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः | इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ||२-६८||
Austerity, self-restraint, and action are its foundation; the Vedas are all its limbs; truth is its abode.
तस्यै तपो दमः कर्मेति प्रतिष्ठा वेदाः सर्वाङ्गानिसत्यमायतनम् ॥ ८॥
Yoga is not for one who eats too much, nor for one who does not eat at all, nor for one given to too much sleep, nor for one who stays awake, Arjuna.
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः | न चातिस्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ||६-१६||
'That is indeed how it is, Maghavan,' he said. 'But I will explain this to you further. Stay another thirty-two years.' So he stayed another thirty-two years, and then Prajapati said to him:
एवमेवैष मघवन्निति होवाचैतं त्वेव ते भूयोऽनुव्याख्यास्यामि वसापराणि द्वात्रिꣳशतं वर्षाणीति स हापराणि द्वात्रिꣳशतं वर्षाण्युवास तस्मै होवाच
There was Svetaketu, grandson of Aruna. His father said to him: 'Svetaketu, go and live as a student of sacred knowledge. No one in our family, my dear, remains unlearned and a brahmin by birth only.'
श्वेतकेतुर्हारुणेय आस तꣳ ह पितोवाच श्वेतकेतो वस ब्रह्मचर्यं न वै सोम्यास्मत्कुलीनोऽननूच्य ब्रह्मबन्धुरिव भवतीति
Satyakama Jabala addressed his mother Jabala: "I wish to live as a celibate student, revered mother. Of what lineage am I?"
सत्यकामो ह जाबालो जबालां मातरमामन्त्रयांचक्रे ब्रह्मचर्यं भवति विवत्स्यामि किंगोत्रो न्वहमस्मीति
To them the seer said: "Stay with me another year in austerity, chastity, and faith. Then ask questions as you wish, and if we know, we shall tell you all."
तान्ह स ऋषिरुवाच भूय एव तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण श्रद्धयासंवत्सरं संवत्स्यथ यथाकामं प्रश्नान् पृच्छत यदिविज्ञास्यामः सर्वं ह वो वक्ष्याम इति ॥ १२॥
Therefore let scripture be your authority in determining what should and should not be done. Knowing what is prescribed by the injunctions of scripture, you should perform your work in this world.
तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ | ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ||१६-२४||
But one who acts under the impulse of desire, casting aside the injunctions of scripture, attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme goal.
यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः | न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ||१६-२३||
The practice of righteousness is the rope that pulls the boat through difficult waters.
The god smiled and said, 'You practice the most severe austerities! I know this about you. The goal you have in your heart, the one you are striving for, will be achieved. Everything can be attained through penance. Everything is based on penance.
They understood this self-building as the creation by man in himself of that other world, or the high-ordered harmony of infinite being, which already exists perfect and eternal in the Divine Infinite.
The one who practices non-violence develops cosmic love to the highest degree. The practice of non-violence eventually leads to the realization of one's true self or the unity of the Self.
If you can prolong that period of bliss through spiritual practice, focusing on Brahman and preventing other desires from arising, you will attain a state of Samadhi.
Music is spiritual; it's not meant to merely stimulate the senses or provide sensual pleasure. Instead, it's a yogic practice that helps you achieve Self-realization or Atma-sakshatkara.
Yogic practices alone are not enough; purification of the heart is essential. Self-reflection is necessary to eliminate faults and bad habits. Correct your flaws, such as selfishness, pride, jealousy, and hatred. Cultivate your heart by sharing with others and engaging in selfless service, which will lead to a pure mind.