SADHNA

Sadhna (spiritual practice) has always been emphasised by Swami. But why should we engage in Sadhna? Sadhna leads to transformation, which helps us to transcend our human nature to reach Divinity. Divinity is present in all of us, but yet we behave as mere mortals. Some of us – if not all of us – time and again even fall back to behave as animals and exhibit anger, hatred, jealousy, pride, envy and attachment. These 6 inner enemies are the clouds that have cloaked our real nature. 

Sadhna is real satsang (true company). During true moments of Sadhna, we come into contact with God, and this reduces the influence of our worldly experience on the mind. The daily experiences we have in the world get imprinted on our minds. Actually, all our karmas (deeds in the cycle of cause and effect), be it good or bad, is attached to our mind. So being engaged in Sadhna, influences our mind God-wards, and at the same time reduces the effects of karma and gradually destroys the 6 inner enemies. As you have rightly concluded by now, intense Sadhna can actually destroy all the effects of our past karmas.

A group was once granted an interview by Swami in Puttaparthi. All in the group went in the interview room, except for a lady who was physically handicapped. She was greatly aggrieved by this and prayed intensely to Swami, for approximately 30 minutes – i.e. throughout the duration of the interview. After the interview was over, Swami opened the door of the interview room and told the lady that, the intensity of her prayer for those 30 minutes has destroyed all her past karmas. Swami asked her to get up and the physically handicapped lady could from then walk normally!

As explained in this Leela (Divine sport) of Swami, Sadhna is focusing our mind with single pointed attention on God. Grace will follow according to the intensity, the quality and amount of love that we put in our Sadhna. If one engages in Sadhna, then God will surely bless him/her.

But Sadhna is not just sitting down in our prayer room and meditate on God. Sadhna is a continuous process. It is being centred on God all the time. You may ask if we need to give up all our daily duties and think of God always? The answer which Swami provides is that we should not give up our duties, but we should actually give up the fruits of our duties and actions to God. Whatever action one performs, should be done to please God and performed as an offering to God. This is the highest form of Sadhna.

Brother Subheer Ramnoruth