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v0.9: Simplifying the Sadhana

· 2 min read

I made my Sadhana too complex to the point where I burnt out. Trying so aggressively to incorporate all the practices and study all the texts of Sivananda, Chinamaya, Dayananda, Vivekananda and Ramakrishna has led to be feeling like I am not doing enough and putting spiritual pressure. The goal is to free oneself not feel like you are adding another weight.

The number of scriptures and commentaries are endless. Each of the yogas has distinct practices that are unique to each path. I realize while we need to do all the paths there needs to be one which is the primary. But I was trying to practice Raja Yoga while making Jnana the actual practice. This dichotomy of practicing the wrong thing for what I wanted to focus on has been detrimental since Jnana is philosophical in nature while Raja should be about stilling the mind.

So I am simplifying my practice with only a couple of texts being my primary focus and everything else being secondary. These texts are:

  • Ramakrishna / Sri Sarada Devi / Vivekananda Complete Works
  • Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
  • Bhagavad Gita

Yes, I know core Vedanta is textual study of Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras the ultimate realization of Advaita but I don’t think it is the primary path for me. I am more action oriented and experimental in nature and Raja is the path that fulfills this goal not trying to decipher philosophical texts. It is for this reason I am focusing largely on practical texts as those to read. Ramakrishna and Vivekananda are practical in their explanations. Yoga Sutras are specific in their recommendations. The Bhagavad Gita ties the yogas into a comprehensive whole.

I will be using supplementary texts to fill in the gaps of the primary texts. They are there to help realize the Raja Yoga goal of “yogas citta vritti nirodahah.” So my goal is to read things that assist in attaining the goal. These can be either spiritual or not.