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ASPIRANT'S GUIDE
GLORY OF DETACHMENT
1. The Sadhaka whose infatuation and attachment have been considerably reduced or calmed down is an enlightened soul (Jnani). One whose infatuation and attachment are completely annihilated, is a person of absolute knowledge (Purna-Jnani) known as God the Supreme (Paramatma).
2. Real peace and tranquility either in this life or in the life hereafter, will not be accomplished without annihilation of the veil of ignorance and delusion.
3. One who is not at all influenced by infatuation and attachment, one whose mind is well-established in firm detachment, and one who is completely engrossed in the pursuit of the self, is himself the temple, the God, and the savior.
4. During the process of annihilation of infatuation, true divine bliss (Sahajananda) grows richer and richer. The Sadhaka who seeks this bliss of the self, should, therefore, become adventurous enough to destroy the army of infatuation with his great efforts. 5. Countless virtues of the nature of Supreme Reality develop in the life of the great Sadhaka, whose infatuation is thoroughly annihilated. These virtues are contentment, humility, forgiveness, austerity, detachment, celibacy, love of seclusion, and compassion towards all living beings in the world.
6. In the first stage, one should cultivate virtues like detachment to worldly attractions, simplicity, obedience to the great saints, good thoughts, compassion and gentleness. In further stages of development, one should have control of the mind and various senses, with the inclination towards virtuous acts, evanescence of worldly pursuits, and supremacy of the divine self above everything else all these should be accomplished.
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7. One should conquer infatuation through attainment of self-realization. Such a one, who realizes that pure knowledge is the essence of self-Atman, is the real monk, and he alone has really conquered infatuation.
LIVING EXAMPLES OF DETACHMENT
(1) Shree Ramatanu Lahiri was a great learned man in the state of Bengal, India, who lived during nineteenth century. His life was full of simplicity and contentment. He remained thoroughly
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