Life is a true living deity. People who offer their sincere service to this deity earn the distinction of receiving its grace in both the outer as well as inner realms. An ordinary mind cannot even imagine the numerous incredible potentials that reside within the physical, mental and spiritual domains of a human being. If a vision to make good use of these potentials is developed and the practical ways of cultivating these is adopted, then it is possible to acquire an abundance of external and inner riches.
A human being is endowed with enough resources to live a life that is worthy of divine beings! Even then he is commonly found to live a life that is not even in accordance with human dignity. This is because he pays no attention to basic principles that give fulfilment to life and does not mold his life according to them. In order to take our life towards its perfect goal, we need to remove our shortcomings, step-by-step inculcate better qualities and benevolent tendencies, and enhance virtues. The skill of developing these and then deploying them for good use is what is known as ‘Life Sadhana’ (the art of living). With this skill it is possible to create a personality that is worthy and magnetic.
Monkeys and bears do not have much intellectual capability. However, through sufficient training people make these animals obey their commands and make them perform interesting feats and display human like behaviour on the streets. A human being possesses a very high intellectual capacity and he also has the facility of support of others. If he practices the principles of life sadhana well his capabilities can grow manifold. If efforts are put in, every human being can elevate his personality and become an extraordinary man/ woman. Here are some healthy and sustainable tips of life sadhana that will lift your lifestyle and boost your health and vitality –
Sadhana for good health
1. The food should be simple and light and its quantity should not exceed half of the capacity of stomach. Vegetables, fruits, milk, curd, grains, tubers, dry fruits etc. should be taken in a balanced quantity. Food should be taken only after offering it to God.
2. Spices, chilly and sour items should be taken in very small quantities or better avoided. Tea, coffee, garlic, onion, tobacco, cannabis, cigarettes, betel leaves, meat, fish, alcohol etc. are highly tamasic in nature and should be completely avoided.
3. Once a week, strict fast should be observed, when only water is taken. If that is not possible, then milk, tubers or fruits may be taken.
4. Yoga or physical exercises should be done daily for 15-30 minutes.
Sadhana to acquire pranic power
1. Silence should be observed for 2 hours every day and this time should be used for self-contemplation, meditation or read in this period.
2. Sexual abstinence should be observed to the extent possible.
3. Practice of 10-15 minutes of pranayama is very good. Attention should be focused on breath.
Sadhana to improve behavioural traits
1. Maintain personal integrity which helps to inspire confidence and self-esteem.
2. Compassion should be developed towards all living beings. No one should be knowingly hurt through our speech and actions.
3. Conduct and conversations with others should be simple, open-hearted and without any deceit.
4. Honesty should be adopted. Money should be accepted only in return for efforts and hard-work. Any object, money or gift that comes to us through injustice or immoral means must never be accepted.
5. Anger must be shunned and our hearts should be filled with qualities like forgiveness, patience, peace, empathy, love and forbearance.
Sadhana of Social Welfare
1. Working for others’ welfare is a prime human duty. So a few hours a week must be devoted to selflessly serving others – for example, helping the poor or suffering people, spreading good thoughts among friends and acquaintances, performing social service etc.
be used in social welfare activities. If a gift is received, it should be shared with relatives, friends and co-workers. All living beings should be regarded as own family members.
3. We should be courteous. Each living being should be treated with respect as a living image of God. False pride, ego and vanity must be renounced.
4. A strong faith must be maintained in scriptures, spiritual masters and Supreme Soul.
Spiritual sadhana
1. Promote positive thoughts, and discourage negative thoughts and emotions
2. Follow your own spiritual beliefs, devoting time for spiritual practices.
3. Sleeping early and waking up early is considered good. For spiritual upliftment, Pranayam, meditation, chanting, and worship have been recommended by the seers and sages. In order to get best results, efforts should be put in to perform these activities at one place and at the same time daily.
Sadhana attains its maturity and perfection when it becomes simple and effortless. While carrying out this Sadhana we must never turn away from our personal, familial and social duties and responsibilities. In fact, we must enjoy the play of the Supreme Soul in everything and give our service to the whole world through each activity we perform.