Learn to become fully conscious under all circumstances and in all situations of life, and learn to recognize your own true motives in every undertaking. Criticize yourself severely, but this criticism must always be constructive, and never merely destructive, if it is to help you in your spiritual striving and evolution. The negative attitude 'I am a sinner' only makes you a sinner all the more, and takes away from you all spiritual initiative.

Habit is formed through repeated actions. By changing the actions habits can be changed. Habit is only our second nature, not an essential part of our being. So, through steady practice even the worst habit can be changed. The older the habit the more difficult it is to overcome it. But one should not feel depressed if a bad habit persists even after repeated attempts to change it. If one keeps oneself watchful and alert over the workings of one's unconscious mind and sticks to a strict regimen of spiritual disciplines, all wrong habits will soon dwindle and disappear. But there must be perseverance and patience. Where there is a will, there is a way. See that you do not cultivate new bad habits. The old habits are trouble- some enough.

The strength of a chain is to be judged by the strength of its weakest link, and so our capacity to stand evil company or association is to be judged by our response to it during our weakest moments. We should therefore be on our guard, trying to protect ourselves as much as possible from evil influences, and should also put forth every effort to strengthen the weakest links in our character through right thinking and conduct, through self-analysis, prayer and meditation.

If we are really watchful and try to lead the life of a sincere aspirant, we will be able to notice all the movements of our mind, all the thoughts and impulses that rise in it. Ordinarily we are so dull and careless about all this that we become aware of the perilous state we are in, only after the horse of our mind has thrown us into the ditch. But before reaching it, it had gone all the way to the ditch quite unperceived because of our carelessness and lack of right striving.

Hold the reins tight! All accidents on the path are due to carelessness. So be on your guard. Be always careful. Never leave your mind unwatched, not even for a single minute. This is the general rule for all aspirants, whatever the path they may follow.

Reference: Meditation and Spiritual Life by Swami Yatiswarananda (p.348,349)