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64
THE PRACTICAL DHARMA
wine, which not only tend to coarsen the nerves, but which also excite unholy passions and desires, at once fall in the category of things to be avoided, and the same is the case with foods that are hot, excessively sour, pungent, putrid, stale, unwholesome, and those which become tolerable after a time, such as tobacco, and the like. Cereals, vegetables, fruits and nuts, along with milk and its different preparations (clarified butter, sour-milk, and the like), sugar and certain wholesome condiments, go to build up a healthy body, and being delicious, bland and nutritious in their nature, form the best articles of food. It should also be observed here that the best results only follow an early attention to the rules of diet and nervous hygiene, and that delay is not advisable in putting them into practice.
Ease of posture (āsana) is also necessary for steadiness of dhyāna, since no one can remain in an uncomfortable position for a long time. The general rule with regard to posture is that one should stand or sit in such a way as to produce the smallest amount of tension in his system, taking care at the same time not to sacrifice the spirit of austerity for the love of bodily ease.
The following forms of asana have been especially recommended in the Scripture for the people of this age whose nerves and bones are of an inferior type, as compared with those of the ancients: (1) paryanka or padma, the sitting posture -holding the head, the chest and the neck in a line, with legs crossed, and the gaze steadily fixed on the tip of the nose; and (2) khadga, the standing posture with arms held naturally by the sides, but not touching the body, the feet placed at a distance of about two inches from each other and the mind fixed on the point of the nose. If the rules of proper conduct have been regularly observed, the aspirant will acquire the ease of posture with a little practice, and will be able to retain his seat, as long as he pleases, without being disturbed, otherwise he will have to undergo the preparatory course before he can hope to subjugate his body sufficiently to be sure of an easy posture.
The selection of a suitable place for spiritual concentration is also essential for practising dhyāna, since external disturbance is a source of distraction. The yogi should avoid those places which are inhabited
