Why dont we all try practising what Vasisthaji maharaj calls 'his' own recommended path of realisation in SRi Yoga-vasistha. He says in nirvana prakaran purvardha before chudala-shikhidhwaj akhyan- ' O rama! i know all the paths of god(or self)-realisation, have traversed thru several universes, met several great yogis like kakbhusundi and shiva, know all about kriyas(tantra shastra),mantra,mani,aushadhis and yoga(including kundalini yoga which he describes n reverts back to gyan-yoga citing detraction from current topic).
FInally, he says that one quarter of avidya(ignorance of self or god) is removed by chanting omkar for one pahar(3 hrs), meditating (dyana-samadhi) for one pahar(3 hrs), reading n contemplating yoga-vasistha for one pahar (3 hrs) and remaining in company of greater sadhakas and saints or guru seva for another three hours for one year. He says this is the sure and recommended way according to him for attaining self awareness in one year (or even before, but only a sadguru cud tell if its really there)if one obeys the general rules of some pious
anusthans like celibacy, pure thoughts etc.
Sanyas Upanishad also states that chanting 12000 omkar for 12 months with celibacy makes one realise the para-brahm.
So, why not try this short method first before going for other much demanding n tiring methods (which may take more than single birthtime in some cases esp in today's times when we have to do so much else to survive) like worshipping some of the mahavidya(which ever path of the each's subdivision like left,right or middle and others), or even kundalini where we have to keep taking repeated dikshas from competent gurus for some seva inturn(service, mostly monetary nowadays) nd fearing to fall in trap of birth-death cycle unknowingly despite efforts of gurudev n ourselves.
Also, i feel this path has less chances of inflating ego arising from the psychic powers(sddhis etc) emerging from the otherwise great tantric or yogic ways of realising self. Even the repeated and generally paid dikshas(concentration or dharana energy from guru) fail to produce the desired effects especially if we arent preparred well.
Of course, this should help even in other tantric or yogic paths (i felt it to some extent) and if one wants, he/she can still attain those siddhis etc later with no or minimal fear of ego inflation arisisng thereof, which causes the bondages n rebirth. Vasisthaji says this in YV also - 'hey rama, ye siddhiyan to abhyas(practcie) ke bal se agayni ko bhi milti hain, but hamare mat mai atamagyan hi pramsiddhi hai'
I respect all the paths and upasana ways and each has something special to offer, but the above is for those who just want to get liberated (or try to get) before and above all those innumerable siddhis which gyanis may or may not play with and agyanis often risk getting tied to.
This is just my humble reference for people who may not have read this in Sri yoga vasistha. For those who know already, its thanks in advance to all the great souls here.
