• Should we have to know if we are progressing in the course of our Sadhana?

• Some people have darshan of Mahatmas and Deities in their dreams. What does this indicate?

• Swamiji, Many people perform japa or meditation for many years, but the result is nil . why?

• Swamiji, How to decide which path we should follow?

• Is there any necessity to take Namajapa through a Guru?

• Which time is the most suitable for Japam or meditation?

• We hear that Raja Yoga is a dangerous path. Is it true?

• A few people are very serious in their sadhana in the beginning and then they become worldly. What is the reason for this ?

• Is it sufficient for a Sadhak to chant Gayathri Mantra only?

• Is it alright for a person in the spiritual path to attend marriages and other social functions?

• Will the spiritual experiences of all people practising meditation be the same?

• Which is the best posture for meditation?

• Only a few people amongst the spiritual seekers, are successful in meditation.Why?

• Swamiji.. We hear a lot about "Tejas", What exactly is this?

• Should the seekers taking to the path of self enquiry ( Atma Vicharam), pray for the grace of God or Guru ?

• People practising Bhakthi sadhana, often lose consciousness. Why?

• Can the fruit of past actions affect our mind?

• I have just now started practising Meditation. But, I have a lot of confusion on divine matters...

• Can we experience joy (Ananda) during deep meditation ?

Should we have to know if we are progressing in the course of our Sadhana?

When we follow the path shown by a Guru, we can proceed without fear. We need not bother about divine visions or about the rise of the serpent power (kundalini). Even if we do a little sadhana, the mind would have purified to that extent. If you want to see the real progress, see how much Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), jealousy and rivalry are lessened. Then you can take that as an indication of your spiritual progress.
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Some people have darshan of Mahatmas and Deities in their dreams. What does this indicate?

Darshan of Mahatmas and deities in dreams is good in general. Especially to people who are on the spiritual path, it is a good sign of spiritual progress.
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Swamiji, Many people perform japa or meditation for many years, but the result is nil . why?

If a person does the "sadhanas" properly, the results will be definite, say Divine Visions. If a person is not at all having any experiences, there could be two reasons for it. One,the person might not have been aware of the proper technique to do the sadhanas. If you say that he is right in his path, then definitely we can say that he is not proper in his sadhanas i.e he is not having perseverance and patience.
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Swamiji, How to decide which path we should follow?

There is no effect without a cause. If a person truthfully seeks the God, if he wants the liberation sincerely, the almighty leads him to a liberated personality who can guide him properly. So the best path for a seeker is the path followed by his Guru. By that he can feel oneness with the Guru also.
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Is there any necessity to take Namajapa through a Guru?

We need curd to make the milk into curd. Likewise, it is a must to be initiated by a realised person to get ourselves realised. The initiation is commonly known as

1. Upadesha (Verbal Instructions)
2. Sparsha dheeksha ( By touch)
3. Nayana dheeksha ( by mere glance)
4. Maanaseeka dheeksha ( by remembrance)

It can be in other forms also.
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Which time is the most suitable for Japam or meditation

The early hours of dawn, i.e. 3am to 5 am is the ideal time. In the evenings we can do Naama Sankirthanam. This will greatly enhance our spiritual progress.
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We hear that Raja Yoga is a dangerous path. Is it true?

Yes it is true. You should perform Raja Yoga under the guidance of a suitable Guru only. If you do it wrongly, the results would be very adverse. It is like taking honey with a sharp knife.
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A few people are very serious in their sadhana in the beginning and then they become worldly. What is the reason for this ?

Generally we see that many are serious in the beginning and then we find that their seriousness wanes off gradually. Some are led away by emotions. They are weak minded. They indulge in one thing seriously , and then catch on another thing. In my experience, I have seen that sudden sprout of Bhakthi disappears even more suddenly !

So a deed that is done with adequate forethought, patience and steadfastness will reap good results.
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Is it sufficient for a Sadhak to chant Gayathri Mantra only?

Most certainly.. This mantram can take right up to Self Realisation.
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Is it alright for a person in the spiritual path to attend marriages and other social functions?

As far as possible it would do good to him if he avoids such functions. The worldly "thought vibrations" of persons participating in such functions can adversely influence the mind of the Sadhak (man who is in the pursuit of the divine)
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Will the spiritual experiences of all people practising meditation be the same?

Not necessarily.. The experience greatly depends on the inherent tendencies and past impressions ("vasanas") of the individuals.
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Which is the best posture for meditation?

Actually, any posture, that feels comfortable is alright. So it is better to meditate in Sukhasana.
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Only a few people amongst the spiritual seekers, are successful in meditation.Why?

That is because, they do not have the capacity to control their mind from Worldly things. We should control our mind and should not be a slave to its commands.
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Swamiji.. We hear a lot about "Tejas" , What exactly is this?

The more we control our mind , the more will our eyes shine. This is "Tejas".
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Should the seekers taking to the path of self enquiry ( Athma Vicharam),pray for the grace of God or Guru ?

First, lets see what Bhakthi is. Bhakthi is the feeling that we are separate from God, and praying for his grace to get reunited with him.

Where is God in reality ? Actually, God resides in our heart. We find the similar idea in Srimad Bhagavatam : Akiladehinam Antaratmadhruk. So searching for God in us, rather than searching him outside, is the better path. When a person starts searching for God inside, he easily wins over the grace of God and Guru, even without praying for it.
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People practising Bhakthi sadhana, often lose consciousness. Why?

Their intense devotion leads to deep meditation. In deep meditation, mind reaches the state of Kumbhakam. Hence they faint and lose consciousness.
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Can the fruit of past actions affect our mind?

No.. The effect of past actions is only on the body. It cannot affect our mind. Controlling our mind is in our "dispassionate hands".
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I have just now started practising Meditation. But, I have a lot of confusion on divine matters...

We read different books on religion ; we listen to various religious lectures ; we hear different things from our friends. Hence it is quite natural that we get confused. But do not worry. If you take the path shown by your Guru with absolute faith, all doubts and confusions with automatically vanish. Generally confusion precedes clarity!!
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Can we experience joy (Ananda) during deep meditation ?

The joy we experience through our senses , on beholding worldly objects, when we are awake, is called Vishayanandam (lit. joy from worldly matters). So definitely , we can experience a blissful state when we go in deep meditation. This is different from the Vishayanandam and Brahmanandam (lit. Bliss of Self realisation). This is because the mind attains single pointed concentration.

This bliss from deep meditation is different from the joy we derive from deep sleep. While the joy from sleep state , is due to the mind clinging on to Tamo Guna (its inertial nature), the bliss from deep meditation where the mind is concentrated on an object or in its orign (the Self)
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