Towards Inner Harmony: Author's Preface [1983]

1. cruelty,
2. inequality,
3. intolerance.

1. compassion,
2. equality,
3. control of strong emotions.

• Let cruelty die and compassion awake!
• Let inequality give way to equality!
• Let frenzy cease and tolerance f1ower!

That is the theme of Towards Inner Harmony. Being leads to becoming and dhyana is the only means thereto.

Dhyana implies an awakening of consciousness and direct experiencing thereof First the awakening, then the experiencing.

It is the field of movement of consciousness which determines whether a person is an

• ichha-purush (a person possessed of preponderant desire), or a
• prana-purush (a person possessed of preponderant vitality), or a
• prajana purush (a person possessed of preponderant wisdom).

Where a person is situated determines what he is.

• When consciousness is active around or below the navel, the ichha-purush manifests himself;
• when consciousness moves between the navel and the nostri1s, the prana-purush manifests himself;
• when consciousness is active between and above the eyebrows, the prajana-purush m anifests himself

Like the solar system in astrology, spirituality, too, has its own solar system. There are nine planets in astrology; likewise in spirituality. All these have an impact on man.

Man is endowed with four unique characteristics:

• the capacity to develop the power of consciousness along with vital power;
• the capacity to open up new dimensions of consciousness;
• an awareness of conscious development; and
• the manifestation of self-awareness in action.

"I Want To Become Something" - the impulse there marks the beginning of a perception into the real, which perception finds its fulfilment in the transcendence of all images.

In order to find the truth, direct experiencing is essential and in order to communicate one's experiences to others, logic and intellect are required.

There are three aspects of consciousness:

1. a weeping consciousness which derives pain even out of pleasure;
2. a laughing consciousness which derives pleasure even out of pain; and
3. a perfected consciousness which is the consciousness of fulfilment through action.

And there are five factors of self-discipline:

1. control over breath
2. control over the senses
3. control over the mind
4. control over the body
5. control over vital power

Acharya Sri Tulsi wrote Manonushasanam which incorporates six constituent disciplines: control over food,

1. control over the body,
2. control over the senses,
3. control over breath,
4. control over desire, and
5. control over the mind.

I have written a commentary on Manonushasanam . I availed of the opportunity to discuss these topics at length in discourses during the shivir-period. Some other topics were later added, and the present book entitled Towards Inner Harmony came into being. If: after reading this book, the readers are inclined to develop an integrated personality, the author's purpose will be amply served.

The inspiration 'to become' something came to me from Acharya Sri Tulsi. It was he who encouraged me on the path, and he has also been a witness to the final transformation. His blessing has been the supreme factor all through.

The book has been edited by Muni Dulheraj.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 24.3.1983

Yuvacharya Mahaprajana