Saturday, December 14, 2013

A Sādhaka's Weekly Update

A sādhaka agreed that it was OK to share her weekly sādhanā update. Through a little bit of self-effort and a receptive attitude, she is consistently seeing the effects of Guru's Grace manifesting in her practice and in her everyday life.

Some people come to me for dīkṣā (initiation) -- which I am happy to give -- but they neglect to follow the practice that is recommended to them. I don't hear stories relating any sort of tangible progress from initiates of this category. I am happy to give what I can but, unless you take it from my hand, the exchange is not made. But I can tell you from experience that if you do, Guru's Grace comes into play and meets you more than halfway.

But I digress. This one is a great example. May more aspirants follow her lead. OM Namo Narayana. 

Here is what she shared:

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Dec 8 at 8:54 PM
OM
Namaste

Meditated in the AM & PM. Reading Great Swan by Lex Hixon and also Consciousness is Everything by Swami Shankarananda. I read Ramakrishna's words to one of his followers, "Fearfulness, in turn, is the environment in which suspicion and even hatred can grow." People tell me that I'm too trusting. Anxiety is a family trait going at least two generations back before me. I can relate to the part about hatred. I have carried that around before. I can't say that I hate anyone at present. I credit my Gurus grace, my swami's teachings, and meditation that I don't harbor those emotions.

Meditated for 42 minutes. I remembered it's an early day at school & I have to take a Spanish test. I'm appreciating the experience of contentment, I have enough.

PM


Meditated for 45 minutes. Did some yoga postures for a half hour prior to meditating. Sometimes it improves my ability to focus when I meditate.

Tuesday

Yoga stretches and meditated for 45 minutes. I felt like I was looking at myself outside myself and I was translucsent and light as a bubble. When focusing upon my Guru, he appeared radiant. The church hymn, Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory randomly popped into my head.

PM

Meditated for 45 minutes. I was distracted a little. Felt things shifting around but it was barely perceptible which I don't mind. Sometimes things move around so forcefully that it feels like I'm in an earthquake or what I imagine an earthquake would be like. Found it difficult to sit still. When I was finished I was really sleepy.

Meditated for 45 minutes. It was difficult to focus. Even though the television was on in the other room I was a aware of the ringing sound [nāda]. It's one of my favorite sounds along with babies laughing and the sound of a train whistling.

I'm into my last week of school before we go on break. Usually between mid-term and finals I'm drowning in homework and my practice gets sporadic. Thank you for sending me blessings during test times. I have brought my grade up from a 63% (Spanish) to a 78%. I have my final this next week and some extra credit assignments that still need to be weighed before I receive my final grade.

Namaste
OM