Introduction

"Diligently perform the basic practices
to lay a foundation for your future realization.”

What must be done by a beginner
during the first few months:

1. Recite the mantra "Om" one hundred thousand times (about nine hundred and twenty-six rounds on Rudraksha beads).

2. Complete ten thousand full prostrations with invocation of blessings of the Tree of Refuge, with chanting of the Refuge mantra and visualization of the Refuge Tree above the head (an exception for the weak, elderly, or sick: prostrations can be done seated).

3. Concentrate on a:

– point;

– candle flame;

– visualized image (symbol “Om” or a deity’s image).

Duration: six months (start with five minutes during the first week, increase to an hour within the next three months).

4. Meditation on the four infinite states of Brahma (Brahma Viharas): at least fifteen minutes daily for six months.

5. Analytical meditation “The Four Awarenesses” (thirty 15-minute sessions on each awareness):

– meditation on impermanence due to old age, illness, and death;

– reflection on the threats of Samsara and the suffering of beings in Samsara who are bound by karma;

– reflection on the Law of Karma, the cycle of birth and death, and the causes and effects;

– reflection on the preciousness of the human birth and the purpose of existence in the human body.

6. Additional analytical meditations (thirty 15-minute sessions on each of the following meditations):

– analytical meditation on the Creed (here, the instructions on meditation practice should be used),

– reflection on the greatness of the path of Liberation and the fruit of spiritual practice, based on the study of the sacred texts "Yoga Vasishtha", "Tripura Rahasya", "Viveka Chudamani";

– a meditation on the greatness of the Refuge and the protection from and blessings of the saints of the Tree of Refuge, with visualization of the Tree of Refuge;

– a meditation on the importance of surrendering oneself to a Spiritual Master and on the principles of samaya and Guru Yoga, with visualization of the Chosen Deity above the top of the head;

– a meditation on the importance of following the path of the saints and becoming a sadhu; on sadhu’s ethics and culture (based on the "Sadhu's Catechesis").

Recommended duration of these practices: 6-12 months following Creed acceptance.

After that, one takes the Candidate's Refuge, and then the Disciple's Refuge.