My dear seeker, you have come here with a question—perhaps a longing buried deep in your soul. You wish to break free, to find meaning beyond this fleeting world. But do you know what true liberation is? It is not a place. It is not a prize. It is not something that will be achieved in the future. It is your very essence, waiting to be realized.

Moksha—absolute liberation—is the awakening from illusion, the dissolving of all karmic bonds, and the end of suffering. It is the state where you no longer wander in the cycles of birth and death. And yet, it is not a journey from here to there—it is a journey inward—a journey of discipline, of wisdom, of surrender.

Allow me to take your hand and lead you through these nine profound steps—each one a journey walked by sages, seekers, and those who possess the true courage to explore the depths of existence. This is not mere theory or abstract ideals; it is a tangible truth rooted in the experiences of those who came before us. As we set embark on this journey together, we will explore the wisdom contained within every step we take, uncovering transformative lessons that may have been hidden until this moment. Together, we will follow the twisting path to eternity’s elusive door and destination. And discover the potential for transformation and enlightenment that awaits us all.

1. Desire for Liberation (Mukti ki Lalasa)

Tell me, seeker—what do you long for? Is it wealth? Is it love? Is it recognition? Or do you thirst for something beyond? The very first step toward Moksha is desire—but not for the transient things of this world. You must burn with a longing so deep that nothing else satisfies you.

Many begin their journey only after suffering shakes them awake. Pain, loss, disillusionment—these are not punishments; they are invitations. They whisper to you, “There is something beyond this. Find it.”

When you truly yearn for liberation, everything changes. The world no longer deceives you with its fleeting joys and passing sorrows. You begin to see through the illusion. And with that, the path opens.

But beware—desire alone is not enough. It must be nurtured, fed, and transformed into unwavering resolve. Without action, even the most intense longing fades into a forgotten dream.

2. Search for a Teacher (Shikshak ki Talash)

You cannot walk this path alone. No one can. Even the greatest realized souls had guides. A true teacher is not one who gives you knowledge; they awaken the knowledge already within you.

But beware! The world is full of those who claim to be enlightened. A real guru does not seek followers. A real guru does not demand devotion. A real guru does not imprison you in their teachings—they set you free.

When you are truly prepared, your teacher will manifest before you, guiding you on your journey. But this preparedness is not one of passive waiting, but comes from a deep commitment to learning and understanding. Set out with sincerity and sincerity, and the course you are destined to follow will gradually reveal itself to you.

Do not let discouragement seep in if your search seems prolonged; remember that the most valuable treasures require time and perseverance to uncover. The knowledge you are looking for tends to reside deep within experience, and speedy endeavours can take you off track.

Also, remember that the guru might not necessarily be a person; instead, it represents the collective knowledge and wisdom that life itself has in store. Accept every experience and challenge as a foundation, a stepping stone towards a deeper and better understanding, for they are part of your path to enlightenment.

3. Following the Teacher (Shikshak ka Anusaran)

Discovering a teacher is merely the start of an inner journey; letting go of their teachings is where the work begins. The ego, that perpetually defensive part of ourselves, will tend to fight against this process. It questions with things that linger in our heads—”Why should I take their word for it? Why is their wisdom greater than mine? How do I know they are telling the truth?” This self-talk is laced with scepticism and disbelief.

But, dear seeker, let me ask you a question: if you were lost in a vast and harsh scorching desert, would you not walk in the tracks of an experienced guide who has already found the way to the revitalizing oasis? Would you allow your doubts to keep you from approaching their shelter and sustenance? At this moment, a sage guide is someone who has travelled through the terrain you are now in and who can guide you toward realization.

It’s important to clarify that this journey doesn’t call for a blind faith, nor does it mean forfeiting your sense of self. A true disciple actively engages in the process of learning. This includes listening intently, questioning thoughtfully, reflecting deeply, and eventually deciding to follow the path laid out by the teacher. This approach demands a level of humility—an acknowledgement that to think you already possess all the answers is to close the door to new insights and growth.

To follow does not equate to relinquishing your discernment. Rather, it embodies walking the path with an open heart and an alert mind, embracing each lesson as it unfolds and understanding that wisdom reveals itself in the perfect timing of experience. Each step in this journey enriches your understanding and broadens your perspective, transforming your initial reluctance into a powerful tool for growth.

4. Profound Meditation (Gahan Dhyan)

Close your eyes and breathe in deeply. In this instant, ask yourself, what do you really see? First, you may experience an enormous field of blackness—a void that seems all-encompassing. Next, as your consciousness broadens, thoughts start to arise—active, churning, unrelenting. But if you continue in this inner search, if you develop a stance of observing without judging, you will see yourself penetrating deeper. Beyond the realm of thought. Beyond the borders of the mind. Beyond the boundaries of the self.

Meditation transcends the simple act of sitting with eyes closed; it is a profound and sacred journey back to your true essence. It’s the process of shedding layers of delusion that have built up over time to show you the real, unpretentious you that lies beneath. The more you practice, the more you realize: you’re not just your body, or your mind. You are not your pain or your difficulties.

Approach meditation not just as a routine but as a heartfelt homecoming—an unconditional return to the self. As you dig deeper into this quiet space, you will find that liberation draws nearer, illuminating the path ahead. When thoughts arise and tug at your attention, resist the urge to fight against them. Instead, adopt the perspective of an impartial observer. Watch them flow by like clouds drifting across a vast sky. Allowing them to pass without attachment can lead you to a profound stillness. In this serene stillness, the ultimate truth of your existence will begin to unveil itself, offering clarity and insight into your true nature.

5. Knowledge of Reality (Vaastavikta ka Gyaan – Ekatantrik Drishti)

Now, pay close attention. The world you perceive—have you ever truly questioned its reality? Is it authentic or merely a product of your imagination and dreams?

All that comes into being is meant to pass on. All the creatures born are bound to meet their demise one day; nothing lasts forever. And still, we cling tenaciously to these delusions, believing they are real, finding solace in their familiarity. Real wisdom is beyond outer appearances; it is the quality of perceiving things as they are, and not as our desires or our fears would paint them.

And when you reach that clearness of vision, fear vanishes like morning mist in the sun. Suffering, which usually arises from our illusions and attachments, starts to melt away, exposing the beauty of life’s ephemeral nature. You learn to admire the majesty and vast sweep of existence, a moving rhythm you no longer struggle against nor resist. This awareness is the breaking of true freedom, one that frees you from the shackles of delusion.

It is essential to understand that this wisdom cannot be found within the pages of books or taught in classrooms; it is something that must be lived and experienced. Once this profound insight is truly seen, it becomes an indelible part of your awareness—impossible to unsee or dismiss. Embracing this truth transforms your perspective, granting you the power of resilience that no circumstance or situation can ever strip or take away from you.

6. Control (Sanyam)

Mastery over yourself is the greatest achievement you can aspire or desire to. It invites a deeper reflection and self-examination. Ask yourself these questions:

Do I truly control my thoughts, or do they dictate my emotional landscape and responses? Are my thoughts constructive, or do they spiral into negativity?

Do I speak with intention and awareness, or do my words flow freely and unchecked, possibly causing misunderstanding or harm? Each word carries weight—am I mindful of that weight before I release it into the world?

Do I act from a place of wisdom and understanding, or do I allow my impulses and desires to pull me in various directions, often leading to regret or chaos? Am I responding thoughtfully to situations or simply reacting?

A seeker of liberation—a journey toward self-fulfillment and peace—must cultivate discipline. This practice is not to be considered as a limiting influence but as an effective tool that enriches our lives. It opens the doors to mastery of our thoughts, words, and actions, thereby bringing clarity to our purpose and choices. Clarity lights up our way and gives us the freedom to move about in life elegantly.

True control does not equate to suppression or denial. Rather, it is the art of finding a beautiful balance within. It takes discernment—the know-how to do what needs doing and when to hold back and think. Such balance brings about inner peace and trust, which enables us to meet life with grace and intelligence. It is the dance of harmony within, where the mind, heart, and spirit move together in harmony and create a meaningful and satisfying life.

7. Conviction (Dharna)

Doubt is a natural part of our human existence. It can strike at the most unexpected times, sowing seeds in us of doubt in our heads. But it’s always important to recall that doubt must be considered a temporary visitor and not a resident guest within our heads. Welcome it when it comes, but don’t let it take hold and stay.

There will most certainly be days when the road ahead appears impossible to traverse and when the burden of obstacles seems too great to carry. On such days, you will feel the urge to turn back to the comfort of known lands to forsake the quest entirely. But it is in such strife that your own strength shines brightest. Conviction is a light, illuminating the way ahead when the path is shrouded in fear and uncertainty.

Rather than looking to the world around you—the uncertain, frequently turbulent terrain of life—look within and ground yourself in the realities you have come to understand. These realities offer stability and clarity in the midst of chaos. Let nothing—no external opinions, circumstances, or setbacks—shake you from your chosen path.

Dedicate yourself entirely to your vision and purpose. Commit to the journey with unwavering determination. The deeper your conviction runs, the more liberated you will feel, for it is through commitment that we uncover our true potential and find the freedom to be who we truly are.

8. Absorption (Samadhi)

Visualize one drop of water as it sets out on a journey, falling serenely into the endless body of the ocean below it. Is the drop still in its separate form at that point? By no means. It blends harmoniously with the ocean, being inseparable from the endless body of water surrounding it.

This metamorphosis represents Samadhi—the deep experience of releasing the constructed self, the ego that tends to imprison our true self. In this holy instant, the drop as a distinct being no longer exists; it submits to the ocean of existence, where the distinction between “I” and “you” dissolves into one universal consciousness.

This condition is neither death nor destruction but the height of real life, where the drop reaches its ultimate destination. It is not withdrawal from the world but, with full emotion, a reunion with the infinite. This is the ultimate return home, where one melts into the beingness of existence, feeling the wholeness of life at its deepest level.

9. Dissipation of Sins from Mind (Man Se Paapon Ka Naash)

Now, seeker, behold the profound truth that has eluded you for so long—you were never bound by any chains. You were never truly lost in the labyrinth of existence, nor were you ever impure at your core.

All your sins, the weight of karmic chains that seemed to bind you, and the profound suffering you have endured—it was merely a shadow cast by the veil of ignorance. This shadow, so convincingly dark, appeared real, but it was a mere illusion. The moment understanding dawns within you, the shadow fades away, not because it has been forcibly eradicated, but because it was never substantial to begin with.

Liberation is not a distant goal; it is right here, available to you at this very moment. Will you choose to open your eyes and recognize the truth of your existence? Embrace this awakening, and let the light of knowledge illuminate your path.

Conclusion: The Final Awakening

My dear seeker, as we walk into this deep journey side by side, we will discover ourselves revealing truths long hidden from us. But I have to wonder—were these truths really hidden at all until now? Or were they just waiting in the wings, patiently waiting to be seen and unravel by you when the time was right?

Liberation is not a distant or far-away goal or an elusive destination. It is not a hard-earned prize or a secret treasure tucked away in some mystical dimension waiting for the lucky few to discover. No, it exists here, at this very moment. It is intertwined with your essence; it is you. The sole barrier between you and Moksha—the ultimate liberation—is the illusion of separation, the misguided belief that you are somehow imprisoned. But ponder this: Who is it that is bound? And by what invisible chains?

The world has shaped your perception, teaching you to identify with your body, your name, your thoughts, and a myriad of desires and fears. For countless lifetimes, you have lived under this veil of illusion, adopting the belief that you are incomplete and perpetually striving for fulfilment in transient external possessions and experiences. However, when you awaken to clarity, you begin to realize that incompleteness is but a mirage. You were never bound by any limitations; you were never truly lost in the vastness.

Consider the nine steps to liberation—not merely as theoretical teachings but as sacred keys. Each step serves to unlock a deeper layer of truth within you. It starts with freedom’s yearning, an awakening that agitates your very being. Then comes the guidance of the teacher, shining your path with insight and wisdom. Meditation brings you quietude, stilling the roiling waves of your mind. In peace, wisdom cuts through the illusions that had imprisoned you.

As you set out on this path, discipline sharpens your perception, enabling you to see the nuanced levels of reality. Your faith strengthens your commitment, driving you onward on this holy journey. And lastly, in the blissful state of immersion, rigid self-boundaries melt away, revealing the infinite quality of your essence—an expansive presence that has always been beyond the limits of delusion.

But what follows? Do you read these words merely, agreeing to them, then go back about your life unaffected? Or do you muster up the courage to make that life-changing first move? Only realization will truly set you free, dear one. Knowledge without it cannot empower you—freeing comes with realization and deep awareness that remakes your frame of mind and behaviour. This awareness can only be found if you sink yourself into the substance of this truth, that it seeps into your head and heart. It’s a matter of living it, breathing it, being it in each instant of your life, and making these perceptions part of your day-to-day interaction, choice, and association. Only in this way can you start to find the authentic change you are looking for.

Do not wait for the elusive perfect moment, for it does not exist. The idea of future liberation is just that—an idea. The only true reality lies in the present moment, in the ‘now.’ Take a moment to close your eyes and turn your gaze inward. If you do, you will discover that you have already arrived at a place of profound awareness and understanding.

Let go of the fear that holds you back; it serves only to create barriers between you and your true self. Release the doubt that clouds your judgment; it is a mere illusion that distracts from your innate potential. Embrace the opportunity to step beyond the confines of the mind, beyond the ever-changing self, and beyond the illusions that life presents. In doing so, you will find a clearer path to authenticity and fulfilment. Each step you take into this deeper awareness brings you closer to the freedom you seek.

In that fleeting moment, when everything around you dissolves into the essence of pure awareness, a profound smile will emerge on your lips. It will be a smile born not just from joy but from a deep realization—the understanding that you have always held the key to your own freedom. In that clarity, the burdens that once seemed heavy will lift, and the illusion of separation will fade away, revealing the innate truth of your existence. You will recognize that liberation was within you all along, waiting patiently to be acknowledged.  

— Param Dwij