Third Stage

Third Stage

Systematically to carry on the Divine Mission on a large scale, I established the DIVINE LIFE TRUST SOCIETY in 1936 and registered the Trust Deed at Ambala. In 1936 when I was returning from Lahore after presiding over a Kirtan Conference, I just thought of a Trust Society and alighted at Ambala and consulted an Advocate and prepared the Trust deed. Then the Divine Life Society was established for the dissemination of spiritual knowledge throughout the world and subsequently about 300 Branches were opened in all important cities. Thousands of students received initiation from me into the order of Sannyasa. So long as they undergo training they stay with me and work. Advanced students start their own Mission in big cities or have their own Sadhana in the Himalayan caves.

Thirsty aspirants in all parts of the world receive guidance through post. Series of articles come out on the practical side of Yoga, Bhakti, Vedanta and Health through leaflets, pamphlets and bigger publications, in various languages. Leading newspapers in all countries publish my articles on Yoga, Health and general spiritual matters. Half a dozen periodicals are published at the Ashram in English and Hindi for circulation through the world. The Ashram is now in a position to maintain about 400 persons, learned and cultured scholars, Mahatmas, Yogins, devotees, poor people and the sick, not to mention the school students of the neighbouring villages.

A CENTRE OF DYNAMIC SPIRITUAL REGENERATION

Many foreigners come to the Ashram and spend some weeks or months and admire the wonderful work turned out at the Ashram. The inhabitants of Shivanandanagar, young and old, men and women, enjoy the peace and bliss of this Holy Centre and help the world in a variety of ways. They all receive my careful, personal attention. I provide them with all comforts and conveniences and help them in their evolution.

There are a number of buildings, Kutirs and Guest Houses for their stay. Over thirty typewriters work day and night for attending to correspondence and book-work. The Yoga-Vedanta Forest University trains a large number of students through able and qualified professors and teachers. The students become well-versed in all the scriptures. The University Press is now equipped with several electrically operated automatic machines of composing, printing, folding and binding. For the dissemination of knowledge among youths, Essay Competitions are conducted and scholarships offered to prosecute their studies in Colleges and High Schools.

The Sivananda Hospital is a blessing to the Mahatmas, Yogins, pilgrims and the poor people of the neighbouring villages. Experienced doctors in different systems of medicine attend to the Hospital work. The General Hospital is equipped with modern apparatus like X-Ray, Diathermy and a High Frequency Apparatus for E.N.T. and eye cases.

Special worship in the Lord Viswanath Mandir has given a new life to the sick persons all over the world. People get peace and prosperity by such worship done in the name of the devotees. I am filled with immense joy when I receive hundreds of letters from devotees who say that their lives were saved through the special prayers conducted in the Temple of all Faiths at the Ashram. They write volumes on the miraculous escapes they had in their lives.

Leaders and followers of other religions and cults also come and stay at the Ashram and find this an ideal centre-a common platform-to serve the world. I see before me a huge Spiritual Colony with Joy and Bliss in the face of every resident. People come with many motives (such as attaining material and spiritual benefits) and they are all stunned to have their wishes fulfilled in a large measure. Glory to the Lord for bestowing this Ideal Centre for all types of seekers after Truth.

In addition to the normal activities, occasional Blind Relief Camps are organised at the Ashram and at out-stations also. Provincial Divine Life Conferences are organised in important cities of India. Devotees and students come in batches during their holidays and join the daily routine and Satsanga, and derive incalculable spiritual benefits.

Third Stage – Deepening Practice, Inner Stability, and Spiritual Maturity

Third Stage is a more advanced period in the spiritual journey where the seeker begins to move from occasional inspiration to steady inner discipline. In the earlier beginning, the mind may struggle with doubt, laziness, distraction, and worldly attraction. But through regular practice, good company, prayer, self-control, and sincere effort, the aspirant starts gaining strength and clarity.

At this level, spiritual life is no longer treated as a side activity. The seeker understands that the purpose of life is higher than mere earning, enjoyment, praise, comfort, and social success. Duties may continue, relationships may continue, and daily responsibilities may remain, but the heart begins to turn more steadily toward truth, purity, and God-realization.

Third Stage brings a deeper understanding of the temporary nature of worldly pleasures. The seeker sees that wealth, beauty, power, position, relationship, and physical comfort cannot give permanent peace. These things may have practical value, but they are changing. This understanding creates mature detachment, not bitterness. The aspirant learns to live in the world without being completely bound by it.

The mind becomes more watchful in this phase. Earlier, anger, desire, jealousy, pride, and fear may have ruled the mind strongly. Now the seeker begins to observe these movements carefully. They do not blindly obey every impulse. They pause, reflect, and try to respond with wisdom. This self-observation becomes a powerful tool for inner purification.

Third Stage requires stronger discipline. A seeker should maintain regular prayer, meditation, mantra repetition, study, service, and self-examination. Practice should not depend only on mood. Whether the mind is joyful or dull, peaceful or restless, inspired or dry, the aspirant continues. This regularity gives depth to spiritual life.

Devotion becomes more sincere at this level. Prayer is no longer only asking for outer help or relief from trouble. It becomes a loving connection with the Divine. The heart begins to seek purity, guidance, surrender, and inner strength. The seeker slowly understands that divine grace works quietly through every experience.

Third Stage also teaches the importance of selfless service. Service reduces ego and expands the heart. When actions are performed only for personal gain, they create bondage. But when duties are done as offering, they purify the mind. Helping others, speaking kindly, sharing wisdom, and doing one’s work honestly become forms of spiritual practice.

Meditation becomes deeper with continued effort. The seeker may still face thoughts, memories, distractions, and emotional waves, but they are less discouraged. They begin to understand that meditation is not the absence of every thought, but the training of attention and awareness. Slowly, silence becomes more familiar and inward peace becomes stronger.

Discrimination becomes sharper. The aspirant reflects again and again: What is permanent? What is temporary? What is the self? What is not the self? Am I this changing body? Am I this restless mind? Am I this ego that rises and falls? Such enquiry weakens false identification and points the seeker toward the witnessing consciousness.

Third Stage is marked by growing balance. Praise does not excite the seeker as much as before, and criticism does not hurt as deeply. Success is accepted with gratitude, and failure is accepted as a lesson. The mind becomes less dependent on outer approval. This inner steadiness is a sign that spiritual understanding is becoming practical.

Good company remains essential. Even a sincere seeker can be pulled down by careless company, worldly talk, and negative influences. Satsang, noble books, scriptures, lives of saints, and association with disciplined aspirants protect the mind and renew inspiration. The seeker becomes careful about what they read, hear, speak, and think.

Humility must be protected at this level. Some progress may come, and the ego may secretly feel superior. This is a danger. Real spiritual growth does not make one proud. It makes one simple, gentle, compassionate, and grateful. The aspirant should remember that all progress comes through effort, guidance, grace, and purity.

The seeker should continue daily self-examination. Before sleep, they may ask: Did I control anger? Did I waste time? Did I serve anyone? Did I remember the Divine? Did I act with ego or humility? Such honest reflection prevents self-deception and keeps the path clear.

In the end, Third Stage is a period of deepening practice, stronger discipline, and growing inner maturity. It helps the seeker move from restless effort to steady spiritual living. Through devotion, meditation, discrimination, service, purity, humility, and self-control, the aspirant becomes more peaceful, balanced, and ready for higher realization.

The Superman of India