Inspiration - RKT Newsletter
April 2024
Sadhana – Essential Ingredient in Spirituality
Quote
भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वत: |
ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् ||
bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaśh chāsmi tattvataḥ
tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā viśhate tad-anantaram
“Only by loving devotion to Me does one come to know who I am in Truth. Then, having come to know Me, My devotee enters into full consciousness of Me."
From the Editor's DeskWhy is Sadhana the most essential ingredient in spirituality?
Of the 8.4 million species in this world, the human form is the most priceless of all. Miraculously, all of us have been blessed with a human form in this life. The question is whether we realize how precious this human form is and how to make the most of it. Most of us do not completely realize its value due to ignorance (i.e., lack of deep faith in scriptural knowledge) and having taken our human form for granted. Thus, we have been rotating endlessly in this cycle of life and death.
We have been bestowed with three divine graces from God: (1) receiving this human form, (2) having a hunger for divine knowledge, and (3) associating with a true Guru who can teach us divine knowledge. To make the most of these three divine graces, we must engage in Sadhana (i.e., the practice of devotion) to connect with God and fulfill the purpose of our lives. Sadhana is the most essential ingredient for spiritual aspirants whose purpose in life is to attain selfless love and devotion in the service of God. Understanding more about Sadhana is the focus of this month’s Inspiration.
Bhakti RasJagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj has described Sadhana as the practice of cleansing the heart through pure and sublime thoughts by attaching the material mind to the all-pure God. Devotion or Bhakti is non-different from God, thus, when we engage in Sadhana, our mind gradually becomes attached to God. As we grow in spirituality, our sentiments grow deeper because bhakti also removes mental afflictions like anger, greed, hatred, envy, etc.
In his most spectacular “Sadhana Karu Pyare” kirtan, Shree Maharajji has described the complete essence of spirituality – the purpose and process of sadhana. The 54 lines of the kirtan expound on the knowledge of God and Guru, and the philosophy of divine love for all spiritual aspirants. The opening lines of the kirtan are as follows:
साधना करु साधना करु साधना करु प्यारे |
साधना ते ही मिले तोहिं, साध्य हरि रति प्यारे ||
sādhanā karu sādhanā karu sādhanā karu pyāre (1)
sādhanā te hī mile tohiṅ, sādhya hari rati pyāre (2)
"O dear humans, practice devotion! Continuous devotional practice is the only means to attain your supreme goal of divine love."
The Foundation of Sadhana
Shree Maharajji explains that human beings alone have been equipped with the faculty of intellect to comprehend the depth of the philosophy of divine love. We also have received birth in a yoni where we alone reap the results of our karmas or actions. Neither the species below (i.e., animals, insects, plants, etc.) nor those above (i.e., celestial gods), have access to fruit-bearing karmas. It is our opportunity to attach the mind to the divine realm through sadhana or devotional practice. All spiritual aspirants must familiarize themselves with the remaining 52 lines of this kirtan (Sankeertan Madhuri-1) if not already.
It is important to keep in mind that the knowledge of God, Guru, and the philosophy of divine love should not be theoretical alone, nor should it be to accomplish one’s preferred milestones in spiritual practice. Sadhana must be gradually nurtured through sustained practice with the sole desire to please God/Guru. It is when a devotee’s intensity of devotion reaches the peak of selfless love for God, that He graces the eligible soul with siddha bhakti or divine love. From that point onward, God takes complete charge of the surrendered soul. A beautiful true story of two saints from Maharashtra illustrates the power of God taking charge of a completely surrendered devotee.
Saint Gyaneshwar was a great yogi who had acquired many yogic siddhis or mystic powers like walking on water, levitating, etc. On the other hand, Saint Namdev was a humble and selfless devotee of Shree Krishna. At one time, both saints were walking and discussing various philosophical tenets. When they became thirsty and reached a well, they noticed that the water level was very low and they could not draw the water from it. Using his mystic abilities, Saint Gyaneshwar descended into the well and quenched his thirst. He then asked Saint Namdev who was still standing at the well, whether he had learned any siddhis other than devotion to quench his thirst. When Shree Krishna saw how His devotee was humiliated, He intervened. Suddenly, the water in the well rose to the brim, allowing Saint Namdev to quench his thirst. He was so overwhelmed that his eyes welled with tears of gratitude and love for God.
Saint Gyaneshwar Saint Namdev
This story inspires all devotees to practice sadhana and not bother with mystic abilities as God Himself becomes the “ability” of surrendered devotees. As Shree Krishna told Arjun:
योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना |
श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मत: || 47||
yoginam api sarvesham mad-gatenantar-atmana
shraddhavan bhajate yo mam sa me yuktatamo matah
Of all yogis, those whose minds are always absorbed in Me, and who engage in devotion to Me with great faith, them I consider to be the highest of all (Bhagavad Gita 6.47).
Steps for Doing Daily Sadhana
The primary aim of doing daily sadhana is to increase our mind’s attachment and loving sentiments for God and detachment from the external material world. These two concurrent processes will not occur automatically but we will need to force the mind to contemplate God’s divine names, forms, virtues, pastimes, abodes, and saints. Swami Mukundananda ji has repeatedly reminded spiritual aspirants to engage in daily sadhana for the elevation of the soul. Here are the steps for setting up a daily sadhana routine based on Swamiji’s suggestions in The Science of Mind Management.
- Assign some time (at least 1 hour) in your daily schedule for doing sadhana, preferably in the early morning or any other time when you can practice in solitude without external distractions.
- Create a conducive environment to engage in sadhana (e.g., the alter or any location that evokes devotional sentiments). Avoid kusang in the mind through worldly thoughts to not pull the mind away from surrender to God and Guru.
- Sit in any comfortable position that will keep your mind alert and prevent falling asleep. It does not matter whether you sit on the floor or a chair. Close your eyes.
- Start your sadhana with roop-dhyan on any element of the divine realm. You could listen to kirtans and bhajans that glorify the names, forms, virtues, leelas, abodes, and saints of Shree Radha Krishna and/or your Guru.
- Focus on a specific gem of knowledge with total sincerity, humility, longing, and devotion to invite God and Guru to be seated in your heart to purify it. The most important part of sadhana is to remember God with love in any of the bhavs or devotional sentiments that capture the mind (e.g., dasya, sakhya, vatsalya or madhurya). Rely on kirtans that help to connect with God. Increase the longing to meet Him and serve Him in your mind to intensify the devotion.
- Feel the presence of God/Guru all the time and do not let the mind wander. Shut out the external environment completely. Feel that they are protecting you every second of your life. If the mind starts to digress to worldly things, immediately drag it back towards God and Guru. Remind yourself of the temporary nature of people and things in the external world and immerse yourself in the sweet divine chanting of God’s names.
For a detailed description of sadhana, its purpose, and practice, please refer to the August issue of JKYog’s e-journal Samarpan on this topic. (https://www.jkyog.org/eJournal-Sadhana)
Bal-Mukund: Playground for Vedic Wisdom
God: “The culprit”
A priest worshiped God in a Hindu temple that had different deities or forms of God. He had adopted a little orphan boy to assist him in his daily tasks and rituals. One day, the Priest was going on a spiritual pilgrimage. He instructed the boy to take over his responsibilities for two months and to serve food to God without fail.
The boy had never seen the Priest offering food to God as he used to stand behind the curtains. The next day the boy prepared and offered food to the deities with a warm invite but none of the deities moved. Thinking that God did not like the food, he prepared it again but still, there was no response. This made the boy cry. He thought that God was hungry and therefore did not eat food himself.
The next day he prepared a new meal and repeated the offering but God did not move. In desperation, the boy picked up a stick and threatened to beat God for not eating. He also pleaded God simultaneously fearing dismissal from the Priest upon return for not taking care of God. Seeing this, the deities accepted his offering and came to eat at the plate. Amongst all, Hanuman ji ate so much food that the boy had to constantly cook and refill the plate. All the food was used up in a week. The boy started begging for alms in the market to make God’s meals.
The Priest returned within one month. He requested the boy to prepare a meal, as he was tired. The boy informed Priest that he had to go begging as there was no food. The Priest accused the boy of selling the food for money. The boy informed him that the deities were the cause of this. The Priest asked for proof. The boy offered food and the deities started eating when the boy threatened with his stick. The Priest fainted seeing this. The Priest had worshipped God his entire life but had never seen anything like this. The little boy’s selfless love had convinced God to eat.
Practical Wisdom
- The boy threatened to beat God with his stick if the food offering was not accepted. The stick was the symbol of his faith. Although the deities in the temple were made of stone, the boy did not see them as stone. He saw them as God and interacted with them accordingly.
- The boy persisted in his food offering. God accepted his food. The method to obtain the Grace of God is to be simple, trusting, and full of faith. Aspire for divinity and surrender to God. Grace will follow.
Youth Insights
Embarking on the path of Sadhana has been a transformative journey in my life, one that has deeply enriched my existence and illuminated the path toward self-discovery and growth. For me, sadhana is not merely a routine or ritual; it is a profound and sacred commitment to nurturing the soul and fostering inner peace.
Infusing Positivity: The Impact of Sadhana
The impact of Sadhana on my life is profound. Firstly, it has infused my being with an unshakable positivity. The practice of gratitude, integrated into Sadhana, has given me a perspective of abundance, which enables me to recognize the beauty and blessings that surround me. Through this positive outlook, even during challenging times, gratitude shines a light. The result is a nurturing of my resilience and inner strength.
Morning Rituals: Sadhana as the Highlight of My Day
Sadhana has become the highlight of my mornings. It creates the proper atmosphere for the day ahead. As I engage in each breath and movement, I intentionally welcome spirituality into my life and anchor myself in the present moment. The steady voice of Swamiji reminds me of the interconnectedness of everything and nurtures a feeling of harmony with the universe. By honoring the divine within and around me, I am reminded of the inherent sacredness in all beings. This sparks compassion and empathy, which positively influence my interactions throughout the day.
Sharpening Focus: The Tangible Benefits of Sadhana
One of the most tangible benefits of Sadhana is its profound impact on my focus and clarity of mind. In a world full of distractions, Sadhana offers a sanctuary of stillness and a refuge from the chaos of daily life. Through the practice of meditation and mindfulness, I cultivate a state of heightened awareness and hone my ability to focus on the present moment with unwavering concentration. As a result, I approach each task with clarity and purpose. This practice makes my days more productive.
Sadhana is not merely an isolated practice; it is a way of life, a sacred journey of self-discovery. Through its transformative power, doing daily Sadhana has infused my life with positivity, anchored my mornings with purpose, and sharpened my focus like never before.
Holistic Health TitbitsMany of us dedicate time to spirituality through daily rituals, satsang, and seva. We learn lessons from the scriptures to guide the behaviors of the soul. Our families may inculcate this practice in childhood, which teaches discipline that can be transfers to other things. Sometimes, we sacrifice other health practices believing that spirituality is more favorable to God and Guru. Alternatively, some of us have a regular exercise routine and receive the physical benefits of health but do fewer spiritual activities. Spirituality, physical health, and mental health combined are all equally important as each one facilitates the ability to do the other. We must combine all these aspects to accomplish true Yog.
According to the scriptures, a healthy person dwells in the Self. If we move toward soul-consciousness, we can take a holistic approach to our health. The duties of human beings are in the Vedas are manifested by God Himself. Therefore, the all-pervading Lord is eternally present in acts of sacrifice [Bhagavad Gita 3.15].
Two of the six points of surrender are to desire in accordance with the desire of God, and not desire against God. Let’s ask ourselves: Do the scriptures tell us to study them diligently, chant God’s names, and associate with like-minded people, but make poor food choices and lead a sedentary lifestyle? Do they say we should care for the mind and body with sattvic foods, exercise, and pure thoughts but ignore our associations and scriptural education? Of course not. We cannot select which instructions to follow to suit our senses. We must devote ourselves to the total care of the Soul, which includes the vessel it resides in (which is the body). Constantly remember that Shree Krishna resides in each of us, and we are caring for ourselves for His pleasure.
Sadhana has physical and mental health benefits because it involves activities like meditation, yoga, chanting and mindfulness practices (e.g., seva). This can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, enhance emotional well-being, and boost immune function. We can also experience better sleep, increased self-awareness, and a sense of inner peace and fulfillment.
Swami Mukundananda and the Radha Krishna Temple provide opportunities to do all these things alongside spiritual tasks such as pujas, religious festivals, and holidays, online and in person. If we take one step toward God, He will take ninety-nine towards us.
Reflection Questions for DiscussionBhakti Ras / Inspiration
- Why did Saint Namdev not use any siddhis to quench his thirst like Saint Gyaneshwar?
- What is the best way to practice daily sadhana?
Bal-Mukund: Playground for Vedic Wisdom
Why did God eat the boy’s offering even though he threatened God with a stick?
Youth Insights
Which areas of your life do you believe could improve by integrating Sadhana into your daily routine, and how do you anticipate it influencing your overall well-being and mindset?
Holistic Health Tidbits
How can you take one step toward God today?
Upcoming EventsWe request all the devotees of the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas (Allen) to Save the Date for several festivals in May 2024.
| April 29th, 2024 | Ram Lalla Rath Yatra at RKT |
| May 12, 2024 | Mother’s Day Special Sunday Satsang |