Get Your Sadhana Back - Now!
(Saddhana means spiritual practice.)
Many devotees are going through hard times lately. While the Pandemic is not helping, it's not the only issue. I thought to share something that may give hope plus help to others. If you're not a devotee, it may do that for you anyway. :)
I had an unexpected, wonderful spiritual experience the other night that was so lovely - it's hard to hold it inside.
Krishna was kind and gave me some bliss! It felt soooo good, and a bit mystical. No, not visions ha, but feelings some may get at the temple. I am not special, anyone can have this or their own spiritual experience!
Initially I was unsure if this should be shared. Part of my inner self thought it may be meant for me only, therefore to keep it private. However, the bigger part came from Prabhupada's teachings where we are suppose to share / preach / encourage Krishna C with anyone who wants it. And that is actually what it is all about - telling only those who want to hear in an open and positive frame of mind. If this is not you, please stop reading, and click this page off, now.
Some are in bliss with their spiritual life and that's great. Others have had a taste of bliss but it got left behind due to bad experiences interfering, which can include a large range of issues. Then there are those in grey area's. I suppose I am someone in a grey area.
You can lift your spirits! Some may be wondering "how," if already feeling very down. While I don't have the answer for everyone, what I can do is share an experience of mine which may in turn, open a door or window for someone else out there. It's worth checking out.
Incidentally, one does not have to be feeling bad or sad, because anybody can benefit from doing this. Including those who are happy. :)
Of course if a reader is feeling sad etc, they tend to give up, so it should be known what's about to be shared, can genuinely help.
Where do I start without complaining too much of my own stuff. ha Please know that we all have some. It's kali yuga/age, therefore no one need to feel singled out. You are not alone, as in this age, life is hard, what to speak of peaceful life, what to speak of spiritual life! Yet, there is a way.
Taking my own advice :) every night I do a small arotika. If you don't know how, I will give basic info, plus links for more detailed info. However, please only do as much as you can peacefully maintain.
I had to start that day - though every day - taking care of family stuff, house cleaning, and dealing with my own health. Mundane but responsibilities. Then there's the fact that the Movement changed so drastically that it even effected my husband, children, grandchildren, self. Not what I signed up for when becoming a devotee. Yet, not what I wish to get into with this post. Whatever our reasons, we all need to keep on going, one way, or another way. :) I had to find a way!
Stepping into my little temple room at night, cracking open the door after knocking on it to enter the Lords house, darkness hit me in the face!
Then I saw. A light-bulb blew out. Oh great. Now what was I to do? I could stand on a chair to change it, but not at the end of the day after working and tired. Too risky to fall.
It hit me. Why not do arotika in the dark, like we do for Mongala [morning worship]? For a few seconds this brought back thoughts and feelings of what it was like to be present in those early morning [4:30] arotika's - and it felt great!
Didn't know how it would play out at home since I had to set up a few items which required light to see. Yet there was one lamp shining onto the altar = some light in the room as well. So, not totally dark. Just the correct amount. :)
If you are overwhelmed with life issues to the point where it's hard to do an arotika - resolving that is part of what this post is about.
Please know: this is also when it's the best time to do something small and simple, rather than elaborate or perfectionism.
That equally applies to those who are exceptionally busy, or may be feeling too sick to do much. Let us not forget those who are getting up there in age, wondering why they can't do the sadhana they use to even when they try. Here is something they most likely can do!
You do not have to be a brahmana to do this, no need to be initiated, and no need to join any organization. Just go with your heart and some basic tips:
[Since the following will include small fire, keep water nearby, stay away from curtains etc, and be careful.]
I entered - singing Hare Krishna. After an easy gathering of items, I picked up a sweet-scented incense stick imported from India. Lighting it, did a simple offering by circling it gently around the Lord, for Him to smell. After that, into the incense holder it went. This lovely smoke wafted about, making the entire atmosphere fragrantly wonderful!
Next, I picked up a taper candle. After lighting, made slow or gentle circular motions offering to each deity/murti or picture. [I have both; whatever you have is fine]. Ambient light of the candle flickered brightly around the Lords form - lighting up a large portion of the room.
While I have done all of this before, I never did it at home in a softly lit room! A little mesmerizing.
Wondering why darkness felt helpful when I was under the impression that it was something to avoid; next remembering, as touched on above, that in the temples we do Mongala Arotika / worship before sunrise. Sure, Mongala is a better time, but any time to worship is good.
It appears to be about the ratio. To have a room dimmed a certain "amount," seems to shut out the three guna's/material modes, when focusing on Krishna. Kind of like closing your eyes. Did you know when eyes are shut, one can automatically be put in an Alpha State by "up to" 80%? Though not recommended [nor possible] when doing an offering. Thus, we dim the lights in the room - leaving on the lamps on or near the altar.
Additionally, there just may be more ions in the night air. And in that, or the above, there is always some light. From evening stars to that which you see with closed eyes.
All are food for thought.
These sciences are there. They originate from God, the Supreme Scientist. Not the other way around. I mention this because some misunderstand that if they find a scientific reason for something it therefore removes God from the equation. That's backwards. If God is the Creator, there is no reason He could not create science. We humans are merely figuring out some of what He made. Thus, it's a Gift from Him - to get us to Him.
Anyway, I am thinking of buying Black-Out curtains for a daytime option, but not sure. I like sunlight arotika's too. Of course! :)
Next, my singing continued. Since I was able to relax more, different tunes were easier to find. I am someone who needs a variety of tunes. [Not talking of what should be sung in official temple rooms, just at home.] Though I can and do sing some, they don't usually come to me easily. But this time they did! A few variants on the all ready different tune I had started singing, came out of my mouth.
Arotika over. A half hour later, I was still feeling blissful! Believe it would have lasted longer if I did not have some mundane duties. :)
You can also experience this bliss after an artoka! THIS is what spiritual life should be like, not all the nonsense that has been going on. Prabhupada told us to turn our homes into Vaikuntha. While mine has a long way to go, we start with the temple room, and let it spread out from there. :) [You don't have to have an entire room. A table or shelf in a special area will work.]
Anyone can do this. What follows are a few details.
NOTE: I all ready have numerous paraphernalia for worship, but other folks may not, so what follows are some easy, variegated, ideas.
Cleanliness: I'm not going to add a lot about that here simply because it is all ready in the links I've posted below. Please wash hands etc before doing sadhana, and please keep the Lords items clean. Don't throw anything into the dirty trash. Create a "sacred throw-out" or container to gather it where you can later bring it somewhere to dispose of, tho often not practical so find a way that works for you. Maybe burn it, or if eatable then distribute to the local squirrels etc. Sprinkle around your favorite tree. Dig a hole and/ or create an interesting, artistic mound in your backyard, decorate it too. Think up some of your own. I've done my best to keep clean-up down to a minimum so those having a hard time will be able to follow through.
Ghee wicks: These are great, but require ability to make, time to clean the brass holder, and make or buy ghee. For simplicity - tall bees wax candles. I'll put their link below, but any candle will do. It does not have to be beeswax, tho I prefer those. However, in my past I could not get them, and that is when I used a regular candle. It's far more important to worship then to get persnickety about candles. And I suspect most temples use regular ones during Damodarastakm. Incidentally, while I am fine holding and offering these tall candles, they do drip a bit of wax, therefore the reader may wish to buy or make a candle holder. [If making, can do similar to those for incense, described below.]
If you've felt you're not a good fit at a temple, community, or in some places feel rejected - offering a candle flame brings a billowy mellow that, "at the speed of light" :), creates atmosphere in the area it is burning. You feel warm and welcomed, peaceful, thus easier to connect to God/Krishna. And even if you have felt accepted, etc etc, this is just blissful to do! Illumination of the candle flame aids with a meditative state, thus meditating on the deity or pic to Whom you are offering. It's nectar!
Essential Oils: These are something I all ready have in the little temple room and only for Them, but if you don't, they're not a requirement. With that said, I simply put some on the wick and on the candle itself. This takes less then one minute. The idea is to keep everything short and sweet so it can not only be done, but be maintained.
Incense: Do you love using it, but fried on a simple way to clean up the ashes easily? Well, if you have nothing else, and don't have much money, can use cooking Foil and shape it like a hat with a rim. The incense stick would go in the ball or top of the hat [poke a hole 1st & test that it stays]. The rim will catch most ashes. This can be rinsed then thrown out after, with little mess. Wipe floor with wet paper towel or baby wipes. ....The next biggest tip on cleanup? Once done, stop thinking about it. On all levels.
Another way to make an incense holder is to use clay. This is preferred over foil, tho either will do. Since one purpose of this blog post is not only simplicity but maintenance, PlayDoh works! Oh how odd that may initially sound, yet think about it. PlayDoh is made so a child can eat it, because they are inclined to. That means legally, it has to have high cleanliness standards! It's inexpensive, about 50 cents a can, & can make several holders. Simplest way is to roll a ball the incense can easily stick into when the time is right; or any shape you wish. Just flatten the bottom so it can sit on a table or area you are placing offering items.
UPDATE: Yet another way to make one. Shape foil in your hand like a tube, close one end, or use a new glass holder you don't mind washing regularly. Fill with rice, or with salt, or ivory flakes, sand, etc. I almost wish I placed this idea first because it is so inexpensive, easier to clean up [just toss the rice to the birds, or salt in the garden - not in the dirty trash]. It's also very practical and simple. Remember, this can also work for candles.
The set-up did not take long, but even if it did, I would sing because it is so joyful to sing the Lords names! If you want bliss, you need to engage those vocal cords He gave ya. :) This is not about how good or bad you sound. He does not care. This is about devotional service. He makes it fun; let us not make it the opposite. Enjoy your singing of Hare Krishna no matter how you sound! Get into it!
Matches: This should be simple. Yet, can create confusion. Most will think: "But they are easy to light." Yes. Let me explain. First for the candle, then for the incense - keeping offering items in the right hand. Hard to strike a match with the left.
Solution: Seek and ye shall find. :) Take out another candle and set it on something for easy maintenance and clean up. [Can use aluminum foil if you want.] This candle is never offered - it's used for lighting the items. [Sometimes the rim of this candle may need to be snipped back in order to light the wick, because over time the middle melts down, leaving wax walls. It's easy to do.] And it's something pretty to have in the room. Light this candle first, next the incense from it, later the offering candle from this one. At end of arotika, only this candle is snuffed out - with a snuffer, or a cone shaped piece of foil with a long foil handle. Be creative, be safe.
Environment: From curtains, to getting away from bad [or questionable] association, to adding inspiring items like essential oils. Yours may be different. Simply find what gets you cooking, what makes you feel good, what lifts your spirits. Create the environment or atmosphere that assists you in these ways.
In a time when "The Secret" or "Feel Good To Heal" have come to the forefront, at the very least we can't ignore such benefits arotika can add. Elevating oxytocin, endorphins, dopamine, serotonin - IMHO adding such exciting, blissful life may assist in such ways. While this is not a post about physical or mental healing, as I have another page on that, simply, healing is something to consider. I remember a woman who joined years ago who, shall we say, was not very pretty. After a while of practicing Krishna Consciousness, a friend pointed out to me how she is changing! Her skin was nicer, her face softer, she is prettier! We are not this body and should not focus on that. Just saying, Krishna / God and his process - when we follow Srila Prabhupada - it's very potent!
Some readers will be quick to point out we are not in this for healing. I agree. It is simply an automatic side-benefit. The goal is to develop love of God. Whatever supports your Krishna Consciousness and is doable for you as an individual, take action. Otherwise it likely is just an exercise in reading. It doesn't have to be hard, nor complex. Find what you can enjoy and maintain.
Joyful options: Maybe grow some flowers, or locate the highest quality incense, or buy a colorful altar cloth, or spend time molding the incense holder of your choice, etc. Just stay relaxed, gently focused, allowing happiness and satisfaction to enter.
In this way most can take out a short time to worship. Do not let time issues block you, fearing it takes too long, or you don't have enough. I was going through some of that too. And the "I'm not qualified, not good enough, etc." Maya's tricks to keep us from doing anything! Therefore, if you can only do a ten, heck even five minute arotika - then DO a five minute arotika.
Be "present" in it. Give up worry, guilt, tension, negativity of any sort - and allow yourself to relish what you are doing in these Krishna Consciousness moments. Tell the mind that wanders, or worries, to shut up. lol And just be here, now. :)
Summarized: Optional: dim the lights. Next sing, offer incense, then offer candlelight; chant and be happy.
Get into it! It's so simple some may not want to believe it. But this is spiritual, therefore it works when you do. :) Desire and heart = everything.
Remember: There is no need to join any group or organization in order to practice Krishna Consciousness. Srila Prabhupada's Movement is not physical, thus it is in the heart of anyone who wants to practice it, even in their own homes. <3
And...please save to your FAVORITES. :)
RELATED and HELPFUL LINKS:
BeesWax Taper Candles - These are the ones I use. They are less expensive than the link directly below, but sometimes amazon is out of them. ....You will need to make or buy some type of holder because they drip.
Bees Wax Taper Candles - Don't let that bee on it fool you, it's not real, but looks it. Adorable! If you want to cut the candle in half you will have twice as many. [Snip away wax around 1 wick.] Make or buy some type of holder.
How To Create Your Home Altar: This is only if you wish to do more, to tweak things, as are all the rest which follow. Never feel that if you can't do this or the others, that you should quit. No! Doing only what is posted above on this page is fine.
How To Use Your Home Altar - As touched on via the link above, only take on what you can maintain, and allow yourself to feel good about. With that said, some may want this too.
Life and Music: Using sound vibration of music to lift spirits.
Walking and Singing: "Last night I had a wonderful experience..."
Blissful Sadhana - Fun spiritual arts and crafts. Also: how to make an Incense Holder out of clay.
Absorption is Key - and it's bliss too!
Gallery of Holy Names - Why does anyone take to chanting Hare Krishna?
Smile Awhile :)
Ecstatic Bliss - nectar memory of one of the first disciples.
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