Tyaga (Inner detachment) or Sannyas (Outer detachment) in Spiritual Journey

We come across two sets of paths chosen by seekers on spiritual journey – one who practice Inner detachment (TYAGA) and second who practice Outer detachment (SANNYAS). For householders like me who have commitments in family and social front and so indulge in a professional career to earn livelihood and fulfil professional commitments, this path is akin to Karma Yogi (selfless service).

Attachment to family and intense desire to give, to arrange resources needed, to facilitate family decent living and ensuring good quality of education to children with positive values and ethics principles, to survive and grow in objective world, are considered normal. 

Having had an opportunity at early age to get connected with teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother through study circles, which had routine of reading passages from books written by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother with brief meditation in beginning and closing of each meeting, sowed the seeds of positive values and attributes and inculcated inclination to spirituality. 

Having met senior sadhaks of Sri Aurobindo ashram who were accomplished professionals in their respective fields imbibing a simple life with high degree of Humility with intense service attitude had influence on me in forming my choices as I grew to be an engineer working in Indian transnational and multi-national organizations in senior positions. I can remember having positive vibes received from Sri Navajata ji, Sri Surendra Nath Jauhar of Delhi Branch (popularly known as chacha ji, Dr. Indra Sen ji and Dr. Maheshwari ji, Mr. Vijay Poddar ji.

I chose to path of Inner detachment (TYAGA) during my journey and consciously lived a simplistic life stye. Continued connect with Ashram as a member of SAS ensured development of positive values and sustenance of Sattvik food habits and daily dose of reading from passages of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Threefold approach of Aspiration, Rejection and Surrender helped in my transformational journey. In retrospect, I feel satisfied with progress in the journey so far. 

So, for us who choose to live in worldly life and continue to be in respective professional fields, Tyaga (Inner Detachment) could be the preferred way in spiritual journey.

- Pranav Srivastava (India)

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