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I try to start with the realization that spiritual progress is not something we achieve or gain. I'd put it rather this way, I work to let go of obstacles which prevent us from realizing what we already have. We don't try to gain or achieve our lungs, we only learn how to breath better by removing those things which prevent clear breathing.
Yes. I try to live in such a way as to promote spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing everyday.
This is an interesting question the way you word it, "lose spiritual progress". Yes, we can have setbacks, fall back into negative patterns which create obstacles to spiritual realization. But one thing I am still learning is to realize that growth is not a linear line. Falling back is part of learning how to take the tools you have learned as you are mastering yourself, and applying them to the habits that naturally come back around.
I want to be a better person and reach God and be with Him. To that end I try to especially keep some important verses from the Bhagavad Gita in mind, those that I believe will draw me closer to God in this life. I hope that when I leave my body He’ll be there, ready to make good on His promises:
Spiritul progress = Inner wisdom from the cultivation of the techingI’m not sure I ever understood the term “spiritual progress”.
O Arjuna! He who thus understands the truth about My embodiment and My deeds - he, on abandoning his present body, is not reborn; he attains to Me. 4.9
Whoever thinks of Me alone even at the time of death, attains to My state on abandoning the body. There is no doubt about this. 8.6
Let your mind be engrossed in Me. Offer worship to Me. Be resigned to Me. Beloved as you are of me, I pledge in truth you shall come to Me alone. 18.65
Abandoning (after sincere trial) dependence on all Dharmas (or human efforts at moral and spiritual upliftment),come to Me as the only Refuge. Grieve not; I will deliver you from all sins. 18.66
Now, this is not something everyone believes, nor is it my job, duty or intention to change anyone’s mind. This is something I follow and try to live by. I can’t even speak for other Vaishnavas (devotees of Vishnu).
To that question, yes. Or at least I try. I’m as concerned as the next person about getting through life... paying bills, doing my job as best I can, trying to be the man my dogs think I am.
Yes, as I said about the BG verses. Keep in mind these things are hard to do for us embodied souls.
Does Bhakti translate to Attachments in English? or removal of attachments?Then I guess it’s something I do without thinking about it. It’s become part of my life. We have a thread in the Hinduism DIR about bhakti, i.e. devotion. It can lead to something called being “God intoxicated”. It’s a good feeling.
I check practice with life itself to see how well I fare.
In my head sometimes negative thoughts pop up. I shake them off. I try to have self-awareness. The phrase 'know yourself' I use it as a compass. I use depression as a measure. If I feel depressed, then something doesn't work well, so I try to fix it.
I have reached my goal. So, there is nothing further to seek.
Am always trying to pay more attention to everything, and be in a constant state of awareness; learning where missed bits, to recap and be mindful of the causes, so it can be zeroed as a question.
Try it. It can be useful. Though the differences will remain, of the world and the Truth.
True 'bhaikti' is without attachments. They would just be 'bhaktas' without demanding anything from their deities. They would be happy just with that.
Eh, it's generally a thing associated with Advaita. I do respect Sankaracharya's doctrine, but I don't particularly believe in substance monies or Absolute idealism as he does. Although this is obviously a minor philosophical quibble
Nice. Neither did he. He clearly separated Paramarthika from Vyavaharika. He ran when confronted with a wild elephant or lion (different versions of the story). When people asked him as to why did he run if the elephant or the lion too were Brahman. He replied, "who ran?What elephant? What lion?"