INTRODUCTION.

The Âsanas: Yogic postures or seated positions are a means of gaining steadiness of position and help to gain success in contemplation, without any distraction of the mind. If the position be not comfortable, the slightest inconvenience will draw the mind away from the lakśya: The focal point or aim of meditation, and so no peace of mind will be possible till the posture has ceased to cause pain by regular exercise.

Of all the various methods for concentrating the mind, repetition of Praṇava: The sacred syllable 'Om' or Ajapâ Jâpa: The natural, spontaneous repetition of a mantra, typically the 'So-Ham' sound of the breath and contemplation on its meaning is the best. It is impossible for the mind to sit idle even for a single moment, and, therefore, in order to keep it well occupied and to keep other antagonistic thoughts from entering it, repetition of the sacred 'Om' should be practised. It should be repeated till Yoga Nidrâ: A state of 'yogic sleep' where the body is deeply relaxed but the consciousness remains alert is induced which, when experienced, should be encouraged by slackening all the muscles of the body. It? Likely referring to the practice of Praṇava will fill the mind with sacred and divine thoughts and will bring about its one-pointedness, without much effort.

Anâhata Nâda: The 'unstruck' sound; internal mystical sounds heard during deep meditation is awakened by the exercise of Prâṇâyâma: The regulation and control of the breath. A couple of weeks' practice with eighty breathing cycles in the morning and the same number in the evening will cause distinct sounds to be heard; and, as the practice will go on increasing, varied sounds become audible to the practiser. By hearing these sounds attentively one gets concentration of the mind, and thence Sahaja Samâdhi: A state of natural, spontaneous absorption into the divine while remaining functional in the world. When yogic sleep is experienced, the student should give himself up to it and make no efforts to check it. By and by, these sounds become subtle and they become less and less intense, so the mind loses its waywardness and becomes calm and docile; and, on this practice becoming well-established, Samâdhi: The highest state of mental concentration and union with the ultimate reality becomes a voluntary act. This is, however, the highest stage and is the lot of the favoured and fortunate few only.

During contemplation one sees, not with his eyes as he does the objects of the world, various colours, which the writers on Yoga call the colours of the five elements The five elements (Mahabhutas) are Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether, each traditionally associated with specific colors in yogic vision.. Sometimes stars are seen glittering, and lightning flashes in the sky. But these are all fleeting in their nature.

At first these colours are seen in greatly agitated waves which show the unsteady condition of the mind; and as the practice increases and the mind becomes calm, these colour-waves become steady and motionless and appear as one deep ocean of light. This is the ocean in which one should dive and forget the world and become one with his Lord—which is the condition of highest bliss.

Faith in the practices of Yoga, and in one's own powers to accomplish what others have done before, is of great importance to insure speedy success. I mean "faith that will move mountains," will accomplish