What is sadhana?

The term sadhana comes from the Sanskrit root, sadhu, meaning “go straight to a goal”. The term ‘sadhana’ refers to a disciplined and dedicated practice or learning. In this context, it refers to dedicated (daily) spiritual practice, in which the practitioner uses tools like asana, pranayama, meditation and mantra to purify oneself and reach the goal of life.

Sadhana can be practiced in a group as well as individual. When developing one’s own sadhana, it is important to choose practices that work for oneself, with which one feels most connected. Sadhana is a discipline which must be continued over a long time for its effect to deepen, and thus one must find the connected tools to accomplish this.

Anything that is practiced with awareness, discipline and the intention of spiritual growth can be considered as sadhana. Thus, even daily activities, when the mind is fixed on the higher consciousness in the background, can be considered as a sadhana. All tools that help to establish meditation, harmony and union at all times are part of it. It is all about the result rather than the practice itself.
Practitioners of sadhana are called sadhakas.

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