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How Do I Begin?: A Primer of Affirmative Spirituality
Though written primarily for seekers of the Integral Yoga, these pages could be helpful to aspirants of all paths. The truth is One.
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 20, 2022
Helpful, practical guidance for seekers on the path, especially the path of Integral Yoga. In this short book, M. P. Pandit does not talk about the 'what' and 'why' of spirituality, but focuses only on the 'how'. This makes it an excellent tool for those who have had the opening one way or the other, and now just want to know how to move forward in the journey.
July 31, 2023
Sri Aurobindo is one of the greatest yogis of our country, a highly attainted soul with an excellent command of English. And though I have only read snippets of his work, I have come to realise that I need to reach a higher level of spirituality to fully comprehend them. The next best way to understand Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga was to read another great Sanskrit scholar and integral member of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram’s works - M.P. Pandit.
In this book, How Do I Begin, M P Pandit meticulously explains the practices to be followed and attitude to be developed before beginning Integral Yoga. I have some of the key lessons I learnt from this book here. Hope it guides you in your sadhana.
*The right attitude in these matters is not to ask for experiences, not to anticipate them. Also not to worry if they do not occur. They do not, in every case. What is really important is the settling of peace, purity, and aspiration.
*You must not look up on your daily work— whether at home or elsewhere—as a waste of time from the spiritual angle.
*Each day, before you commence your work, gather yourself and silently offer all work to the Divine. Do it as your offering of love to the Divine.
*Do your best and leave the rest to the will of the Divine. Learn to tune to the Higher Will and do not seek to impose your will on the Divine.
*The central aim of our endeavour is the divinization of our nature.
*The seeker for the Divine has only one standard: what speeds up growth towards the divine is good, what retards it is evil.
*Sincerity is your safeguard. Even if you commit mistakes of judgement in the process, it will not be of consequence. You are protected.
*Do not try to understand everything at once. The mind has difficulty in grasping things that are truly beyond it. Your mind must learn to be passive and let the knowledge enshrined in the books grow on you.
*Of course, it is not enough to read and know. It is required of you that you practice what you read, put it into your daily life, orientate your thinking and feeling in terms of what you read.
*When you tend to be depressed do not be alone. Run away from yourself. Go into the company of friends and lose yourself in their activities. Read something entertaining. Get to do some manual work which calls for some exertion…Try whatever means but under no circumstances let depression take hold of you and vitiate the atmosphere.
In this book, How Do I Begin, M P Pandit meticulously explains the practices to be followed and attitude to be developed before beginning Integral Yoga. I have some of the key lessons I learnt from this book here. Hope it guides you in your sadhana.
*The right attitude in these matters is not to ask for experiences, not to anticipate them. Also not to worry if they do not occur. They do not, in every case. What is really important is the settling of peace, purity, and aspiration.
*You must not look up on your daily work— whether at home or elsewhere—as a waste of time from the spiritual angle.
*Each day, before you commence your work, gather yourself and silently offer all work to the Divine. Do it as your offering of love to the Divine.
*Do your best and leave the rest to the will of the Divine. Learn to tune to the Higher Will and do not seek to impose your will on the Divine.
*The central aim of our endeavour is the divinization of our nature.
*The seeker for the Divine has only one standard: what speeds up growth towards the divine is good, what retards it is evil.
*Sincerity is your safeguard. Even if you commit mistakes of judgement in the process, it will not be of consequence. You are protected.
*Do not try to understand everything at once. The mind has difficulty in grasping things that are truly beyond it. Your mind must learn to be passive and let the knowledge enshrined in the books grow on you.
*Of course, it is not enough to read and know. It is required of you that you practice what you read, put it into your daily life, orientate your thinking and feeling in terms of what you read.
*When you tend to be depressed do not be alone. Run away from yourself. Go into the company of friends and lose yourself in their activities. Read something entertaining. Get to do some manual work which calls for some exertion…Try whatever means but under no circumstances let depression take hold of you and vitiate the atmosphere.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews