Many different ways to attain enlightenment of the Soul have been described in the scriptures, all of which require time and effort. However, through Akram Vignan, we can attain enlightenment within 48 minutes only as it happens directly with the grace of Gnani (the Enlightened One), without any effort from our side.

“It does not take time to attain enlightenment (Self-Realization). It is like turning on a flashlight in pitch darkness, the light appears instantly. Likewise, it takes no time at all for a Gnani Purush to dispel ignorance with the light of Knowledge (Gnan). After this you will not stumble.”

~ Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan

It is like suppose a thousand watts light bulb is placed in a clay pot which is closed tight, would there be any light around? No! Similarly, the Soul within is infinite light of real Knowledge (Gnan prakash), but the darkness prevails because of the layers of ignorance over the Soul.

And if a tiny hole is made in the clay-pot covering the light bulb, the whole room will be filled with the light coming through, isn’t it? So, with the grace and the special spiritual powers of the Akram Gnani, the Enlightened One, similar thing happens. That much covering over the Soul is broken so that a ray of direct light comes out. This direct ray of light of the Soul (the real Self, Aatma) is called Pragna.

Are there different levels of the attainment of enlightenment?

When the Enlightened One gives us ‘Aatma-Gnan’ (Self-Realization), He kindles within us ‘Pragna’ - the direct light of the Soul, which then alerts us from moment to moment.

Just this light increases as more and more layers are lifted and more holes pierce the pot, and when the whole pot is destroyed and separated, detached away from the bulb, there will be a flood of full light everywhere; similarly, in Akram Vignan, when Gnani graces us with Self Realization (Gnan), the enlightenment (first light) is like that of the second day in the lunar fortnight. Thereafter, we slowly reach upto the stage of full moon.

As our awareness increases, the stage of second day moon would turn into third, then the fourth, then fifth, and when it reaches to full moon, it will be complete. That’s when the state of Omniscience (Keval Gnan) occurs.

How would an individual progress on their journey towards complete understanding and awareness?

The Enlightened One explains:

Suppose, I want to reach a destination, say Munich, by train. So, first I have to know that I want to reach Munich. Then I start my journey. Then within some time, I will reach the destination.

Now, same thing applies here.

Step 1: First we understand by words that “John (please insert your name here) is separate. I am Pure Soul.” Our belief has to change. After Gnanvidhi, our understanding is clear that “John is separate. I am Pure Soul.”

Step 2: Then, we keep awareness by practicing Gnani’s teachings. We keep separation by practicing the principles given by Gnani that, ‘John is separate. I am Pure Soul. Whatever, thoughts, speech, actions, intellect, ego is all in John. Anger, hatred, wish, jealousy everything is in John. I am totally separate from John. I am Pure Soul; I am only knower and seer (my function is only to see and know). I am knower of what John is eating. John is eater; I am non-eater.’ – You use this knowledge for keeping separation. That is called awareness.

Step 3: Then comes experience. And that experience will continue. It won’t go at all. All of those that don’t let us work for our Soul (the Self) are our opponents namely anger-pride-deceit-greed (kashays). When these faults will dissolve, you will slowly, slowly get the experience.

Thus, slowly and steadily you can reach your destination through proper understanding and proper awareness. However, our understanding and awareness flourishes only in the shelter of Gnani.

So for Complete Understanding and Awareness, Stay Connected with Enlightened One

Just as it is necessary to sprinkle water after sowing a seed so that it grows, attending spiritual discourses after Self-Realization is important for one to progress on their spiritual journey towards the Omniscient stage.

Param Pujya Dadashri says,

“Through this Akram Vignan, you too have attained the experience of the Self. You have attained the Self naturally, and therefore, it will benefit you and you will progress further. But you have to understand it through having as much acquaintance as possible with a Gnani Purush (the Enlightened One). One has to understand this Gnan very profoundly. This is because this Gnan has been given only within an hour. How magnanimous this Gnan is!!! The Gnan, which cannot occur in a million years, happens in one hour. However, one gets the basic (fundamental) Gnan, and then one has to understand in detail.

To understand this in detail, you come and sit with me and ask all the questions; then I can explain it to you. That is why we are saying that it is extremely necessary to have company of those who promote the attainment of the Self. As you go on asking questions, answers will unfold within. If it bothers you, then you should ask.”

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Author's Bio: 

Ambalal M. Patel was a civil contractor by profession. In June 1958, spontaneous Self-Realization occurred within Ambalal M. Patel. From this point on, Ambalal became a Gnani Purush, and the Lord that manifested within him became known as Dada Bhagwan. A Gnani Purush is One who has realized the Self and is able to help others do the same. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan used to go from town to town and country-to-country to give satsang (spiritual discourse) and impart the knowledge of the Self, as well as knowledge of harmonious worldly interactions to everyone who came to meet him. This spiritual science, known as Akram Vignan, is the step-less path to Self-realization.