Method of
Self-Analysis
Daily self-analysis or self-examination is indispensable. Then alone
can you remove your defects and can grow rapidly in spirituality. A gardener
watches the young plants very carefully. He removes the weeds daily. He puts a
strong fence around them. He waters them at the proper time. Then alone they
grow beautifully and yield fruits quickly. Even so, you should find out your
defects through daily introspection and self-analysis, and then eradicate them
through suitable methods. If one method fails, you must adopt a combined
method. If prayer fails, you should take recourse to Satsanga or association
with the wise, Pranayama, meditation, dietetic regulations, enquiry, etc.
You should destroy not only big waves of pride, hypocrisy, lust,
anger, etc., that manifest on the surface of the conscious mind, but also their
subtle impressions which lurk in the corners of the subconscious mind. Then
only you are perfectly safe.
These subtle impressions are very dangerous. They lurk like thieves
and attack you when you are napping, when you are not vigilant, when your
dispassion wanes, when you slacken a bit your daily spiritual practice, and
when you are provoked. If these defects do not manifest even under extreme
provocation on several occasions, even when you are not practicing daily
introspection and self-analysis, you can assure yourself that the subtle impressions
also are obliterated. Now you are safe.
The practice of introspection and self-analysis demands patience,
perseverance, leech-like tenacity, application, iron will, iron determination,
subtle intellect, courage, etc. But you will gain a fruit of incalculable
value. That precious fruit is Immortality, supreme peace and infinite bliss.
You will have to pay a heavy price for this. Therefore you should not murmur
when you do daily practice. You should apply your full mind, heart, intellect
and soul to spiritual practice. Then only, rapid success is possible.
Keep daily spiritual diary and practice self-analysis
(self-examination) at night. Note down how many good actions you have done,
what mistakes you have committed during the course of the day. In the morning
resolve: - I will not yield to anger today. I will practice celibacy today. I
will speak truth today.
Excerpts from:
Method of Self-Analysis by Sri Swami
Sivananda
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