Hints to Spiritual progress
In our lives, be it personal or professional, it would not be too difficult to measure our progress. To quote a simple example, a professional who keeps earning the respect of his fellow colleagues & clientele, who is the preferred go-to person in the organisation etc is an example of one who would progress professionally.
Likewise, “how does one realise if one would progress in his spiritual life?” questioned Sri Swamiji as a warm smile decorated his face. Observing the stoic silence in the group, Sri Swamiji, compassionately answered in a manner unique only to him.
“I shall give you hints which will help you self-analyse your progress or the lack of it. Let us consider two types of persons:
a) A person:
- living a very simple life
- shying away from fame
- is allergic to crowds
- largely keeps to himself and stays undistinguishable most of the time
- while constantly being absorbed in his sadhana (viz Japa, Yoga, Dhyana) to please his Ishta devata
b) Another person is:
- afforded a comfortable lifestyle
- very famous
- noticeable most of the times due to his post or the company he keeps
- also engaged in spiritual life
If you are naturally drawn towards person a), you shall progress in your spiritual life. If you are, on the other hand, naturally drawn towards person b), your progress is likely to be stunted.
Likewise, in whatever service (kainkarya) that one offers to the Lord/ Guru, there should be total dedication and no sense of ‘I’ at all. One should be totally absorbed by the kainkarya in a way that the doer gets dissolved. If one can offer ones kainkarya in the above way, he is bound to progress and blossom in his spiritual journey”.
One is left to wonder at the immense relevance of this ancient sloka:
अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया ।
चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
Salutations to that guru, who opens the eyes blinded by darkness called ignorance, with the collyrium-stick called knowledge.
