When we speak of spiritualism, we equate it to a monastic life. All householders look up to spiritual heads to receive something and anything. But Agathiyar tells us that we can achieve all that is sought by living with the family. The idea here is to not fully be detached as in the former but to go about our responsibilities with love and care, but remain detached. One has to be prepared to drop or let go when the need arises. This includes all the limelight turned on us, the followers that begin to arrive, the institutions that one establishes, etc. But more and above all these are the byproducts and their grip that results from the internal transformation that takes place. As the energies dormant in us are activated by our spiritual practices, they bring on Siddhis, or powers that one has to recognize and walk and tread carefully lest he hurts himself and others. One needs to differentiate the truth and the false or rather the original and duplicate by constantly watching one's thoughts and not acting on these false impersonations. Here is where the test lies. Here is where many souls who have arrived here tend to fall flat on their faces and never regain their former stand in society. But one has to walk through this phase too. He needs the experience. Just as the Siddhas are constantly watching their disciples carry out the given practices and come to their aid in the event they hurt themselves as a result of these practices, the Siddhas are ever watchful of these seemingly magical moments in this phase of their disciples and come to end the ride when things seem to get out of hand. Imagine if we were to travel solo without the guru or Siddha?
It is only saints like Ramalinga Adigal and Buddha who can walk the path and not pay attention to all the lures of Maya that appear before us on this journey. The Siddhas have us fall prey or fall into the clutches of Maya for want of experience, for how shall we know and tell or forewarn another of the dangers lurking behind the shadows. If we choose to adhere to the tips and hints and warnings issued by the Siddhas we shall sail through unscathed carrying the much-needed experiences and not the scars.
Do not attempt to travel the spiritual path alone. Take on a guru. He has been there. He shall save us. It is often the strong-willed that faces the most challenges. Maya finds means to destroy him or her. It finds ways to tarnish his or her image. It finds a way to dethrone him or her. Though we are not easily lured, we shall unknowingly slip into states that lead to destruction. This is especially true when we are almost reaching the summit or standing at the last door that opens up to the heavenly world of the divine.