The Importance of Practice & Effort: Essentials for Self Realization

by Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Vasistha

This book is a powerful collection of quotes about the importance of the 1. practice. 2. effort. 3. Self Inquiry. 4. struggling. 5. earnestness. 6. trying. 7. means. 8. methods. 9. doing. 10. action. 11. perseverance. 12. application. 13. looking within. 14. searching. 15. diving within. 16. investigating. 17. meditation. 18. being alert. 19. patience. 20. conviction. 21. silence. 22. quiet. 23. looking tirelessly. 24. not wasting time and energy. 25. success. 26. being devoted to your goal. 27. confidence. 28. not hesitating. 29. not compromising. 30. striving. 31. removing the obstacles. 32. determination. 33. questioning. 34. diligence. 35. faith. 36. being fully aware of your own being. 37. eagerness. 38. finding yourself. 39. repetition. 40. endurance. 41. sincerity. 42. not being lazy. 43. not being restless. 44. seeing. 45. integrity. 46. purity. 47. using a step by step approach. 48. clinging to the Self. 49. holding on to ‘I am’. 50. exploring yourself. 51. looking for the source within. 52. approaching your Self with reverence and love. 53. turning your attention away from the world. 54. knowing the knower. 55. persistence. 56. steady resistance against the unnecessary. 57. Self Knowledge. 58. strength. 59. restraint. 60. pursuit. 61. subduing the mind with the mind. 62. tranquility. 63. attaining. 64. turning towards the light of the Self. 65. treading the path. 66. being resolute. 67. contemplation. 68. constancy. 69. exertion. 70. achieving. 71. endeavor. 72. uplifting oneself. 73. gaining mastery over the mind. 74. vigilance. 75. discipline. 76. renunciation. 77. reaching. 78. Self Abidance. 79. Self Awareness. 80. commitment. 81. challenging your beliefs and habits. 82. discernment. 83. the desire for Truth. 84. the desire for Liberation. 85. contentment. 86. compassion. 87. forbearance. 88. honesty. 89. calm. 90. steady intentness. 91. one pointedness. 92. concentration. 93. turning your attention to the subject. 94. seeking. The quotes are by the following seven 1. Nisargadatta Maharaj. 2. Ramana Maharshi. 3. Vasistha. 4. Sankara. 5. Muruganar. 6. Annamalai Swami. 7. Sadhu Om. The quotes are from the following three 1. The Seven Steps to Awakening. 2. Powerful Quotes from Sankara. 3. How to Practice Self Inquiry. Georgia 16 type for crisp clear easy reading.

Genres: Spirituality

108 pages, Paperback

Published August 11, 2015

About the author

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj was an Indian spiritual teacher and philosopher of Advaita (Nondualism), and a Guru, belonging to the Navnath Sampradaya. Sri Nisargadatta, with his direct and minimalistic explanation of non-dualism, is considered the most famous teacher of Advaita since Ramana Maharshi. In 1973, the publication of his most famous and widely-translated book, "I AM THAT", an English translation of his talks in Marathi by Maurice Frydman, brought him worldwide recognition and followers.

According to Sri Nisargadatta, the purpose of spirituality is to know who you are. His discussions are not for academic scholars. He is a rebellious spirit, abrupt in his style of discussion, provocative, and immensely profound, cutting to the core and wasting little effort on inessentials. His terse but potent sayings are known for their ability to trigger radical shifts from philosophical mind-games to the purity of consciousness, just by hearing or even reading them.

He talked about the 'direct way' of knowing the Final Reality, in which one becomes aware of one's original nature through mental discrimination, breaking the mind's false identification with the ego, knowing that "You are already That". The scene for these talks was a small upstairs room at his humble flat in Khetwadi, used for his own meditation and also for daily chantings. A simple man, Nisargadatta was a house-holder and a petty shop-keeper selling bidis - hand-made leaf-rolled cigarettes.

Reviews

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a quick review here. I like this little booklet because it re-enforces the idea that (paradoxically) practice is needed and is important on the spiritual path, regardless of whether that path is a 'direct' of nondual approach, or a traditionally progressive path. The sages listed in this booklet are all Advaita masters, and speak to the aspirant in terms of the importance of basics such as practice, regularity, effort and responsibility. These quotes are not aimed at the already realised yogi, but are aimed at those starting on the path, or progressing through the path, while also needed guidance on whether practice and earnestness should be included. Yes, it is a paradox that there is simulataneously no path, and a path to travel (to here and now). From the standpoint of the 99%, however, Michael Langford is definately on the side of 'practice' needed.