I have No Time for Spiritual Practice
Gurudev, taking out time for Sadhana in everyday life becomes little difficult, whereas I enjoy doing Sadhana. How to make it an easy habit?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Look, is it difficult to take out time to brush your teeth? You need to take time out to go to the washroom, isn't it? You bathe everyday or not? Do you run to the office after getting up from the bed? Without having breakfast, do you go?
There is time to have tea, breakfast, and gossip. There is time to bathe for an hour, and there is time to stand in front of the mirror and comb your hair. Whoever comes home we have time to talk nonsense with them. And on top of all this, there is time for television. But for doing Sadhana, after doing which one feels so good, how come there is no time? I know there is a lot of running around to do in life, and it feels like there is no time, but you have to create a discipline for sadhana. Make a commitment, 'If I don't do Sadhana today, I won't have breakfast. I don't have the right to eat anything until I sit for 15 minutes'.
Only 15 minutes, in the morning after waking up, sit in bed. Loosen your whole body, and realize that God is your own, God is within you. Just sit there for a few minutes.
I tell you, once in the year 1980, we went to Badrinath and Kedarnath (pilgrim spots in North India). In those days going to Badrinath and Kedarnath was very difficult. It would take three days from Rishikesh to Badrinath. We had to stop frequently and couldn't travel at night. There were two Germans with us who we taught pranayama and meditation. When it was evening, they would ask the driver to stop the car near any pavement. And there on the road, by the pavement, they would spread their mats and sit in meditation. I was surprised seeing them. Whatever condition you are in, wherever you are, you should meditate.
During my college days, if I was travelling by train, even I would also do it (my sadhana) there itself, in the train. But I was seeing these two Germans, they were so particular about the time. As soon as it was 6 pm they would stop the car, and sit in meditation.
What I mean to say is, we should make it a habit. Morning or evening, at least one time --- when you return home from work, wash your face and sit for 20 minutes. This much time we can definitely take out. Or wake up a little early in the morning. If you were not able to wake up early and got late one day, then do it after returning home in evening.
When you have decided that without doing sadhana you won't have food, then this becomes a part of your routine. Then if you miss one or two days, no problem. But don't make missing it a habit.
There's a very nice bhajan by Sant Kabirdas.
"Kaam na choda, krodh na choda, satyavachan kyu chod diya, Naam japan kyu chod diya".
(You didn't leave lust, you didn't leave anger, then why did you leave the words of truth? Why did you stop chanting his name?)
Source: https://www.artofliving.org/wisdom/no-time-sadhana
There is time to have tea, breakfast, and gossip. There is time to bathe for an hour, and there is time to stand in front of the mirror and comb your hair. Whoever comes home we have time to talk nonsense with them. And on top of all this, there is time for television. But for doing Sadhana, after doing which one feels so good, how come there is no time? I know there is a lot of running around to do in life, and it feels like there is no time, but you have to create a discipline for sadhana. Make a commitment, 'If I don't do Sadhana today, I won't have breakfast. I don't have the right to eat anything until I sit for 15 minutes'.
I tell you, once in the year 1980, we went to Badrinath and Kedarnath (pilgrim spots in North India). In those days going to Badrinath and Kedarnath was very difficult. It would take three days from Rishikesh to Badrinath. We had to stop frequently and couldn't travel at night. There were two Germans with us who we taught pranayama and meditation. When it was evening, they would ask the driver to stop the car near any pavement. And there on the road, by the pavement, they would spread their mats and sit in meditation. I was surprised seeing them. Whatever condition you are in, wherever you are, you should meditate.
During my college days, if I was travelling by train, even I would also do it (my sadhana) there itself, in the train. But I was seeing these two Germans, they were so particular about the time. As soon as it was 6 pm they would stop the car, and sit in meditation.
When you have decided that without doing sadhana you won't have food, then this becomes a part of your routine. Then if you miss one or two days, no problem. But don't make missing it a habit.
"Kaam na choda, krodh na choda, satyavachan kyu chod diya, Naam japan kyu chod diya".
(You didn't leave lust, you didn't leave anger, then why did you leave the words of truth? Why did you stop chanting his name?)
Source: https://www.artofliving.org/wisdom/no-time-sadhana
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