Sadhaks and Sadhana - A Brief

A sadhak is one who does his sadhana, whatever his chosen way might be and whatever the means of his sadhana. He does it not under pressure but because of a deep commitment based on what he has seen, understood and internalized. Sadhana is doing certain practices that raise a person from wherever he is. Regular practice of sadhana is climbing up towards a certain goal. When one is climbing one cannot see the peak but one knows there is a peak, near or far and the sadhak climbs day after day, week after week, month after month. Usually, a sadhak is focused more on internal goals rather than external ones and once the sadhak is firmly on his path, he enjoys his journey, its highs and lows, challenges and difficulties. He takes in the breathtaking views he sometimes chances upon and they keep increasing the longer he continues. Sometimes, mistakenly, a sadhak may look for validation or appreciation or encouragement from external sources. Then he sets himself up for frustration and exhaustion because external validation is anathema to his path, his goal. Nothing valuable is achieved without sadhana. Therefore, a sadhak must use tools at his disposal - tools like mindfulness, composure, meditation and of course, his very sadhana. If, due to frustration or exhaustion, a sadhak feels like reducing or missing his sadhana, he must grab his tools and draw on his commitment to do his sadhana. Once he is over this little hurdle, the immediate rewards of sadhana will be easily sensed and they will give him the resolve to persist. Once the sadhak has won these mini battles within himself a few times, he may be truly and firmly on his path. Soon, he will receive much more than he expected from his sadhana - the fuel that will energize him on to greater heights. So, if you are already a sadhak, you will easily identify with these challenges, victories and rewards. If you’re new on the path, this will serve you to know what to be ready for and how to overcome those little challenges so you’re prepared and suitably committed to your path... Happy sadhana and happy climbing! - rajyogi (Rajesh Kanoi)