Stages of Spiritual advancement

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Six Stages of psycho-spiritual progress

Here one goes through the six stages through which a sa’dhaka generally has to pass to reach the ultimate goal.

On similar lines there is a description about the three psychic stages through which a sadhaka passes while progressing through AM sa’dhana’. These three stages are

1. Shakta Bha’va – Immediately following initiation clash in the life of a sa’dhaka begins and this in turn helps him in countering the opposing forces, provided of-course he continues with regular practice. The sa’dhaka then starts realizing that he/she can overcome obstacles on the path of sa’dhana’ ( a non-dogmatic approach to self realization) by the strength of the his/her sincerity. This leads to his victory.

2. Vaeshanaav Bha’va – In the next phase this heroic adventurism makes him/her a humble person and starts appreciating the unseen help of the Unknown. Thus his /her journey towards self surrender begins. The sa’dhaka increasingly sees how without asking everything in his personal life is being taken care.

3. Shaeva Bhava – In the last phase teh sa’dhaka awakens to the supreme reality that it the Lord who does everything. His/her ego dissolves and the sa’dhaka attains the unattainable by His grace.

There is of-course yet another viewpoint described by the Master where He talks of the change in the psychology of sadhaka beginning with a focus on deriving pleasure (Ra’ga’nuga’ Bhakti) through sa’dhana’ to giving pleasure to the Lord. This certainly is a very advanced stage when one is genuinely established in the state of devotional excellence. Such a devotee alone is aclled a gopa/gopi. This stage of devotion is described as Ragatmika’ Bhakti.

Let now discuss the six stages through which a sa’dhaka passes on its journey to the kingdom of Divine.

Traversing the phase of clash and cohesion in life a new initiate on the spiritual path tends to think differently. He/she starts realizing that there is no other way to overcome his/her problems (material or spiritual) except by seeking His help and taking His shelter. These feelings get expressed as follows -

- -

Tra’hi ma’ma- pa’hi ma’ma

- -

(O! my lord please save me and take me unto your shelter.)

As the sa’dhaka progresses, in the subsequent stage his/her mentality undergoes a change & thus instead of seeking something from Him, a surging wave of love overwhelms his/her mind & he/she starts experiencing Him as his nearest and dearest. In such a frame of mind he/she says -

A’mi a’chi, Prabhu tumi a’cho

- -

(I exist O! my Lord you also exist.)

Although the sa’dhaka keeps moving inwardly but still the madhur bhava and experiences of salokya & sayujya continue to elude him/her. Centering around his mental afflictions for having delayed the journey to realize Him, he/she starts saying in tune with the medieval poet as follows.

Vratha’ janma ganva’yalum’

(I have spent my days in vain)

Hena prabhu ke na bhajalum’

(Did not seek the Lord)

Khjabalum’ soha gunanidhi

Did not realise He is the treasure of all qualities)

Hama’ra karam manda

(It was my bad luck)

Na milala ek bunda

(could not get a drop of His grace)

Premasindhurasak avadhi

(From the ocean of His love)

With this experience there is no going back & forth for the sa’dhaka who then continues to realise that the Lord is in tune with our marma vedana’ and the sa’dhaka keeps experiencing bliss of His love and association and his/her inner feeling gets modified and expresses as follows.

Tumi acho prabhu a’mi a’chi

(You exist my Lord, that is why I exist)

Continuing his/her inward journey the sa’dhaka is no longer assailed by the worldly attractions and marches ahead internally and continues to realize

Jala mem’ kumbha hae

(The earthen pot is inside the water)

Kumbha mem’ jala hae

The pot is filled with water)

Bahar bhiitar pa’nii

(water is both inside and outside)

Phuta’ kumbha jala jala hi sama’na’

(The water gets mixed up once teh pot breaks)

Yaha tatva bhu’jhe jina’ni