# 12. How to Spiritually Progress If you want to take someone somewhere, first you have to meet them where they are. It’s a simple but often overlooked point. This principle stands universal – in education, in parenting, in leadership, in marketing, and even in the development of spirituality. One reason why the Vedic tradition is considered the most advanced theology in existence is because of its multi-level ingenuity. Though it clearly establishes the ultimate goal, the apex of spiritual consciousness, it simultaneously offers multiple options of spiritual practice for those unable to immediately grasp the most elevated level of purity. Although the goal is one, the steps of progress toward it are numerous. In Chapter Twelve, which constitutes the final of the *Bhakti* chapters, Krishna gives a flavour of His magnanimity and flexibility. Having established unalloyed devotion (*bhakti-yoga*) as the most evolved path of spirituality, He goes on to offer other options, recognising that this heartfelt connection may not be within everyone’s immediate grasp. Progressive steps towards such a pure devotional spirit include the practice of regulated spirituality, worship through one’s daily work, offering of charity, and the cultivation of knowledge. The spiritual path is not all or nothing and one can begin their journey according to what is appealing and achievable. Elsewhere in the Gita, Krishna talks about worship of demigods, impersonalism and the even the practice of pantheism. When we look at the world we see that the majority of people may not be searching for pure, unalloyed love, but rather have many other ‘not-so-spiritual’ desires in mind. Thus, different types of worship allow one to fulfill their material aspirations and simultaneously step onto the ‘spiritual ladder.’ For example, worship of various ‘demigods’ to attain wealth, health and prosperity is sometimes prescribed. Such worship and practice, over a period of time, will bring the practitioner to a more refined and elevated sense of spirituality, where they completely divorce themselves from worldly pursuits. In maturity, they arrive at the point of desiring an unmotivated relationship and reciprocation with the one Supreme God. The best teachers deeply understand the needs, interests and concerns of the audience they teach. They expertly address those aspirations in a way that simultaneously elevates their spiritual status. One size never fits all, and teaching has to be tailor-made and personalised. This gives great hope to students who may see the ultimate goal as way beyond their reach. The teachers will remind them about what perfection looks like, but consistently focus on progression forward from the point they are currently at. This insight is invaluable for our own spiritual journey. Often there is a gap between the ideal and the real – where we are, and what the ultimate goal actually is. These gaps can sometimes feel uncomfortable. The practical and incremental steps forward that Krishna offers bolster our hope and optimism that reaching the ideal is not a utopian aspiration. We have to start where we are, use what we have and do what we can. Progress brings perfection. ### [**“*****My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me."***** (Bhagavad-Gita 12.9)**](#user-content-fn-1)[^1] ### References [12.8-12 – Multiple stages and options that Krishna offers for spiritual progression.](#user-content-fn-2)[^2] [^1]: **Bg. 12.9** अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्न‍ोषि मयि स्थिरम् ।\ अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्‍तुं धनञ्जय ॥ ९ ॥ *atha cittaṁ samādhātuṁ*\ \&#xNAN;*na śaknoṣi mayi sthiram*\ \&#xNAN;*abhyāsa-yogena tato*\ \&#xNAN;*mām icchāptuṁ dhanañ-jaya* My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me. \ Source: [Vedabase](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/9/) [^2]: **Bg. 12.8** मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय ।\ निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशय: ॥ ८ ॥ *mayy eva mana ādhatsva*\ \&#xNAN;*mayi buddhiṁ niveśaya*\ \&#xNAN;*nivasiṣyasi mayy eva*\ \&#xNAN;*ata ūrdhvaṁ na saṁśayaḥ* Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt. \ Source: [Vedabase](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/8/) **Bg. 12.9** अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्न‍ोषि मयि स्थिरम् ।\ अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्‍तुं धनञ्जय ॥ ९ ॥ *atha cittaṁ samādhātuṁ*\ \&#xNAN;*na śaknoṣi mayi sthiram*\ \&#xNAN;*abhyāsa-yogena tato*\ \&#xNAN;*mām icchāptuṁ dhanañ-jaya* My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me. Source: [Vedabase](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/9/) **Bg. 12.10** अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव ।\ मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥ १० ॥ *abhyāse ’py asamartho ’si*\ \&#xNAN;*mat-karma-paramo bhava*\ \&#xNAN;*mad-artham api karmāṇi*\ \&#xNAN;*kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi* If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage. \ Source: [Vedabase](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/10/) **Bg. 12.11** अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रित: ।\ सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं तत: कुरु यतात्मवान् ॥ ११ ॥ *athaitad apy aśakto ’si*\ \&#xNAN;*kartuṁ mad-yogam āśritaḥ*\ \&#xNAN;*sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ*\ \&#xNAN;*tataḥ kuru yatātmavān* If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated. \ Source: [Vedabase](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/11/) **Bg. 12.12** श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते ।\ ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम् ॥ १२ ॥ *śreyo hi jñānam abhyāsāj*\ \&#xNAN;*jñānād dhyānaṁ viśiṣyate*\ \&#xNAN;*dhyānāt karma-phala-tyāgas*\ \&#xNAN;*tyāgāc chāntir anantaram*\ \ If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind. Source: [Vedabase](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/12/)