Page 126 - Wisdom Unfurled

Way to Realisation(Role of the Abhyasi) Introduction
It is interesting that Revered. Master should have thought about writing a book on the role of the abhyasi as one of His last works. The book which is a compilation from His other works was published about 25 years after the system of SRRY had been revealed to the public. In the beginning and for quite sometime the belief had been gaining ground that the entire responsibility of bringing about the spiritual transformation lay squarely with the Master in SRRY with the abhyasi having precious little to do other than just becoming a member by expressing his willingness for the practice, duly enrolling himself through the introductory sittings and attending individual sittings and satsanghs. While it is true that the Master’s support is very crucial for the spiritual unfoldment of the abhyasi in the PAM practice, the abhyasi can by no means ignore his responsibility. He is the seeker interested in achieving the goal he has set for himself and hence must understand the full implications of the goal thus set, go after it with the Spartan spirit as the Master says, ‘either with the shield or on the shield’ and stop not till it is attained. If he is to be called a true follower, he has to act meticulously and in full compliance of the Ten Commandments in letter and spirit understanding their true import and significance. He should observe all the practices, meditation, cleaning and prayer as laid down in the system. He should be regular in keeping his appointments with his trainer, attend satsanghs and maintain his spiritual diary which will be shown to his trainer to enable appropriate training to be imparted to him.
Non-attachment- its cultivation in family life
The Master begins the subject by emphasizing the need for cultivating the spirit of non-attachment by the abhyasi as without this it would be impossible to be free from the clutches of Maya. The Master does not advocate the physical renunciation or non-possession of things towards this end. All our problems are owing to the undue attachment we have for the things, places and persons in this world and also towards certain ideas and ideologies as well. What we need to do is not to give up the things we have or run to the forest relinquishing our worldly duties but only develop due attachment towards the things associated with us. Having been born in this world, one has his duties towards it as well as towards God, the source from which all this has come about. As the Master has clarified in the last Chapter, Grihastashrama is not a barrier for realizing the Ultimate, rather it is best suited for equipping oneself for achieving perfection. It provides one with the