The ultimate objective of leading a spiritual life is Moksha. Moksha means freedom.

There are two stages of moksha:

1.First denotes the freedom from ignorance of the Self. Ignorance of the Self is the biggest bondage as it creates illusion and keeps us in the illusory state all the time. Knowledge of the Self is necessary for freedom from the bondage of ignorance.

2.The second is the complete freedom from the physical body, complete emancipation to siddha Gati, which is the abode of all liberated souls. It is possible to achieve this in just one more lifetime.

To succeed in spiritual life:

1.We make a firm determination to that effect.

2.And then we remain sincere to our determination. Sincerity is a great power. The one who has topmost sincerity becomes God.

3.We discover the path with a clean and strong intent, being earnest, searching and seeking, enquiring and questioning.

4.Whatever we do, we will do it whole-heartedly. When one’s heart is set on his spiritual goal, then his work would indeed be accomplished. It gives rise to exclusive loyalty which itself is devotion. There is no greater devotional worship of the Lord like honesty. Honest, sincere and moral; when these three things prevail, it surely leads to success.

5.We look for a living Gnani Purush for attainment of liberation. When we locate Him, we will pray to Him, ‘Please grace me with the knowledge about the Self.’ Gnanis manifest in the world to give mokshadaan (bestow liberation).

6.With the grace of Gnani, we attain Self-realization. It is possible to attain Self-Realization through Akram Gnani within just two hours!! Self-Realization gives us freedom from the ignorance of the Self. Acquiring freedom from ignorance of the Self renders one completely insulated from all worldly miseries and pain.

7.We shall protect the seed of Self-knowledge that we have attained, by following the words of Gnani, earnestly. To follow the words of Gnani is the real spiritual effort. Our earnestness in this effort determines our rate of success.

8.The Self, by its inherent nature, is blissful. The energy of the original Atma is the same in everyone. However, the energy that we see in different people on this path, varies from person to person as it arises in direct proportion to the spiritual effort one puts in. This energy will gradually increase and reach its maximum state. The extent to which one remains as the Self, that much energy of the Self manifests.

9.Sitting in the company of and proximity of the Enlightened One will help us gather the right understanding and insight, essential for the progress on the spiritual path. This will help us find our internal bondages. We will loosen them and untie them ultimately through pratikraman i.e. a hearty repentance over our mistakes and faults, which are an outcome of the bondages. This makes us feel lighter and increases our experience of the Self.

10.As the obsession with the body goes, we shall revert to our natural state of the Self (Pure Soul), spontaneously and effortlessly. Day after day our worldly life interactions are bound to become such that no more hurt or suffering is caused to any living being.

11.We shall practice establishing ourself firmly in the awareness of 'I am Pure Soul' and remaining absorbed in the bliss as the Self (atmaramanata), for as much time as possible. This is the biggest endeavour of all that will help us attain the state of the Absolute Self (Parmatma) one day!!!

Read more on: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/self-realization/

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 manifest within him became known as Dada Bhagwan. A Gnani Purush is One who has realized the Self and is able 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.