Nobody can join college, the moment he steps into school. Several stages have to be reached and got over - the Primary, the Middle, the Secondary, the Higher Secondary, and the Intermediate. So too, we have in the spiritual path, the stages of Work, Worship, Wisdom and finally, Sacrifice. Sacrifice is when the ripe fruit fails from the tree, sacrificing its affection and attachment, weaning itself away from its support and sustenance. Work is for the physical level; worship for the mental and wisdom for the spiritual. You have to pass through the three stages, each one of you. When I say, you, there are three you’s! The one you think you are - namely the body, the physical person; the one others think you are, the mental you - your passions, emotions, impulses, attitudes, beliefs, feelings; and the one you really are, namely, the Atma, the Spirit, the real Reality of your Personality. (SSS Vol.11)

Those attached to God, aspiring for God, aware of God, adoring God have certain distinct marks by which they can be identified. Such people have a compassionate heart. If a person tums the rosary on the fingers, and is intently engaged in watching the tip of his nose unmindful of the distress that dances around him, we can at best name him a sloth, that is all. Get up, place the rosary in its bag, and activate yourselves in relieving distress - that is the true spiritual path. Do not waste all your years with stone images, pictures or idols. Learn to see in every living, vital, active person, the embodiment of all energy, all beauty, all beneficence, namely, God. God is subtler than ether, filling the smallest crevice with his majesty. Know this and serve his manifestations, wherever you meet them. (SSS Vol.20)