Sadhana

As you enter here, you might be asking yourself about this little strange word: Sadhana. Sadhana simply translates into path. The origin of the word comes from the ancient Sanskrit and literally translates into "The means for spiritual accomplishment". The word Sadhana is most commonly used in the yogic tradition which follows the teachings of Sage Patanjali named Raja Yoga or Astanga Yoga (Eight-limbed yoga which is often confused with Astanga Vinyasa, one type of Raja Yoga, but not the only one). 
Yet, no matter how romantic the term Sadhana sounds, it holds within its deffinition one tricky concept: that one of spiritual accomplishment.

One human being who has served as a source of inspiration for me (Ms. Dona Holleman), expresses in her book "Eyes of Innocence" that we as humans tend to act on two impulses: avoidance, and/or reward. We move towards a result or run away from pain, we follow a Sadhana in order to achieve something, we want happiness, we reject pain, and in such path we work very hard, tripping with our shoelaces over and over again. Rarely, if at all, do we break this pattern and "just do" our thing "just for the sake (or even for the fun) of it". Our doing or not-doing mainly depends on a)  if such action brings a reward or b) if such action avoids pain.

In my experience, a Sadhana cannot hold any promise, I cannot believe in a spiritual path which assures me this or that result, it's all my doing, and the results are in the hands of God (or someone greater if you prefer). I believe that, in any given Sadhana it is not a fact that A produces B, sometimes it will produce C, sometimes AB, or sometimes nothing. The important thing to keep in mind when talking about a Sadhana are not the accomplishments, but the path itself, the joy of the work, the surrender. I cannot deny that there will be side benefits (or even downfalls and pain from time to time), yet the whole idea of a spiritual practice changes radically when you vanish the "I must do because I want to have this and that" and convert that into the fact that it is allowed and good for you to do things that to the practical eyes lack any purpose.

It is important to keep in mind though that most of us are dragged into a Sadhana with sometimes clear objectives in mind (I know I did and still do), there is nothing wrong with that. We are humans and must expect to act as such without being ashamed of it, we cannot withdraw ourselves from the human ways and expect to live up in a mountain meditating in silence (there is no yoga up there, and that's no life ;) ), however, whenever you are not feeling at ease with the things you are doing or you are expecting too much, take a little break, maybe something will fall in place.


Many thanks for reading on I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing and welcome!

F