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THE SCIENCE OF SEVEN CULTURES
For Quick Evolution of the Human Being
By
SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA
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INTRODUCTION
(a) An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory.
Practice Yoga, Religion and Philosophy in daily life and attain Self-realization.
(b)These thirty-two instructions give the essence of
the Eternal Religion (Sanatana Dharma) in its purest form. They are suitable
for modern busy householders with fixed hours of work. Modify them to
suit your convenience and increase the period gradually.
(c) In the beginning take only a few practicable resolves
which form a small but definite advance over your present habits and character.
In case of ill-health, pressure of work or unavoidable engagements replace
your active Sadhana (spiritual practice) by frequent remembrance of God.
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HEALTH CULTURE
1. Eat moderately. Take light and simple food. Offer
it to God before you eat. Have a balanced diet.
2. Avoid spicy and hot foods, like chilies, garlic, onions, tamarind,
etc., as far as possible. Give up tea, coffee, smoking, betels, meat and
wine entirely.
3. Fast on Ekadasi days or once in a fortnight. Take milk, fruits or roots
only.
4. Practice Yoga Asana (Hatha Yoga exercises) or physical exercises for
15 to 30 minutes every day. Take a long walk or play some vigorous games
daily.
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ENERGY CULTURE
5. Observe silence (Mouna) for 2 hours daily and 4 to
8 hours on Sundays.
6. Observe celibacy according to your age and circumstances. Restrict
the indulgence to once a month. Decrease it gradually to once a year.
Finally take a vow of abstinence for whole life.
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ETHICAL CULTURE
7. Speak the TRUTH. Speak little. Speak kindly. Speak
sweetly.
8. Do not injure anyone in thought, word or deed. Be kind to all.
9. Be sincere, straightforward and open-hearted in your talks and dealings.
10. Be honest. Earn by the sweat of your brow. Do not accept any money,
things or favour unless earned lawfully. Develop nobility and integrity.
11. Control fits of anger by serenity, patience, love, mercy and tolerance.
Forget and forgive. Adapt yourself to men and events.
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WILL CULTURE
12. Live without sugar for a week or month. Give up salt
on Sundays.
13. Give up cards, novels, cinemas and clubs. Fly from evil company. Avoid
discussions with materialists. Do not mix with persons who have no faith
in God or who criticize your Sadhana (spiritual practices).
14. Curtail your wants. Reduce your possessions. Have plain living and
high thinking.
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HEART CULTURE
15. Doing good to others is the highest religion. Do
some selfless service for a few hours every week, without egoism or expectation
of reward. Do your worldly duties in the same spirit. Work is worship.
Dedicate it to God.
16. Give 2 to 10 percent of your income in charity every month. Share
what you have with others. Let the world be your family. Remove selfishness.
17. Be humble and prostrate yourself to all beings mentally. Feel the
Divine Presence everywhere. Give up vanity, pride and hypocrisy.
18. Have unwavering faith in God, the Bhagavad-Gita and your Guru. Make
a total self-surrender to God and pray: "Thy Will be done; I want
nothing." Submit to the Divine Will in all events and happenings
with equanimity.
19. See God in all beings and love them as your own Self. Do not hate
anyone.
20. Remember God at all times or, at least, on rising from bed, during
a pause in work and before going to bed. Keep a Mala (rosary) in your
pocket.
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PSYCHIC CULTURE
21. Study one chapter or ten to twenty-five verses of
the Gita or your scriptures with meaning, daily. Learn the original language
of your scripture, at least sufficient to understand it in original.
22. Memorize important and inspiring portions of your sacred scripture
according to your capacity. Memorize also any inspiring quotations from
other spiritual books. Keep a pocket version your scripture with you at
all times.
23. Read the Ramayana, the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavata, the Upanishads,
the Yogavasishtha or other religious books daily without fail. Study more
during holidays.
24. Attend religious meetings and seek Satsanga (company) with saints
at every opportunity. If not, create opportunities. Listen to spiritual
discourses from learned and holy people. If possible, organize such functions
on Sundays or holidays.
25. Visit a temple or place of worship daily. Preferably before you leave
and upon your return from work, even if only for 5 or 10 minutes.
26. Spend holidays and leave-periods, when possible, in the company of
saints or practice Sadhana at holy places in seclusion.
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SPIRITUAL CULTURE
27. Go to bed early. Get up at four o'clock. Answer calls
of nature, clean your mouth and take a bath.
28. Recite some prayers and Kirtan Dhvanis (devotional songs). Practice
Pranayama (breathing exercises), Japa (repetition of the Divine Name of
God) and meditation in the early morning. Sit on Padma, Siddha, or Sukha
Asana throughout, without movement, by gradual practice. While you meditate,
forget the outside world totally. Gradually increase the period of meditation.
29. Perform the daily prayers of your religion. Do not fail to fulfil
your obligatory duties.
30. Write your favourite Mantra or Name of God in a notebook for ten to
thirty minutes, daily.
31. Sing the Names of God (Kirtan) and pray for half to one hour at night
with family and friends.
32. Make annual resolves on the above lines. Regularity, tenacity and
fixity are essential. Record your Sadhana in a spiritual diary daily.
Review it every month and correct your failures.
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