Skip to content
  • Paths
    • Find Your Way
    • All Yogas
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Karma Yoga
    • Jnana Yoga
    • Raja Yoga
    • Hatha Yoga
    • More Yoga Paths
    • Mantra Yoga
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Keys to Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Sunday Morning Sessions
    • Bhakti Yoga Talks
    • Sri Ramakrishna Talks
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating with Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Yoga Terms
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Staff Favorites
    • Recent Additions
    • What’s Coming Up?
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • About
    • What We Offer
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Mission
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Paths
    • Find Your Way
    • All Yogas
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Karma Yoga
    • Jnana Yoga
    • Raja Yoga
    • Hatha Yoga
    • More Yoga Paths
    • Mantra Yoga
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Keys to Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Sunday Morning Sessions
    • Bhakti Yoga Talks
    • Sri Ramakrishna Talks
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating with Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Yoga Terms
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Staff Favorites
    • Recent Additions
    • What’s Coming Up?
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • About
    • What We Offer
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Mission
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Share
RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

Choose the Real

What are the stages of the heart leading to spiritual awakening?

Awakening comes as a result of meditation, love, devotion and God’s grace. It is called the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Comforter you have been yearning for suddenly floods your being with love, joy and admittance to the spiritual world. Sri Yukteswar (The Holy Science) beautifully describes the five stages of the heart one passes through toward awakening. Understanding these states can guide your development as you move from level to level.

Classes in Higher Yogas

Spiritual Evolution

Trace your spiritual evolution. Starting with the Dark heart, recall the time when you were certain the physical world alone was real. You were unaware, ignorant of Spirit. Now recall the growing feeling that there must be something more. You became Propelled, searching for reality, meaning, and lasting happiness.

The Propelled state leads to Steadiness and an awakening. That is what meditation is all about, becoming spiritually aware and connected. In the Steady state, spiritual consciousness regularly moves within your being. You become established in it and Spirit does the rest. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the contact with the Divine awareness which guides you through the levels of consciousness to the realization of God.

  • Sri Yukteswar (The Holy Science) describes five stages through which the heart progresses
  • In the Dark heart one views the material world as the only reality
  • In the Propelled state, worldly pleasures are no longer satisfying. One becomes a seeker, searching for that which brings lasting happiness
  • As one becomes Steady, one grows in spiritual awareness. The kundalini awakens and rises up the spine
  • When one has a Devoted heart, spiritual energy moves in our chest, throat and head. In delight, one surrenders to the guidance and movement of the Holy Spirit
  • In the Clean state, one no longer just reflects spiritual light but manifests All limitations are released and one consciously lives in the presence of the Divine

Watch Next

30:30
Want to know how to stop tension before it enters your body?
25:58
Discover how you can relax any part of your body any time you want
19:25
Tips for removing obstacles to a good night’s sleep
The “Delightful Search” is...
1. Finding your path to higher consciousness
1. Finding your path to higher consciousness
Correct

Discover hints for finding your personal path to higher consciousness.
2. Traveling to new places
2. Traveling to new places
Try Again
3. Discovering new friendships
3. Discovering new friendships
Try Again
4. None of the above
4. None of the above
Try Again

New This Week

38:50
What is dominant in your life — ego or soul?
36:02
How can we change the flow of our consciousness?
Show More
Home > Talks > > Choose the Real
Next
Main Site Footer
  • Home
  • Paths
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search
  • Home
  • Paths
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search

© Copyright 2026 Yoga World Fellowship

  • Terms and Privacy
  • Sitemap

How to Succeed

As you may know, we do not charge for our courses. All Yoga World content is free and available to you with our blessings. However, we do have a simple, but important request that’s key to the transformations necessary to succeed on the path.

We ask you to commit two hours a week to selfless service. This service can be anything you choose ranging from helping a family member or neighbor to volunteering at a nonprofit organization.

I Commit to Serve

This commitment is solely between you and your inner self.

Why the Commitment?

Share with a Friend

NOTE:  We will not share your information with third parties.