How to Make Faster Progress in Sadhana

Question
I spend 45-60 minutes daily for Sadhana, but I don't feel that I am making adequate progress. What should I do?

Answer
Sadhana means "practice". The aspirants of divine love need to practice focusing their mind on Divine Hari and Guru. To increase the speed of sadhana one must -
1. Have firm determination
2. Practice Roopdhyan , visualizing the Divine form of God

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Maharaj has given explicit instructions and provided practical guidelines to follow for doing sadhana .

1. Make a firm decision to do your daily sadhana at the same time and the same place. Sit attentively and do not be lazy.

2. Place pictures of Shri Radha Krishna and your Guru on the altar. Note that there should be no other picture on the altar as multiple pictures could distract your mind.

3. Before starting your sadhana, clean up the place, with a feeling that you are cleaning your Guru's sitting area.

4. Sit with your eyes closed and meditate upon the form of your Guru, requesting Him to control your mind, so you can focus on your sadhana.

5. Start your sadhanaby performing the Aarti of your Guru and feel the light emanating from the 'diya' is falling on the face, forehead and goes all the way to His lotus feet, as you move the Aarti -plate in a clockwise motion.

6. After performing Aarti, offer flowers at His lotus feet. You can develop a feeling in your mind that you are offering flowers and applying sandalwood ( Chandan ) paste on His lotus feet.

7. Now start your sadhana by chanting any Keertan or bhajan ('pad') of Prem Ras Madira. It will be better if you chant the same kirtan for an hour. Doing so might light a spark of love in your heart.

8. Make sure that your mind is focused on the divine form of Shri Radha Krishna and you feel the presence of your Guru with you.

9. If your mind runs towards other material objects, see Shri Maharaj Ji right over there and feel as if He is reprimanding you for letting your mind be distracted. He will help you.

10. Everyone has to wrestle with their mind. The mind is extremely fickle. Don't worry, Shri Maharaj Ji is always with you to help divert your mind towards God. Have a firm faith that he will support you.

11. Don't get disheartened by problems that come in your personal life. Problems are also a divine grace in disguise. Embrace the grace.

12. At your work, whenever you have couple of minutes, feel Shri Maharaj Ji is there with you, He is watching each and every idea and action. Feel,"I must not do anything wrong, otherwise he will not be happy".

Constant practice of this process will increase the speed of your devotion.

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