“Every Human Being is always a student of the cosmic system. The evolution process makes it so. We always tend to keep on learning irrespective of the age, caste or the system. In the domain of God all are equal … everyone has equal rights in respect of Spiritual wisdom” — Vijay Kumar.

When we open ourselves up to a spiritual discipline we have to be prepared to give up even the most treasured beliefs and ideas. Any true spiritual path must, by its very nature, challenge all assumptions. Or it is simply a ‘thought exercise’ or a sojourn away for everyday life.

While it is easy to see this as a great challenge — perhaps too great a challenge — it is also an excellent opportunity to change one’s perspective on everything. In a constantly changing world surely it’s better to be adaptable by nature, rather than intransigently sticking to one’s already determined perspective.

A true spiritual quest demands that we give ourselves over, freely and wholly to that quest. And be prepared for the ‘long haul’ there is no quick fix or short step to true enlightenment. In a modern world where there is such a great focus upon a ‘must have now’ attitude that giving oneself over to a long-term journey is almost an anathema to modern society.

But like a great work of art, spiritual realization grows and develops over time. Be that the art of painting or composing great music, the project develops almost by itself gradually growing from what may have begun as a few simple notes on an otherwise blank music sheet or ‘blank canvas’ of the painter who may agonize for days or even weeks before finally deciding where and with what colour to start.

So must it be with any spiritual journey. Utilize what already exists, but use it as a basis for your own spiritual growth. Whatever your chosen path, or indeed the path that chooses you, a spiritual teacher can open the door for you, even tempt you across the threshold, but only you can cross it. Take that step, begin the journey, but recognize most importantly of all, the journey never ends.

Many of the great spiritual teachers will tell you that their journey began with a moment of revelation or even enlightenment and that the rest of the journey is about understanding that moment and, by its very nature, it is an ever-evolving understanding.

Even if one predetermines the goal, i.e. union with your definition of the divine, or oneness with all, or the ‘void’ etc., how will you know you’ve reached it? You can, of course, determine your own criteria but does that not then limit your journey? Stopping and remaining at some resting point, rather than continuing and seeing where your path will take you? Ultimately the journey you undertake is yours, no one can take it for you.