The meaning of Sadhana

THE MEANING OF SADHANA

Today we shall be talking about an important word that actually reflects a moment in our usual life but can also turn into a cage.

THE MEANING OF SADHANA

In the Hindu religion, the term sadana (Sanskritसाधना, sādhanā) indicates the spiritual discipline, i.e. the whole set of practices, rituals, austerities which, performed with regularity and concentration, have the purpose of obtaining Moksha, liberation.

In a non-religious yogic path, sadhana indicatesa one’s daily and habitual practice to reach the highest level of knowledge and liberation

THE MEANING OF SADHANA OR SADANA

The Sadhana can be individual or group. One who undertakes a sadhana is called a sadhaka (lit. “spiritual aspirant”).

The ultimate goal of any sadhana remains to attain the realization of one’s DIVINE NATURE; even if certain practices can be undertaken with the aim of achieving well-defined minor objectives, such as developing qualities that are considered important for one’s spiritual growth, or defeating one or more internal tendencies (e.g. anger, ego, laziness etc) that hinder the same.

One’s sadhana is therefore a set of daily habits aimed at getting better both spiritually, physically and mentally; in the pure tradition this includes all the steps of yoga from yama and niyama, asana, pranayma and so on, with constancy and discipline.

PROBLEMS OF A SADHANA

In the realization of sadhana (spiritual practice) various problems can appear that can distance us from that direct and ascending path that leads to spiritual realization. Precisely for this reason it is necessary to have a broad perspective regarding the path we still have to travel, to avoid stopping and always finding ourselves at the same point, with the same problems. These are specific moments, which can help us to clearly understand where we have arrived and what are the stages still to go.

We must have a clear idea that it is an uphill journey and that we will often have to think about what we are doing.

THE TRAP OF SADHANA

One of the major problems that can arise at a more advanced stage on the path to our spiritual evolution is the so-called “sattvic trap” (or the “purity trap”).

We will come to do all things (at least from the external point of view) as we should do them, that is, apparently perfect: in this case we will be hooked by the idea that we have become a very pure being. The wise men call this stage metaphorically, known as the “golden chain”.

In fact, it is no longer an iron chain, but still a chain. Our ego, which should be under control, can take over and bring us back.

We believe we are ahead but unfortunately we are at a standstill.

THE MEANING OF SADHANA

Sadhana therefore is a series of practices, and the physical ones are very important, but even here around the corner there is the trap of obsession, the one that prevents us from resting, perhaps skipping a day, all because we “CAN’T ” quit… this would be a problem, because the principle of non-attachment always applies, and therefore everything must be done without expectations, and without attachment.