== MAXIMIZING OUR TIME IN SADHANA ==
Namaskar,
As sadhakas there are innumerable life circumstances that we find ourselves
in. There are a variety of mundane works and worldly duties that we must
attend to: Work, travel, meetings, family time, meals, etc. With it all,
Baba's eternal guideline is that we are to spend a maximum amount of time
in spiritual pursuits: Sadhana etc.
Baba says, "If you have even only one minute's time, do kiirtan for one
minute...your sa'dhana' will attain the height of spiritual fulfilment."
(17 May '82)
So by this we can understand that Baba's main emphasis is that despite our
worldly schedules a maximum amount of time should be allocated for our
spiritual practices. Basically we should do them whenever and wherever
possible. This is His mandate. And that propels us up to the height of
human glory.
Here following are some suggestions given by various sadhakas about how to
increase our time in meditation despite our busy and often unpredictable
routine.
Please kindly offer or add your own insights and recommendations also: That
will be beneficial for all.
RANDOM MOMENTS COME OUR WAY
Apart from our specially designated twice daily sadhana regimen, often we
get moments of free time throughout the day that can be well utilised for
spiritual endeavours. For example sometimes we might attend a conference or
meeting and before the speaker begins, we may have a free minute or two.
And other times we may be sitting in a car waiting for a friend or
associate. Like this invariably we get little pockets of time that can be
transformed in spiritual moments.
WHEN WE CAN'T SING OR AFTER A MEAL-- WHAT TO DO
Yet not all these times are necessarily conducive for singing kiirtan or
Prabhat Samgiita-- such as when we are in certain public venues or in areas
where we must be quiet etc. So engaging in devotional singing is not always
an option for us.
And other times we've recently finished a meal or light fare etc-- which
may lead one to think that sadhana is not an option. Since we are all aware
that doing sadhana on an empty stomach is best-- optimal. Nonetheless,
when we find ourselves with free time after having recently completed a
meal, even then there are a couple lessons that can be properly practiced,
given the circumstances.
IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THIRD AND FIFTH LESSONS ARE BEST
Despite having taken food third lesson (tattva dharana) and fifth lesson
(cakra shodhana) can still be practiced. That does not mean one should
therefore intentionally eat before doing sadhana and then do 3rd and 5th
lessons and think that now one of our required sadhana sessions has been
completed. That is not the spirit of the point at hand.
Rather, in our busy schedule, when free time arises after a meal, then a
very good option is to 3rd and 5th lesson to best utilise the time. By this
way the mind will feel refreshed and one will get in a better mood. Because
both third and fifth lesson will infuse some spiritual shakti within our
being.
Of course 1st and 6th lessons are the main mediation lessons of our AM
sahaja yoga system. But after taking food, it is not at all easy to
practice those lessons. Often will feel sleepy or groggy and will be unable
to concentrate properly. In that case the best option is to do 3rd or 5th
lesson. Because even with food in the stomach, one can do both 3rd and 5th
lessons to a reasonable degree. So despite the adverse circumstances, this
is one way to maximize one's day for sadhana.
Of course if one is not encumbered by having recently taken food, then
naturally one can select any meditation lesson they like.
SA'DHANA' & SA'DHANA'UNGA
As noted above, first lesson (Ishvara Pranidhana) & sixth lesson (dhya'na)
are our main lessons of sadhana. Since both bring us up to the Goal. By
first lesson one reaches up to savikalpa samadhi-- liberation or mukti. And
with sixth lesson we can reach up to that apex point: nirvikalpa samadhi--
salvation or moksa. For that reason when the mind is pointed and vibrated
then maximum time should be allotted for this lessons-- especially dhya'na.
As building blocks, however, there are so many practices that we engage in
to prepare the mind for meditation. Such as chanting kiirtan, singing
Prabhat Samgiita, or engaging in devotional talk etc. Plus within our
sahaja yoga system there are multiple lessons which are actually helping
lessons of sadhana, or limbs of sadhana. And these are known as:
sa'dhana'unga.
Both third and fifth lesson fall in this category of sa'dhana'unga, as does
pranayama. The reason being that these lessons support our practice of
first and sixth lesson. Indeed these helping lessons are an indispensable
part of doing higher meditation.
UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THIRD AND FIFTH LESSONS
So here the main point is that third and fifth lesson help charge the mind
and spiritualise one's existence. So due to life circumstances-- such as
having recently taken food etc, when one is unable to do one of our more
advanced lessons like Ishvara Pranidhan and Dhya'na, then doing 3rd or 5th
lesson is excellent use of the time. And of course when we get more time or
when the body is better prepared for meditation, then we can do other
lessons.
And of course, even if we do 3rd and 5th lesson multiple times throughout
the day, that is not a substitute for sitting down twice daily with a
tranquil mind and empty stomach and performing all our sadhana lessons.
The overall focus here is how to best spiritualize our life and fill it
with a maximal amount of time in sadhana practices despite our haphazard
schedules and busy lives.
Because, as Baba tells us again and again, spiritual sadhana is the main
endeavour & crowning glory of this human life.
LIFE IS A SPIRITUAL SADHANA
Baba says, "The wise practise Dharma Sa'dhana' right from infancy because a
human life is rare and rarer still is the human life perfected through
sa'dhana'." (SS-1, 'Bhaktitattva')
Baba says, "Human life is for sa'dhana'." (CC-2, 'Sadhana" chapter, point #4)
Baba says, "Those who realise Him in the form of onm'ka'ra', advance along
the path of onm'ka'ra' and finally become ensconced in Purus'ottama, the
source of onm'kara, the nucleus of all emanations. The unit entities in
which His divine expression are fully manifest are said to have attained
the height of fulfillment physically, psychically and spiritually. They
realise in the core of their hearts that the entire human life is a
'sa'dhana'." (AMIWL-6)
Baba says, "Life is a spiritual sa'dhana' and the result of this sa'dhana'
is to be offered at the altar of the Supreme." (A'nanda Va'nii, #12)
Namaskar,
Nagendra
NB 1. All sadhakas are most humbly requested to write in with their own
realisations and practices for increasing our time in sadhana-- thus making
this human life successful.
NB 2. Here is another letter that details how to utlilise short spans of time
throughout the day for spiritual practice.
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