The Five Great Stages of the Spiritual Path – Opening the Heart

Third in a series of talks by Dayanandi on the five great stages of the spiritual path

These five stages or dimensions have recently been brought to prominence in the Triratna Buddhist Community as the five main principles or facets of the spiritual life, important to develop and keep in balance:

1. Integration and mindfulness
2. Positive or creative emotion
3. Vision or spiritual death
4. Transformation or spiritual rebirth
5. Receptivity or spontaneity

Sangharakshita’s summary of the stages as five simple precepts

1. Keep up the effort to be mindful and aware and as together as possible, as integrated as possible
2. Remain in as positive a mental state as you possibly can
3. Do not lose sight of your ultimate goal at any time
4. Try to apply this to practice at every level whatever you’ve realised or discovered or seen on the highest level of your being at any time
5. Do your best for other people, do what you can to help people