Modern people tend to neglect the spiritual life. Most of us think that money can buy everything. However, there is one thing that is not being sold at any market shops. Pure happiness, this is an inner feeling that comes from within.
In Saadhana Panchakam, Adi Sankaracharya(788-820 CE), a great master from India wrote 5 basic principles to achieve happiness. Shankara presented a summary on how to perform sadhana. The word sadhana means practice. The goal is the highest joy that comes from our awareness which is one with the Absolute Reality.
Those steps are self knowledge, good company, awareness, discipline, and action.
Self knowledge is the realization of our true self. Merely, we are not this body, mind, and soul. There is something within us that beyond those three layers of consciousness. In India, people named It as the Self, the Atman or Purusha. This Self-Realization comes through a deep meditation.
Good company is a community which supports our spiritual growth. The members consist of loving and caring person. Commonly, they have a Perfect Master (Sat-Guru) as the center point of devotion. Everyday they serve His Lotus feet to cut down their arrogance and selfishness.
Awareness is the realization of unity and oneness. Thus, we are all interconnected and governed by the same law of nature. Discipline is a strict attitude in tune with the nature.
Last but not least, action as the ultimate step. Talking about food will no make us full. The most important thing is putting the food in our mouth, than chewing it. Therefore, let us take the first step to awareness today.
5 Steps to Awareness by Anand Krishna, reviewed by Nugroho Angkasa
First Published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama Indonesia (2006)
Number of Page: 162
Published at: http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Steps-to-Awareness&id=5176951