Spiritual Practice: Sadhana

In Hinduism one’s personal spiritual practice is called sadhana. The word sadhana indicates the instrument or means by which a goal is accomplished. In general there is no one sadhana or spiritual practice that applies to all. Hinduism recognizes that every individual has a unique position in life (adhikara) and therefore there is no one way for all. In this way there are many forms of God and one individual may be attracted to one form, while another individual may be attracted to another form of God. Similarly there are many different forms of yoga and a form of yoga that may be suited to one individual may not be suited to another individual, so in a similar manner, one’s spiritual practice or sadhana is unique to the individual depending on the goal they wish to achieve. So spiritual practice varies greatly from individual to individual. Examples of spiritual practice may include such things as, prayer, meditation, going on pilgrimage, giving charity, fasting, bathing, chanting of mantras, study of scripture, or even one’s daily work. They can all be a means to achieve a spiritual end. Sometimes the word bhajana is used to mean one’s internal spiritual practice.