To understand how to develop qualities for spiritual progress, we can think of the Olympics. In the Olympics, athletes compete from all over the world, for a gold medal, in sports, such as swimming, gymnastics, running, etc. They want the gold medal to show they are the best. What sets apart a gold medalist from those who get a silver or bronze or those who finish as runner-ups have certain qualities:
Unwavering focus
Ruling passion and drive to achieve the gold
Time commitment
Strict discipline
Rock-solid concentration
All the above qualities needed to make an Olympic winner in the field of sports also applies to reaching our spiritual goals. By looking at the examples of saints and masters, who reach the heights of spirituality, we can see what it takes for us to reach the spiritual goal — union with the divine. Saints exemplify the qualities that make a gold medalist. Their achievement is the Olympics of meditation and spirituality. They attain the goal that every person who meditates is trying to attain — reuniting the soul with God. Their lives exemplify all the qualities an Olympic gold medalist needs to win.
Saints have a 100 per cent focus on their goal. They never swerve from that goal. They stick with it until they attain union of the soul with God. From the moment they search for the answers to the mystery of life and death, spiritual masters have a ceaseless ruling passion to achieve that goal. They are fully committed to follow the spiritual teachings. They are full of passion and zeal, another gold medal trait that helps them achieve union with God in their lifetime. Saints make a time commitment to meditation and spirituality far beyond made by many others, which is a key component to their success in finding God. They make a time commitment to meditation and service and stick to it no matter what.
Saints exemplify discipline.
They do whatever is necessary to be successful in achieving the goal of finding God. This success depends on meditation, which they do daily. Along with this, they also live up to the ethical virtues. This involves leading a life of non-violence, truthfulness, purity, humility and selfless service. They are the epitome of non-violence. Their ethical life commands them to live on a strict vegetarian diet and not partaking of alcohol or any intoxicating drugs. Saints have full concentration and focus in meditation. They say that if we sit accurately while meditating, we will soar within. When it is time to meditate, they stick with their schedule no matter what.
If we apply the dedication of Olympic gold medalists and follow the examples of the spiritual masters, we will have a blueprint so that we too can win the gold medal of spirituality. Meditation on the inner light and sound requires full concentration and focus. Ultimately, we reach the purely spiritual realm of Sach Khand in which we become one with God. This is a journey of love and ecstasy. When the soul reunites with God, we are immersed eternally in love and bliss. This is the gold medal of spirituality. The oneness with God is the goal.
