20 Spiritual Instructions by Swami Sivananda

20 Spiritual Instructions by Swami Sivananda Essence of all Yoga Sadhana – Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, Yoga
1.	BRAHMAMUHURTHA	Get up at 4 a.m. daily and do all your spiritual Sadhana from 4 a.m. to 6:30 or 7 a.m. Such Sadhana gives quick and maximum progress.
2.	ASANA	Sit facing East or North in Padmasana (Lotus pose), Siddhasana, Sukhasana (or any pose you like) for your Japa and Meditation. Take light physical exercises as walking, etc., regularly. Do twenty rounds of easy, comfortable Pranayama (breathing exercises).
3.	JAPA	Repeat any mantra, such as Pure OM or Om Namo Narayana, Hari Om or Gayatri from 108 times to 21,600 times daily.
4.	DIETIC DISCIPLINE	Eat simple Sattvic food. Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic, onion, sour articles, oil, mustard, asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet (Mitahara). Take food as medicine to keep the life going. Give up salt and sugar for a week or a fortnight.
5.	MEDITATION	Have a separate Meditation room under lock and key.  If this is not possible then a corner of the room should be set apart with a small cloth screen or curtain drawn across. Keep it spotlessly clean.
6.	SVADHAYA	Study Scriptures systematically from half an hour to one hour daily and have Suddha Vichara (Pure thoughts).
7.	ELEVATE THE MIND	Get by heart some prayer verses (Slokas) or hymns (Stotras) and repeat them as soon as you sit in the Asana before starting Japa or meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly.
8.	BRAHMACHARYA	Preserve Vital Force. This instruction is not for bachelors only. Householders also must follow it as far as possible. They must be extremely moderate in their marital connections with their spouse.
9.	CHARITY	Forego some personal wants to keep up this charity regularly
10.	SATSANG	Give up bad company. Associate with holy people.
11.	FAST or Live on Milk & Fruits	Fast  or live on milk and fruits only, on Ekadasi (11th day of the Hindu lunar fortnight) or on a suitable day every fortnight.
12.	JAPA MALA	Have a Japa Mala around the neck or in your pocket to remind you of God. Repeat the Name at all times, whatever task you may be engaged in.
13.	OBSERVE MOUNA	Vow of Silence for a couple of hours daily. Do not make gestures and inarticulate noises during the period of silence.
14.	DISCIPLINE OF SPEECH	Speak the truth at all cost. Speak little, Speak sweetly, Utter encouraging words, Do not raise your voice, Never condemn, criticize or discourage.
15.	BE CONTENT	Reduce your wants. Lead a happy, contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Be mentally detached. Have plain living and high thinking. Think of those who do not possess even one-tenth of what you have.  Share with others.
16.	PRACTICE LOVE	Control anger by love, Kshama (forgiveness) and Daya (compassion). Serve the sick and the poor with love and affection. This is service of God.
17.	BE SELF RELIANT	Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of all virtues.
18.	HAVE SELF-ANALYSIS	Keep a spiritual diary, maintain daily routines. Do not brood over past mistakes.
19.	DO YOUR DUTY	Remember that death is waiting for you at every moment. Never fail to fulfill your duties. Have pure conduct (Sadachara)
20.	REMEMBER GOD	Repeat his name always. Surrender yourself completely to God (Saranagati)