Students must pay attention to 15 things for self-development, self-good and attainment of self-force.
(1) Develop will power: There is immense strength in the will. The man of strong will can be successful in every walk of life and can become beloved of all. Take some vow, small or big to strengthen your willpower.
(2) Resoluteness: Make a determination according to your requirement, capability and potentials and stick to it. Accomplish it. Once, I was travelling in the Himalayas at such an altitude that mere 15-20 steps of walking would render me breathless. Oxygen was less in the environment and I was carrying some luggage also. This would make me halt frequently. I would keep aside my luggage, rest for a few minutes and then resume my journey. I had to catch a bus for my onward journey. I deliberated, ‘If I stop frequently like this, I shall miss my bus and then get stranded in the cold night.’ I immediately made a resolve, ‘I’ll not keep the luggage on the ground till I reach the bus stop.’ Of course, it was strenuous and I had to exert myself, yet I reached my destination in time. One who accomplishes any task with firm determination gets inner satisfaction. So be firm in fulfilling whatever good resolve you make. It strengthens willpower which in turn fulfils your resolves.
(3) Fearlessness: Fearlessness is life; fear is death. Banish thoughts of weakness from your mind. People take advantage of one weak and fearful. Whenever a fearful thought comes to your mind, contemplate pure Knowledge, ‘Fear is only in the mind; I’m fearless.’ Always keep the small booklet, ‘Jeevan Rasayana’ (‘Elixir of Life’ in English) in your pocket and read it time and again. This will rid you of fear and sorrow. Send this book to others who are fearful. This will be a great service to them. Send the book ‘Madhur Vyavahar’ (‘Winsome Behaviour’ in English) to those who are quarrelsome or have family strife. Send the book “Mangalamaya Jivanmrityu” to the bereaved and grief-stricken people. Send the book ‘Ishwar ki Or’ (‘Towards God’ in English) to those who want to tread the path to God-Realization, and send ‘Jivan Vikas’ to those who want to develop in their life.
(4) Knowledge: Attainment of Knowledge of the Self, the Supreme Self and of the nature also helps increase self-force. When Sadguru lights the flame of inner knowledge through satsang, it reduces sins to ashes and brings effulgence, peace and joy to life.
(5) Reflection on Supreme Self, the Truth Absolute: ‘I am eternally united with Supreme Self, who is Existence Absolute, Pure Consciousness, witness to everything; who is deathless, who never parts from me and who is unable to desert me. And I am continually separated from the world and this body that is fleeting, dying and deserting me every moment.’ Such contemplation also increases self-force.
(6) Faith: Belief in the Supreme Lord, God-Realized saints, Shastras, Guru-mantra, and belief in oneself is the unfailing means to self-development and Supreme Bliss.
(7) Development of Divine Element: Satsang, japa of divine Name, meditation and observance of fasts and vows develop the Divine element. This in turn naturally cultivates divine virtues like equanimity, humility, cheerfulness, generosity, altruism and self-force. (Continued...)