Can we attain immortality so easily?

Practice these eighteen ities and attain immortality.

The Eighteen “ities” by Swami Sivananda

1. SERENITY

Be tranquil within. Let that inner peace and joy radiate through a serene countenance. A serene countenance is peaceful, smiling, and serious and does not betray any violent emotions. It is like the surface of a still lake. 

2. REGULARITY

Be regular in your daily habits, work, and spiritual practices. Get up at a particular time. Be clock-like in your daily activities. You will be free from worry, fear, anxiety, haphazard work, and shabby work. You will do the right thing at the right moment. 

3. ABSENCE OF VANITY

Do not boast of your birth, position, qualifications, or spiritual attainments. Praise others. See good in all. Treat even the lowest creatures as equals and with respect. 

4. SINCERITY

Let your words agree with your thoughts, and let your actions agree with your words. Let there be harmony among your thoughts, words, and actions. 

5. SIMPLICITY

Be artless. Be simple in your speech. Do not twist words and topics. Be plain; avoid diplomacy, cunning, and crookedness. Be simple in your dress. Be simple with your food. 

6. VERACITY

Be truthful. Stick to your promises. Do not exaggerate. Do not twist the facts. Think twice before you speak. Speak truthfully. Speak sweetly. Be precise in what you say. 

7. EQUANIMITY

Be calm. Bear the insult patiently. Bear injury, suffering, failures, and disrespect calmly. Do not be elated by praise, pleasure, success, or honour. Look upon both with equal vision. Behave alike towards friends and foes. Never let anything disturb your inner peace. 

8. FIXITY

Remember that you cannot achieve anything if you are fickle-minded. Choose your goal or ideal and remember it always. Never let it go out of your mind, even for a moment. 

9. NON-IRRITABILITY

Irritability is the precursor to violent outbursts of anger. Watch carefully for a disturbance in mental equilibrium. Watch for the ripples of anger that might arise in the lake of the mind. Quell them then and there. Do not allow them to assume greater proportions. Then you will attain peace. 

10. ADAPTABILITY

Understand the nature of the people with whom you come into contact. Adjust your approach to them. Adjust yourself in such a way as to be pleasing to them. Joyfully bear with the eccentricities of others. Always react in a harmonious manner. Serve all and love all. Feel that the Lord dwells in the hearts of all as the Self of all. 

11. HUMILITY

Respect everybody, and bow with folded hands before all. Do not talk in a loud voice before elders and vulnerable people. Look at your toes while you walk. See the Lord in all and feel that you are His servant and so the servant of all. Consider no one inferior to you. 

12. TENACITY

This is the natural friend of fixity. Do not waver. Be steadfast. Never compromise on your fundamental principles.  

13. INTEGRITY

Develop an integral personality. Tie all the loose ends of your character together. Become a man of high moral principles. Let righteousness waft its sweet fragrance from you. Everyone will trust you, obey you, respect you, and revere you. 

14. NOBILITY

Shun mean-mindedness is dung and poison. Never look into the defects of others. Always appreciate the good qualities of everyone. Be dignified in your bearing. Never stoop to ignorable thoughts, words, or actions. 

15. MAGNANIMITY

Take a broad view of things. Ignore the faults of others: Be great and noble-minded in whatever you do. Avoid silly talk and childish prattle. Let not the mind dwell on little and insignificant things. 

16. CHARITY

Give, give, and give. This is the secret of abundance. Radiate thoughts of goodness and love. Forgive the faults of others. Bless the man who injures you. Share what you have with others. Disseminate spiritual knowledge to all. Use the material wealth, knowledge, and spiritual wisdom that you possess as a divine trust. 

17. GENEROSITY

Whatever you give, be liberal. Have a large heart. Do not be miserly. Take delight in the joy of others by making them happy. Generosity is a sister virtue of charity. It is the fulfillment of charity, magnanimity, and nobility. 

18. PURITY

Be pure at heart. Eradicate lust, anger, and greed. Be pure in your thoughts. Always think of God. Think of the well-being of all. Be pure in your words; never utter harsh, unkind words. Be pure in body. Please keep it clean and healthy. Let the dress and surroundings be clean. Observe the rules of physical, moral, and spiritual hygiene.