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Go Back   Spiritual Forums > Religions & Faiths > Hinduism

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  #1  
Old 06-04-2018, 09:47 AM
ajay00 ajay00 is offline
Master
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,292
 
Vernon Howard on conscious sweeping as a spiritual exercise...

A short but insightful article by Vernon Howard on spiritual exercise....

Quote:
"THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

A pupil asked his teacher, 'Please give me a spiritual exercise.'
Instructed the teacher, 'Sweep the floor.'

'But I'd like to have a spiritual exercise.'

'Sweep the floor while being aware of your sweeping.'

'But I always do it that way.'

'No, you sweep mechanically, with your mind a mile away. Anything
performed consciously is a spiritual exercise.'

The next day the student asked, 'May I have another spiritual
exercise?'

'Wash the dishes.'

True spirituality consists of doing whatever we do with a conscious
mind, a mind which remains where the action is."

- Vernon Howard (Inspire Yourself, p. 30)

__________________
When even one virtue becomes our nature, the mind becomes clean and tranquil. Then there is no need to practice meditation; we will automatically be meditating always. ~ Swami Satchidananda

Wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost.~ Buddha AN 10.1

If you do right, irrespective of what the other does, it will slow down the (turbulent) mind. ~ Rajini Menon
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  #2  
Old 23-04-2018, 08:54 AM
ajay00 ajay00 is offline
Master
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,292
 
How can we gauge whether we are unaware or unconscious at any moment ?

A simple toolkit by Vernon Howard to gauge our state of consciousness at any given point of time.


Quote:
"Q. How can we tell when we are unaware of ourselves?

A. Nothing is simpler. Whenever you feel worried, nervous,
pressured, you are living from imagination, not from aware-
ness. These negativities do not control a conscious man."

-- Vernon Howard (Pathways to Perfect Living, p. 90)
__________________
When even one virtue becomes our nature, the mind becomes clean and tranquil. Then there is no need to practice meditation; we will automatically be meditating always. ~ Swami Satchidananda

Wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost.~ Buddha AN 10.1

If you do right, irrespective of what the other does, it will slow down the (turbulent) mind. ~ Rajini Menon
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  #3  
Old 22-08-2020, 04:58 AM
ajay00 ajay00 is offline
Master
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,292
 
An unclean environment, if not cleaned, leads to a situation where one starts accepting circumstances. On the contrary, if one cleans up dirt in the surroundings he gets energised and then does not resign himself to existing adverse circumstances. ~ Mahatma Gandhi



This saying by Mahatma Gandhi highlights how the simple act of cleaning or sweeping can be an exercise in increasing the positivity quotient in oneself and reducing negativity and indolent passivity.

As per Hinduism and Buddhism, the mind tends towards negativity and unconsciousness, so it takes day to day austerities or exercises to make it positive,strong and anchored in present moment awareness.

Krishna also highlights the observance of cleanliness as an austerity in the Bhagavad Gita (BG 17.14). These austerities helps to bring auspiciousness and attract positivity into our lives.

We tend to attract what is there within us, so it is important to ensure we are in a state of positivity ourselves by austerities or spiritual exercises to attract positive events and circumstances.
__________________
When even one virtue becomes our nature, the mind becomes clean and tranquil. Then there is no need to practice meditation; we will automatically be meditating always. ~ Swami Satchidananda

Wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost.~ Buddha AN 10.1

If you do right, irrespective of what the other does, it will slow down the (turbulent) mind. ~ Rajini Menon

Last edited by ajay00 : 22-08-2020 at 05:47 AM.
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  #4  
Old 22-08-2020, 09:38 AM
ajay00 ajay00 is offline
Master
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,292
 
These sayings by Vernon Howard and Mahatma Gandhi shows that a simple act like sweeping can be converted into a spiritual exercise in raising consciousness as well as an exercise in developing a positive mental attitude or better positivity quotient.

Thus, a boring, monotonous everyday job like cleaning or sweeping can be used as a tool for our spiritual betterment as well with some intelligent tweaking.
__________________
When even one virtue becomes our nature, the mind becomes clean and tranquil. Then there is no need to practice meditation; we will automatically be meditating always. ~ Swami Satchidananda

Wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost.~ Buddha AN 10.1

If you do right, irrespective of what the other does, it will slow down the (turbulent) mind. ~ Rajini Menon
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  #5  
Old 22-08-2020, 12:01 PM
HITESH SHAH HITESH SHAH is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,296
 
useful tips

Quite trivial but very useful tips to advance in spirituality.
Thanks for sharing.
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  #6  
Old 22-08-2020, 02:57 PM
janielee
Posts: n/a
 
Yes, agreeing..thanks very much
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  #7  
Old 24-08-2020, 05:14 AM
ajay00 ajay00 is offline
Master
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,292
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by janielee
Yes, agreeing..thanks very much


Glad to see you back again, Janielee. Am sure Shivani is also glad !
__________________
When even one virtue becomes our nature, the mind becomes clean and tranquil. Then there is no need to practice meditation; we will automatically be meditating always. ~ Swami Satchidananda

Wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost.~ Buddha AN 10.1

If you do right, irrespective of what the other does, it will slow down the (turbulent) mind. ~ Rajini Menon
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