It is important for a good sadhaka to be able to prevent leaks of precious psychic and physical energy. The first of these is in the avoidance, wherever possible, of negative emotions. Do not grieve, says the Gita. There is no place for nourishing mechanical and automatic despondency, fear, worry, anxiety, anger, jealousy or malice in this life of the sadhaka.

If we see these tendencies, ignore them; inwardly walk away into the true centre, and as far as possible avoid them like the plague. All the slave habits borrowed from our worldly society of endless talking, showing off, and ingrained anxiety, can be cast aside. The burden of our life can be cast upon God, the Guru (Bhagavan) or the Self.

We welcome everything which happens, inside and out, as his Grace, and move in a happy state to the joy of Self Enquiry under his benevolent protection. If negative forces are very strong indeed, we should regard them as being given by Grace for us to observe and experience in our being. These are unconscious forces being brought up to the light. As far as possible do not express them outwardly, as this fouls relationships and reinforces patterns. Watch them as they manifest inwardly, as awareness, however painful. The vasanas must come out.

Another great leak of energy is identification. When we are lost in the maze of our thoughts or mental states, we can pull ourselves together by gathering attention in any of the ways suggested above. We can then place this attention on our Heart-Centre (which Bhagavan has designated to the right side of the chest, reflecting the physical organ). Or we can sense some other bodily region or limb, like the spine, the elbow or ankle joint, the palm of the hand, or any area which we feel to be our centre of gravity.

We can let awareness, kindled non-verbally within the body, take us nearer to the Self and away from the madness of being carried away by the "thundering herd" or from, as Douglas Harding says, "being taken out to lunch."

As a general rule we should not get entangled or interfere in the affairs of others who are not close friends. This is a maxim of Bhagavans'. We should refrain from attachment to money, property, I-ness, mine-ness, or family sentiment, as the Gita makes clear. We should do no more than is necessary in any situation. Act with skill - as if on stage - in the appropriate role, without attachment to it. Do what is expected in life, as good karma yoga, and as far as possible, with devotion.