Principles of Daily Spiritual Practice
By Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya
The Sanskrit term "sadhana" means a systematic and disciplined path of spiritual practice under the guidance of a qualified Acharya (Spiritual Teacher). When a person feels called to devote themselves more fully to a systematic spiritual discipline to achieve self-realization and God-realization, they then begin to follow a sadhana practice. Merely having a curious interest in spiritual topics has no meaning unless one is also engaging in a dedicated spiritual practice designed to bring spiritual realization to life. Sadhana, thus, represents the very beginning of meaningful spiritual pursuit.
The following is a collection of practical, scripturally-based, guidelines from the teachings of Sanatana Dharma that will help us to more fully develop our innate spiritual potential. Sadhana, or spiritual practice, must be performed regularly with sincerity, humility, openness, and determination. Just as we all perform our daily routines of eating, sleeping, and bathing without fail, similarly we should practice our daily spiritual sadhana without fail to refine ourselves and to advance in spiritual life. We should monitor our progress every day by asking ourselves if today we have improved ourselves and come closer to God.
By following a daily spiritual practice under the guidance of Sri Guru, we can continuously deepen our experience and realization of the Divine.
1. Each day, we should meditate upon the names of Sriman Narayana (the Supreme Godhead) on a japa mala (meditation beads) made of tulasi wood. In the present Age of Conflict (kali yuga), there is no method quite as effective for attaining spiritual realization as meditating upon the sacred names of the Absolute. The most effective of all mantras is the mantra:
Aum Namo Narayanaya
A shishya (student) is expected to recite a minimum of one round of this mantra on her japa mala in daily meditation.
2. Each day we must strive to increasingly deepen our understanding of our gurudeva's teachings, to assist his teaching mission with enthusiasm, and to offer our respects to him.
3. Observe a proper spiritual diet by eating vegetarian and sattvic foods. Eat a healthy diet and avoid meat, fish, and eggs, as these foods increase our lower tendencies and can result in negative karma. When possible, offer all food to Lord Krishna before eating and partake of the remnants as prasadam, or God's grace.
4. Study the sacred Vedic literatures very systematically and reverently, especially the Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavata Purana, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Upanishads, and Narada Bhakti Sutras. Try to spend time reading these sacred texts each day, and discuss them with other devotees whenever possible. There is no difference between Lord Krishna and Lord Krishna's instructions. By reading the Bhagavad Gita and hearing Sri Krishna's upadesha (teachings), we are directly associating with the Supreme.
5. Have an altar in your home where you keep a sacred image (murti) of Lord Krishna, or other forms of the Lord. Offer daily worship to the murti with incense, flowers, water, a ghee wick lamp, and with what ever else is within your capacity.
6. Every day offer compassion to others by helping them spiritually. Giving spiritual knowledge is the highest form of kindness, so engage in teaching Lord Krishna's instructions of the Gita to other interested people. Teach, but don't preach.
7. Associate with like minded devotees and develop their godly qualities. This is known as sat-sangha. Sat-sangha is coming directly in contact with the Lord through His devotees. By always keeping spiritually positive association, and avoiding negative and dark association, we will quickly begin to reflect the divine qualities of the Lord, and to presence His grace in our lives.
8. Give up unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol and taking any form of drugs (marijuana, LSD, hashish, ayahuasca, etc.), and instead replace them with the spiritually beneficial habits of service. Service to God in the company of devotees is one of the most enjoyable methods to advance in spiritual life.
9. As followers of Dharma, we are called upon to strive toward ethical excellence. We seek to always be good, and to do the good. Thus, strive always to follow the Yamas and Niyamas, and to reflect God's goodness in all your thoughts, words, and deeds.
10. Always try to offer service (seva) to God in accordance with your capacity, means, skills, and understanding.
11. Learn to spiritualize your speech by speaking truth at all times. Never engage in gossip or criticize people. Try not to discourage people or raise your voice to others out of pride or anger. Instead, see your speech as a gift from God meant to encourage others to be the very best they can be. Always offer encouraging words to others.
12. Learn to control your material yearnings and to be content. Contentment (santosha) is an internal treasure. It is not attained by acquiring external objects. Do not let the senses force you to chase unnecessary material possessions. One cannot extinguish a fire by pouring fuel on top of it. Trying to satisfy your material desires will only increase the fire of material suffering. Learn to extinguish this fire by removing the fuel of material attachment. Only through simple living and high thinking can we attain contentment and detachment in spiritual life. Detachment will mean different things for different people. Ultimately, detachment is an internal state, more than a matter of how much you possess.
13. Practice non-violence (ahimsa) by avoiding harming other living beings unnecessarily. Show compassion to others. Compassion, forgiveness, kindness, and love can conquer our internal enemies of anger, greed and lust.
14. Always think of Lord Krishna, as awareness of God is the essence of all scriptural injunctions. When you wake up in the morning, remember Lord Krishna before rising from bed. At night, offer your obeisances to Him before sleeping. Throughout the day always meditate upon His name and keep you consciousness situated in Him. By remembering the Lord we can be like the lotus leaf which always remains dry above the water level despite being situated within the water.
The two keys to a successful sadhana practice are abhyasa (consistent practice) and vairagya (non-attachment). If we can perform all our spiritual practices with consistency and free of ego, we will know the very highest of spiritual attainments.
About the Author
Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya (Dr. Frank Morales, Ph.D.) is universally acclaimed as one of the world's most respected and qualified Dharma teachers and Hindu spiritual leaders alive today. He personifies what it means to be a true and authentic guru.
Dr. Deepak Chopra has exclaimed in 2002: "You've done truly phenomenal work teaching the pure essence of Yoga". In a similar manner, Dr. David Frawley has said about Sri Acharyaji, "Dr. Frank Morales represents the Sankalpa [the will] of the Hindu people and the cause of Sanatana Dharma. I urge all Hindus everywhere to give him your full support, assistance, and encouragement in his crucial work. He needs and deserves our help."
http://www.dharmacentral.com/forum/content.php?36-Daily-Sadhana
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