Animportantfeatureofthestateofmindwhichisassociatedwiththosewhoarevirtuousorvicious
isthattranquility,repose,andpeacearecharacteristicofthevirtuouswhilefranticmovementand
struggleareassociatedwiththevicious.Thesesamecharacteristicsofthevirtuesandvicesaremen-
tionedintheAncientEgyptian(Maat),Indian(Dharma)andtheChristian(Beatitudes, 10 Command-
ments)systemsofmoraldevelopmentandtheneedforastateofpeacefulnessofmindisalsoem-
phasized as an imperative feature without which progress on the spiritual path cannot occur.
Ingeneral,amentalatmosphereofpeacefulnessandcontentmentisnecessaryforsublimethoughts
andaspirationstoemergeinthemind.Otherwise,throughalifewhichisbasedonpursuingthesatis-
factionofthesenses,thereisconstantdesireandagitationofthemindandtheindividualwillalways
beoccupiedwiththepettythoughtsanddisturbancesofdaytodaylife.Therefore,thecultivationand
maintenance of serenity and contentment should be a primary goal of a spiritual aspirant.
Youcangraduallyweanyourselfoffoftelevisionandothernegativeassociationsbygraduallyenga-
ginginthemlessandlessuntiltheyarenolongerneeded.Thoughinthebeginningyoumustput
forthaconsciousefforttoabstainfromthesepracticesandtoengageinspiritualwork,theprocess
becomeseasierandeasieruntilthereisnomoreeffortneededtosustainyourwithdrawalfromthese
activities.Thisisbecausethepositivespiritualexperienceprovidessuchasenseof“Self”thatyou
willlooseyourdependenceontheobjectsoftheworldandinstinctivelyrefrainfromassociations,
whichwilldisruptyourgrowingsenseofinnerpeace.Inthemeantimeyoumustworkwithyour
mindtoabstainfromnegativeactivitiestothebestofyourability.Youmustunderstandthatyouare
notgivinganythingup.Infact,youwillbegainingacloserrelationshipwithyourselfandtruefulfill-
ment of your inner desire.
Rest
Continuedmentalagitationandstresslimitsthepossibilityforengaginginreflectionwhichpromotes
integrationoffeelings,thoughtsandideas.Restisanintegralpartofthehealingprocessanditisa
pre-requisiteforproperreflectiveabilities.Inapracticalsense,thisisthepurposeofsleep.Froma
yogicperspective,thetechniqueofdeeprelaxationandthedisciplineofmeditationcanpromotea
state of restfulness far superior to that of the sleep state.
Silence
“TheabominationofthesanctuaryofGodis:toomuchtalking.Praythouwitha
lovingheartthepetitionsofwhichallareinsecret.Godwilldothybusiness,hear
that which thou sayest and will accept thine offerings.”
—Ancient Egyptian Proverbian Proverb”
Thepracticeofsilenceonaregularbasishastheeffectofallowingtheindividualtowithdrawfrom
interactionintheworld,therebycalmingthemindovertime.Silenceallowstheindividualtodiscov-
erthatmanythingsdonotneedtobesaid.Innerpeaceawakensinthosewhocanpracticesilencebe-
causetheinnervoiceisgivenachancetoemergefromthemountainousthoughtsandactivitiesthat
externalizationusuallycauses.Silenceisseenasamentalausterityanditisconsideredamongthe
practicesofmoraldisciplineandself-restraint.Silenceshouldbepracticedwithoutmakinggestures
tocommunicatewithothers,andataprescribedtimeotherthanwhenonewouldnormallybequiet.