Sadhana

Hislop: Once one has tasted sugar, one never mistakes salt for sugar. If that bliss of which Swami speaks is our real nature, how is it that we confuse the unreal for the real?

Sai: You have not tasted either the salt or the sugar but are just looking at them and imagining them.

Hislop: When one is merged in the Divine bliss, is one aware of it?

Sai: He is the witness of his bliss. The person loses his limited awareness for God’s total awareness. Deep sleep is samadhi, where there is no world and no mind but only the experience of ‘I.’ Freedom is that same experience in full awareness.

Hislop: At various times, Swami mentions happiness, joy, bliss. Is there a difference?

Sai: Happiness is temporary; it is given to us by others. Next comes joy. One is joyful while filling the stomach—it comes and goes. But bliss is one’s rightful nature; it does not come and go. Bliss is not something that comes to one; it is one’s real nature and is permanent.

Hislop: If one is wholly absorbed in God, who will take care of the body?

Sai: In waking and dreams, the mind is there, but who takes care in deep sleep? God takes care. Who takes care of the body at any time? One side may be paralyzed; can you make it move? The genuine saints and yogis in the Himalayas—they have no way to take care of their bodies. It is God who takes care.

Hislop: Baba says that in sadhana at a certain stage the exterior nature ceases. How is that?

Sai: There are ten stages in sadhana, each cognized by sounds of various types ranging from just sound, through vibrations, bell, flute, conch, Om, thunder, explosion. The 10th is pure form. Then the senses are transcended. Until then, everything is in the sense realm. Above the senses, there is the state of bliss, the universal body of God, which is light.

Hislop: Is that state of bliss there only for a time? What happens then in the daily round of living?

Sai: That state when fully realized as natural always remains. Then the world is bliss, always bliss. Think God, eat God, drink God, breathe God, live God.

Hislop: Does everyone pass through these sadhana stages?

Sai: No. One may go directly to the transcendental state, or to the stage number 6 or 7 or any way at all. It is not uniform.

Hislop: What should be one’s attitude to these sadhana stages as one encounters them?

Sai: The states change, but the attitude should be un­changing.

Hislop: But what value should one give to the various stages?

Sai: The sadhaka will not be satisfied with any of the states because it is complete union that is desired. Desire remains strong and constant until the transcendental bliss is realized and then desire ceases. Who is the poorest man in the world?

Hislop: The man without God?

Sai: No. The man with the most desires is the poorest. Until we realize the desireless state of pure bliss, we are in poverty.

A Visitor: One gains a measure of spiritual understanding, but in the next life it is all swept away, and all is lost?

Sai: We say, ‘I am not the body, mind or intelligence, because they are impermanent.’ These are of the same matter. They are not of different material. Just as butter, curds, buttermilk, ghee cannot again be joined to the others to constitute into milk once again, in the same way the quality of spiritual being, once separated by churning the milk of the world, does not go back again into the world. The spiritual beingness is never lost once it is manifested.

Source: Conversations with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Sadhana

Sadhana is the sacred path of inner discipline that guides a seeker toward peace, purity, and spiritual awakening. In every age, saints and sages have explained that true happiness does not come from material success alone, but from the realization of the divine presence within. Through Sadhana, the mind becomes calm, the heart becomes pure, and life gains deeper meaning. The spiritual traditions of India have always emphasized that regular prayer, meditation, selfless service, and devotion are essential for transforming human life into a divine journey.

The beauty of Sadhana lies in its simplicity. A person does not need wealth, status, or great knowledge to begin this sacred practice. Even a few moments spent in silent prayer, chanting the holy name, or reading spiritual teachings can slowly awaken inner awareness. Consistency is more important than intensity. Daily effort helps remove negative thoughts such as anger, jealousy, greed, and fear. When the mind becomes pure, divine grace naturally flows into life.

Many spiritual masters have taught that Sadhana should not be limited to temples or places of worship. Every action can become spiritual when performed with love and sincerity. Speaking kindly, helping others, respecting parents, and performing duties honestly are also forms of worship. The real purpose of spiritual practice is to develop compassion, patience, humility, and truthfulness. These noble qualities make human life meaningful and sacred.

In today’s fast-moving world, people often experience stress, confusion, and emotional emptiness. The constant pursuit of worldly pleasures cannot provide lasting peace. This is why Sadhana is more important than ever before. Meditation helps calm the restless mind, while devotion fills the heart with faith and positivity. A seeker who follows spiritual discipline regularly begins to experience inner strength and contentment even during difficult times.

The ancient scriptures explain that every soul is divine. However, ignorance and attachment hide this truth from human understanding. Through Sadhana, the clouds of ignorance slowly disappear, allowing the light of wisdom to shine. Spiritual practice is like polishing a mirror. As the mirror becomes cleaner, the reflection becomes clearer. Similarly, the purified mind reflects divine consciousness more perfectly.

According to the teachings shared on Devotional India, spiritual growth requires both faith and patience. Results may not appear immediately, but sincere effort never goes in vain. Every prayer, every act of kindness, and every moment of remembrance brings the seeker closer to the divine goal. Spiritual transformation happens gradually, just like a seed slowly growing into a strong tree.

The path of Sadhana also teaches the importance of self-control. Desires and distractions often pull the mind outward, preventing inner peace. By practicing discipline and moderation, one develops mastery over thoughts and emotions. A disciplined life creates harmony between body, mind, and soul. This balance leads to true happiness and spiritual stability.

The wisdom shared by Devotional India inspires seekers to make spirituality a part of daily living. Whether through bhajans, meditation, scriptural study, or service to humanity, every spiritual effort has value. Sadhana is not merely a ritual but a journey toward self-realization and divine love. When practiced with sincerity, devotion, and purity of heart, Sadhana transforms ordinary life into a sacred experience filled with peace, wisdom, and eternal joy. Through the guidance of Devotional India, seekers continue to discover the timeless power of devotion and inner awakening.

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