Your Spiritual Practice - Please Share

[Dharmapala]

Namaste! I thought it would be nice to start a thread where we can all share our own personal spiritual practices with fellow forum members. My guru, Sri Acharyaji, is known for always stressing that Dharma can only be fully understood when we have a daily spiritual routine that we follow seriously. Philosophy isn't enough!

This is my own spiritual practice. Each morning, I perform a simple puja at my altar to Radha Krishna. I usually offer some inscence, a ghee wick lamp, and some almonds. After puja, I then sit in silent meditation for several minutes as I let my mind and body relax. Then I begin to perform mantra meditation for about 10 - 15 minutes. The mantra that Sri Acharyaji taught me is Aum Namo Narayanaya. Finally, I listen to my breath again silently for a few more minutes. After meditation, I do Sun Salutations about 6 times. If I have time, I do other asanas as well. Later in the evening, I read either from the Hindu scriptures or Srila Prabhupada's books, or something from Sri Acharyaji or other Hindu authors for as much time as I can spare.

What does your daily spiritual routine look like? Please share any thoughts or insights from your personal sadhana with us.

[dharmananda]

My practice is a simple one, for I am a simple man.


Meditation and devotion are my practice.


I start my day with a few minutes of meditation, anything from 5 - 15 minutes usually. I like silent meditation, but it is the hardest to achieve, so I will usually start with mantra chanting (I too use the mantra Aum Namo Narayanaya), then silent mantra, then silent awareness until I catch myself thinking, then it's back the beginning.


It's a wonderful way to start the day.


Then my goal is to keep the feeling of Divinity present with me all day, trying to incorporate it into all that I do.


One big thing that I have become extremely conscious of is the influences that I surround myself with. I have begun trying to fill my universe with practices and people that uplift me toward the Divine, as opposed to taking me away from it.


I do this with the books that I read, the music that I listen to, the movies that I watch and the people that I surround myself with, but more importantly with my thoughts, my emotions, and my actions.


One guiding principle that I live by is love. Love is my favorite expression of Divinity. Let all your actions in life be guided by love, and God will be with you always.


I have found that when I live a virtuous life, with loving intention in all that I do, it is easier to slip into that still place of meditation, and then to carry that feeling of unity found in meditation with me throughout the day. This is what I speak of when I say that I have never been happier than in my walk with Dharma.


I also love to do Yoga asanas. They are meditation and prayer in action and are an essential part of my practice. I have three classes a week that I love to attend, and have been working on building my home practice. My dream is to teach it someday.


I have always loved to read, and diving into spiritual texts enrich my practice on a daily basis. If nothing else, a few minutes study with the Gita is always a great start.


The key is the meditation. I slip into it whenever possible. Anytime I have to do something important I try to fit in at least a few minutes of meditation beforehand, nothing else compares. Or anytime I get upset about something, or stressed out about nothing, meditation is the answer. And of course right before bed is another great time to meditate, reflecting on the gift of today, and preparing to enjoy it all again tomorrow.




'The wise is one who searches for God,


the successful is one who finds Him.'


Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharyaji




Namaste

[Shivadas]

My primary daily practice begins at 4am and usually lasts a minimum of one hour. I begin with some yoga asanas to prepare my mind and body. I then perform a short agni homam (vedic fire ritual), followed by recitation of various mantrams, sing some bhajans and sit in silent meditation for 30 minutes. I then perform arati to Lord Shiva and finish with japa, using the mantra my guru gave me nearly 30 years ago, aum hreem shivaya namaha.

H.V. Shivadas Jaya
(Dr. A. R. Guagliardo, D.D.)

[Tulasi Devi]

My practice evolves and changes to fit with my spiritual goals but I have meditated daily for several years on the mantra that my guru gave me, Om Namo Narayanaya. My favorite place to meditate is in front of moving water in nature and there have been months that I got up very early to do this before work every day. I also meditate in the Hindu Temple of Nebraska in front of the deities and I participate in group meditations. One of these meditations was the daily meditation that Acharyaji led during his month long fast to revive Dharma. I also really enjoy the group meditation and spiritual teachings at the Weekly Omaha Meditation (http://www.meetup.com/dharmacentral/).

Currently I am especially focused on gaining knowledge (Jnana Yoga) and practicing Dharma. I attend excellent classes that are taught by an authentic Guru, Sri Acharyaji (Dr. Frank Morales). I am excited to be a part of the living Dharma that is being played out today by being a part of authentic Dharmic events and causes. I believe in the urgent necessity for the revival of Dharma in the world and I want to try to assist with the important and historic efforts that are being made towards this end.

[Pari]

Although I am relatively new to the practice of Sanatana Dharma...I feel that it has always been innate for me. The beliefs about my spirit and the way I interracted with others in my life...well, Sanatana Dharma finally gave me a name for my beliefs. In the couple of months that I have been a student of Sri Acharyaji...I have started to dedicate portions of my days to things that fill me up in a spiritual way. I start off my morning with a yoga session...usually at least 30 minutes. After I finish, I do some silent meditation...but I will admit, I am not very good at this yet. I can do maybe 5 minutes before my brain starts chattering, and I am learning to quiet this. I find that I really enjoy the mantra "Aum Namo Narayanaya", which I learned at Satsangha. I find it comforting and when I really get going with it, I start to tingle. After I finish with the mantra meditation, I read for a while...sometimes I get carried away and read for over an hour. Right now I am really getting acquainted with the Bhagavad Gita and I'm also enjoying Sri Acharyaji's "The Art of Wisdom". I find that if I do all of these things in the morning, I am centered for the rest of my day. I don't become impatient quite as much...I can breathe and sit calmly and for me that is big. I am clear headed and I just have an overall feeling of well-being and compassion. I smile easily and feel closer to the people in my life...even strangers.