Puja, Archana & Meditation

Usher God into every aspect of your life. Those who do not have a separate room for worship can set aside a section of a room for japa, meditation and spiritual study. This place should be used only for spiritual practices. God should not be relegated to a space beneath the stairway. We should live as God's servants, and never put Him in the place of a servant.

Set aside at least an hour a day for spiritual practices. When everyone has had their bath, the whole family should sit down together and worship God. You can begin the archana by meditating on your spiritual Master and chanting the names glorifying Him or Her. Then, chant the one hundred and eight or thousand names of the Divine Mother, or of your beloved deity.

If it isn't possible for everyone to be together, individual archana will suffice. If circumstances do not permit that you take a bath, at least wash your hands and face, but don't ever break your daily practice of archana.

You can also chant your mantra, meditate and sing hymns at this time.

No matter what you do after the archana, always try to keep alive the thought of God. Whenever you sit down or stand up, do so after bowing down to the ground. It is good to cultivate the habit of thinking that your pen, books, clothes, vessels and work tools are imbued with the Divine Presence, and to consequently use everything with care and respect. Touch them with reverence before picking them up. This will help you to maintain a constant remembrance of God. As others observe your actions, they too will be inspired to follow this practice.

To observe two hours of silence daily is very beneficial. If you are also able to observe silence one full day each week, it will greatly help your spiritual progress. You may ask, "But isn't the mind busy with countless thoughts even if one is observing external silence?" Think of water stored in a dam. Even if there are waves in the water, no water will be lost. Similarly, when you are in silence, the loss of energy will be minimal, even though there may be thoughts in the mind. It is through talking that we lose much of our vital force. The life span of a dove, which always coos, is short, while the silent tortoise lives for a long time. Chanting the names of God is not an obstacle to the vow of silence. To be in silence is to avoid all worldly thoughts and conversation.

Meditation increases your vitality and strengthens your intelligence; your beauty is enhanced and your mental clarity and health improve. You acquire the patience and fortitude to face the problems in life. Practice meditation each day. You can begin with ten or even five minutes a day, and work your way up incrementally. What is most essential is that you practice every day.