WHAT TO DO….. when you have your books
Vedanta is a science, and so it must be studied in a systematic way. Start reading Kindle Life. Even here don’t try to read through, it is not a novel or something of semi-heavy reading. These are books for the students to reflect upon, all by themselves. So don’t read more than 5 to 10 pages a day. Read slowly, carefully noting all the ideas developed therein. This may take 20-30 minutes and always make it a point to read your scriptures after your morning bath – before the breakfast and work.
As you read thus, a lot of tiny doubts will arise in your mind; sometimes you may question the very logic of certain conclusions in what you read. Please note them all down in a notebook, kept separate for this purpose. Clearly express your doubts. After having recorded your doubts, forget them and continue reading your daily quota of pages.
On the following Sunday, or on any holiday when you have some spare time, please take up the note-book and a pencil in hand. Start reading your own doubts collected during the week. You will find, surprisingly, that you can check off many of the doubts because you have already the answers with you. The week’s reading has widened your vision.
May be there are some questions to which you have not got the answer. Leave them alone. From Monday continue the regular program of daily study, recording all doubts whenever they arise in your bosom. Repeat checking up all the backlog of unanswered doubts. By the time you come to the end of the book, you will find your questions are answered. If there are any unanswered, the next book will clear it.
Go slow. There is no hurry. Your independent thinking is of utmost importance. Don’t blindly believe, question every statement; accept no action greater than your own understanding. Then alone we can enter into the Science of Vedanta – then alone our knowledge can enter us.
When you have finished revising Kindle Life, at its end there is a scheme of study recommended. Follow the series as suggested and read each book carefully and slowly, in small doses. It is a 2-3 years study of half-an-hour a day.
TRY, YOU CAN, YOU MUST.
Swami Chinmayananda
Scheme of Study:
| Sr. No. | Title of the Book | Dose per day | No. of times |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kindle Life | 10 Pages | 3 |
| 2 | Manual of Self Unfoldment | 10 Pages | 2 |
| 3 | Bhaja Govindam | 4 Stanzas | 2 |
| 4 | Tattwa Bodha | 5 Pages | 2 |
| 5 | Atma Bodha | 3 Stanzas | 2 |
| 6 | Vedanta Through Letters | 10 Pages | 2 |
| 7 | Art of Man-Making (Gita Talks) | 12 Pages | 3 |
| 8 | Vivekachoodamani (Stanzas 1-200) | 4 Stanzas | 3 |
| 9 | Meditation and Life | 1 Chapter | 5 |
| 10 | Narada Bhakti Sutra | 5 Sutras | 3 |
| 11 | Gita Introduction | 10 Pages | 3 |
| 12 | We Must | 10 Pages | 5 |
| 13 | Sadhana Panchakam | 1 Stanza | 3 |
| 14 | Kenopanishad | 2 Mantras | 3 |
| 15 | Gita Chapter 1, 2 & 3 | 3 Stanzas | 3 |
| 16 | Vivekachoodamani (Stanzas 201-300) | 4 Stanzas | 3 |
| 17 | Kathopanishad | 2 Mantras | 3 |
| 18 | Dakshinamoorti Stotram | 2 Mantras | 3 |
| 19 | Gita Chapter 4, 5 & 6 | 3 Stanzas | 3 |
| 20 | Upadesha Saram | 2 Stanzas | 3 |
| 21 | Ishavasyopanishad | 3 Mantras | 3 |
| 22 | Gita Chapter 7, 8 & 9 | 3 Stanzas | 3 |
| 23 | Mundakopanishad | 2 Stanzas | 3 |
| 24 | Gita Chapter 10 & 11 | 3 Stanzas | 3 |
| 25 | Kaivalyopanishad | 2 Mantras | 3 |
| 26 | Vivekachoodamani (Stanzas 301-581) | 4 Stanzas | 3 |
| 27 | Purusha Sooktam | 4 Mantras | 3 |
| 28 | Gita Chapter 12 | 3 Stanzas | 3 |
| 29 | Taittireeyopanishad | 2 Mantras | 3 |
| 30 | Hymn to Badrinath | 5 Stanzas | 3 |
| 31 | Gita Chapter 13, 14 & 15 | 3 Stanzas | 3 |
| 32 | Aitareyopanishad | 3 Mantras | 3 |
| 33 | Gita Chapter 16 & 17 | 3 Stanzas | 3 |
| 34 | Prashnopanishad | 2 Mantras | 4 |
| 35 | Gita Chapter 18 | 3 Stanzas | 3 |
| 36 | Revise Gita Chapter 1 to 18 | 5 Stanzas | 2 |
| 37 | Ashtavakra Gita | 3 Stanzas | 2 |
| 38 | Mandukya and Karika | 2 Mantras |