Sa Tu Dirghakãl_Nairantaryya_Satkãr_Asevito DridaBhoomihi

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Practice long without break and with devotion

Is firm in foundation.

Sa: that Tu: but, indeed Dirghakãla: long time, long duration Nairantaryya: uninterrupted, non stop, continuously Satkãr: earnest, sincere, Asevito: well attended DridaBhoomihi: Firm foundation

How long is long enough? Spiritual practice cannot and should not be counted in terms of an hour a day. It should 25x7x365. Even as one attends to day to day chores in the initial years, a state of detachment and commitment to duty should prevail.

Continuous association with virtuous persons is good and it helps. In the association of wise men even calamity appears like an advantage or a blessing.

Practice has a long history of success in achieving some phenomenal goals and dissolving others. Practice works because it includes not only the usual aspects of chanting, meditation, contemplation, and selfless service, but much more. Practice is as varied as life itself. Practice becomes whatever one does with his goal as his motive.

The nature of mind goes beyond all substantialities. This being so, in the meditation practice it is important neither to invite the future nor recollect the past, but to remain in the state of now-ness. The now-ness of the mind is the practice which should be developed by one and all.

Contentment is the key. The contented one approaches the supreme beatitude, which is of the nature of tranquility and happiness. He is called a contended man who does not feel depression or elation, having abandoned the wish not fulfilled and remaining equable in that acquired. He indeed is contended who is of gentle and proper conduct and does not long for what has not been acquired and enjoys what has arrived in due order.

The control of mind can be achieved by the untiring practice over a long period, even as the ocean can be dried up by bailing its waters drop by drop with a blade of grass. Gaudapada Karika 3.41