Paths to Enlightenment

There are many paths that lead to enlightenment – the state of stabilization in Self-experience. These are Gyana (Wisdom), Dhyana (Meditation), Karma (Action), Japa (Chanting), Self-Enquiry, Bhakti (Devotion), etc. But they can broadly be divided into just two – the Path of Wisdom and the Path of Devotion.

The Path of Devotion is that of surrender to the divine will of God. It is the path of submitting to Consciousness–the Source of everything. Effort in this path is effortless, as actions happen in joyous surrender to the Self.

The Path of Wisdom is that of will power, where the seeker of Truth applies his intellect to grasp the Truth and internalize it.

The Path of Devotion is akin to a kitten, which leaves its body loose and gives itself up to its mother, who then carries it around with her mouth. The Path of Wisdom is like that of a baby monkey that needs to clasp onto its mother’s belly when she jumps from one branch to the other. The kitten surrenders. The baby monkey clutches with all its might.

All the paths that are known in spirituality finally culminate in this two-fold path – one approach is that of complete surrender, while the other is that of intellectual reasoning and meditation. The seeker of Self-realization needs guidance on both these paths.

Let’s understand this with the help of an example. There were two travelers who needed to cross safely through a jungle to return home. One of them was blind, while the other did not have legs. Individually, they could not have made it home. The lame traveler climbed on the shoulders of his blind companion and guided him through the jungle. The blind man followed his directions and walked carefully, carrying him through the jungle. Both managed to reach home safely.

So it is on the path of Self-realization. The lame man symbolizes the eye of wisdom, while the blind one represents the legs of devotion. Without the legs of devotion, the eyes of wisdom cannot walk the path. The legs of devotion cannot see the path without the eyes of wisdom. Let devotion obtain the eyes of wisdom and let wisdom in turn receive the legs of devotion.

The seeker who pursues the path of wisdom through the practice of meditation and conscious action develops unswerving faith, thereby leading to the surrender of his individual personhood to the Self. The one who follows the path of devotion matures in understanding of the Truth.

Finally the one who works for attaining wisdom surrenders, and the one who surrenders attains wisdom. Thus, both the paths merge at its culmination in Self-realization.

Tejgyanis that understanding that culminates these paths – those on the path of wisdom attain devotion and those on the path of devotion attain wisdom.With Tejgyan, you begin directly with the understanding that brings together both Wisdom and Devotion. You do not have to decide which path is best for you.

Whatever the mind prefers need not be the best path for you. Following the path that the mind feels like is like asking a thief how he would like to be captured. The thief would never give away the path that would lead to his downfall. Similarly, the aspect of the mind that considers itself as a separate individual has to drop. That aspect of the mind cannot be trusted to decide which path to tread. Leave how this happens to grace. Ultimately, grace is the only way.

Summary:

Although there are many paths to enlightenment, but they can broadly be divided into two – the Path of Wisdom and the Path of Devotion.

All the paths that are known in spirituality finally culminate in this two-fold path – one approach is that of complete surrender, while the other is that of intellectual reasoning and meditation. The seeker of Self-realization needs guidance on both these paths. With Tejgyan, you begin directly with the understanding that brings together both Wisdom and Devotion. You do not have to decide which path is best for you.Leave how this happens to grace. Ultimately, grace is the only way.