First step to Soaham Sadhana 1

The feelings of content of the sense organs and the mind are momentary. Once the desired things or pleasures are attained, the charm of the same disappears soon; the enthusiasm ceases and the thirst for novel taste, newer achievements…, begin to grow-up….; and so on….; the vicious cycle continues throughout the life…., and eventually the life ends in a 'yet to be satisfies state'

Most people do not realize that human life is the best creation of the God and it is bestowed on a jiva with very specific purpose. Even those who are attracted towards evolution of the inner self often do it at a superficial level. Some people think reading or listening to the religious scriptures and performing some rituals of worshiping is sufficient for spiritual elevation. They should note that such actions are only symbolic and supportive and do not lead to the 'visualization' of the existence of the soul as different from the body and the mind.

The process of spiritual awakening and inner contentment of the soul begins only when the piety, generous attitude, compassion and altruist activities of social welfare become natural part of one's thinking and routine cores. The door of the ecstatic beatitude of our soul opens only when our life, rather than being confined to the material attainments, comforts and sentient pleasures…., enjoys - helping others, sharing love and compassion with everybody around, and working for a noble cause of enlightening the society by the righteous knowledge and excelled expansion of moral ideals.

The science of spirituality and the yoga sadhanas cannot be understood or employed just by some physical actions or oral recitations. The incorporation of the associated principles in one's deeds and corresponding changes in one's intrinsic tendencies, emotions and thoughts is essential. Without the latter, the so-called spiritual and religious activities will be nothing more than engrossment of the mind and the body in a novel 'play' or activity….

The natural interests of the soul are rooted in compassion, generosity and altruist deeds of selfless service for the betterment of all. These cannot be fulfilled without sacrificing the selfish interests of the body. One has to learn limited and restrain the needs and desires of the body before proceeding towards the evolution of his true "self". One could attempt it in gradual steps so that the body could easily adopt the new life style. The training of the mind to face the 'hardships' of austerity and asceticism is the most difficult task. This could be achieved only if one has sincere faith, aspirations and strong will to become a better human, an ideal child of divinity… One's convictions and samskaras conditioning of mind or, suppressing and diverting it from self-restrain and altruist way of life.

Dedicated meditation on the separate existence of the soul and the mind, the prana and the body helps refining the samskaras and righteous conditioning of the mind and body for accepting the guidance of the soul. The soaham sadhana is supposed to be the best for this purpose. It can easily be performed with other kinds of upasanas and sadhanas and essential activities of the normal routine. This special pranayama can be practiced at any free time (of about 20 to 30 minutes at a stretch) during the day. However, it is most fruitful if performed at a neat and quite place, at regular intervals of time every day, in a relaxed and fresh state of the body and the mind. The larger the duration of this practice with through mental concentration, the faster will be its effect.

The gross body, pranik or the subtle body and the soul, each is given due importance in this sadhana. As stated earlier, this sadhana is beneficial for the body, mind and the soul because the oxygen, prana and the mahaprana acquired with each breath in this practice is an ideal food for the gross, subtle and causal bodies respectively. The combination of these sources induces energy and courage, enlightens the intellect with the understanding of the ideals of human life and inspires the inner self with the nectar of sraddha and the spiritual charge of absolute truth.