FREEDOM FROM ATTACHMENTS

We take laxative only in the amount that we need and then we do not have the appetite to take any more. We should have the same attitude towards all the objects that we want to enjoy and experience. Everything needs to be used only for the need to maintain and support ourselves. We will develop the bhavna of appropriateness as we act accordingly whenever such incidents arise. By practicing actions with this bhavna of appropriateness over a period of time, develops a natural and easy restraint on these attachments. We need to use everything for and towards Bhagawan with the sense of gratitude and sincerity in our heart. Only then true bhavna of freedom from attachments develop.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Manthan
Edition 3; page 184.

DEVELOPING BHAVNA IN SADHANA

Sadhak should develop the following bhavna with focused attention.

Eagerness and sincerity of the purpose in sadhana.
Clearness in the speech.
Reduce harshness and express sweetness in your speech
Speech should express truthfulness and not support falsehood.
Enthusiasm to gain knowledge (gyana, જ્ઞાન).
Honesty with friends.
Respect and honor towards elders.
Modesty and politeness towards Guru.
Seriousness of the intent to develop the bhavna.
Appreciation and liking for good qualities in others.
Devotion towards Bhagawan.
Performing the works for the love of Bhagawan.

Do not entertain or associate with anything that is counter productive to above bhavna.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Mathan
Edition; 3, page 186.

DEPEND UPON BHAVA RATHER THAN A PHOTOGRAPH.

You can do dhyan by fixing your gaze on the tip of your nose. But it is better to develop the tendency of equanimity by watching your thoughts with closed eyes and not adding any new thoughts. Let the thoughts go by.

I do not have my photograph. Instead of photograph create all the feelings and bhavna in your heart about this soul (Pujya Shree Mota) and with closed eyes bring him in front of you and experience him alive. Keep your mind engaged with him and establish and stabilize this bhava in your mind.

It is a best method to express the love and devotion in a subtle way in your heart and with that bhava bring the image in front of your eyes.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Sopan
Edition 3; page 43 - 44.

My two cents --  This letter is also addressed to a lady devotee.

METHOD OF DHYAN (MEDIATION) FOR BEGINNERS.

It is a very good thing that you had only few thoughts during mediation when you did the meditation for the first time on the day of Gurupurnima. You continue to do meditation in this way for 15 minutes in the morning and evening. For the first five minutes do naam-smaran with love and tenderness in your heart. Ask for the help and grace of Bhagawan with love and devotion. Begin with the bhavna (intent and feeling) of establishing stillness in your mind. While doing this observe any thoughts that arise as a witness. Do not give consent or approval to these thoughts. What it means that you should not add any connected thought to the thought that has already been observed by you as a witness. In short you should not add another thought yourself and create the chain of thoughts. For now this is what you should do. Write to me with open heart whatever is observed when you do this.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Sopan
Edition 3; page 32 - 33.

My two cents --
This is written in a letter to a lady devotee in 1951. It is worth noting that Pujya Shree Mota has not mentioned any thing about concentrating on breathing or heart center at this juncture. Establishing bhava and bhavna in the process seems to be the key in the early practice of meditation.