Slipping Away From Spiritual Ideal – Thoughts In Hinduism

Slipping away from spiritual ideal is very common for many people. Here are few thoughts on the matter.

Going through a day without the ideal in mind is the first indication of a slip in spiritual life.

Swami Vivekananda declares, ‘If a man with an ideal makes a thousand mistakes, I am sure that the man without an ideal makes fifty thousand.’ But, unfortunately many spiritual aspirants lack a clear understanding of the ideal and so fail to ‘apply it practically to the details of daily life.’ Hence, Swamiji advises, ‘And this ideal we must hear about as much as we can, till it enters into our hearts, into our brains, into our very veins, until it tingles in every drop of our blood and permeates every pore in our body. We must meditate upon it.’

Explaining how a sadhaka slips away from the ideal, the Vivekachudamani states, ‘If the mind ever so slightly strays from the ideal and becomes outgoing, then it goes down and down, just as a ball inadvertently dropped on the staircase bounces down from one step to another.’

Even a slight digression from the ideal makes the mind descend toward sense objects. Just as the ball inadvertently slipping from the hands on the top stair, bounces to the second, fifth, ninth and finally falls to the bottom of the stairs, even so the mind slips and gathering momentum, finally crashes into a sensate, bestial life.

Source – Vedanta Kesari September 2017

Explanation - Additional Teaching

In the verse from Vivekachudamani, the metaphor of a ball bouncing down a staircase illustrates a profound truth about the nature of the spiritual journey. Just as the ball rapidly descends, with each bounce representing a deeper fall, the mind of a sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) that strays from its ideal quickly spirals downward, losing its spiritual focus. This concept is highly relevant not just in the context of ancient spiritual teachings, but also in modern life, where distractions and challenges often pull one away from one's spiritual goals.

Symbolism of the Ball and Staircase

The staircase symbolizes the spiritual ascent, the path towards self-realization and liberation (moksha). Each step represents progress on this path, and staying steady on this staircase requires mindfulness, discipline, and dedication to one’s spiritual ideals. The ball, in this analogy, symbolizes the mind—restless and prone to be influenced by external forces. The subtle nature of the slip shows how easy it is to fall off the path. A small distraction, a moment of indulgence in worldly desires, can lead to a rapid decline.

Importance of Staying Aligned with the Ideal

This teaching stresses the importance of constantly keeping the ideal in mind. The Bhagavad Gita echoes this sentiment when Lord Krishna says:

"For him whose mind is not steady, spiritual practice is difficult to undertake. But for him whose mind is controlled and strives with the right means, success is assured." (Bhagavad Gita, 6.36)

Spiritual practice, especially in the modern world, requires vigilance. Losing sight of one’s spiritual purpose for even a short period can lead to distractions, attachment to worldly things, and ultimately suffering. The mind is drawn to sensory pleasures and material concerns, which can disrupt the inner peace required for spiritual growth.

A Simple Story from Hinduism: The Tale of the Milkmaid

There is a famous story in Hinduism about a milkmaid who faithfully carried milk to a guru every day. One day, she was late, and the guru asked why. She replied that she had to wait for the boat to cross the river. The guru advised her to repeat the name of God and walk across the water, and in her faith, she did so. The next day, the guru, out of curiosity, tried to follow her but began to sink. He realized that it was her pure focus and unwavering faith that allowed her to walk across the water. When his mind became distracted by doubts, he sank.

This story illustrates the power of unwavering focus on the spiritual ideal. The milkmaid’s faith kept her connected to the divine, while the guru’s momentary lapse in faith symbolized how easy it is for even the learned to stray from the path.

Modern-Day Relevance

In today’s fast-paced world, distractions abound—social media, work pressures, personal ambitions, and constant sensory stimulation. These distractions can easily cause someone to forget their higher purpose or spiritual ideals. For instance, a person may start their day with meditation or prayer but quickly become engrossed in daily tasks, forgetting the peace and focus they cultivated. This gradual shift away from the spiritual ideal can accumulate, leading to feelings of stress, discontentment, or a sense of spiritual loss.

The modern-day sadhaka faces a similar challenge: to keep the mind anchored in the ideal amidst a world full of distractions. This is why practices such as japa (repetition of a mantra), dhyana (meditation), and satsang (keeping the company of spiritual people) are still emphasized in Hinduism today.

Practicality in Day-to-Day Life

To avoid slipping from the spiritual ideal, small, consistent habits can be helpful:

• Daily Reminders: Set aside specific times during the day to reconnect with your spiritual ideal—whether through prayer, meditation, or reading scriptures.
• Mindfulness: Be aware of moments when the mind begins to stray. Acknowledge distractions and gently bring the focus back to your spiritual practice.
• Environment: Surround yourself with reminders of your spiritual goals, whether it’s through keeping a sacred space at home, engaging with spiritually-minded people, or attending spiritual gatherings.
• Reflection: At the end of the day, take a moment to reflect on your actions and thoughts. Were they aligned with your spiritual ideal? Where did you slip, and how can you address it the next day?

Additional Thoughts: A Lifelong Journey

The Vivekachudamani teaches that the spiritual journey is a gradual process that requires vigilance and patience. Like the ball on the staircase, it’s easy to fall, but with mindfulness, it’s possible to stop the descent and start climbing again. The key is to avoid becoming discouraged by temporary setbacks. As Swami Vivekananda said:

"Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached."

Slipping is natural; what matters is how quickly one regains focus and resumes the upward climb.

Similar Example: The Chariot in the Katha Upanishad

In the Katha Upanishad, the human body is compared to a chariot, with the senses as the horses, the mind as the reins, the intellect as the charioteer, and the self as the passenger. If the mind (reins) loses control of the senses (horses), the chariot (body) will stray off course. This imagery emphasizes the importance of controlling the mind and senses to stay on the path to spiritual liberation.

Much like the ball on the staircase, if the charioteer allows the horses to stray, the chariot will veer off, leading the soul away from its ultimate goal.

Conclusion: Continuous Effort Toward the Ideal

The teaching from the Vivekachudamani emphasizes that spiritual life requires continuous effort and mindfulness. It is easy to slip from the ideal, but with consistent practice, discipline, and a deep sense of purpose, one can remain on the path toward self-realization. In a modern context, staying aligned with one’s spiritual ideals amidst a world of distractions is both a challenge and an opportunity for deeper growth. The key is to remember that the journey is as important as the destination and that every moment is an opportunity to return to the ideal.g