Page 14 - Imperience Beckons

objective. Thus the form which is associated with Reality helps him a good deal in his primary initiation.
Performing of Sandhya in an upright sitting pose has been thought to be most advantageous from very ancient times, because in that position the flow of Divine grace descends straight upon the Abhyasi. If an Abhyasi sits crookedly or obliquely, or in an unsteady pose, the flow of effulgence will necessarily be impeded or disturbed. The Abhyasi will thus be deprived of the full benefit of the descent. Therefore in order to get the greatest spiritual benefit one must sit in a proper steady pose. Some may probably think that the upright steady pose may be reflecting a tinge of pride. It is not so. In principle the devotee or Abhyasi should present himself before the Master in the same manner as a soldier does at the time of parade. At the call to 'Attention' it is essential for him to keep up the same steady upright pose, looking with attention towards the officer. This indicates alertness, healthy disposition and the freshness of the body. The same principle holds good in the case of the Abhyasi while sitting in service before the Master.
The ideal of purity held by the Hindus, in particular, is indeed very high. But now, in its degenerated state, it has gone down to such an extent that it exists merely in imagination. All the principles thereof have been quite forgotten, and bathing and washing are the only remnants left now. The principle of purity was based on the thought that the Eternal and pure Existence which we have to enter into is entirely free from all contaminations. It is perfectly pure. This highest standard of absolute purity free from all impurities (mala), distortions (vikshepa) and coverings (avarana) was taken up for the ideal. Our being is contaminated with all these, hence far below the ideal. Thus our attention being directed towards the attainment of purity of that highest level, we began to imitate it in all outward ways, looking particularly to the cleaning of the body. The external ways adopted for the purpose began to cast their effect upon the mind and thus the internal purity too began to develop. This continued process supplemented by our firm attention upon the Ideal contributed greatly to the attainment of highest purity. The process thus being accelerated, real purity began to flow in all through, and the mind began to get purified, producing good thoughts which helped us further in our pursuit. Thus we were doubly benefited. We had already resorted to means for the internal purification and now the external ways too began to help us a good deal in the work, and both combined together helped us immensely in the attainment of the objective. When both these get harmonised with each other, it becomes in itself a power which makes our path all the more