In spiritual terms this is an attempt to find out whether his life is progressing as per the Laws of Dharma (Dharma in Sanskrit means 'purpose in life') which, according to the scriptures, is said to be the sole purpose for a human being to manifest in this physical form. 

Should the contents of this page stimulate at least some among you to make a small attempt towards honest introspection, to rediscover the dormant 'spirit' within you and enable you to take the 'first' practical steps into spirituality then its purpose would have been served. 
 

THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY 

Before embarking on such a 'spiritual' journey it was essential that I understood the purpose to my life as well as the route to be taken to reach my goal. 

PURPOSE IN LIFE  

According to the Law of Dharma the purpose of life consists of finding answers to 3 questions. 

(1) 'Who am I' ? The real goal of our lives is to discover our 'True Self'. Most people tend to 'exist' rather than 'live'. They go through life with the assumption that they are ' mere' Human beings having occasional Spiritual experiences (if any). Only a few who look inwards might come upon the answer that man in fact is indeed a Spiritual Being having been endowed with a Human Form in this birth!. This insight helps them to live in the world without actually being of the world. 

Understanding this is the fulfillment of the First Law of Dharma. 

(2) 'What is unique about me'? Our intelligent 'creation' doesnot create anyone or anything without a purpose. Obviously each of us possess some 'unique' aspect that neccessiated our arrival in this form. Put simply 'there must be one thing one can do, and one way of doing it, that is better than anyone else's in the entire creation'. 

Discovering or attemting to discover this 'uniqueness'  within us constitutes the fulfillment of the second law of Dharma 

(3) How do I express my  'uniqueness' ? : We have been endowed with such unique talents not for our exclusive use but for the benefit of the the rest of the 'creation'. And this one should do without seeking 'returns'.  One has to convert the internal dialogue of the Ego from 'what's in it for me?'  To the internal dialogue of the Spirit which is 'How can I help?" 

By doing this we fulfill the Third Law of Dharma. 
 

THE PURSUIT OF SPIRITUAL LIFE 

Next I considered how I was going to try and pursue this Spiritual Goal of : 

(a) Seeking my higher self, Which is beyond his Ego, through Spiritual practice. 

(b) Discovering talents unique to me by constantly looking 'inwards'. 

(c) Planning a method of putting these ' talents' to benefit not just myself but all that makes up our Creation BUT without  raising my usual question 'what's in it for me'?  Because : 

THE MEANS TO LIBERATION: Then I looked at the two paths that are available. 

1. The path of Action (Karma Yoga) 
2. The path of Knowledge (Jnana Yoga). 

But these are NOT two 'different' means to self-realization in that every spiritual aspirant HAS to progress from the stage of Action (Karma Yoga) to the stage of Knowledge (jnana Yoga). There is no 'choice' between the two. 

LIFE STYLE OF THE ASPIRANT  

The concept of Institutions (Ashramas) has been considered to be ideal for the natural spiritual evolution of man. 

There are 4 Ashrama (institution) stages. Each Ashrama has its advantages and disadvantages. But first a look into these ashramas. 

THE INSTITUTIONS ( ASHRAMAS) 

The Hindu scriptures (Vedas) have envisaged a society in which the interests of both the individual and the society are nurtured. If Social life has to be harmonious there should not be any room for a clash between Individual aspirations and the well being of the society. The Vedas mention a 4-fold classification of Society (VARNAS) and 4 Stages in one's life (ASHRAMAS) to promote the above. 

THE 4 CLASSES OF THE SOCIETY 

(A careful understanding of the class-system would make it clear that the classes are not OUT there in the outer world. They are within ones own BODY!  A body has a head  
(Intellectual area), Shoulders (giving strength to fight or defend oneself), stomach (the in- come or business area) and the legs (the hard work area). So when Hindu scriptures spoke about the society and the 4 so-called class systems ( Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya and shudra) they were referring to the BODY and the 4 parts Head, Shoulders, Stomach and the Legs. Each one of us has capacity for hard work (Shudra), has the earning area (Vaisya), has the self-defense area (Kshatriya) and the thinking area (Brahman). A lack of understanding of this symbolism has caused and still continues to cause much strife and suffering within the Hindu society even now.) 

Brahmin(intellectual community): Refers to the intellect part of the body, the mind . 

Kshatriya (warrior community): Refers to the 'strength' area of the body, the shoulders. 

Vaisya(Business community): Refers the earning and sustaining part of body, the stomach. 

Shudra (Labour community): Refers to the hard working and 'labouring' part of body, the legs.  

All are parts of the 'whole' body. All are necessary and inter dependent on each other. Yet in our ignorance we considers some parts superior and looks down upon the others!  
 
 

THE 4 STAGES OF LIFE  

These stages are meant to foster spiritual growth. 

1. Brahmacharya: Meant for 'study' or 'education', which is essential to equip the individual both for secular and spiritual life. This lays the foundation to 'Spirituality' at a later stage. 

Once the foundation is laid then there is a choice between opting for a life totally devoted to 'spirituality' (sanyasa or renunciation ashram) or to take up traditional path of 'family life' (grihastha or householder ashram). 

2.GRIHASTHA or Householder: A stage when ones aspirations are progressively realized. This usually is a period of intense activity and hence the extrovertedness. This stage provides enough scope for the fulfillment of secular aspirations. The pursuits of personal aspirations and desires are legitimate and conform to the tenets of Dharma. Anchored in such values one gradually graduates from self-centeredness to selflessness in one's actions. 

3. Vaana Prastha: This stage is a preparation for Renunciation from worldly life. This is a period to be devoted to contemplation by slowly detaching one self from family and Social Obligations. Scriptures permit this stage to be lived within the family initially but eventually to retire into the seclusion of an Ashram. Detachment or rather understanding and shedding attachment would be the watchword during this period. 

4. Sanyasa or Renunciation: Successful progression through the above 3 stages would make one's mind mature and ready for spiritual life. 

Just as a fruit-bearing tree serves others by providing fruits and also takes care of its own interests by propagating itself, the seeker realizes his personal goal and serve society by following this scheme. 

Nothing in the creation is 'absolutely' good. So in this case. It is the mental makeup of an individual, which makes him opt for a particular life style.