Sadhana, according to Wiki, quite literally translates as "a means of accomplishing something". Wiki also states that it is an "ego-transcending spiritual practice that includes a variety of disciplines that are followed in order to achieve these objectives. Sadhana is a means whereby bondage becomes liberation."
Sparks flew for me when I read the Elephant Journal article http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/12/my-sadhana-is-taking-over-my-life--david-robson/ and then again when I read the definition. I know I know, Wiki cant be a reliable source, just ask any professor at CSU. Whatever. Dictionary.com says the following:
| "one of a number of spiritual practices or disciplines which lead to perfection, these being contemplation, asceticism, worship of a god, and correct living | |
| [from Sanskrit: effective] I take this as pretty much the exact same definition. Validity proven. So as I peruse this topic almost obsessively in my own mind, deeply desiring to always push the envelope of my knowledge base, and how I can be a better person, a more enlightened being and thus, hold the ability to offer others a source of their own illumination, I cant help but to relate my own life experiences, circumstances, and oddities into figuring out the deeper truth of Sadhana. People always ask me, "how long have you been doing yoga" to which I always reply, "my whole life". For me this holds true on numerous levels, for what is the progression of the soul but learning how to live our yoga (our union with the divine inside of us all) throughout all of our lifetimes, all of our incarnations, and thus, the entirety of our lives? Sometimes people ask "when did you start practicing yoga" to which I reply, "in the womb" because I honestly believe that in the womb we know only of our connection, no persuasion of anything except the concept of pure love and nourishment. And though there are many whose parents may not have joined in love, or whose time in the womb was one of abuse (drugs, thoughts, poor nutrition, physical abuse, etc), the body, specifically the growth of the fetus, has an impeccable ability to stand in the face of adversity in so many cases (I am not speaking to those individuals who fight everyday and for years to carry child. This is another topic and one I do not wish to address here). Without getting too heady or into my beliefs, it is my opinion that we choose our parents and thus our lives, our journeys, and what we feel that our soul needs in order to progress towards that more evolved enlightened state. We are born into this life innocent and of purity of soul, ready to discover lessons anew. Though there are most likely not alot of memories of previous lives vivid in our thoughts, Im sure we would not be able to move ahead in the evolution of ourselves if something inside the fibers of our light could not recall previous walked paths. Looking at this perspective, Id say our Sadhana begins whenever we began. Somewhere along the line we get caught up in the ego. We lose ourselves to the conveniences of life and in todays society that seems ever so prevalent with drugs, poor choices made by big corporations (Monsanto), beliefs pushed onto us by those that choose fear, and numerous other intricacies to persuade us to move away from light, love, life. Even though I believe in the core of my being that Ive been doing yoga for eons, my physical practice in this lifetime didnt really begin with consistency until I was 18. I was one of those individuals who started down the drug path early (summer going into the 6th grade officially, though I was always finding ways to conceal myself and somehow get back to a life that I knew I was apart of, yet just couldnt quite wrap my finger around its existence, beginning as an infant). And while according to many sociology texts, professors, and conversations, the use of drugs is a lack of self-esteem and a wanting to escape. I participated in the illicit and in the abuse of the socially acceptable in order to get back home. Wherever or whatever that was. For so long I felt disconnected and lost and wanted so desperately to just feel God....again. I found it fleetingly when I was 16, sitting in math class, staring at the chalkboard, pretending to pay attention but really praying for guidance for help and for someone to just take me away from all of this. Time stopped, I saw the most incredibly beautiful light that no words could or ever will be able to describe, and in that moment, I knew that angels were with me and that I wasnt alone. Granted it took a few more years for my act to clean up, but the day I was sitting in my friends basement doing an asana practice I will cherish and remember always as a pivotal point of gentle persuasion into the realm of personal revolution, my Sadhana. As the years progress my yoga practice naturally evolves. I have found in yoga what I was searching for from the time I was brought into this world- connection beyond words to the divine, to my divinity. Within this journey I feel that the Sadhana is also expressed. The last few years have pushed me further into the essence of my practice. So much so that I find myself faced with other peoples criticisms, judgements, and pure curiosity as to why I live my life the way I do. I cant lie and say that their motto (everything in moderation, no matter what it is) doesnt peak my fancy sometimes. I find myself "cheating" on my Sadhana when I dont meditate, when I eat too much, stay up too late, or indulge in the pettiness of the egos persuasion of limiting beliefs. I know there are many who find my lifestyle crazy and at times too rigid, but it works for me. I live my life the way I do because I find my healthy habits create a life of happiness for me. I know that there are many who dont understand and probably never will. Giving up that which is destructive, completely limiting for my spiritual progression, and just feeding the ego are aspects of life that I HAVE LIVED THROUGH....and I choose to be better than my previous choices. Sometimes when life and friends toss me the question, whether directly or energetically, "are you sure???" I am always filled with more happiness when I choose the transcendence of my soul over the latter. Their journey is different from mine although not separate. I can honour others journeys because Ive been there, and some days when the Russel Stovers dark chocolate covered raspberry nougats are staring me in the face I do need to take a breath and step back from the immediate temptation to put the poison of refined sugar into my body. There are times when it is easy to get caught up in the gossip and negative talk that others commonly express to others, but I remove myself from participation and instead just listen, knowing that others are working through their own samskaras. There are days when I just dont feel like sitting still and meditating but in the past year, I cant fall asleep without dedicating at least 20 mins to this practice. The Upanishads say: Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. I believe this. It is the focus of the intention of my Sadhana to think before speaking, to be a woman of my word, to act with integrity, to form healthy habits, to continuously modify and create a better wiser and open-hearted character. I do this because my destiny, though I may not know it exactly, is one of great spiritual practice and a destiny that I want to culminate the totality of love. My mother always says, if you dont love yourself noone else can love you either. I choose to be disciplined in the pursuit of this divine goal because it feeds my soul. Have I lost people that I thought were true friends? Sure. Do people project their insecurities onto me and call me judgmental? Absolutely. Am I better equipped to deal with these life challenges because of my dedication to my practice? You better believe it. Many may call me a radical, some may see my choices to be extreme, but my Sadhana is more than the physical, it is the emotional, the mental, the psychosomatic, the ethereal. Without discipline there is no practice, and although sometimes I may not make the best decision in the moment, I can stand in my truth and say I tried. This belief in self aides my progression into self-enrichment. I find purpose in life and am more able to clear my consciousness, forever abiding the divinity within. I am committed to being a yogi, in all forms of the meaning of the word. My Sadhana may not be for you. I respect that. My Sadhana propels me into gracing my time here on this planet as a teacher, a friend, a lover, and a being of light. It is my decision to focus and strive to always be better. Now the question for you to ponder? What is your Sadhana? How will you dedicate the intention of your life, that which makes you passionate, creative, and inspired, to manifest all that is great within you? All that carries you on your own unique individual path of self? Your Sadhana, your practice to transcend, what is it and how...when will you choose to step up and be your divine light? | |
Like I need another reason to love you... <3 Simply beautiful!
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