Evolution

Yoga Vasista describes eight stages of inner development 

The default stage is ignorance - wherein your trust the unreal to be real and the impermanent to be permanent. the veil of Maya strengthens the ego sense and emphasises this stage. suffering is the hallmark of ignorance. you need self effort to lift yourself off this stage.

Once you have realised that you live in ignorance and want to move towards wisdom to be relieved of suffering, you need a spiritual path and a Guru. the stages of growth are described as below

1. studying the scriptures - scriptures are the insights of the enlightened who share their experiences of hieghtened consciousness. studying the scriptures gives you an idea of all the poosibilites of human consciousness and inspires you to aim for it.
2. Reflection/enquiry - relfecting on the scriptures and enquiry into our life helps you to understand and rleate your life to the wisdom as prescirved by the sages
3. Non attachment/ psychological freedom - by the above steps, you slowly start developing dispassion. dispassion is a product of assimilation of knowledge. dispassion brings psychological freedom from the obligations  and temptations of the world. it also enhances the inner strength to deal with adversity
4. Loosening the grip of Vasanas - the vasanas or deeper impressions then start to  loosen their grip on the individual, so the compulsive actions slowly start becoming conscious actions as the awareness grows
5. Pure awareness or witnessing - as the awareness grows you slowly grow into witness consciousness. your responses are measured and spontaneous
6. Self knowledge - establishing in awareness leads to aatma  Gyaan or self knowledge. this is the stage when there is absolute clarity between the real and the unreal, the doer and the expereincer. this is an irreversible stage and once you are establshed in self knowledge, you cannot fall back into ignorance. duality ceases to exist or exists only as an apparent reality
7. Turiya - transcendental/ savitarka samadhi - this is the non dual state of pure being. I am ness, immersed in bliss
8. Turiyatita - Nirvitarka Samadhi - this is state beyond Turiya, it is called indescribable

This evolution is said to be influenced 50% by the company of the enlightened, 25% by self effort and 25% by. One who is established is in bliss, non dual , has no interest in living or dying, free from subject-object and does not individualise.