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ASPIRANT'S GUIDE
usefully occupied in peaceful self-study, association with enlightened personalities and other auspicious activities. This slowly prepares the ground for the third stage of complete self-control.
With the progress of this Sadhana, the Sadhaka gets involved directly or indirectly in philanthropic activities of social and moral uplift such as the adoption of lofty ethical values in personal life, service to saints and the needy, organizing camps for spiritual training, holding study circles and imparting the divine knowledge. In addition, there may be active participation in public charitable and serviceable institutions, like libraries, dispensaries, hospitals, schools and colleges, as also as mobile medical services for poor patients especially in rural areas.
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3. The third and the last stage is dominated by self-dependence in life. Even benevolent activities decline and personal Sadhana in solitude dominates. This is because, in this stage, one has to attain the climax of individual spiritual development. Here, religious study, silence (mauna), thinking in seclusion, meditation, reciting of Mantras, pondering over detachment, reflection on subtle elements, writing and devotion to the Supreme and other auspicious activities dominate.
Strict discipline is visible in external conduct also. Voluntary limitation in food, movement, sleep and rest become apparent. Extreme simplicity, a vow of non-begging and other austerities take over in the aspirant's life. Gradually, this leads to the adoption of the great vows in life with resultant enhanced self-restraint. With all these, the Sadhaka very soon becomes a great sage (Siddha Yogi), enjoys real bliss of the self, having won a state of advanced equanimity.
This is precisely that great personality who is designated the very embodiment of liberation, a moving place of pilgrimage (Tirtha) or "roaming Rama," by those who desire liberation. By their acquaintance, by their close association, by rendering all-round services to them, by obedience to them, one attains to true delight of the self. Innumerable salutations at their lotus like feet of such great sages and Acharyas.
LIVING EXAMPLES OF SADHANA OF SELF-CONTROL (1) It was the year 1898, Shrimad Rajachandra was in the village
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