The Benefits of Sadhana: Background

A few days prior to the beginning of this course, my step-father passed away.  It was not completely unexpected, as his health had been failing in the past few years.  I had a very difficult and painful history with him, and held a lot of resentment and anger towards him.  My mother, even knowing this, asked me to come while he was dying.  I thought this was to offer support for her, which I felt blessed and honored to do.  However, something else profoundly beautiful and moving occurred.  Despite the fact that he had also been unkind and abusive toward my mother for years, I observed the most pure and honest compassion I have ever seen, extended from her to him.  Also, in those final hours, I was able to release all of my anger, and forgive him.  It was a deep and profound spiritual experience for me, which I will treasure always.

Typically, after a situation like this, I would tend to sink deep into the emotionality of it.  I would internalize all the intense emotions and seek external comfort and peace.  In this case, I believe largely because of the daily sadhana, I was able to begin to process the experience in a very honest and conscious way. This was a very pivotal awakening for me.

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The Benefits of Sadhana: Abandoning the Practice

As part of this experiment, I decided to abandon my sadhana practice for a week, just to see if I noticed a difference.  This sort of backfired, as one week very easily became two, and then, even crept into three.  I was shocked at how easy it was to come up with excuses not to practice.  Mainly it was, “I need more sleep”, or “I’m too busy”.  Well, I had been just as busy and sleep-deprived in those previous months, but I still awoke around 4:30 or 5am to fit in my sadhana.  I made time for it.

Also worth mentioning, was the noticeable shift in my attitude and stress level.  I so easily reverted back into old samskaras, or patterns, allowing myself to be drawn into situations and emotions, then feeling drained.

Another thing that I observed was my swearing.  Being a mom has pretty much taught me to forego this habit…at least out loud.  During this experiment, I became very conscious of just how much I do swear, even if it is mostly inside my own head.  Suddenly, I was acutely aware of every time I silently swore at a rude driver, an inconsiderate co-worker, or sometimes just people in general, or a situation.  So, here, I realized that I had not been doing this in the past couple of months.  I noticed that it almost hurt a little each time I swore, on a subtle spiritual level.  Also, I felt like I was just hurling that angry energy out into the Universe, no matter how silent it was.

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The Benefits of Sadhana: Conclusion

I am currently trying to rebuild my daily sadhana practice.  I am finding it difficult to focus, but know that with consistency and intention…it will come.  To quote M.P. Pandit, “…surrender is not a one day affair.  Surrender is the end-product of a long process of effort.  And personal effort lies precisely in working out the determination, the will to surrender.”

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Free Yoga!

The final practicum for Axis Yoga Teacher Training graduates is open to the public.

These students have dedicated themselves intensely to the practice and now wish to share the fruits of their discoveries with you!

Sumptuous refreshments served every session!

Located at Sixth Ave UCC ~ 3250 e. 6th Ave (sixth and Adams)

~ Please bring any props if you have them ~

Dates and Times:

Session I: Sat. June 11, 3:30-5:30
“the Pelvic Girdle”
John, Courtney, Rebecca, Kayla, Nyke

Session II: Sun. June 12, 1-3
“Yoga 101”
Mike, Marla, Jo, Niko

Session III: Sun. June 12, 3:30-5:30
“Journey through the doshas”
Richard, Annie, Kari, Jenn

Session IV: Sat. June 18, 1-3
“Bhakti Yoga”
Kevin, Mary Ann, Laura T ., Jeane

Session V: Sat. June 18, 3:30-5:30
“An experience in kriya yoga”
Bob, Vanessa, Kara, Laura G.

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