Qualities of a Spiritual Aspirant

Qualities of a Spiritual Aspirant

When a person wants to pursue the highest knowledge of Self Realization, it becomes very important that he possess certain basic qualifications. Here qualification does not mean educational but rather his mind set and disciple in life.

The scriptures have clearly prescribed certain important qualities that one should possess to learn this supreme knowledge. The requirement is basically categorized into 4 and the third category consists of 6 virtues of the mind which converge into one category. Below are list of qualities that are enumerated

1. Viveka or differentiation: The art of differentiating between what is real/right and unreal/wrong and in true sense to know what is eternal and not. The body and mind along with its modifications are always subject to change and hence identifying oneself with the body and mind is wrong, it is through differentiation we will know who the subject is and who the object is. Object of observance always changes but the subject witness always is the same and it is eternal (here the witness, is the witness of the mind i.e. the soul). This is the Viveka that one should possess

2. Vairagya or dispassion (renunciation): When one is able to differentiate between what is real and unreal, indulging in what is unreal will just hamper the progress in our spiritual life. Meaning the body and mind which is the object of experience and ever changing in nature, which raises and dissolves in the eternal consciousness is temporary and attachment to this only causes misery.  

3. Samadi-satka-sampatti or the six disciplines (or virtues) of the mind – The third point is an combination of 6 virtuous quality that the mind should possess. Following are the six virtues  

·       Sama or mastery of the mind – One should possess control and have tranquility of the mind. A stable mind always makes the mind purer and only the pure mind the light of the Self shines. When a mind is not perturbed with the happening inside and outside it gives rise to clarity of mind and thereby brings stability in one’s life

·       Dama or mastery over the senses - We should establish a firm control on our sense as it is this which is the stimulus to our desires. It is the sense organs which create pleasure and pain to the body and mind reacts to the same, hence it creates the dyads (happiness & sorrow, high/low etc). hence this needs to be mastered by changing the focus of our attention towards one’s own self (meaning show restraint and focus within the mind – find the source of the mind)

·       Uparama or withdrawal, observing dharma – Here withdrawal in the true sense means that when we are pursuing the path of Self Realization, wasting our time by getting attached to material worlds would lead us nowhere. Again one need to understand there is nothing wrong in enjoying the fruits of the actions that you have performed morally but the point is to not getting attached.

·       Titiksha or forbearance – The spiritual path and life in general is often faced with lot of obstacles and problems, one should have mental toughness to endure all these things and proceed under any given circumstances.  

·       Sraddha or faith – Faith is very essential as everything that we are trying to do in this life to progress depends on the faith that we have on the scripture or the Guru. If there is no faith the practice by itself is marred with doubts and there would not be any real progress. What one can do is that he can start off thinking that what the scripture or Guru is saying is true but it is not real for me yet. Let me work on it and see what happens.  

·       Samadhana or concentration – Concentration is required as we are trying to find the Self within us and to make that possible we have to focus all our attention inwards and search within, meaning the Self is always present in us and it is due to mind’s thoughts our concentration is scattered. Because of this we are unable to focus within to realize the self. Hence meditation is important.

4. Mumuksutvam or the intense desire for liberation - This is self-explanatory as without an intense desire for liberation there is no point in possessing all the knowledge of the scriptures, as one would not try to practice or learn anything. This intense desire for liberation should not be considered as bad; as desire for material world is considered as detrimental but having desire for liberation does not. Secondly as one proceed in the path of Self Realization this desire gets replaced by firmBra knowledge that “I’m Brahman” and all desire is gone

If one can carefully observe the above mentioned qualities that are required for progression, the very same qualities are required for a successful material life, in fact a person can become highly successful in life both in spiritual and material aspect of his life, if he can adopt above qualities in day to day life.

But as one progresses in his spiritual life these qualities focus mainly towards the Self and interest in the material would decrease to zero for the person who is liberated in the present life.

(Based on my Guruji's teachings, any mistakes solely mine)