A Sadhana That Serves
"A sadhana that serves is one that fills your cup."
A sadhana that serves you is one that serves all. What is Sadhana? What does it mean to YOU? To me, sadhana is devotion. More specifically, a daily devotional practice that strengthens and maintains connection to the innate divinity within, whatever form that takes. Whatever allows the direct experience of Self, God, Source, Truth to blossom from where it resides.
Some days, this is a simple coffee and listening. As you would spend 'quality time' with a friend with whom you wish to deepen your connection, so we do with Spirit. Some days it is a couple hours of intense kriya and meditation. Some days it is gratitude while still in bed, setting the tone for the day. Life requires adapatability, that we move like water. And truly, life is the yoga! In this context though, the most important aspect of building and maintaining a sadhana that serves lies in the discipline of showing up.
“All is sacred.”
Simply by showing up to a dedicated 'time', sacred container, alloted for connection provides us with a structure from which to bloom. The message has now been sent, and received, that we are actively participating. The lotus shoots up through the mud and waters because it is held fast to it's nourishing roots below. In our daily practice, we connect to the place from which we are supplied with all the nourishment we could ever need.
While a physical practice is very important, the meat of what I'm trying to get at with this little blurp is that it is not about quantity, it is quality, consistency and frequency. Establishing a 5 min morning routine daily is very likely to feel more impactful than one long practice per week. All things have their place, but in the spirit of daily improvement and lasting change, infusing and enriching our lifestyles and moment to moment practice is where the magic lives.
As you are the key, so are you the lock, meaning only you can embody the practice that is right for you. Test things out! The journey is one of constant adaptation, being one with the moment. In creating a daily sadhana that you can stick to, don't be afraid to start small. Show up and listen to your body. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin! Doing a challenge of some sort, like an 11 or 40 day continuous practice, is a great way to build memory and consistency in the body and mind. A daily practice is not an activity we begrudgingly carry out (though it might feel like it sometimes, and that's ok!), it is a gift to show up FOR ourselves, for the benefit OF ourselves and ALL BEINGS that we may THRIVE as the best versions of ourselves we can be, conscious, healthy, happy and in alignment with divine will, the flow of spirit that leads us through and to brilliant landscapes.
Lately, this kriya has been part of my daily practice, a month ago it was not. On the road, silent mantra takes the forefront! A beautiful starting point is simply to brew a tea and sit in silence, maybe some gentle movement, and see what happens. These practices are tools to keep us grounded, clear and compassionate, helping us to LIVE fully no matter what life may bring. Believe in yourself!
Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo
I bow to the Creative Wisdom, I bow to the Divine Teacher within.