Sadhana for Building a Daily Practice
Sadhana is a Sanskrit term that means “spiritual practice,” or a “means of accomplishing something.” It includes a myriad of disciplines in the Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh systems that are followed in order to achieve a specific objective. Sadhana is a personal effort and tool used to achieve an individual purpose. The objective can be anything from more God-Realization to a better balance with food intake. The result of Sadhana fosters internal connection, calmness and peace while increasing the ability to focus the self more efficiently toward desired goals.
Sadhana requires a commitment. Yogis on the Kundalini path often use Sadhanas that last 40 days or more, that involve practices done on a daily basis to foster a specific change in mind. This is because habits are made or broken after an action is repeated daily for at least this time. Sri Swamini Mayatitananda, highly esteemed Ayurvedic practitioner and teacher, often uses prescribed Sadhanas to foster a better relationship with food. Often these Sadhanas include prayer and singing while cooking, so that the eater really begins to understand that there is an actual relationship we have with the things we consume.
Sadhanas can be made or given. We can go to teachers, guides, or health experts to design a set of daily commitments to help foster a change. Or, we can look at our lives and see where we can accentuate these changes ourselves. Regardless, the practice must encourage settling the mind, introspection, calmness, and self-connection. Often, it is less important that what the activity is than the intention behind it. Running, cooking, cleaning, studying and even work can be used as a Sadhana; as long as it encourages growth, improvement and a greater sense of self. Swami Vivekananda said in light of Sadhana:
“Act now. Live now. Know now. Realize now. Be happy now.
Every death is a reminder. Every bell that rings says, “The end is near.” Every day robs off from you one part of your precious life. Therefore, you should be very earnest in plunging yourself in constant Sadhana.
Never fall a victim to fruitless regret. Today is the best day. Today is the day of your new birth. Start Sadhana now. With folded palms, bid good-bye to past mistakes and faults. You have learnt your lessons. March forward now with new hope, determination, and vigilance.
Waver not. Fear not. Doubt not. Do something substantial in the path of Sadhana instead of wasting your time in idle pursuits and lethargy. You have infinite strength within you. There is a vast reservoir of power within you. Therefore, do not lose heart. Obstacles are stepping-stones to success. They will develop your will. Do not allow yourself to be crushed by them. Defects remind you of perfection. Sin reminds you of virtue. Chose the positive path.
If you think, “I will take a bath when all the waves of the sea subside”, this is not possible. The waves will never subside and you will never take a bath. Even so, if you think, “I will start spiritual Sadhana or meditation when all my cares, worries and anxieties cease, when all my sons are fixed up in life, when I have ample leisure after retirement”, this is not possible. You will not be able to sit even for half an hour when you become old. You will have no strength to do any rigorous Tapas when you are in advanced senility.
You must start vigorous spiritual practices when you are young, whatever your conditions, circumstances and environments may be. Then only you will reap a rich spiritual harvest when you become old. You will enjoy the everlasting peace of the Eternal.” Swami Vivekananda.
Some examples of possible Sadhanas:
Mindfulness Eating Sadhanas
Every morning for breakfast, commit to spend 15 minutes eating in silence for the course of 8, 24, 32, or 40 days. That means: no t.v., talking, radio, reading or writing.
Concentrate on the textures, tastes, and smells of your food.
Give a prayer of blessing before you eat.
Feel your hunger.
Feel your fullness.
Express gratitude.
Prayer/Meditation Sadhanas
Practice a prayer, chant or meditation from your spiritual or religious understanding. Use the same technique every day for 40 days. Notice if there are any changes or shifts in your consciousness at the fulfillment of this commitment.
Enhancing a Craft Sadhana
Every day practice a craft you wish to improve. Set the amount of time for practicing (can be as little as 15 minutes) as well as the amount of days (40 is best).
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