In order to evolve,  one has to know the attributes and the pitfalls of this existence, as perceived through the thought process.

In observing the external world, one learns to adjust one's thought process and behaviour to meet one's needs and requirements as related to the "external" world.  This is the process of evolution of the thought process.

In observing and reacting to the events thrown at the individual self by the external world,  our thoughts learn to act in the manner that apparantly protects and furthers the interest of the self.

THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION OF THE MIND FROM ITS BIRTH TO ITS ULTIMATE MERGER WITH THE PARAMATHMA IS WHAT IS PERCEIVED COMMONLY AS EXISTENCE.

According to the PARAMATHA, evolution of thought occurs when; (1) it learns to recognize the temporary nature of the perceived physical world, (2)recognizes that it is complete in itself and has to only look within the self to find all the answers.  (3) Relinquishes the illusionary "I" that it has used to relate to the physical world.  

THE MIND MUST DEVELOP THE CAPABILITY TO TRANSLATE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE EXTERNAL WORLD INTO LEARNING ABOUT ITSELF.  IN OTHER WORDS THE REALIZATION MUST SET IN THAT THE SEQUENCE EVENTS THAT WE ALL OBSERVE HAS BEEN ENACTED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEARNING ABOUT THE SELF AND HAS NO OTHER SIGNIFICANCE. 

THE NEXT STEP IS TO DEVELOP THE ABILITY TO TRANSLATE THESE EVENTS INTO ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL FUNDEMENTALLY TRANSFORM THE THOUGHT PROCESS.  FOR EXAMPLE,  WHEN WE EXPERIENCE WEALTH AND GOOD HEALTH BEING GAINED AND LOST,  WE REALIZE THAT WE REALLY DO NOT OWN ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD AND NOTHING CAN EVER BE OURS.  THIS EXPERIENCE SHOULD ENABLE OUR MINDS TO DEVELOP AN ACCEPTANCE, DETACHMENT, WHICH WILL RESULT IN US GIVING UP MENTAL OWNERSHIP OF ALL OBJECTS AND PEOPLE THAT WE THOUGHT BELONGED TO US.

EVOLUTION OF THE MIND OUT OF ITS KARMIC SHELL REQUIRES DETACHMENT TO A VERY HIGH DEGREE.  DROPPING DELUSIONAL PERCEPTIONS, DISCARDING THE PURSUIT OF MAYA, REALIZATION OF THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SELF ARE ALL VERY DIFFICULT OBSTACLES TO CROSS OVER (BECAUSE OF THE DEEP ROOTS THAT THESE THOUGHT PROCESSES HAVE TAKEN IN THE MIND).  

IN ADDITION TO TAKING OUT THESE DEEP ROOTS FROM THE MIND,  ONE HAS ALSO TO OVERCOME KARMIC FORCES ON A DAILY BASES.  KARMIC FORCES TEND TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING ROOTS, BY POSING A CONSTANT CHALLENGE TO THE MIND.

ONCE MENTAL OWNERSHIP IS GIVEN UP, THE MIND IS FREED FROM ONEROUS AND DELUSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WERE WEIGHING IT DOWN WITH EMOTION, WORRIES, FEARS AND ANXIETIES.  THIS FREES UP MENTAL ENERGIES THAT CAN NOW BE CHANNELED INTO GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.  THOUGHT PROCESS NOW MOVES ONE STEP HIGHER.

IT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD VERY VERY CLEARLY THAT EVOLUTION DESCRIBED ABOVE WILL OCCUR AND THOUGHT WILL MOVE UP ONE STEP ONLY WHEN REALIZATION SETS IN.  IN OTHER WORDS, THERE SHOULD BE NO DOUBT IN OUR MINDS WHATSOEVER THAT WE DO NOT OWN ANYTHING.  KARMA WILL CONTINUALLY TEST OUR CONVICTION BY GIVING (AND ALSO TAKING AWAY)  WEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS.  IF WE SUCCUMB TO ITS MAYA AND ARE TEMPTED TO TAKE OWNERSHIP,  WE WILL BE THROWN BACK DOWN ONE STEP, AND WILL HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.

EVOLUTION CANNOT OCCUR WHEN THE MIND IS IN A STATE OF CONFLICT.

ONCE CONVICTION SETS IN,  OUR THOUGHTS WILL GRADUALLY PROGRESS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, GAINING MOMENTUM WITH EVERY STEP THAT IS TAKEN.

IN THE FIRST THREE STAGES, THE MIND IS TURNED COMPLETELY OUTWARDS TOWARDS MATERIALISM.  IT IS IN THE FINAL STAGE THAT MOST OF US REFLECT AND TURN BACK INWARD.

THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION OF THE MIND INVOLVES REMOVING THE ROOTS WITH WHICH THOUGHTS ARE BORN (FEAR, IGNORANCE, INSECURITY, CONFLICT, HAPPINESS/MISERY ETC.), AND REPLACING THESE WITH SELFLESSNESS AS THE PRIMARY MOTIVATOR.   IF THE INITIAL ROOTS ARE ALLOWED TO CONSOLIDATE OVER A LONG PERIOD,  IT WILL BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THEM.  THIS IS ONE OF THE MAJOR REASONS WHY THE INITIATION SHOULD HAPPEN AT AN EARLY STAGE.

THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY TWO MAJOR STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN ATTEMPTING THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS.   ONE IS TO CONDUCT DAILY LIFE IN A SATTVIC/DHARMIC  MANNER WITH DETACHMENT.  STEP TWO IS TO TRANSCEND THE "I" OR THE EGO IN THE THOUGHT PROCESS (THROUGH PRACTICE OF DETACHMENT). 

Recognizing and identifying the motivators of thoughts is the first step towards retaining and strengthening the positive aspects while minimizing or eliminating the negative aspects.

IN ORDER FOR THE THOUGHT PROCESS TO ESTABLISH SELF CONTROL, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE FORCES OR IMBALANCES THAT CAUSE THE THOUGHT PROCESS TO HAPPEN BE RECOGNIZED SO THAT THESE CAN BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.