MAUN (મૌન, SILENCE) MEANS STILL AND QUIET MIND

In reality the strength of the maun is a great energy. It is quiet, deep and mysterious. When mind at ease, is still and quiet it is possible for that soul to go above the mind. It is not possible without it. It is possible to experience glimpses of divine consciousness in that stillness of the mind. Sadhak needs to gain such experience while doing life-sadhana of being free from all kind of thoughts and in the end capability of having no thoughts at all. With such experience he tends to understand himself truly. He also experiences the power to exercise control over himself. Such is this art of life. For this reason we must get started to quiet the mind's aggressive and indisposed activity, restlessness, imaginations and its propensity of contradictions. It is the best way to guide the mind in proper direction. If it is possible to keep intellect focused and pure, commensurate with the aim of life-development; if there is no imaginations or illusions in intellect and if that is experienced clearly, the mind can be controlled definitely with the help of intellect. The other way to quiet the mind is by separating it from the conscience. Mind can be made peaceful, still and balanced with both these methods. It is always good to continue with the experiment.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Sopan
Edition 3; page 138.

IN THE BEGINNING START WITH EXTERNAL SADHANA

Kumbhakonam
March 21, 1952.

If we do anything or something happens, there is an effect internally and externally in ourselves.  There is nothing that is not connected. Everything is connected with one another. So sadhana needs to be done both ways, internally and externally. It takes a while to do sadhana internally and you cannot wait till then. We need to do sadhana externally to start with, to have some effect internally. It is important to be aware of  the mind by the mind. Any thoughts, emotions, feelings and vrutties (natural tendencies) that are not commensurate with the central aim of the life, need to be weeded out by denying the support (by not giving assent with clear understanding). This weeding process is also very important.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; page 133.

My two cents : The weeding process needs to be put in practice in real life experiences (external sadhana). This part involves cleansing of chitta ( ચિત્તશુધ્ધિ), where thoughts and emotions arise from past impressions. 

BE OPEN AND PRAY

If we want to live sadhak-life by the grace of God, we have to be completely open with natural ease in and with the mind and heart. There are many layers of prakruti within us that are not opened and taken care of yet and at the same time more is being collected in the recesses. The starting point of the of the sadhana-life of the sadhak needs to be with being completely open from all angles (with the spirit, intention and sincerity). He would offer all that is going on in his life at Thy lotus feet with self narration (આત્મનિવેદન). He would pray to God with humility, heartfelt sincerity and repeatedly at the time when he fails to behave appropriately as per his sadhana-life. He becomes aware of his shortcomings and asks for grace and constructive help in those situations. True sadhak understands the real importance of prayers automatically in his heart. For him prayers are like a child getting life support from his mother. He gets into the spirit of the prayers at any sign of a problem. There is no other easier path than this for the development of the life of a sadhak. Sadhak will definitely experience direct help at the time of any puzzling problem, difficulties and mental disturbances in his life if he has been open completely with heartfelt sincerity and natural ease. He needs to be ready to receive the grace of God by being introspective and open to Him with love, devotion and wisdom.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Sopan
Edition 3; page 125.

PREPARE FOR THE LIFE

We get up early if we have to travel earlier in the day. We finish our chores early. The great journey of the life is definite and yet nobody seems to prepare for it. This is the greatest puzzle of all.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Sopan
Edition 3; page 123.

PHYSICAL DEATH OF THE LIFE OF SADHAK

Sadhak will never give up and sit around in despair. He will always try to find the solution so that there is no break in his peace, evenhandedness, equanimity and happiness. Whenever sadhak falls in the clutches of duality, hopelessness, defeat and natural tendencies, he should try to be more peaceful and keep composure in his heart with firmness. Be patient. Continue to Pray to God. Mind gets more agitated by being upset. The situation gets worse and resolution of the misery takes longer time by losing peace, being uncomfortable, agitated and strained. There is definite break in the continuity of the spirit of the sadhana when that happens. Poor sadhak then collapses with despair. That is the physical death of the life of the sadhak.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Sopan
Edition 3; Pages 307 - 308.