Let me first describe what Sadhana is. Sadhana is a Sanskrit word that means “a discipline undertaken in the pursuit of a goal”. In the context of spirituality, sadhana refers to the practices that one follows to attain self-realization, enlightenment, or union with the divine. There are many types of sadhana, such as meditation, yoga, mantra, prayer, service, etc. Each one has its own benefits and challenges, and each one suits different temperaments and preferences.
So how do you choose which sadhana to follow?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different paths may appeal to different people at different stages of their spiritual journey. However, here are some general guidelines that may help you find your way. These are the guidelines that I followed to find the right type of sadhana that helped me grow spiritually:
- First of all, you need to have a clear intention and motivation for your sadhana. Why do you want to practice spirituality? What is your ultimate goal? How committed are you to your practice? These questions will help you clarify your purpose and direction and also help you avoid distractions and obstacles along the way.
- Secondly, you need to find a reliable source of guidance and inspiration for your sadhana. This could be a teacher, a guru, a scripture, a tradition, or a community. You need someone or something that can teach you the principles and methods of your chosen path and also support you and inspire you when you face difficulties or doubts. Based on how I moved forward, I definitely required a human form of guru to guide me because I had to experience too many distractions and move off track. You should also be open to learning from other sources and perspectives, as long as they are compatible with your core values and beliefs.
- Thirdly, you need to experiment and explore different types of sadhana until you find the one that resonates with you the most. But make sure you don’t keep experimenting for longer than 3 years. If you do experiments longer, it means you are wasting your time. My initial sadhana started with my first spiritual guru Sri Shakthi Sumananji in Sri Lanka. His type of teaching sadhana didn’t suit me well because of my frequent travel plans. So decided to explore other options. You can try different techniques, styles, durations, frequencies, etc., and see how they affect your mind, body, and spirit. You can also combine different types of sadhana to create a balanced and holistic practice. The key is to find what works for you and what brings you joy and peace.
- Lastly, you need to be consistent and persistent in your sadhana. Once you find your preferred path, you should stick to it and practice it regularly and diligently. You should also monitor your progress and evaluate your results. You should not expect instant or miraculous results from your sadhana, but rather gradual and subtle changes in your consciousness and awareness. You should also be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and needs, and be ready to adjust or modify your sadhana accordingly. Anyway, it’s always recommended to ask your human guru for guidance instead of deciding yourself. If you only decide by your thinking, it means you are going off track for sure. Because your mind will trick you to go outward and not inward.
Conclusion
Choosing a spiritual sadhana is a personal and subjective matter that depends on many factors. There is no one-size-fits-all solution or formula for finding the best path for you. However, by following some general guidelines and listening to your inner voice, you can discover the sadhana that suits you the most and leads you to your ultimate goal.
Here are some gurus or legit spiritual organizations that you can talk to and begin your spiritual journey.
- Sri Shakthi Sumanan Ji (My First Spiritual Guru from Sri Lanka) – https://yogicpsychology-research.blogspot.com/
- Shri Shri Ravi Shankar (Founder of Art Of Living) – Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar | Global Humanitarian, Spiritual Leader & Peace Envoy
- Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev (Founder of Isha Yoga Centre) – https://isha.sadhguru.org/
- Sri Madhukarnath (Known as Sri M – Founder of The Satsang Foundation) – Official Website of The Satsang Foundation, founded by Sri M (satsang-foundation.org)
- Shri Aasaan Ji (Founder of AtmaYoga Foundation) – AtmaYoga Foundation – Institute for Inner-Science & Self-Transformation | Empowering humanity with Everlasting well-being & holistic abundance in all aspects of life.Atmayoga | Awakening the Inner Power
- Sadhguru Cyriaque Vallee (Sadhguru of Spiritual Science Research Foundation – This is where I ended up continuing and growing my spiritual journey) – https://ssrf.org
This blog was last updated on 15th August 2023
