It is critical that a spiritual seeker have a thorough understanding of the effect that his company and environment have on him. If he is careless in this regard, there is a great risk that he will fall off the path.

Whether one is a spiritual practitioner or not, everyone can relate to having a certain feeling in the presence of another without having met him before.  Even when a negative person so much as enters the room, for example, one can feel the negativity seemingly emanating from him even before he says or does anything that could be used to determine him as such. In the same way, when a very positive or high-minded individual enters, one feels immediately uplifted.

“If one enters a room full of soot,” Sri Ramakrishna once said, “he will inevitably get some soot on him.” Lord Christ and all masters though the ages have warned that we become like the company we keep. One must be very careful
in this regard. But company refers not only to the people we are with, but also the environment – for the vibrations of persons who frequent a place accumulate and can be tantamount to bad company…even if no one is physically present at a given time. So intelligent and alert seekers should at all times avoid places where worldly revelry, such as drinking and the like, is common.

At a satsang in Santa Barbara many years ago, I asked Paramahamsa Prajnananda how we can function in the world and yet protect ourselves from negative influences. He paused and then responded by saying that whenever he is traveling about and wearing white garb, he knows to be very careful where he sits lest his clothing become dirtied. By this illustration he was explaining that we must choose our environment and company very carefully.

The effect of environment also applies to the time we choose for our sadhana. Spiritual practice performed in the early morning hours or at dusk provides a kind of spiritual wind at the sadhak’s back as it were. The atmosphere is much more serene and tranquil at such times and the mind tends to enter a tranquil state much more easily. This topic was examined by the writer in an earlier article entitled, Brahma Muhurta and the Junctures of Day.

Everything in the universe is Consciousness-energy. In the same way that an ion simply denotes an atom carrying a positive or negative charge (the predominance of protons or electrons respectively), the very vibration of a place is determined by the accumulation of positive or negative thoughts – the quality of which is determined by that which is stronger. A monastery, for example, will carry a much different vibration than a tavern or brothel. It is for this reason that the area where a saint has kept residence is sacred – for his divine vibrations remain in the ether of that location. Clothing, shoes, or the chair in which he used to sit – articles such as these are held onto even after he has left the body. Even the photograph of a saint carries his or her divine vibration and should be revered – it is true that we can receive blessings even through a photo.


There is a reason why many yogis and sages retreat to regions of solitude such as the high mountains or the desolate open desert. These areas are free of the weight of worldy vibrations characteristic of more densely populated areas. Meditation and spiritual progress is greatly facilitated by such areas which enable the mind to dissolve into Stillness. Ultimately, however, it is important to understand that despite the influence of environment, to a great extent wordliness is a state of mind. Those who yet possess strong desires and wordly attachments will not be benefited by even the most remote mountain…for they will take the world with them! On the other hand, those who have achieved true inner Silence will remain in a peaceful state of solitude even amidst the noise and chaos of the big city. Until this state is achieved, however, it is highly recommended that householder yogis – those with families and wordly responsibilities, retreat into solitude for a few days every month for Godly contemplation and meditation. This greatly enables them to achieve balance as the effect of wordly vibrations is greatly attenuated by time spend alone with God. If this is not possible, then he should remain in solitude for whatever duration he can manage or arrange. As he advances spiritually, he will see that the Lord Himself will naturally arrange for more time in solitude – even while he is still in the world.


Although spiritual company can at times be hard to come by, we should seek it whenever we have the opportunity. We should try as much as possible to be near fellow seekers and persons of good character. Also keep in mind that no company is better than bad company, for a sincere seeker is never truly alone. In time, spiritual company will become more common as man’s consciousness continues to evolve, but for now, we must be very careful where we sit!

vastha yogi