Sadhana
"Sadhana" means "the effort to become complete". Any struggle made to fulfill the potential of one's life is a part of sadhana. Study, exercise, social work, and educative travel are good examples. Such physical and intellectual activities have their place in Ananda Marga sadhana. But the most important aspect of sadhana is psycho-spiritual development. For this reason, the word "sadhana" is commonly used as a synonym for meditation.

Meditation
The famous physicist Albert Einstein was once asked to explain about his own sense of logic. He told that his greatest discoveries were made not only by logical process. He said that when he would concentrate at length on a difficult question, then suddenly the answer would come.
Yoga likewise teaches that when the intellect becomes fully concentrated on any object or question, then one achieves "pointed intellect" or "intuition": a direct super-conscious knowledge of the subject at hand.

Tantra is an intuitional science aimed at the realization of the infinite consciousness. Meditation is the key practice, during which effort is made to pin-point the intellect on the idea of the infinite.
O tranquil sadhaka (spiritual aspirant)! Sadhana is your great bow. Set the arrow of your mind, sharpened with meditation, on this bow. Now inclining your mind toward Him, pluck and twang the string of the bow and pierce your target -- that indestructible Supreme Soul.
But thoughts are all relative to each other. Therefore it seems impossible to think about infinity! Tantra Yoga's answer to this riddle is called "mantra".

Mantra
"Man" = mind, and "tra" = liberate. So "mantra" means "that which liberates the mind". Mantra is the central tool of meditation. There are many mantras, all in Sanskrit. Some are single words, some are phrases. The mantras are symbols of the Supreme Consciousness, i.e. each one has an infinite meaning. By mentally repeating one's mantra, and by contemplating its meaning, the meditator develops a pointed-intellect.

He or she gradually gains super-conscious knowledge by identifying with the Infinite Entity; and finally merges with the inexpressible joy of that Entity.

Besides having meaning, mantras have rhythm and subtle vibration. Due to rhythm, incantation of mantra helps the mind to become peaceful. Due to subtle vibration, crude thought becomes refined.

Together with learning mantra, the practitioner is taught certain precise imagery technique. An introductory meditation technique can be learned in an Ananda Marga yoga class or meditation group. It should not be acquired from a book. Every Ananda Marga yoga center offers classes for beginners. The more advanced personalized instruction must be received alone from an Acarya.

Initiation
Initiation is one of the most important experiences on the spiritual path. During initiation, a personalized meditation technique is given. It is at this moment that the aspirant's latent psycho-spiritual potential is initially awakened.

When Ananda Marga first began, initiations were given directly by the Guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. "Guru" means "one who liberates others from ignorance". A Guru's personal example should be impeccable. He must have complete knowledge of all subjects of the world, including language, music, physical science, history, and of course mind. Without the guidance of such a self-realized teacher, it appears unthinkable to pass through the innumerable obstacles that will surely confront the aspirant on the way to the Infinite Being.

Due to the increasing number of disciples, it became necessary for Anandamurti to create wholetime volunteer workers/teachers, i.e. Acaryas. The Acaryas serve as his media for the initiation. For this purpose they have received long and intensive training. "Acarya" literally means "one who teaches by example". These yogik monks and nuns (or Dadas and Didis) give their lives fully to the socio- spiritual mission. As they must be ready to go anywhere, and to do any work at any time -- so they follow strict yogik discipline. The world is their home, and humanity their family.

Initiation is the first ladder to the terrace of liberation. - Sadashiva, Kularnava Tantra One should only take initiation if there is a sincere desire to properly practice meditation. Meditation must be done twice daily for at least about 20 minutes each time. More is better. One should also participate in a group meditation about once weekly.

Dharma Cakra
Especially during the initial phases of meditation, the beginners should surround themselves with positive influences which will help their spiritual progress. Dharmacakra, or collective meditation, creates this spiritual atmosphere. "Cakra" means "circle". So Dharmacakra literally means "the circle of people whose goal is self- realization". Through combined mental efforts at these weekly meetings there is a collective vibration generated, which helps to reinforce each person's determination and desire to do meditation. All become united through the one idea of the Supreme, vibrating in their minds.

Do not miss the opportunity of collective meditation. The indomitable mental force aroused as a result of collective meditation will help you in solving any problem small or big on this earth. It is for this reason that you should always have a zeal to attend the weekly Dharmacakra regularly.

Kiirtan
Kiirtan is the chanting of mantra together with a spiritual dance. Just before silent meditation, kiirtan is done to become free of disturbing thoughts, to create a peaceful feeling, and to concentrate the mind on the thought of the Supreme. It is to be done when alone, and also in the Dharmacakra. When performed collectively, it creates a specially strong spiritual vibration.
The universal mantra used in Ananda Marga kiirtan is BABA NAM KEVALAM. "Baba" means the Supreme Consciousness or my most Beloved. "Nam" means Name or Expression. "Kevalam" means Only. Thus the mantra means "Everything is only the expression of the Supreme Consciousness" or simply "Love is all there is".

Those who by-pass kiirtan, and start straight-away with silent meditation, are compelled to spend much time just trying to bring the mind to a concentrated state. But those who practice kiirtan for a few minutes overcome any sadness or confusion that may momentarily cloud the mind. Feeling elated and fully concentrated, they then sit quietly and enter into a deeper state of consciousness.

Behind kiirtan is the blissful ideation. This ideation blossoms into full flower the soft feelings of the human heart lying so far in bud form. Kiirtan awakens the human feelings and transports a person into great bliss. Kiirtan fills one's life and satisfies all wants.

Further lessons of meditation
For most members of Ananda Marga, six or seven personalized instructions in meditation are sufficient. There may be a gap of a few weeks or a few months between each of the lessons. It depends on the progress of the aspirant, as gauged by the Acarya. Though a lesson- technique takes only about 30 minutes to learn, it may take months to clearly understand it.

Through these lessons, the aspirant learns the various techniques of Astaunga Yoga (the Eight-fold Yoga):

1) Yama (moral abstinences)

2) Niyama (moral observances)

3) Asanas (body postures)

4) Pranayama (breath control)

5) Patyahara (withdrawal of mind)

6) Dharana (concentration)

7) Dhyana (deep meditation)

8) Samadhi (absorption in Supreme Consciousness)

Pratik
The word "pratik" means symbol. The Ananda Marga pratik is displayed in the Dharmacakra room to help everyone in remembering the yoga ideals. Each of its parts are ancient symbols. The triangle pointing downward represents internal effort, i.e. meditation or spiritual realization. The triangle pointing upward means external effort: the world appears external to the "I feeling", so external effort is service to others. A dynamic balance between the struggles of self-realization and social service results in all-round progress, which is symbolized by the rising sun. The final goal of spiritual victory is indicated by the Swastika. The word Swastika literally means "Good existence of permanent nature" ("su" = good, "asti" = to be).

For thousands of years the parts of this pratik have been used and misused by many different cultures. Today it expresses the universal ideology of "Self-realization and service to all".

Asanas
Outside of India, most people think that "yoga" is only physical gymnastic exercise. In fact the physical side is secondary to mental practice. Due to meditation, the aspirant's mind becomes more and more subtle. It is necessary for the body to change likewise. If the body does not evolve parallel to the mind, then sickness or confusion results. Also if one is too ill to even start to practice meditation, then minimal physical fitness should first be achieved. For these reasons, physical yoga is necessary.

The physical positions of yoga are called "asanas". It is commonly believed that asanas are difficult to practice. But the word asana literally means "posture comfortably held". By keeping the body in simple prescribed poses for a few seconds or minutes, health-giving pressure is placed on endocrine glands, nerves, vital organs and muscle tissues.

The most important effect of asanas is upon the hormonal flow of the endocrine glands. When any hormone is over or under secreting, both the mind and body become disturbed. When the hormones are in balance, it is easy to keep the body healthy and to control the mind.
Because commercial interests over the last years have affected schools teaching yoga, sensational and harmful positions are frequently taught now. For this reason, asanas should not be learned from books or financially-motivated schools.

Introductory asanas helpful to anybody may be learned in the classes held in Ananda Marga yoga centers. With the continued practice of meditation, or due to specific health problems, it becomes important for the aspirant to learn asanas appropriate to one's own needs. A set of personal asanas is then prescribed by the Acarya.

Philosphy and self-improvement programs
Ananda Marga is not a rigid system or a dogmatic doctrine. However, many practical guidelines for living are suggested. Aspirants are encouraged to experiment, and find out for themselves if particular guidelines are valuable or not. These include vegetarian diet, fasting, system of hygiene, ideas for physical development, specialized natural treatment for various diseases, conception of morality, and social service programs. More detailed explanations of the last two items are given in this booklet.

The philosophical theory of Ananda Marga is comprehensive. Some examples of its topics: creation of the Cosmos, levels of human consciousness, cause & effect, psycho-physical parallelism, perception & conception, life & death, education of children & adults, social role of the spiritual-moralist, occupational responsibilities, Neohumanism, social cycle, and progressive socio-economics for maximum utilization and rational distribution of all physical, mental and spiritual resources.

Morality
During meditation, the aspirant struggles to control his or her mind. One fights the disturbances caused by a sense of disharmony. Nervous thoughts come and go because responsibilities have been neglected, mistakes made, desires have been excessive, or solutions to problems were unclear. All of these confusions ultimately fall in the field of morality, i.e. what is to be done; what is not to be done. That is why harmonious morality is the foundation for successful meditation.

Morality is the base, sadhana is the means, and Life Divine the goal.
Every action of every being has a positive or negative effect on the world (or Cosmos). The effort to think positively and perform only positive actions is called morality. Morality is a dynamic force that varies according to time, place and person; it is not a static idea steeped in dogma.

The guidelines for proper conduct given in Ananda Marga are thousands of years old, but are still applicable today as they relate to the most fundamental aspect of human nature: spiritual unity with all created beings. They are divided into two categories known as Yama and Niyama (abstinences and observances). Deep understanding of these principles comes only through the subtle ability to judge the effects of one's expressions. Thus, the capacity to follow Yama and Niyama depends on the development of one's own consciousness.

YAMA (Abstinences)
1) Ahimsa Not to unnecessarily harm others by thought, word or action.
2) Satya When speaking it should be for the welfare of others. Usually it is best to try to express the literal truth, but sometimes that may be harmful -- in which case something more appropriate should be said.
3) Asteya Not to take possession of what rightly belongs to others. This means not to have even the thought to deprive others of their due.
4) Brahmacarya To act with the ideation that everything is the manifestation of Brahma, the Supreme Consciousness.
5) Aparigraha Not to possess or indulge in comforts superfluous to a moderate standard of living.

NIYAMA (Observances)
6) Shaoca Purity and cleanliness: physically, mentally and environmentally.
7) Santosa Mental contentment, no matter what difficulties one may experience. Without mental peace, one cannot make any balanced effort.
8) Tapah To alleviate the suffering of others by personal service and sacrifice.
9) Svadhyaya Frequent reading of spiritual scriptures. Mechanical reading without deep understanding is not considered to be Svadhyaya.
10) Iishvara Pranidhana Iishvara means the Controlling Entity of the Cosmos. Pranidhana means to take something as a shelter or to clearly understand something. So, giving one's thought to the Supreme Consciousness is Iishvara Pranidhana or meditation.

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