Even after following all the prescribed spiritual practices faithfully, you may run into obstructions in your efforts at meditation. In almost all cases where a seeker complains of lack of progress, it is because his subtle body has grown grosser.
Do not be misled into thinking that your lack of progress is because of "destiny" or "a bad day" or the withdrawal of God's or your guru's grace! During an unconscious moment of relaxation, the sensuous world has invaded your inner world through the sense organs and brought forth from your subconscious mind the lower tendencies.
The only way out is to gather up your strength and fight out the battle with your baser tendencies. In order to protect the growing spiritual wealth in you and not suffer the sorrow of setbacks, it may help to post twenty "soldiers" around you, in the form of twenty questions to put to yourself at the end of each day. Keep track of the questions and answers in the form of a spiritual diary.
The Twenty Questions Select fifteen items out of the twenty and pursue them diligently. Enter the items as heads for fifteen columns, and indicate each day your report on yourself under each category. At the end of the month, study the chart you have made to determine the schedule of your progress or decline for that month.
1. How many hours did I sleep? Normally six hours of sleep are sufficient for a quiet-living spiritual seeker.
2. When did I get up from bed? You should be out of bed between 4:30 and 6:00 a.m.
3. How long did I practice concentration? Begin with small doses, and increase the period of concentration slowly and steadily.
4. What religious books am I now reading? Reading the lives of the great masters and their declarations of Truth in a spirit of inquiry will greatly help you in thinking intelligently.
5. For how long was I in companionship with the good (satsanga)? Satsanga here does not mean merely attending prayer meetings and religious discourses. Where good friends are not available, good books will serve as good company; discover companionship with them.
6. For how long did I engage myself in selfless service (karma yoga)? Any act of service, performed in a spirit of detachment, will further the growth of the noble qualities of love, tolerance, mercy, and so on.
7. How many mala (rosaries) of japa did I perform? In order to do japa effectively, you must strive as far as possible to exclude all extraneous thoughts.
8. How many Upanishad mantras did I read? Read only a little each day, but digest what you have read and allow your mind to reflect over the great truths behind the words of the mantras.
9. How many mantras did I write? Mantra writing is the easiest way of fixing your concentration. Keep a separate notebook for this purpose, and regularly write about a page of your chosen mantra.
10. How many hours did I observe silence? The aim is to withdraw one's attention to the inner world of the spirit.
11. How many days did I fast? Fasting here does not mean abstaining from food continuously for long periods of time, such as 21 or 41 days. Fast regularly-once a month, once a week, or once a fortnight.
12. What did I give away in charity? Giving here means giving in thought, cash, or kind. 13. How many lies did I tell? If you tell a lie, give yourself severe punishment, such as fasting or increasing the period of daily silence.
14. How many times was I angry, and how long did each attack of anger last? Anger arises out of nonfulfillment of your desires. Array the forces of tolerance, mercy, sympathy, and understanding to win a victory over anger.
15. How many hours did I spend in useless company?
16. How many times did I fail in brahmacarya? Remember brahmacarya means self-control in all areas-eating, talking, sex, and any other indulgences. Self-control within bounds is the safest rule.
17. What virtues am I developing consciously? For a month at a time, take to the cultivation of a single noble quality, such as love, tolerance, or kindness.
18. What evil quality am I trying to eradicate? You must diagnose your own malady and find its proper cure.
19. How many times did I fail in controlling an evil habit, and with what punishment? 20. When did I go to bed? Simply enter the time of retiring.
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