The Three Stages of Spiritual Progress
The Three Stages of Spiritual Progress is a discourse given by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti in Kolkata, India. The discourse was delivered on the morning of 1978 November 6. This discourse is the thirteenth chapter of Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 4.[1]
| The Three Stages of Spiritual Progress | |
|---|---|
| Speaker | Shrii Shrii Anandamurti |
| Date | 1978 November 6 |
| Time | Morning |
| Place | Kolkata, India |
| Topic | Evolution towards perfection |
| Included in | Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 4 |
| Location in Sarkarverse |
 |
Synopsis
Even though human beings may not be very highly evolved, there is the potential in them to attain the height of evolution. Those who utilize this potential are intelligent; but those who do not and live like animals will be born as even more inferior creatures in the next life. Animals have no intellect and therefore cannot work intellectually. Humans, however, are already endowed with intellect and the faculty of judgement. So if they do not act properly or fail to follow the path of spirituality, they are no better than animals. It is therefore the duty of every sádhaka to propagate dharma so that humans will not make this mistake but will follow the path of spirituality. This should be our inherent nature.
Anandamurti starts the discourse by saying that during infancy children have no developed intellect and no one expects them to be responsible for their actions. A Vedic initiation occurs when children develop some maturity of mind; they are taught to pray for God to show them the right path. Anandamurti then explains that the next stage occurs when people are ready to receive their Ista mantra (a personal mantra that helps in identifying with the Supreme Self). This is Tantric initiation. In the next stage people must face a variety of obstacles. And they can no longer tolerate sin or injustice. Anandamurti goes on saying that such human beings eventually attain Godhood. Their actions become noble and benevolent and they keep evolving until they merge in Parama Purusa.[1]
References
| Preceded by It Is Better to Die While Following Bhágavad Dharma |
Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 4 With: The Three Stages of Spiritual Progress |
Succeeded by Tantra Is Sádhaná, Sádhaná Is Tantra |