Spiritual Education or Brahma Vidya is essentially an education that transports us from the present state (whatever it is) to the ONLY state that we need to be in (The Reality). And this process of Education involves basically three steps viz., Shravanam (Listening that is to hear with attention), Mananam (Continuous Reflection) and Nidhidhyasanam (Deeper Contemplation or Meditation)that should ultimately lead to Saakshatkaaram (Realising or Actualizing the Truth). These steps apply to any process of Education specifically to spiritual education without which Realization that every soul is craving/yearning for remains unachieved.
Shravanam means to listen with attention. Listen to whom? Listening what a Realized person has to say. Even reading or watching a video or listening to an audio of that person can also be called as Shravanam today. Their words are to be heard with absolute attention in absolute silence without missing a single pause, gesture, tone, feel or expression.
Mananam which means trying to reflect uninterruptedly on what has been heard; trying to understand not only the superficial meaning but deeper meaning and also trying to perceive what is is said without being said - reading in between the lines. As Great Beings do not say anything directly to any person that is to be corrected in him/her. It is left to us to understand and make the necessary amends. Mananam should go on for sufficient time till one is satisfied enough that he has not left off anything to understand. Mananam also involves thinking of pros and cons of what has been said, questioning in one's own self to understand all the possible aspects of what has been heard. This should result in comprehensive understanding of the subject that one has heard. Education is not yet complete. This step also involves referring to various literatures, discussions and debates if required.
Nidhidhyaasanam which means deeply meditating on the meaning of what we have heard and reflected. It does not involve thinking because all thinking is done in the previous step Mananam, now it is ONLY contemplating deeply on the essence so that it is digested thoroughly and becomes a part of our system. This in some way completes the learning but education is yet to be complete.
Saakshaatkaaram is the final phase of this spiritual education where the contemplated Truth becomes the Reality or is actualized in a very real sense and one is face to face with Reality so to say and there is no iota of doubt of what one is experiencing which amounts to acquisition of Real Knowledge - Brahma Vidya.
Real Knowledge is acquired ONLY by following these steps. This is a tested truth and it has been followed since aeons in India from Vedic times.
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