The Human Potential

By Rudra Shivananda

One of the obstacles that beset all sincere spiritual aspirants is the doubt that arises from contemplating the amazing transformation of an essentially ignorant normal human being into an enlightened Master in one life-time. How is such a miracle even possible?

The great Masters have always taught that a human birth is a great opportunity for spiritual advancement. It is no wonder that we do not take their words as seriously as we should. This is because we are all too aware of human frailties and our disposition for negative actions, words and thoughts. However, the Masters keep teaching that even the gods are envious of a human birth. It is because we do not believe them in our hearts that we limit our spiritual progress.

We must take to heart that just as a seed cannot contemplate that one day it will grow to become a huge tree, just so a human being has all the potential to become an enlightened Master. The body-mind-soul complex of a normal human being can under the right circumstances unfold and develop into a cosmic being without limitations, just as with proper tending, sunlight and water, a seed can develop into an oak tree.

In spiritual yoga, we learn to develop the untapped potential of the life-force body with its energy centers (chakras) and energy channels (nadis) through the practice of pranayama and meditation. The sadhana or spiritual practice is the sunlight and water which transform the seed of spirituality within each human being.

A source of untapped power within us is that of Kundalini. Somehow, by a miracle of universal consciousness, this cosmic power lies dormant within every human being, waiting to be awakened whether in a million years or within this lifetime – it is our choice.

Just as the development of a seed takes its natural course and cannot normally be forced upon it, just so the unfolding of the cosmic being occurs in its natural rhythm per the efficiency of the practice. The spiritual practitioner should persevere and not be concerned about the rate of progress or time-frame for success because these are the result of doubt.  The anxiety and stress from this doubt will delay the transformation as they infect the practice itself.

Each and every day, before beginning our practice, we should give thanks to the universal consciousness for our human birth and the potential invested in us. Let us put aside our doubts and set our sights firmly on the development of that potential with the unswerving dedication to the Masters who have and are still leading us from darkness to light.