Four Obstacles in Sadhna

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The four main obstacles

 

The need of vigilance is imperative at every step of the spiritual

life. The obstacles which beset the path until the goal is reached

are generally created by the mind's inability to rest in Brahman,

though it has become somewhat detached from the world. The four main

obstacles are torpidity, distraction, attachment, and enjoyment of

bliss. Often the student, while practising meditation, falls into a

state of sleep because his mind is without a support either in

Brahman or in the world. The remedy for this is devotional music,

study of the scriptures, a visit to holy places, or some such

stimulating spiritual exercise.

 

Second, the mind, while practising meditation, feels distracted by

ideas, for the most part petty and inconsequential, which flit

through the mind like the dust particles dancing in a sunbeam coming

through a chink in the door or the wall into a dark room. They are

often the result of the aspirant's futile talk and physical movements

when not engaged in meditation. The remedy is in the pacification of

the mind through patience and perseverance.

 

Third, the mind may suddenly be seizes by a violent attachment to a

long forgotten experience lying nestled in the subconscious mind.

This can be overcome by means of stern discrimination and will power.

 

And last, one may feel quite satisfied with the enjoyment of an

inferior bliss or a foretaste of the joy of Brahman, and be unwilling

to make any further effort to reach the ultimate goal. This is

explained by the illustration of a man who has heard of a treasure

box hidden under a stone. As he approaches the place, he is

challenged by a powerful dragon. A life and death struggle follows

and at last the dragon is killed. But the man feels so exhilarated by

the destruction of his enemy that he dances about in joy, forgetting

all about the treasure. A spiritual seeker, too, becomes extremely

delighted when, after a stubborn fight, he suppresses certain

passions and attachments, and forgets to go further in order to

realise his freedom. Sometimes the enjoyment of the delight arising

from supra physical experiences makes the aspirant forget his goal.

 

The remedy for this obstacle is that the aspirant should not permit

his mind to dwell long on any transient experience. He must detach

himself from all forms of reflected bliss, however alluring they may

appear, and not stop till the goal is reached. With sincerity and

zeal, earnestness and perseverance, patience and love for the ideal,

the devotee finally overcomes all obstacles, great and small, through

the blessings of his teacher and the grace of God: he realises his

oneness with Brahman.

 

Now the imprisoned lion is freed from its cage and can roam again in

the forest, its natural habitat; the bound soul has attained freedom

while dwelling in the body. Himself released from fear, he gives the

assurance of fearlessness to all. Himself free from worry, he does

not cause worry to anyone. He lives, works, and dies under the spell

of the soul's immortality, non-duality, and divinity. But whether

endowed with a physical body or not, he has entered into a realm of

new consciousness, from which he redirects his activities for the

welfare of all. By the birth of such a person, as a Hindu poet has

said, his family becomes purified, his mother blessed among women,

and the earth sanctified for having nourished a worthy soul.

 

Courtesy : http://www.hinduism.co.za/jnana-.htm

 

Hari Aum !!!