RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

Stages of the Saints — Part 1

How to prepare for greater spiritual awareness

The European monks and nuns of the Middle Ages passed through four stages in preparation for the awakening and development of spiritual awareness. As we explore these stages we discover how they may aid in our spiritual practice. (Part 1 of this series focuses on the first three stages.)

Stories

Let Us Walk with the Saints

Let us prepare for the awakening and maturing of spiritual awareness within. It’s an exciting journey. Are you ready to go? Shall we walk with the saints? These are helpful stages for all seekers wishing to develop spiritually.

These four stages help one to prepare for the awakening and maturing of spiritual awareness
Purgative Way: Repent past sins, the false sense of self, and yearn for God. This leads to becoming a sincere seeker
Virtuous Way: Cultivate existing virtues and develop new ones, thus allowing the soul to express more fully

Patanjali: When hindered by a problem or flaw, put the energy on the opposite virtue.
Illuminative way: Pour your energy into creating habits based on the virtues. This leads to spiritual realizations and transformations
Unity: The fourth stage where one lives in spiritual awareness permanently