261. Can you, at a distance half across the earth, intuit the nature of my life-mission?

Your life-mission is absolute dedication of all your faculties to the Lord, and not to be curious to know how He is to make use of you. It is not for nothing that He has hidden from our view His higher purposes. Our little mind cannot reason out the meanings of events which He brings to pass. So He does not take off the veil nor need we be curious to know. Surrender yourself to Him completely. He has already chosen you and He will give you commissions from time to time. Carry them out unselfishly and rise up higher and higher in Divine service. That will be the true expression, in thought and deed, of your love for God and His creation, the world.

262. Is it true that death (voluntary or otherwise) places us in a more conducive environment in the next birth for the fulfillment of certain deep-rooted desires which are otherwise difficult to fulfil in this life?

Death need not necessarily place one in a more conducive environment in the next birth. That depends upon the quality of man's actions during the present birth as well as in the remoter past. It is true that our desires guide our future births to a great extent.

263. Which among the Yogic Asans will help a married lady to keep her youth for a considerable period?

Sarvangasan, Matsyasan, Sirshasan, Padahastasan, Halasan, Paschimottanasan and Chakrasan, coupled with Yoga Mudra and Viparitakarani Mudra, help quite a lot to keep up bodily poise and tension. All these need not necessarily be taken up simultaneously. Whichever of these are found convenient can be practiced, along with Pranayam, within the boundary limits of health and not overriding the limitations of her sex. A lover of Yoga¾male or female—should have restricted carnal desires.

264. Why do the Hindus give more importance to the Bhagavad Gita than to Uttara Gita?

The Bhagavad Gita is more comprehensive and detailed in the exposition of the philosophy and teachings of Sri Krishna. Rather, it is a magnum opus among the scriptures of the Hindus, and so, in substance and scope, it is more important than the Uttara Gita, also of Sri Krishna. But please note that there are many Gitas, such as Anu Gita, Avadhuta Gita and so on, all of which are helpful to the spiritual aspirant. Yet, among all Gitas— quite a few dozens of them, major and minor¾ , the Bhagavad Gita is the most important, integral, comprehensive and the best.

265. I understand the biggest mistake an aspirant often makes is to falsely identify lower Samadhi with higher or the highest Samadhi; but, how can a man who makes such a mistake guard himself against it?

When one rises to the state of Samadhi, he does not make the mistake of doubting as to whether it is lower or higher or the highest. He knows what it is without doubt, quite naturally.

266. What are the marks of spiritual progress? How can I know whether he is advanced in the spiritual path or not?

Peace, cheerfulness, contentment, dispassion, fearlessness and an unperturbed state of mind under all conditions indicate that you are advancing in the spiritual path.

Spiritual progress is not measured by Siddhis or powers, but only by the depth of your bliss in meditation.

These are sure tests of your spiritual progress:

Is your interest in inner spiritual activity and outer Sadhana increasing day after day?

Does spiritual life mean to your consciousness a matter of great delight, a delight far transcending the happiness that the world of vital pleasures affords you or offers you?

Has your personal awareness come to a possession of a sense of peace and strength which men who are not aspirants do not find in their everyday lives?

Do you feel certain that your power of discrimination and light of thought have been steadily growing?

Is your life being gradually led to such experiences which reveal to you the operation of a will and intelligence other than your own, the will and intelligence of the Omnipotent Lord?

Has there come into the conscious activities of your everyday life, the active function of a new delightful angle of vision, a new perspective, a strong sense of self-possession, a steadily growing convinction of your dependence upon and intimate relation with the all-pervading Divinity?

If your answers to all these questions or to any one of them are in the affirmative, be absolutely sure that you are progressing, and progressing speedily, in the spiritual path.