One of the most important things I have realised is that, to achieve any real progress, a constant and concentrated effort is required and more often than not, the lack of which has been the case of downfall of aspirants. Tendencies of the mind keep wavering – when at the trough, one feels the need to be uplifted and starts putting effort and goes up to the crest. Now, this is where a great man differs from ordinary men. A few great men hold on to the crest through constant practice, which is what makes them great in the first place.

When I tend to feel low, I grab one Swami Vivekananda’s or Shri Ramakrishna’s book and live and weep with it and the mind begins to return to normal – I begin to feel the detachment towards the body and other earthly entanglements. But for how long ? I begin feeling overconfident and all the effort starts declining and the same process repeats.This applies to my yogasana practice as well. The intensity of effort varies like a wave, with very slow convergence, which defeats the whole purpose of yoga.

Especially in religion, it is extremely difficult to keep the progress rate with sparse practice. Its impossible I would say. So, how do I solve the problem ? I must have a daily schedule with slotted time for religious activities, with no variable component. Sounds good for sure.

But with my current erratic sleeping habits, food habits, it gets very difficult ? No, its just an excuse I feel. I just pray lord to give me the power to carry on my plans. Now I realise why the importance of ‘Satsang’ (Company of holy people) is talked of so highly in the holy books. With the help of such a company, regular practice can be achieved with relative ease.

Om Namo Narayana.