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Ch. 14: Anand - The Art of Living
“But Bhagwan, I see you and your monks walking bare feet in hot sun, fasting for days, and refusing to eat lavish food. Isn't this harsh and painful sadhana?" the shravak interrupted.
I was seated on the floor just in the front row. Bhagwan looked at me and said, “Gautam, how do you feel about your sadhana? May be you should tell the audience about this."
I got up promptly and said, "An inexperienced observer may think that our sadhana is torturous and harsh on the body. However, an experienced sadhak understands the difference between self-torture and self-discipline. Sadhana is just a tool to discipline our unruly mind, and apparently harsh measures may sometimes be necessary. In fact, as we progress in our sadhana, the joy emanating from progressive realization of the Self is so intense that the sadhak never feels any pain. Sadhana must not and does not imply that the body has to be neglected. Always tell yourself, 'I live in this body. It is a companion, not an enemy. I must treat it well. Such respect for the body avoids fanaticism. It encourages rational analysis and rational behavior (samyak charitra)."
My answer concluded the sermon. Immediately, an apparently wealthy person from the audience, rushed to the podium. With due respect he said, "Bhagwant, my name is Anand. I am a businessman and also a farmer. I have considerable investments in my business, my home, my land, and my cattle. My dear wife's name is Shivananda. She is my only family; I have no one else."
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