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Source: thThe Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/06/22/stories/2002062200370800.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

 

 

Prerequisites of spiritual life

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

JUNE 22

 

.. A spiritual aspirant has to adopt certain values (Dharma) in life if his

objective of attaining liberation from worldly bondage is to be realised. These

values must become a way of life and not just an ideal to be mulled over during

study of scripture. What is more important is to practise at least one virtue at

a time consciously till it gets ingrained in one's conduct. Lord Krishna

enumerates 20 values that characterise spiritual life in the Bhagavad Gita after

expounding to Arjuna the difference between the knower and the known. One of

them is unflinching devotion to God, which will help the seeker to always keep

the spiritual goal in mind.

 

Another value stressed in this context is the importance of solitude. It is well

known that the reason why those spiritually inclined retreat to lonely abodes

like mountains and pilgrim centres is that there will not be worldly

distractions and disturbance from others. It should be borne in mind that it is

not just physical seclusion, which is meant, but mental aloofness from worldly

matters. Initially a seeker can resist distractions only by avoiding company of

others but if his mind remains engaged in worldly thoughts it will not aid his

spiritual progress. Whenever possible, moments of solitude one gets even while

engaged in day-to-day matters must be utilised for spiritual benefit. Company of

saints, devotees and spiritually inclined people is beneficial. In fact,

dilating on the spiritual benefit of holy company the Narada Bhakti Sutra points

out that wrong company can be counterproductive to the spiritual goal.

 

In her discourse, Swamini Satyavratananda said Self-enquiry involved

understanding the nature of God, man and of the world. Further, the relationship

between them should be also understood and this knowledge is crucial for

attaining Self-knowledge. What is Self-enquiry and how does one engage in it?

Sage Yajnavalkya elaborated this topic to his wife Maitreyi. Scripture is the

only authority on Self-knowledge unlike objective knowledge, which can be gained

through other methods like perception, inference and so on. The scriptures have

to be studied under a competent preceptor who is himself Self-realised;

otherwise it will amount to the case of the blind leading the blind. The next

stages are reflecting constantly on the scriptural teachings and then meditating

on the Self on the basis of the scriptural description till Self-realisation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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