sādhana

Spiritual practice

When we start a sadhana it is often as a reaction to some level of suffering or dis-ease. We want to be happier and live life more at ease, with less stress and more joy. The suffering that we experience is born from an identification with the physical body, the emotions, thought patterns and behaviors. But at the root of it, we place our sense of identity in the body and neglect the boundless awareness that holds space for all experiences alike. A sadhana can show us a different way to relate to the world around and within us, which in essence is the liberation from suffering.

“Sadhanas are the means that we use to identify with a sense of awareness within,
and to remove the coverings of confusion, narratives, and longings
that prevent us from being who we truly are.” - Eddie Stern

As you find yourself moving through a practice - be it a seated concentration/meditation practice, or expressing various yantras through physical postures - and daily observing thoughts and perceived limitations that move through the mind and emotional body, one starts to see patterns that create beliefs and structures which in turn have built the foundation of our current identity. Once we move through a daily practice, attending to the inner world with curiosity and wholehearted attention, deeply guided by the flow of the breath, we start to see the force of Life that moves through the different layers of our being. The magic of this goes beyond words and definitions. It nothing that can be fully conveyed in conversation. Unless one starts a committed practice it is hard to both understand and describe the multiple dimensions that open up through practice and study of the Self.  

What practice one devotes oneself to may be different for different people, and may change during different phases of ones life. What matters is the commitment, level of attention, and the openness one carries through the practice. Spending time with ones sadhana is about seeing and perceiving exactly what is - without being blurred by desires, expectations, conditioning or beliefs. It is about acceptance and unconditional love for what the moment holds, as Life is gifted. Not wanting things to be otherwise. It can be hard work to stay when you want to run. A lot of the terrain one moves through in a sadhana is within the domain of the uncertain, hence one is somewhat forced to befriend the uncertain. Let curiosity and inquiry guide the way.

All this may sound like fluffy words, especially in a world of new age spirituality and contemporary ‘yoga’ related social media posts etc. But the truth is, that for whatever reason people are drawn to yoga and spiritual practices, one will be granted glimpses of the vast spaciousness and inner sanctuary. Depending on what our life journey is about, we will either stay on the surface of the practice, or we will take the deep dive. From the outside, it will look just the same. No one is to judge the other. If we hold judgement, it says more about ourselves than about the object/subject upon which the judgment falls.

Abhyasa - continuity - is key, no matter what our sadhana consists of. By continuously observing the Life that moves through our being, one is really at the feet of The Teacher - inherent in the practice and life itself. There is so much to observe, to draw insights from, so many beliefs and constructs of thought to pierce through by merely witnessing. And of course, a lot will surface to be released.

In the beginning one applies effort, which will in turn surrender itself and blossom as effortlessness. The stepping stones to effortlessness are steadiness (sthira) and ease (sukha). The practice is to hold (without clinging) these two gems within each breath. Effort and effortlessness will ebb and flow, ease and resistance will come and go. Soon you will be one with the breath, in a meditation (seated or moving) that expose the duality that is held in the palms of Life - all so that you can see beyond it. Remember, it is all perfection - every step of the way.

By coming back to a practice day after day, no matter the outer and inner circumstances, one is offered a more complete perspective of ones inner dimensions, rather than only when one feels like being open to these types of teachings. The teachings are something that commitment and regularity will facilitate to portray in essence. Show up for your Self. It is as simple as that. Drop expectations and ideas about the potential fruits of the practice. Just show up.

There is much to be said about continuity in unison with detachment (vairagya). If one gives up all goals around the practice, one will be exposed to exactly what helps us grow out of the preconceived ideas that make up our conditioning, in this moment and the next. Through this type of exploration one can move beyond the make-up of limitations and identity, the whole construct of ego. This is where we are nibbling on the big fluffy words, so we will leave it at that. If you are curious, find out for yourself. Give yourself to the practice.

Many of the concepts described herein are explored at more depth under their respective titles, so continue down the rabbit hole of related topics.