Is it possible for married people who have produced children to attain spiritualism after they have completed their family duties. Can you give some recent examples of people who did that ?
—mrnirajsharma@rediffmail.com, India
Dear Friend,
I am married with two children and four grandchildren. I have lived with my wife and family in the Ananda Community for all the years of my 40 year marriage. I am a kriyacharya and a nayaswami, ordained by Swami Kriyananda.
So YES! Let me explain: in former times, looking back over the centuries, we see that in the west and in the east, spirituality was characterized by those who donned robes and left behind village and family life to live in the mountains, ashrams, monasteries, the forest or desserts.
But times have changed and a new dispensation of spiritual understanding is dawning upon people of faith and devotion. Rather than reject the world, it is time, and millions are doing this, to “bring Spirit to life” in the home; at work; at school; in business; politics, medicine, and science.
In the original edition of Paramhansa Yogananda’s now-famous life story, “Autobiography of a Yogi,” he stated that the householder path can indeed be the higher path if one lives without attachment and with devotion and sincere seeking moksha and freedom in God. For this purpose, especially, the immortal Babaji gave to Lahiri Mahasaya (1861) permission and the mission to begin the spread of kriya yoga. He was given permission to offer the kriya key of liberation to “all who are sincere.” No longer limited to monks, swamis and other formal reununciates.
Even with a busy family life, you can make time for daily meditation; time to serve God’s work; to help your neighbors; to be kind and generous to those in need and those rejected by others. You can lead a Christlike life just as Yashoda, Radha, and so many others, mothers all!
Joy to you! May the blessings of Divine Mother light the path of your life to freedom.
Nayaswami Hriman
Seattle, WA USA
