(contd from part 1.....)
The enemy to our spiritual progress is not from outside. It is from within. We are our own hindrance to our progress. Ignorance, lack of motivation, lack of support system, wrong thinking and our own ego are hindrances in our spiritual path. We want the results of our practices without any effort or less effort on our part and we want them at once!
Avirati (Worldly-mindedness): We experience the world and its pleasures through our sense organs. Our sense organs are all the time attracted by the external world and its pleasures. Rati means to enjoy. Avirati means worldly minded or attracted towards the pleasures of the world. When our senses are constantly pulled in all directions by objects of the world, the mind also runs after the senses and yoga and spiritual practices become difficult. Letting go of the attraction to worldly pleasures and having self control is virati or virakti. We need to cultivate self control or virakti.
Bhranti (Hallucinations): When we do spiritual practices, we have some unusual experiences of light, sound, darshan etc. If we interpret these experiences wrongly, we will stop the practices or we stop our progress. We either get scared or we get too egoistic. Unless one is on path of Kundalini yoga and the Guru gives Shaktipat, the Kundalini Shakti does not awaken. If we imagine our experiences to be the awakening of the Kundalini and even self realization we lose track and progress. We must take guidance from the Guru and move steadily on our path to the final goal.
Alabdhabhoomikatva (Non achievement of a stage): During different stages of our spiritual practices, certain results are expected and experienced. Some of us get quick results and some of us take more time. This depends on our past karma, the sincerity and regularity of our daily practices. When we see others experience wonderful results and we are unable to get them at the same time, we become disheartened and stop the practices. The mind tell us to conveniently give up as spiritual practices are not for us and only for them – those who get quick results. We should overcome this habit of comparing and continue with our practices steadily. The results always come.
Anavasthitattva (Instability): During spiritual practices and yoga, we get glimpses of certain stages and experiences. We wish to reach that level and be stable in it. Sometimes, it takes time to reach that stage and then stabilize in it. How quickly we reach the stage and become firm in it depends on our faith and intensity of sadhana. When we are unable to reach that stage despite getting glimpse of it or remain steady a stage without further progress, then we become disheartened and lose hope. We give up our practices. Unwavering faith in Guru and God and in path helps to remove this hindrance of instability.
Rishi Patanjali has given nine types of hindrances. We experience these in our daily spiritual practices. We should learn these well and be conscious of our mental reactions so that we can counter them. We must make sincere efforts to overcome these hindrances.
Our body and mind are the causes of all hindrances. Our body needs practice for doing yoga asanas, pranayama and sitting in one place for long periods of time for mantra japa and meditation. When we do not get immediate results, we are disappointed. We do not push ourselves further. We want to give up at once. We must focus on the goals of our practices, on the grace of God and Guru and push ourselves steadily in our practices. Our faith in God, Guru, the practices and our regular and disciplined effort in our daily practices will help us overcome all hindrances and reach the goals of our practices successfully. Keeping in mind the possible hindrances, let us overcome them and do our daily practices of SitaRam mantra, meditation and following the teachings of the Guru.
