spiritual practice - basic principle 4

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4th Basic Principle of spiritual practice

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Importance of these principles


The 4th of six Basic Principles of spiritual practice

As per spiritual capacity or spiritual level


What is spiritual level or spiritual capacity?

SSRF uses the term ‘spiritual level’ to describe a person’s spiritual maturity or spiritual capacity.




0%

100%

Non-living things

God-realisation




0%

100%

Non-living things

God-realisation

20%

35%

80% of world’spopulation in Kaliyuga




0%

100%

Non-living things

God-realisation

20%

35%

70%

80% of world’spopulation in Kaliyuga

Sainthood - approxOnly 10,000 people


How do we decide the next step?

Grade 3

Good performance



Grade 3 Grade 4

Exams

Good performance Failed performance



Grade 3 Grade 4Grade 2

Exams

Good performance Failed performance

Lack lustre performance and boredom

Syllabus


Learnings from the analogy

2 important facets

• We practice Spirituality best when it is as per our spiritual capacity.• Higher or lower level than ours then it becomes difficult to sustain it.

Set ourselves up to fail

Derail our spiritual practice

1



2 important facets

• We practice Spirituality best when it is as per our spiritual capacity.• Higher or lower level than ours then it becomes difficult to sustain it.

Set ourselves up to fail

Derail our spiritual practice

1

• Once we have a certain comfort level with the spiritual practice we are doing, we need to strive for the next level.

Rapid growth Stagnation

2

else



2nd 3rd

4th

5th

6th 7th

As per each path of spiritual practice there are known stages or steps in it. We should choose that stage or step of spiritual practice that we feel comfortable doing.



2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th 7th

Once we are comfortable with the new stage, we attempt the next stage.In a way it is like building our spiritual muscles step by step.


Stepwise increase for growth to occur

Initial attraction

Worldly example of two people falling in love

Dating only that person

Marriage


Growth and stepwise increase

So also let us look at a few steps that signify an increase in our spiritual

practice and a resultant increase in spiritual level or capacity.


Growth and stepwise increase in spiritual practice

Facet Lower step Middle step Higher step

Chanting Aloud and with beads Aloud but no beads Mentally





Offering one’s time Spiritual practice whenever there is time

Making time for spiritual practice

Spiritual practice on a daily basis








Giving of one’s resources

Donating once a year for a spiritual cause

Donating monthly for a spiritual cause

Giving up part wealth to serve the spread of Spirituality












Responsibility Doing tasks assigned to one

Taking part responsibility for assigning tasks

Responsibility for the entire project












Responsibility Doing tasks assigned to one

Taking part responsibility for a project

Responsibility for the entire project

Level of spiritual practice

Doing spiritual practice alone

Attending satsang* Conducting satsang*

*Satsang: regular spiritual meetings


In summary

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Do reflect on whether your spiritual practice follows the fourth basic principle.

• Is your practice of Spirituality commensurate with your spiritual level or spiritual capacity? • If you are teaching others about Spirituality are you teaching them as per their capacity?

spiritual practice - basic principle 4

Spiritual

step of spiritual practice

spiritual capacity

spiritual cause

path of spiritual practice

spiritual muscles step

ones time spiritual

term spiritual level

persons spiritual maturity