What is the meaning of Sadhana ?

When we read on the subject of worship and spirituality - we  often come across the word Sadhana and are encouraged by all illumined spiritual Masters to engage in Sadhana. But what exactly is Sadhana? and how do we apply it practically in our lives ?

Enclosed here is a simple definition of Sadhana in Hindi , followed by a translation in  English. These two definitions are by two spiritual giants of the modern era - Acharya Shriram Sharma and his Life consort - Vandaniya Mataji Bhagwati Devi Sharma .

Acharya Shriram Sharma on Sadhana  :

Translation :

"However bad a person maybe, one ray of Righteous Knowledge is sufficient  enough to get the person  back onto the right path. The only thing required from the person is the resolve to do so . Unlike glass and stone which when once shaped cannot be changed, our mind however can be changed, reshaped  and reformed.

Repeated efforts made by us to reshape our minds by reducing  our weakness's and increasing  our strengths and virtues is called Sadhana.

 Vandaniya Mataji on Sadhana :

English Translation :

"Sadhana means - Making truthful efforts at self improvement while fighting relentlessly with difficulties ".

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Additional reading on the subject of Upasana, Sadhana and Aradhana:

How Do You Pray (2) -The Three Requirements and Benefits of Meaningful Worship

DO IT ANYWAY ! - A prayer by Mother Teresa

How to Live your Life - An inspiring short prayer by Mother Teresa......

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. 

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

                                                                                        Mother Teresa      

                                                                          
A short and memorable quote from the famous American poet and educator- H W Longfellow:

Kind hearts are the gardens,
Kind thoughts are the roots,
Kind words are the flowers,
Kind deeds are the fruits,
Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds,
Fill it with sunshine , kind words and kind deeds.
                                                                                  H W Longfellow                                          

The Meaning , Strength and Greatness of the Gayatri Mantra - as told by our ancient Rishi's and Muni's.

Enclosed here is a presentation on the Greatness, Glory, and Scientific merits   of the Gayatri Mantra as extolled by our ancient and wise Rishi's and Muni's . This slide presentation is based on the Book - The Super Science of Gayatri written by the 21st century spiritual scientist and enlightened Gayatri Sadhak - Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya.

The worship of Gayatri is a critical need of the modern times. With advancement in Science and Technology we have seen unprecedented material progress. With this rise in material progress we have seen a decline in moral standards and values in the world. 

Scientific progress without the balance provided by  " Righteous Intellect and Wisdom " (Gayatri) will continue to create imbalances in our lives. It is also imperative for us to have inclusive growth - that is to ensure material and spiritual progress of all members of society and not just a select few.

True progress of society therefore  can only be defined as Scientific and Technological progress accompanied by the Wisdom of Righteous Intellect. Hence the need for Gayatri Worship today ........

Additional reading  on the Gayatri Mantra:

The Gayatri Mantra (1) - Its Origin, Meaning, Scientific Impact on our Mind and Body.

The Gayatri Mantra (2):Its Meaning, Its Material and Spiritual benefits.

To read or download the fabulous Book - The Super Science of Gayatri , please visit our Life Transforming Books section .

The time factor in spiritual progress - Why some people are more spiritual than others?

Enclosed here is a short excerpt from "The Gospel of Shri Ramakhrishna Paramhansa" that indicates the reason for the varying levels or degree of interest that different people may have for Spirituality. This short excerpt tells us why some people are more spiritual than others?

In the passage below the author of the Gospel of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa is referred to as "M" and the "Master " is Ramakrishna Paramhansa.

The time factor in spiritual progress: An excerpt from The Gospel

"MASTER: "Yes, it is good to listen to these things. But nothing will happen except at the right time. 

What can quinine do for a fever patient when he runs a high temperature? Only when his temperature comes down through the use of 'fever mixture' or a purgative should quinine be prescribed. There are patients who get rid of their fever even without quinine. 

A child said to his mother, when he was put to bed, 'Mother, please wake me up when I feel the call of nature.' The mother said: 'My child, I shall not have to wake you. The urge itself will wake you.'

"Different kinds of people come here. 'Some come by boat with the devotees. But they do not enjoy spiritual talk. They keep nudging their friends and whispering: 'When shall we leave here? When are we going?' If the friends show no sign of getting up, they say, 'We would rather wait for you in the boat.'

"Those who have a human body for the first time need the experience of sense enjoyments. Spiritual consciousness is not awakened unless certain duties have been performed."

The Master was going to the pine-grove. With a smile he said to M., on the semicircular porch, "Well, what do you think of my state of mind?"

M. (smiling): "On the surface you are very simple, but inwardly very deep. It is extremely difficult to understand you."

MASTER (smiling): "True. It is like the cement floor of a house. People see only the outer surface and do not know how many materials there are under it."

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Source and credits : 

THE GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA PARAMHANSA (http://belurmath.org/gospel/chapter26.htm)

Additional Note to the Readers : For those that are unaware : Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Acharya Shriram Sharma are one and the same . To read further details on this subject visit our " Life Transforming Books Section " and read Acharya Shriram Sharma's autobiographical work - My Life its Legacy and Message . You can also read our article " Who is Acharya Shriram Sharma" posted on our blog.