The stages in spiritual evolution

This is one of the articles in a book I have written on spirituality. The book is available on Amazon.com.


The Spirit Of Spirituality

-------------------------

An interesting question that normally arises as we discuss spirituality is regarding the stages of spiritual evolution. How does one evolve from a desire filled ego-centric entity to become a self-realized soul?

There are four stages in this evolution:

1.  Bhogi or enjoyer
2. Yogi or the seeker
3.  Sanyasi or the renouncer
4.  Jnani or the self-enlightened

Bhogi or enjoyer:

This is the stage in which most of us are. We keep on seeking and enjoying the objects of desire. These could be physical related to our sense and action organs. We may wish to eat special food, drink, hear good music, etc. We may also desire objects of emotion like love, affection etc. We may want love from spouse, children friends etc. We may also desire conceptual things like name, fame etc. I may desire to be the best in class, top scientist etc.

All these desires are fine so long as they are moderated by the intellect. Not achieving an object of our desire leads to anger and if we achieve it, we have the fear of losing it. All of us by now are aware of the fact that desires never end and there is never a feeling of long lasting fulfillment. What happens if we keep on desiring and consuming? We obviously know that if we overeat, we will have health issues. If we spend too much on objects of desire, our bank balance becomes unhealthy. If as a country/society, we consume too much, we become an indebted and financially unhealthy society. So, over consumption leads to ill-health or to a Rogi state.

We have the option to keep on consuming and sink deeper into the invalid or coma state before we perish or we can awaken and look for options to a more fulfilling life. We can become seekers of the route to a more blissful existence. This is the next stage or the Yogi stage.

Yogi or the seeker

In this stage, the individual utilizes any or all of the techniques depending on his/her predisposition. I have covered the paths to self-realization earlier. However, in brief, an individual can opt for a combination of the following with any one of them dominating:

1.  Karma yoga or the path of doing action selflessly without attributing ownership or thirsting for the results of such action
2. Bhakti yoga or the path of leading a life full of gratitude and recognizing the contribution of the universal power in whatever we do.
3. Jnana yoga or the path of intellectually separating the Real or Universality from the petty duality bred by the individual ego
4. As mentioned in my earlier blog, any of the above techniques are just to separate a man from his ego. I have covered that man minus his ego is god.

Sanyasi or the renouncer

This is the stage when an individual after rigorous practice of any of the methods mentioned above is able to renounce his attachment. This stage is not meant to renounce work. It also means a renunciation of the bonds of attachment, physical, emotional or intellectual. This is the stage where there is no binding desire. The individual performs to the best of his capabilities with a view that it is his duty to perform and it should be for the benefit of society. The individual has risen above the pettiness of himself, his family, society etc. and is able to see the universe as a whole.

Jnani or the self-enlightened

This is the final stage where the individual is fully emancipated. He does not think of himself as a limited entity bound by his body/mind/intellect. He realizes that he is the soul or consciousness or the enlivening principle. This is best exemplified by the word, Satchidananda. Let us break up this word into its components.

• Sat: stands for real, that which exists. I exist, animal exists, and a stone exists.
• Chit: awareness. I am aware that I exist; an animal is aware that it exists; a stone is NOT aware that it exists.
• Ananda: I just don’t exist and be conscious of it. I am in bliss.

So, in the Jnani stage, I am aware that I am nothing but the Satchidanada Atman.

I am aware of my own blissful existence unencumbered by any bounds. I am limitless.

As readers may be aware, 3 of my books on spirituality are available on Amazon.com.

I invite readers of my blog to try any of the books and give me feedback so that I can make changes in the next edition.


1. My Humble Understanding  Of Spirituality


My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality

2. Attain Infinite Bliss

Attain Infinite Bliss - A Spiritual Guide

3. The Spirit Of Spirituality

The Spirit Of Spirituality