Sadhana is a formula or systems of formulas and methodology that when acted on creates change and spiritual evolution. It is common in Indian spirituality and truly one of the many gems of the Indian mindset.

For some it can be very simple, never changing for an entire lifetime. An example being Papa Ram Das, whose father gave him a mantra: Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. He traveled as a sannyasa (renunciate), repeating this mantra, seeking to know the reality of lord Ram’s all pervasive being. This transformation came to him after many years of sadhana. For others it is perhaps different, each to everyone’s own design. Sometimes one starts with a formula and it is changed and progressed again and again.

There are some common actions and practice of attitudes and virtues; fasting, meditation, self inquiry, techniques to connect one to divine realities, puja, visualization, service to humankind and surrender, non-attachment, equanimity and love, wisdom, compassion, patience, humility.

Sadhana is a dynamic that can help bring forth freedom from the environment, self mastery, self discovery as well as insights into the mystery of the human will.

Hopefully sadhana will bring us many conscious experiences with divine realities and perhaps samadhi during our lives or at least when we lay down our bodies and leave this world.

I think it’s safe to say that so much depends on our design, and of course grace from above.

Sadhana is the dynamic we take action on in order to prove to ourselves that what the Saints and Gurus say is true.