Raja-Yoga

130 RAJA YOGA.
29. From that is
gained (the knowledge of) intro
spection, and the destruction of obstacles.
The first manifestation of this repetition and think
ing of Om will be that the introspective power
manifested more and more, and all the mental and
physical obstacles will begin to vanish. What are the
obstacles to the Yogi?
will be
30. Disease, mental laziness, doubt, calmness, cessa
tion, false perception, non-attaining concentra
tion, and falling away from the state when
obtained, are the obstructing distractions.
Disease. This body is the boat which will carry us
to the other shore of the ocean of life. It must be
taken care of.
Unhealthy persons cannot be Yogis.
Mental laziness makes us lose all lively interest in the
subject, without which there will neither be the will
nor the energy to practise. Doubts will arise in the
mind about the truth of the science, however strong
one s intellectual conviction may be, until certain
peculiar psychic experiences come, as hearing, or see
ing, at a distance, etc. These glimpses strengthen the
mind and make the student persevere. Falling away
when attained. Some days or weeks when you are
practising the mind will be calm and easily concen
trated, and you will find yourself progressing fast. All
of a sudden the progress will stop one day, and you
will find yourself, as it were, stranded. Persevere.
All progress proceeds by such rise and fall.