A comprehensive guide that takes the reader on a journey into self-observation, self-organisation, self-development and self-mastery. Annotated with self-reflective worksheets and explanations, the book presents the words of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, in an interactive style and facilitates experiential insights. The book has been beautifully and aesthetically created to take the reader into the knowledge, experience and practice of Self-discovery and Mastery.
The book offers a unique perspective, based on Integral Yoga, on understanding oneself, the planes and parts of the being, inner and outer attitudes, the practice of Aspiration, Rejection and Surrender, and how to overcome difficulties in sadhana. It presents psychological exercises to Become Conscious, Overcome Anger, and more. It introduces the use of flowers as an aid in one's spiritual progress.
Sadhana - A Guide to Self-Mastery - a book compiled and edited by Ameeta Mehra (The Gnostic Centre) with selections from the works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother - to provide insights and tools on self-development and self-mastery
Dhyana - Meditation for Inner Growth - a book compiled and edited by Ameeta Mehra (The Gnostic Centre) with selections from the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother - to provide insights into and tools for meditation
A comprehensive guide on how to work with the right attitude to achieve perfection in work and life. Annotated with self-reflective worksheets and explanations, the book presents the words of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, in an interactive style and facilitates experiential insights. The book has been beautifully and aesthetically created to take the reader into the knowledge, experience and practice of Self-discovery and Mastery.
The book also presents certain key concepts from the Bhagawad Gita and ways to practise these in one's life and work. It offers a unique perspective, based on Integral Yoga, on how to do any work, even Business, with a spiritual attitude, and how to experience Delight in whatever one does.
Welcome to Heartfulness Magazine, a monthly magazine in which we explore everything from self-development and health, relationships with family and friends, how to thrive in the workplace, to living in tune with nature. We also bring you inspiration from the lives of people who have made a difference to humanity over the ages.
In this September issue we feature the topics of balance, parenting, success in business, resolving conflicts, relaxation and meditation, among other things. For children there are activities and a story that will keep them guessing.
We also look forward to hearing from you.
Send your letters and feedback to magazine@heartfulness.org
Subscribe: subscriptions@heartfulness.org
Website link:http://en.heartfulness.org/emagazine/
types of meditation - cheakout different types of meditation including the views of science and religion and choose the best meditation technique for you.
cheak out more about types of meditation at bestmeditationtechniques.net
Sadhana - A Guide to Self-Mastery - a book compiled and edited by Ameeta Mehra (The Gnostic Centre) with selections from the works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother - to provide insights and tools on self-development and self-mastery
Dhyana - Meditation for Inner Growth - a book compiled and edited by Ameeta Mehra (The Gnostic Centre) with selections from the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother - to provide insights into and tools for meditation
A comprehensive guide on how to work with the right attitude to achieve perfection in work and life. Annotated with self-reflective worksheets and explanations, the book presents the words of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, in an interactive style and facilitates experiential insights. The book has been beautifully and aesthetically created to take the reader into the knowledge, experience and practice of Self-discovery and Mastery.
The book also presents certain key concepts from the Bhagawad Gita and ways to practise these in one's life and work. It offers a unique perspective, based on Integral Yoga, on how to do any work, even Business, with a spiritual attitude, and how to experience Delight in whatever one does.
Welcome to Heartfulness Magazine, a monthly magazine in which we explore everything from self-development and health, relationships with family and friends, how to thrive in the workplace, to living in tune with nature. We also bring you inspiration from the lives of people who have made a difference to humanity over the ages.
In this September issue we feature the topics of balance, parenting, success in business, resolving conflicts, relaxation and meditation, among other things. For children there are activities and a story that will keep them guessing.
We also look forward to hearing from you.
Send your letters and feedback to magazine@heartfulness.org
Subscribe: subscriptions@heartfulness.org
Website link:http://en.heartfulness.org/emagazine/
types of meditation - cheakout different types of meditation including the views of science and religion and choose the best meditation technique for you.
cheak out more about types of meditation at bestmeditationtechniques.net
In this issue, Daaji takes us on the next stage of the journey to the center in his series, The March to Freedom. There are also articles on developing excellence, nurturing love, compassion, fatigue, nutigenomics and natural medicine. We feature the beautiful lavender and bring you a creation myth from China. For children we have a womderful story and an activity to inspire them to become ambassadors of peace as we celebrate the International Day of Peace on 21st September.
Abhaya - Fear: Its Cause & Cure - a book compiled and edited by Ameeta Mehra (The Gnostic Centre) with insights and tools to overcome Fear in the mind, vital and body
Purpose of life is to discover for oneself his own state of natural happiness and inherent peace of mind. I am sharing this Book showing us how the art of self-inquiry is one of the fastest and most powerful vehicles for the liberation of the soul. Love to hear your comments,
SAY YES TO AN ABUNDANT LIFE BY SEEMA BRAIN OPENERSDeepak Kumar
A BOOK FOR THOSE WHO ARE READY TO LIVE A BIGGER, CLEARER, BROADER AND CAUSE DRIVEN LIFE. THIS BOOK GIVES YOU THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE INFINITE ABUNDANCE IN YOUR LIFE FOREVER.
Kundakunda’s Samayasāra: Present-day applicability of the two-century-old tex...Life Coach Medhavi Jain
Samayasāra (The Nature of the Self) is a famous philosophical text composed by Digaṃbara Ācārya Kundakunda in the 1st Century BC.
It has 439 verses in ten chapters that discuss the nature of Jīva (pure self/soul), its false attachment to Karma and how it can attain Mokṣa.
Samayasāra expounds on universal concepts and their emphasis in the philosophy of Jainism, such as Karma, āsrava (influx of karmas), Bandha (Bondage), Saṃvara (stoppage), Nirjarā (shedding), and Mokṣa (complete annihilation of karmas).
Spiritual meditation is a process of seeking to connect with a higher power or your own inner wisdom. The goal is to achieve a state of inner peace and well-being.
There are many different ways to meditate, but the basic principle is to focus your attention on something that is calming and positive, such as your breath, a mantra, or a certain image. As you focus your attention, your mind will naturally become quieter and still.
Guru Yoga Practice presents highly valued Buddhist
Meditation Techniques to develop universal knowledge and
Love, to attain Peace and to purify the mind.
The beginning of January is when we evaluate what has been, and resolve to realize our hopes and dreams for the coming year. It is a time for change.
The ancient art of meditation is designed to clear the mind, open the heart, and allow us to access our inner
potential, so that decision-making becomes effortless, and we learn how to embrace change. Woolly brain syndrome disappears. Confidence and courage radiate from the heart. It is not magic – work is required – but the results arethere for all those who wish to make the effort.
If you would like to give yourselves a gift for the New Year, please join us for a series of three masterclasses in meditation on the 2, 3 and 4 January 2017, conducted by Kamlesh D. Patel (www.heartfulness.org/masterclass).
Happy New Year from all of us at Heartfulness Magazine. May 2017 be filled with peace, love and joy.
Please send your contributions to: contributions@heartfulnessmagazine.com
The Mother on Education - From Reflection to ActionGnostic Centre
Published in 2004, this book was compiled to mark the Mother’s 125th birth anniversary, on the request of National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), and has been distributed by NCTE to all teacher-education institutes around India. It was even translated into Hindi for a greater reach.
The book has passages from The Mother, relevant for all educators (including parents), focusing on diverse issues related to bringing up and educating a child. The compilation includes a number of ideas on how to train the various aspects of a child’s personality, as well as certain reflective exercises, to enable the educator’s own growth and practice.
A brilliant and insightful understanding on the causes of Fear and ways to combat and cure it. Annotated with self-reflective worksheets and explanations, the book presents the words of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, in an interactive style and facilitates experiential insights. The book has been beautifully and aesthetically created to take the reader into the knowledge, experience and practice of Self-discovery and Mastery.
The book delves into different kinds of fear one experiences, including the deep-seated ones, such as, fear of Illness, fear of Death. It explores fear as a phenomenon of unconsciousness; one that exists at various levels of one's being. It presents several ways to overcome fear and to cure oneself of it. The book also offers insights into the relationship between Fear and Violence.
In this issue, Daaji takes us on the next stage of the journey to the center in his series, The March to Freedom. There are also articles on developing excellence, nurturing love, compassion, fatigue, nutigenomics and natural medicine. We feature the beautiful lavender and bring you a creation myth from China. For children we have a womderful story and an activity to inspire them to become ambassadors of peace as we celebrate the International Day of Peace on 21st September.
Abhaya - Fear: Its Cause & Cure - a book compiled and edited by Ameeta Mehra (The Gnostic Centre) with insights and tools to overcome Fear in the mind, vital and body
Purpose of life is to discover for oneself his own state of natural happiness and inherent peace of mind. I am sharing this Book showing us how the art of self-inquiry is one of the fastest and most powerful vehicles for the liberation of the soul. Love to hear your comments,
SAY YES TO AN ABUNDANT LIFE BY SEEMA BRAIN OPENERSDeepak Kumar
A BOOK FOR THOSE WHO ARE READY TO LIVE A BIGGER, CLEARER, BROADER AND CAUSE DRIVEN LIFE. THIS BOOK GIVES YOU THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE INFINITE ABUNDANCE IN YOUR LIFE FOREVER.
Kundakunda’s Samayasāra: Present-day applicability of the two-century-old tex...Life Coach Medhavi Jain
Samayasāra (The Nature of the Self) is a famous philosophical text composed by Digaṃbara Ācārya Kundakunda in the 1st Century BC.
It has 439 verses in ten chapters that discuss the nature of Jīva (pure self/soul), its false attachment to Karma and how it can attain Mokṣa.
Samayasāra expounds on universal concepts and their emphasis in the philosophy of Jainism, such as Karma, āsrava (influx of karmas), Bandha (Bondage), Saṃvara (stoppage), Nirjarā (shedding), and Mokṣa (complete annihilation of karmas).
Spiritual meditation is a process of seeking to connect with a higher power or your own inner wisdom. The goal is to achieve a state of inner peace and well-being.
There are many different ways to meditate, but the basic principle is to focus your attention on something that is calming and positive, such as your breath, a mantra, or a certain image. As you focus your attention, your mind will naturally become quieter and still.
Guru Yoga Practice presents highly valued Buddhist
Meditation Techniques to develop universal knowledge and
Love, to attain Peace and to purify the mind.
The beginning of January is when we evaluate what has been, and resolve to realize our hopes and dreams for the coming year. It is a time for change.
The ancient art of meditation is designed to clear the mind, open the heart, and allow us to access our inner
potential, so that decision-making becomes effortless, and we learn how to embrace change. Woolly brain syndrome disappears. Confidence and courage radiate from the heart. It is not magic – work is required – but the results arethere for all those who wish to make the effort.
If you would like to give yourselves a gift for the New Year, please join us for a series of three masterclasses in meditation on the 2, 3 and 4 January 2017, conducted by Kamlesh D. Patel (www.heartfulness.org/masterclass).
Happy New Year from all of us at Heartfulness Magazine. May 2017 be filled with peace, love and joy.
Please send your contributions to: contributions@heartfulnessmagazine.com
The Mother on Education - From Reflection to ActionGnostic Centre
Published in 2004, this book was compiled to mark the Mother’s 125th birth anniversary, on the request of National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), and has been distributed by NCTE to all teacher-education institutes around India. It was even translated into Hindi for a greater reach.
The book has passages from The Mother, relevant for all educators (including parents), focusing on diverse issues related to bringing up and educating a child. The compilation includes a number of ideas on how to train the various aspects of a child’s personality, as well as certain reflective exercises, to enable the educator’s own growth and practice.
A brilliant and insightful understanding on the causes of Fear and ways to combat and cure it. Annotated with self-reflective worksheets and explanations, the book presents the words of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, in an interactive style and facilitates experiential insights. The book has been beautifully and aesthetically created to take the reader into the knowledge, experience and practice of Self-discovery and Mastery.
The book delves into different kinds of fear one experiences, including the deep-seated ones, such as, fear of Illness, fear of Death. It explores fear as a phenomenon of unconsciousness; one that exists at various levels of one's being. It presents several ways to overcome fear and to cure oneself of it. The book also offers insights into the relationship between Fear and Violence.
An invitation to read, understand and practise techniques and forms of concentration and meditation to make our life harmonious, effective and complete. Annotated with self-reflective worksheets and explanations, the book presents the words of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, in an interactive style and facilitates experiential insights. The book has been beautifully and aesthetically created to take the reader into the knowledge, experience and practice of Self-discovery and Mastery.
The book explains the difference between Concentration and Meditation and the purpose of Meditation. It offers several meditation techniques, such as - Establishing peace in the mind, Dynamic meditation, Meditation on a sentence, Meditation in action, Concentration in the heart centre, Meditation for progress. It presents insights into some of the common difficulties one faces during the initial stages of meditation, such as: Mental noise, Obsessive and compulsive thoughts, Pressure to sleep, Unwanted thoughts, Strain of concentration. The reader is guided to understand the first results of meditation and the application of meditation - how to work faster and better, and do more in less time.
A Study Abroad Program in Self-directed studies mode, by The Gnostic Centre, at its Delhi & Himalayan campuses, India. Travelling Within program provides an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the self and the journey of life within a living and dynamic backdrop of India and its multifaceted culture. Highly customisable to the participants' needs.
A 4-day Conference (Nov.2nd-5th, 2000) by The Gnostic Centre, New Delhi, held at Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi, attended by over 500 teachers, counsellors, principals from 111 schools.
A collective aspiration can change the course of eventsGnostic Centre
A Collective Aspiration can change the course of Events… the call went forth from The Gnostic Centre just around the time of Mubarak’s ouster in Egypt. The synchronicity was perfect. People began responding; some, even without knowing anything about the Centre. Over the next two months a programme evolved that remained ‘evolving’ till the end – just like life – and participants, discussants, panelists too emerged gradually – culminating in a = two-and-a-half day Seminar that went beyond confined spaces, intellectual discussions, paper presentations, and defined activities. A total of 24 participants stayed onsite, and an equal number came from in and around Delhi, besides the in-house team, adding to the vibrancy, depth and continuity of reflections, sharing and interactions. (26-28 March 2011)
A creative report of a 3-day charrette (29-31 March, 2013) at The Gnostic Centre, to focus on Academy of the Future (a consciousness based university of tomorrow). The group focused on new modes of learning and facilitation, new structures of governance and curriculum, new forms of architecture to express the new approach to education.
Evolutionary potential of education-reportGnostic Centre
The Gnostic Centre of Education (Delhi) organized the day long Seminar (27 March 2016), as a contemplative conversation amongst the panelists and the audience on the deeper aims and creative forms that an education of the future would take. The
Seminar was divided into two sessions. The morning focused on Wisdom Traditions, the afternoon focused on Innovations in Higher Education.
A vivid account of the 3 year olds' journey and progress through a semester at L'avenir preschool - an example of a comprehensive evaluation integrating the subjective & objective realms of children's progress
Photographs of Birds that can be seen at The Gnostic Centre, Bijwasan, Delhi. Most of these have been sighted by the participants of the Bird Watching walk held annually (Jan/Feb) at the Centre.
A Book Review by Roohi Kapur
This book was taken up for reading & discussion in Reflections: The Gnostic Centre’s Book Forum, facilitated by Roohi Kapur
How does one choose between the 'good' and the 'pleasant'? Is Action the key to liberation, or is it Inaction?Can one Enjoy yet be Detached? What can transform Human Evil? Is Mind capable of Giving answers? and so on..
The Range is Vast - The reflection touch upon our daily existence - from shopping for clothes to handling issue of marriage, career, finance, and matters pertaining to inner and higher life, sadhana, living from a consciousness higher than mind.
1. Selections from the Works of
Sri Aurobindo and The Mother
Edited by
Ameeta Mehra
SADHANA
A Guide to
Self-Mastery
The
Interactive
Self-Discovery
Series
2. SADHANA
A Guide to Self-Mastery
Selections from the Works of
Sri Aurobindo and The Mother
Edited by
Ameeta Mehra
The Gnostic Centre
New Delhi, 2020
4. iii
Acknowledgment
I would like to mention a special word of thanks
to the following:
Dr. Nirodbaran who has guided my study and
practice on the path.
Ritika Goyal for her unfailing support and
legal and financial efforts for making these
compilations possible.
Anuradha for her painstaking and tireless work
in typing, formatting and production.
Payal Adhikari for referencing the passages.
Kirti for her back-up support.
My family for their encouragement.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust for the permission
to use and quote from all their publications,
including the works of The Mother and Sri
Aurobindo.
6. v
Approach to the Book
Dear Reader,
This book on Self-Mastery has been presented
in an interactive self-exploration and discovery
format.*
It invites you to actively participate in
the unfolding and understanding of yourself and
introduces practical exercises for inner development
and self-mastery, which can be practised in everyday
life-situations.
The aim of this book is to aid in:
a) Coming in touch with your self.
b) Becoming conscious of the central aim and
purpose of your life.
c) Providing practical exercises and tools to
be able to deal with day-to-day life in a
balanced, integrated way.
d) Becoming a master of yourself (Swarat).
Editor
*
Almost as though your were taking a short course.
7. vi
Approach to the Book v
An Introspection 1
UNDERSTANDING ONESELF 3
THE OUTER BEING 6
The Physical 8
The Vital 10
The Mental 13
Attitudes of the Outer Being 16
THE INNER BEING 19
Attitudes of the Inner being 21
The Psychic and the Spiritual 23
Has the Psychic any Power? 26
BECOMING AWARE OF ‘ONESELF’ 28
Activity Sheet 32
SADHANA: THE THREE MOVEMENTS 34
What is Sadhana? 35
ASPIRATION 37
What is Aspiration? 38
What is the Difference between 39
Prayer and Aspiration?
How to Aspire 47
How Aspirations are Fulfilled 49
Aspiration: A Meditation for Progress 52
REJECTION 54
What is Rejection? 55
Rejection of the Movements of 56
the Lower Nature
The Importance and Practice of Rejection 57
Rejection of the Siege of the Lower Vital 58
SURRENDER 60
What is Surrender? 61
Contents
8. vii
Three Typical Modes of Total Self-giving 65
to the Divine
How to Surrender 66
FOUNDATION FOR SADHANA 67
Vigilance and Sadhana 71
DIFFICULTIES IN SADHANA 73
Signs of Self-Mastery 75
BECOMING CONSCIOUS 76
SELF-OBSERVATION AND 78
SELF-ORGANISATION
Self-Reflective Journal: a Sample 83
Activity Sheet 84
In Oneself, there are Contradictory Wills 86
HOW TO OVERCOME ANGER: 89
STEPPING BACK
Not Renewing a Mistake 91
Activity Sheet 93
EXERCISING STATIC POWER 94
Activity Sheet 96
LOOKING AT LIFE AS A MIRROR 97
Discovering a Hidden Treasure 101
FLOWERS: A MEANS FOR INNER GROWTH 103
Be Like a Flower 106
THE GREAT DISCOVERY 112
A Comprehensive Checklist 117
References 121
Picture Credits 123
Suggested Reading 123
Sri Aurobindo and The Mother 124
The Gnostic Centre 126
Ameeta Mehra 128
10. 1
An Introspection
“An aimless life is always a miserable life.
Everyone of you should have an aim. But do
not forget that on the quality of your aim will
depend the quality of your life.” *
‘Let Your Highest Aspiration
Organise Your Life’*
Before beginning the reading of this section, take
a few minutes with yourself in a quiet settled
atmosphere, and find out and come in touch
with your highest aspiration.
What is your highest aspiration? For, it is on
the quality of your aim that the quality of life
depends.
*
The Mother
11. 2
This finding of one’s highest aspiration or
aim in life, must not only be what one wants
to achieve in work or life, but a delving deep
into yourself – that self that is not dependent on
anything or anyone, is always calm and quiet
within you, and finding out:
What is the purpose of your life, your deepest
and highest aspiration(s)?
What is the aim of your life?
Once you begin this exploration, even if
you do not get all your answers immediately,
do not worry. It is the quest that makes life
very interesting, and the truth of your being
will gradually unfold itself by and by. What
is important is that you do not let go of this
question.
SADHANA: A GUIDE TO SELF-MASTERY