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ASPIRANT'S GUIDE
In the spiritual sphere, predominant importance must be given to individual development. Yet, it is society that supplies most of the means for individual development. It is because of this that the stage of the householder (25 to 50 years) is said to be the very backbone of all other stages (Ashramas), and is praised in Indian culture. Many great persons like Rishabhadeva, Rama, Krishna, and others lived in this stage and followed the true religion (Dharma), and later progressed to accept austerity, renunciation and self-control.
Food, clothing, housing, education and medical-care are, in the normal course, the basic needs of the human being. If a society intends to live in peace, it should see to it that all members of the society have these basic needs fulfilled. Schemes of social welfare are undertaken in prosperous countries, with this purpose in view; other countries are also moving in this direction. The spirit of community welfare is thus firmly rooted in people's mind.
Philosophers in the Indian (Aryan) culture have conceived of a system that can help in the spiritual development of people in a two-fold way. Generally, the householder's stage dominates in community welfare, while in the case of the individual spiritual progress (Sadhana), the life of renunciation dominates. It may of course happen that an occasional householder may progress well under proper guidance. However, all great people have accepted the fact that the life of renunciation is very much more beneficial for the higher stages of silence (Mauna), solitude and meditation (Dhyana), which represent the very climax of spiritual life.
Among group spiritual activities (Sadhana), sermons, contact with the sages, praise of the holy, prolonged benediction, devotional songs, reading of scriptures, prayers, pilgrimages, and mass-austerity dominate. Mass preaching by great enlightened saints has immense emotional impact on Indian public which then becomes merged in chanting divine names, and experience the trickling of tears of joy, excitement, and like, which enhance their goodness and inspire us also.
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Concentration is easy in emotional sermons, devotional songs and congregational prayers. During the occasion of mass vows
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SADHAK-SATHI
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