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ASPIRANT'S GUIDE Meditation on Soul, may therefore, be regarded as a panacea for all spiritual shortcomings. 2. Activity is meant for purity of the mind, but by itself cannot directly lead to self-Realization. Realization of the self is possible only by pondering over Soul, and not through countless activities. The Sadhaka, who desires to realize the self, should therefore, take recourse with compassionate enlightened preceptor who has realized the self and should, under his guidance, ponder over and meditate on Soul (Atma). 3. The supreme liberation that eliminates birth, age, decay, and death cannot be attained by the Sadhaka, till he experiences the Supreme Reality, through well-guided contemplation of Tattwas (fundamentals). 4. There is no higher happiness or austerity than meditation on the self. There is no better path of liberation than it. 5. When the Sadhaka experiences the Supreme Reality, through meditation, all knots of illusion around the heart are destroyed completely, all doubts are set at rest, and all feelings of pleasure and pains (Karmas) cease. 6. Only the destruction of Karmas leads to liberation, only right knowiedge makes liberation possible, and only right meditation leads to right knowledge. Meditation is therefore immensely beneficial to the aspirant. 7. Gentleness of mind and senses, healthiness, a compassionate outlook of life, fragrance of the body, minimization of excretions, aura of divine light, purity and delight of the mind and sublime gentle speech - these are the usual traits of a person, who reposes in advanced meditation. 8. Having assimilated the preaching of the true preceptor, one, who attains to real meditation through tranquility of mind can verily acquire the whole series of praiseworthy things such as knowledge, wealth, health, longevity, contentment, supreme worship and emancipation.
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