CSDK

1.Conduct Rules :
•Shrii Shrii Anandamurti has given us our Conduct Rules to aid us in the realization of our Iśt́a and ideology in our daily lives. It is by our conduct alone that we can represent our ideals in society — not by the jugglery of words. Thus, it is imperative, in order to safeguard the honour of our Iśt́a and ideology, as well as to ensure our own progress, that we follow the Conduct Rules with utmost strictness and sincerity.
•Yama and Niyama: Monitoring the Mind
Adherence to Yama and Niyama helps control the eight fetters and six enemies of the mind.

Daily monitoring of our control over these fetters and enemies helps gauge our sincerity.

•The Eight Pashas (Fetters):

a)Ghrńa (Hatred, revulsion)
b)Shanka (Doubt)
c)Bhaya (Fear)
d)Lajjá (Shyness, shame)
e)Jugupsá (Dissemblance)
f)Kulavarńáshritá (Vanity of lineage)
g)Shiila (Cultural superiority complex)
h) Mana ( Egotism)

• The Six Ripus (Enemies):

a)Káma (Physical desire)
b)Krodha (Anger)
c)Lobha (Avarice)
d)Mada (Vanity)
e)Moha (Blind attachment)
f)Matsarya (Jealousy)

(See also Part V: Conduct Rules.)
2. Seminar:
It is important to continually strive to expand one's knowledge of:
•Social and spiritual philosophy,
•One's mother tongue,
•And English (if it is not one's mother tongue).

3.Duty:
One should take on a specific duty within the organizational structure and perform it with zeal and devotion.
•Tapah means: "To practise penance to reach the Goal;" and also "to accept physical hardships for others' welfare."
•Greatness lies in accepting hardships for the sake of others.
•This tapah:
a)Brings physical and mental purity,
b)Leads to mental expansion and spiritual progress,
c)Helps open the golden gate to spiritual salvation.

Key practice:
By undergoing hardships (thus exhausting past samskaras) while keeping the mind on the Goal (thus not creating new samskaras), one advances spiritually.

4.Kiirtana, Tandava, and Kaoshikii: Tools for Spiritual Development

•Perform kiirtana (Bábá Nám Kevalam chant combined with the Lalita Mármika dance) before every meditation.
•If concentration is difficult, increase kiirtana time even if it means decreasing the meditation time.
(Once concentration improves, kiirtana time can be reduced.)
•Tāṇḍava:
Destruction is inevitable, but I will continue to fight against destruction through struggle.
Symbolism:

a)Skull in one hand: Represents destruction.
b)Dagger in the other hand: Represents struggle and fight.

Underlying Feeling:
"I will not surrender to destruction or death. I will continue the struggle with this dagger."

•Kaoshikii :
A spiritual dance representing a devotee’s journey towards Parama Puruṣa (the Supreme Consciousness).
Symbolism of Movements:

a)Hands upraised and folded together:
"Now I am trying to establish a link with Parama Puruṣa."

a)Both hands bending to the right:
"I know the right way to request You."
(The body should bend at a 45-degree angle.)

b)Both hands bending to the left:
"I know how to fulfill Your demands."

c)Bending forward:
Complete surrender.

d)Bending backward:
"I am ready to face all troubles that may come."

e)Final step (Taḍa, Taḍam):
"O Lord, I repeat Your rhythm."