Sai Ram dear Fellow Pilgrims to the Lotus Feet,
Jai Sai Ram for the most enlightening article 'The Spiritual ladder'.
Here are some thoughts on the Spiritual ladder and as to why this ladder
should become our 'Core Mantra', in our spiritual journey.
As Bhagavan says the purpose of human birth is to learn how not to be
born again. This ultimate goal of our life is likened to the bunch of grapes on
a high wall by Prof. Howard Murphet. We are like the dogs who jump high to
reach the top of this wall. When we fail, we should not quit saying that the
grapes are sour , instead we must employ the ladder as explained in the article
of Wisdom Sai. Since jumping and reaching the the bunch of grapes is the Jnana
Marga which is not easy for all spiritual aspirants, we should make use of the
ladder. The steps mentioned in the article can be grouped into four stages.
The first stage is attaining Atma Kripa which means to over come the
spiritual ignorance and differentiate between the eternal and ephemeral.[Step 6]
The second is attaining Guru Kripa which means discipleship and tutelage
under an illumined Guru.[Step 7,8,9,10]
The third state is attaining Shaastra Kripa which is the study of
scriptures, manana and Nidhidhyaasana[Steps 11,12,13, 14]
The final stage is called the Eshwara Kripa when one becomes fit to
receive the grace of Bhagavan and becomes a Jeevanmuktha.
In our case, as we are fortunate to be the contemporaries of the Avatar,
when we reach the second stage and follow His teachings implicitly and make it
a way of our life, we get a double promotion to the final stage and our journey
is thus made easier by Bhagavan. Jai Sai Ram once again to Wisdom Sai for the
helping hand given in the form of Sai Challenge which of course is becoming
tougher.
Jai Sai Ram.
