The importance of sadhana 🆙

In order that the subject of the importance of sadhana may be better explored by us, we will divide our commitments into two types: one type we will call “social commitment”; the other, of “personal commitment”.

Social commitments are those we make with others. This group includes work relationships, such as a job you commit to putting in X hours per week. It also includes family commitments, as there are (or should be) relationships that require reciprocity, such as helping with something generic, buying something, answering a question, giving a ride, etc. We cannot forget to include the groups in which we participate, which are not related to our profession, but are aimed at our entertainment, leisure, study, sport, spiritual practices, etc.

In general, we can say that the demands imposed by these social commitments generate a depletion of our energy. It's common to feel tired after dedicating ourselves to so many commitments at the same time - and like everyone considered so important, we end up taking on several of them. The point to be asked is: how are we living each of these commitments? Are we in “automatic mode”, doing mechanical work just to get paid at the end of the month? Are we dragging ourselves out of bed and grudgingly going to dates whose goals we can't even really visualize? In family relationships, do we create intrigue and disagreements or do we foster harmony and friendship?

It is undeniable that there is a need to live in society and that commitments naturally derive from this coexistence, but I repeat: the point is the way in which we are fulfilling these commitments.

Some traditions originated in the region of India use the term sadhana (in Sanskrit), which means something like “daily spiritual practice of Yoga to achieve liberation from suffering”. In the sense of 'practice with consistency', 'repetition with consistency', 'disciplined practice' or 'follow the path consistently without deviating'. In some places sadhana is translated as 'necessary qualifications'. This one I'll call a personal commitment.

What if you don't practice Yoga? It doesn't matter. We can expand the concept to a practice that you adopt for the purpose of developing a commitment to the discipline.

You can choose to delve deeper into a subject while maintaining constant study of it. Many people dedicate themselves to the study of music, for example.

Generally, sadhana is linked to some practice related to the body and mind: dance, martial art, meditation, breathing, stretching, exercises, etc.

The importance of sadhana — Obradovic / Getty Images Signature / Canva

Have you ever noticed the difficulty you have in maintaining a daily practice? To make a commitment to you? There is a colossal comfort zone in which the ego/mind keeps us inert and negligent in the face of this greater commitment to awareness.

This personal commitment, or sadhana, is what should guide all other commitments, for it is a commitment you make with your awareness. And he will then bring your experiences to life: the chosen work will become more creative and pleasurable, not being done unwillingly; family relationships will gain meaning, as they will begin to reveal the importance of each member; the meetings with groups will gain depth, giving more meaning and clarity to the objective for which we are committed, avoiding the feeling of wasting time there.

Sadhana brings steadfastness in purpose

Let's say you're looking to improve your diet. You're addicted to frying, but you've decided to cut down on the amount of fat you eat. During lunch in a restaurant, you will have the impression that the frying options have increased. Without firm sadhana, you will easily fill your plate with all of them, and even repeat. But you will feel bad later. Already with a firm sadhana, your self-control will increase. You take a smaller amount and feel satisfied afterwards, having conquered that desire. Self-control can be explored at different times in life.

We must take a sadhana, or personal commitment, seriously. This commitment must always be accompanied by some questions:

• How is the frequency of my daily practice?

• Over time, do I notice an increase or decrease in enthusiasm for social engagements?

• Am I giving more importance to other people's gossip or to soul-building subjects and ideas?

• Are my doubts about what to buy, eat, do and study getting bigger or smaller?

• Have I experienced more feelings of hate or love? Acceptance or denial? Intrigue or diplomacy? Revolt or understanding?

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