What are some of the issues and obstacles that can arise in the direction of spiritual realization?

The biggest problem or obstacle on the path to spiritual realization is ignorance. When ignorance is removed, spiritual realization happens naturally! The root cause of all bondage is ignorance What is one bound by? One is bound by ignorance — Agnan and one becomes liberated through knowledge — Gnan. What actions continue to perpetuate the worldly life (adhikaran kriya)? It is the ignorance (agnan) of one’s real identity (the Self). Ignorance of one’s Self is the force and power behind these actions. When one says, ‘I am John (please insert your name here)’ and believes that to be the case, and this belief is in all his actions as well — that ‘illusion’ is what perpetuates the worldly life. The illusion of, ‘I am this’ arises, which is the foundation of the worldly life Not a single property of the Prakriti (characteristics of John) lies in the Self; not a single property of the Soul (the Self) is present in the Prakriti (John). Properties-wise, the two are separate. However, the illusion is created due to the close proximity of the two (John and Self). Due to illusion, the two seem to be one. And that verily is the adhikaran kriya of the entire world. On attaining Gnan from Gnani, the illusion is removed!!! By its very nature, the Self is in a state of moksha (totally free); but because of one’s ignorance of the Self, one experiences bondage. When is the feeling of liberation experienced? It is when the Gnani Purush (the Enlightened One), with His infinite energies and spiritual powers, shakes and awakens the worldly Soul. Gnani Purush is the manifested formless form as He represents moksha in the living form. Within one hour, He makes one experience the Self (Spiritual Realization, Self-Realization). Such is the phenomenal spiritual prowess of Akram Vignan, the step-less path to Self-Realization! When we attain Self-Realization, we attain awareness of the Soul However, the experience of the pure Soul is unclear and indistinct. Thereafter, our effort to attain a clear and distinct experience of the pure Soul/Self begins. At this point, the Enlightened One explains: “Just like you enter in medical college, here (on attaining Self-Realization), you are entering the college of liberation. But (thereafter) at least 300 hours per year, you have to spend with us; 300 hours means 12–13 days (in a year). You be in touch with us because it is given knowledge. So there are so many confusions, so many beliefs we are having because of whatever we are doing from the time we want liberation. We want salvation, so we have been doing something up to this life. Whatever you do with doership, won’t help you reach the realization of pure Soul. (Therefore), you can be in Satsang, in touch with us. You ask, “Whatever I am doing is correct or wrong, what is correct?” So, we’ll explain you. Then, the wrong belief will get fractured, as the right understanding, more and more clear understanding, you are getting from this Satsang. Then only, you will get more and more experience of pure Soul. So first, understanding should be clear. Then awareness, and then experience of Pure Soul. These are the steps. When you remain in touch with us, you will get step-by-step awareness and further experience of pure Soul exactly. That’s why we are always preferring that you should remain in Satsang, in touch with us!” To read more, visit: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/self-realization/