Spiritual stamina

Hari Aum.

When we first embark upon our spiritual journey, it is all very new and exciting. We have lots to discover about the spiritual path, about ourselves, what sadhanas (spiritual practices) to do and so on. Typically, we read, travel and meet people to learn more about spirituality. We reflect upon what we've read and heard and come up with our own understanding of the spiritual path and what we need to do. And then, usually, most of us take up some sadhana (spiritual practice). Initially, there is the challenge of getting into a routine, of self-discipline, of doing the practice every day. But we remind ourselves of the spiritual benefits and carry on. It's still new, fresh and interesting. This helps stay motivated.

After some years of regular practice, we've got into the daily routine of doing sadhana, and there comes the next challenge. The challenge of sustaining the practice. The sadhana is not completely new to us now. It is more familiar. We have a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses now. We know what we need to do. We just need to do it. The difficulty sometimes can be to stay motivated. Spiritual life is a continuous battle with one's lower mind. It involves persistence and great effort and it takes time to see results. Results do occur but we often expect more than what we get and expect things to occur faster than they really do. This can be frustrating. However, patience and perseverance are essential qualities in spiritual life according to the yogis. They tell us to be prepared to work hard for a long time. Good things come to those who wait they say. We accept what they tell us but it's still not easy. 

The dictionary definition of 'stamina' is 'the physical or mental strength to do something that might be difficult and will take a long time'. Stamina involves strength. It is needed to continue on the spiritual path. Stamina requires good health. It is difficult to focus on spiritual matters when the body is weak, in pain or otherwise unhealthy. Stamina also requires faith, trust in oneself, in the Guru and in God. It involves trust that things will happen at the right time. God does things at the right time. He/She is an artist that creates a unique spiritual path for each one of us. No two yogis attained God in exactly the same way. We too have our unique path laid out for us. We just have to be willing to walk it.

As mentioned in the last couple of posts, I've had a bit of a spiritual crisis recently. May be it's just the pregnancy hormones, may be it's the effect of my karma as outlined in my astrological chart (going through the so-called 'Sade Sati' - difficult phase of Saturn's influence), or may be it's something else. I feel like I've been through a tough phase physically (health has been terrible due to the pregnancy hormones- now much better), mentally (feeling gloomy and depressed) and spiritually (feeling apathetic and uninspired).

After two months of these unpleasant experiences, I feel slightly better. Health is improving, strength is building and spiritual motivation is also returning.

I am continuing with the mantra practice. The current aim, based on my present health situation, is 7 malas a day. In between I try and remember God as often as possible. I'm trying to accept God's will for me. I try to accept that I must simply do the sadhana without any expectations- but yet with the knowledge that the results will inevitably come in good time, at the right time.

I'm trying to cultivate and maintain my spiritual stamina. After seven years of daily japa, I'm trying to rediscover the joy of my practice by just letting go and being patient. (Patience is not a natural quality for an Aries ascendant/lagna such as myself so it's quite a test for me!).

Anyway. Onwards and upwards we go. As one of the Swamis from the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh said during my Skype satsang today, 'Human birth alone is suitable to strive for self-realisation'. It is a golden, precious opportunity not to be missed.

May God give those of us who have been walking the spiritual path for a while the spiritual stamina to continue until we attain Him/Her. May we be granted the ability to find new-ness, freshness and joy in our sadhana at every step until we attain the spiritual goal of life.

Hari Aum Tat Sat