As much as we would like to think that we’re in control of our lives, we’re still run 95% of the time by habitual programming, linked to the subconscious - as Bruce Lipton would say. When we are jerked out of our habitual patterns and our ‘normal’ mental state, we may get glimpses what that programming is made up of and how it holding the reins as we go through life. The esoteric statement that a spiritual practice is “purifying” may be hard to grasp, though it is repeated over and over again in the scriptures. The more closely we observe the subconscious programming resurface in stressful or challenging situations, we are also given a choice as to reinvest in the patterns or not. The purification piece is that the practice brings things to the surface and can help us purge the programming. We can bypass the deeper work or we can dive in, thus the purification aspect of the practice is a choice. The intent of this discussion, for recalibration sake, is to inspire a continuous practice of being attentive.

A sadhana purifies not only our physical body, by toning the muscles, cleansing organs, balancing hormonal secretion, and so much more on a physical level. It also works on our subtle body by ‘cleansing the nadis’, clearing emotional blockages, and tied with that is the reprogramming part. A spiritual practice turns the mirror back around for us to see our mental patterns and habitual behaviors, including the hidden ones that bubble up when we are triggered, stressed or put in challenging situations. Thus we get to see what runs the show most of the time. This is what I find fascinating with a spiritual practice, that we get to turn on the light in the closet and evaluate what we actually want to keep and what we’re willing to let go of. This shows how near the freedom that we are seeking actually is. It never left in the first place, but got covered up with conditioning - like garments that we wear. It’s still there underneath all the layering. But even if this is recognized, it is not always easy to let go of who we think we are. Thus, we need to take a plunge into the unknown when contemplating these things.

If practiced as prescribed in the scriptures, consistently over a long period of time (abhyasa), a spiritual practice, with its repetition, replaces the library of old programming with updated versions of what feeds our wellbeing, instead of staying in grooves of suffering and endless emotional drama. A sadhana lends perspective, to see what drives us. It serves as a truth bomb more ways than words can describe - if we take the plunge and are willing to see and hold space for what comes to the surface.

We can retell our stories over and over, and with that, we lock ourselves into certain types of experiences.

At the heart of a sincere spiritual practice lies surrender – giving up one’s story in order to give the power back to the Divine/Spirit/Source/God/Life and serve as a vehicle for Life itself. This opens us up to new input, continuous learning - growth and expansion - a reprogramming in a sense. It is as humbling as it is expansive.

The learning that we are offered through a consistent practice, no matter what the practice is, often takes us down the path of un-learning, a de-programming, a pulling of layers and unveiling what is protected by layers of conditioning. The core piece of surrender is the earnest trust and willingness to give all that you are to know the whole (and we know the whole by being exactly that). We often equate surrender and giving with losing something (or the version of ourself that we are clinging to). However, sincere giving and sharing is a means to deeply receive - at a heart level.

In terms of reprogramming, much of the same goes for any repetitious practices that points us to the present moment. It doesn’t matter what the practice is - be it japa, mantra recitation, chanting, asana, meditation, dance, song, chi-gong, climbing, horseback riding, painting, making music, or whatever. As long as it is a practice that points us to the present moment, it serves by keeping us (the awareness) in the conscious mind, while creating impressions to feed the subconscious mind with healthier content - which is what we will be replaying in the future. It’s like we are creating the sound track of our lives in this very moment. We are gifted the choice of what we want to play.

Sadhana is thus a tool to recalibrate at a subconscious level. It changes everything. Sure, it can take a while to notice any difference in mindset, emotional responses etc, hence abhyasa (consistency) is a key ingredient. Nurturing trust and faith in the process (Śrāddha) becomes another cornerstone to stay on the path. Doubt and obstacles will surface along with the insights that will test our detachment, determination and inner peace.

On a mental level, the commitment of a practice (no matter the practice) offers us the experience of effort vs effortlessness. Effort is often needed early one, to make the necessary changes to cultivate a new repetitious pattern (it takes 21-30 days to lay the foundation for a new habit), however, over time, that spills over into the subconscious and becomes more or less effortless. The true test comes down the line, with time. Just like with relationships, our sadhana will ebb and flow and go through transitions, continuously. That’s the nature of life in this existence. We have to stay committed through the hard times. The practice teaches us how to stay through the times when we want to quit, through the times where we distract ourselves or tell ourselves new stories. We have to call ourselves out. The commitment though, will bring the spot light to so many things that deserve our attention, and we don’t want to miss the opportunity for learning. There is an opportunity to grow and expand, so don’t pass it up. We don’t need to be anything that we’re not to take on a practice. And we start right where we are at. This is the lesson in humility #1. All we really have to have is a willingness to hold space for the practice – with regularity – to create new grooves. The practice offers time with ourselves, to get to the core of what’s holding us back from blossoming and to honestly look at our make-up. And yes, all this work is simply creating new stories – as part of the fiction of our life - but these grooves keeps us healthy and sane. It is about stepping out of the compulsive subconscious reactionary patterns, into a more conscious way of relating with ourselves and the world around us.

This is how a spiritual practice can serve as a purification process, a continuous re-programming, as well as an attunement to deeper levels of contentment, which can surface once the emotional drama and story is no longer the focal point. Where our attention goes, prana goes. If we are run by subconscious programming, we have to pull ourselves into the present moment, again and again, to break those cycles. This is what a sadhana is for - or any practice - where we return to conscious awareness again and again.

The conscious repetitions of a spiritual practice (or any practice that brings our focus to the present moment) serves as a steady buoy when the waters gets stormy. Emotions and thoughts will come and go, the sadhana gives us means to gain perspective to the ever changing stimulus within the world of duality. A spiritual practice “calms the nervous system” by stimulating proper activation of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn allows our body/mind complex to live in a state of optimal health rather than in flight-or-fright mode. This allows for the awareness to travel up from the subconscious automated response center, and rather be open to relating to the current moment no longer based on previous experience. This is where detachment becomes part of the practice too.

How we intend to live our lives is often different from how we actually go about our days. Take this opportunity to nurture a conscious practice of turning inward, spending a moment with yourself alone, to really listen, be receptive, coherent, loving, holding space and thus honor that which wants to flow through.