How to Read ?

Most of us read, but not all of us know how to read. And, especially when it comes to reading serious books, such as the scriptures, we should know how to benefit from reading. Not only do bad reading habits affect our understanding of what the author says, but they are also injurious to our powers of concentration. In the long run, such poor habits will fossilise, rendering the mind inept and ineffective. Hence, take heed of what Swami Sivananda says:

"When you read a book, you must read it with concentration. There is no use skipping over the pages in a hurried manner. Read one page in the Gita. Close the book. Concentrate on what you have read. Fond out the parallel lines in the Mahabarata, the Upanishads and the Bhagavata. Compare and contrast." (pg. 52, Concentration & Meditation).

"...When you study one book, do not think of any other book. Fix the mind there steadily like the arrow-maker, who had no consciousness of his surroundings. Eminent scientists are so busy and attentive in their experiments and researches in their laboratories that they forget to take food even for days together." (pg. 42, Concentration & Meditation)