Vedic teachings offer a model for a lifetime of spiritually conscious, purposeful living by suggesting that we view our lives with four significant stages. These stages are related to age and to the physical, psychological, and spiritual developmental tasks required of us to mature, express our innate potential and fulfill our divine destiny. The core focus of this life plan is to provide a supportive structure and encourage us to arrange conditions to experience Self-realization, or enlightenment, in this lifetime. Life is seen through the lens of spiritual purpose focused on that goal while in the world doing what we are called to do, and required to do, at different times.
The first stage of life is the stage of the student or brahmacharya. Brahmacharya indicates celibacy (which is appropriate in this early stage of life), but also in its expanded definition, it means “to walk with God.” This time relates to life as a child and young adult. It is the first twenty or twenty-five years of life when one is primarily engaged in study—learning the skills and spiritual philosophy that will support a lifetime of conscious living. In this stage, the primary task is to mature and learn self-discipline with particular emphasis on physical, mental and moral disciplines. We are learning about life, about family, community, vocation, and how to live effectively.
The second stage is that of the householder or grihastha—generally from twenty-five to fifty or sixty years of age. This is the primary time of family, civic, and spiritual responsibility. Our spiritual practice is a thread that runs through all of our activities, infusing them with higher purpose so that we do not lose sight of the goal of life. The task at this stage is learning selfless service and generous giving that purifies the ego and makes a positive contribution to society. Householders have a place of particular significance in this four stage pattern. They are principally the ones who are engaged in supporting others at this juncture. It is their work, energy and finances that support family, societal needs, and the well-being of their spiritual communities. They are the “pillars” of community and family life. The challenge at this stage is to remain spiritually centered, to not get lost in one’s family life or vocation but to understand that this too is a passing stage in life. This stage is one that people may desperately cling to if they do not see the greater spiritual plan for their lives. When the children are grown and move on and the time for retirement comes, without the perspective of the other stages in life, there are those who feel “life” is over at this point. They become depressed or engage in behaviors that reveal they are trying to cling to a stage of life that has passed. Understanding the beauty and
higher purpose of the natural stages of life helps us let go gracefully from each stage and progress to the next.
The third stage is one called the forest-dweller, hermitage or vanaprastha period. This is a time when our focus becomes more interiorized and more time is made available for meditation and spiritual study. For those in the West, this time roughly coincides with retirement, with the age period ranging from fifty or sixty to seventy-five. With family and community, one now
occupies the role of wise elder or mentor. The forest-dweller name refers to the central task of this stage which is to simplify our lifestyle and to seek surroundings that are quiet and conducive to contemplation and meditation.
The fourth stage is that of the sannyasin or renunciate, generally the time period ranging from seventy-five to one hundred plus years. In this period, one renounces all worldly goals and is focused solely on spiritual realization. One in this stage has let go of professional and community roles and is free to engage as a spiritual teacher, assisting others by sharing spiritual realization through knowledge and transmission of awakened consciousness. The task of this stage is to be supremely free.
When we become aware of this divine pattern for truly fulfilled living, it can help us at any stage. Whatever age we are, we can reflect on the responsibilities and obligations we have, and commit ourselves to fulfilling life’s greatest duty—to be Self- and God-realized in this lifetime.
Think About It: A householder asked Sri Ramakrishna, “Can we realize God?” “Why not? Sri Ramakrishna replied, God is your own self, the Self of your self…[The] Only necessary changes you must adopt [are] in your life. Then it will be possible.” In this way, spiritual growth will become the key words of human development hereafter. Along with nphysical and intellectual growth, there must be stress on spiritual growth. n“Have I grown spiritually?” Everyone must ask this question. –Swami Ranganathananda
Be Inspired: Retirement means abidance in the Self. Nothing more. It is not leaving one set of surroundings and getting entangled in another set, nor even leaving the concrete world and becoming involved in a mental world.
–Ramana Maharshi
The first stage of life is the stage of the student or brahmacharya. Brahmacharya indicates celibacy (which is appropriate in this early stage of life), but also in its expanded definition, it means “to walk with God.” This time relates to life as a child and young adult. It is the first twenty or twenty-five years of life when one is primarily engaged in study—learning the skills and spiritual philosophy that will support a lifetime of conscious living. In this stage, the primary task is to mature and learn self-discipline with particular emphasis on physical, mental and moral disciplines. We are learning about life, about family, community, vocation, and how to live effectively.
The second stage is that of the householder or grihastha—generally from twenty-five to fifty or sixty years of age. This is the primary time of family, civic, and spiritual responsibility. Our spiritual practice is a thread that runs through all of our activities, infusing them with higher purpose so that we do not lose sight of the goal of life. The task at this stage is learning selfless service and generous giving that purifies the ego and makes a positive contribution to society. Householders have a place of particular significance in this four stage pattern. They are principally the ones who are engaged in supporting others at this juncture. It is their work, energy and finances that support family, societal needs, and the well-being of their spiritual communities. They are the “pillars” of community and family life. The challenge at this stage is to remain spiritually centered, to not get lost in one’s family life or vocation but to understand that this too is a passing stage in life. This stage is one that people may desperately cling to if they do not see the greater spiritual plan for their lives. When the children are grown and move on and the time for retirement comes, without the perspective of the other stages in life, there are those who feel “life” is over at this point. They become depressed or engage in behaviors that reveal they are trying to cling to a stage of life that has passed. Understanding the beauty and
higher purpose of the natural stages of life helps us let go gracefully from each stage and progress to the next.
The third stage is one called the forest-dweller, hermitage or vanaprastha period. This is a time when our focus becomes more interiorized and more time is made available for meditation and spiritual study. For those in the West, this time roughly coincides with retirement, with the age period ranging from fifty or sixty to seventy-five. With family and community, one now
occupies the role of wise elder or mentor. The forest-dweller name refers to the central task of this stage which is to simplify our lifestyle and to seek surroundings that are quiet and conducive to contemplation and meditation.
The fourth stage is that of the sannyasin or renunciate, generally the time period ranging from seventy-five to one hundred plus years. In this period, one renounces all worldly goals and is focused solely on spiritual realization. One in this stage has let go of professional and community roles and is free to engage as a spiritual teacher, assisting others by sharing spiritual realization through knowledge and transmission of awakened consciousness. The task of this stage is to be supremely free.
When we become aware of this divine pattern for truly fulfilled living, it can help us at any stage. Whatever age we are, we can reflect on the responsibilities and obligations we have, and commit ourselves to fulfilling life’s greatest duty—to be Self- and God-realized in this lifetime.
Think About It: A householder asked Sri Ramakrishna, “Can we realize God?” “Why not? Sri Ramakrishna replied, God is your own self, the Self of your self…[The] Only necessary changes you must adopt [are] in your life. Then it will be possible.” In this way, spiritual growth will become the key words of human development hereafter. Along with nphysical and intellectual growth, there must be stress on spiritual growth. n“Have I grown spiritually?” Everyone must ask this question. –Swami Ranganathananda
Be Inspired: Retirement means abidance in the Self. Nothing more. It is not leaving one set of surroundings and getting entangled in another set, nor even leaving the concrete world and becoming involved in a mental world.
–Ramana Maharshi
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