“Sadhana” means daily spiritual practice. It is a practice of what you do to help set your intentions for the day. Whether it is a prayer, exercise, meditation, deep relaxation, deep breathing or even journaling; starting your day off with a positive intention is a healthy practice for your body and mind.
A daily practice or sadhana will help you conquer your day. You will be able to think more clearly, make better decisions and choices, take control of your life thus meeting reality with reality. You will also find yourself to be more productive and ultimately more successful. People will gain confidence in you with the strength you have gained by becoming more balanced with a daily routine.
First thing in the morning is the best time for sadhana- particularly the “ambrosial hours” (the 2 ½ hours just before sunrise). It is generally quieter and easier to concentrate on your set intentions for the day. However, if you are not a morning person and absolutely cannot wake up early; then practice sadhana at the time of the day convenient for you. Just creating a daily practice or habit of having “me” time is important. Just make sure you do it at the same time everyday in order to make this a good habit.
Setting your intentions for the day helps provide you with more positive energy flow as you grow in your daily practice. You will find that your mood will change for the better each day. When you start the day with mental calmness and clarity, the rest of the day continues to flow in the same manner.
My personal experience of practicing sadhana, is meditating at 5-530AM every morning. I have seen and felt the positive shift in my day to day activities. I start my day off in a good and calm mood and that itself sets my practice of reaching my daily goals. I have experienced the difference between the days I meditated versus the days that I did not. Without my morning meditation practice I found my mornings were more rushed and irritating. Preparing my mental and physical status for the hustle and bustle of my busy life has helped me make better decisions and have better outcomes throughout the day. I have noticed that I no longer get upset about many things that I do not have any control over. In fact my health has become so much better since I have started this practice. I think clearer, I am not exhausted all the time, I feel happier and very content with myself now. I no longer have continuous negative thoughts but rather more positive and neutral thoughts. I don’t get sick with sinus infections as often as I used to before I started my practice of sadhana.
A regular practice of sadhana is rejuvenating and refreshing in a fast paced world that is in constant change. A daily routine can keep the body and mind in balance thus keeping them both healthy and disease free. Try to make a daily practice (sadhana) for 40 days straight and you will find that it will become a habit or routine for you. It does not have to be a spiritual practice but a routine of an action that works for you. I have been doing this since I began my yoga teacher training and continue even now after I have graduated. This newly found practice has been one of the best habits that I have ever formed. Not only do I notice the difference in myself, body and mind but,
my family notices it in me too! Happy Wife (Mom) = Happy Life to my family!
