Importance And Types Of Spiritual Practice (Spiritual Analysis)

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Every human being constantly strives to attain happiness. He tries to acquire happiness through worldly pleasures and science; however, this happiness is not everlasting because it is a part of Maya that has an end. Every happiness in Mäyä finally has an end. The happiness which is of the highest form and everlasting is known as Anand (Bliss). In this Universe, there is only one source of eternal flow of Anand and it is none other than the 'God Principle'. Hence, as you make efforts to merge with the God Principle, you begin to experience the sweetness of Anand. Making efforts to merge with the God Principle is itself called spiritual practice.

In human life, 80% of the causes of unhappiness are spiritual in nature (for example, destiny, distress caused by negative energies, problems due to unfavourable position of the planets in the horoscope). Since science cannot overcome these spiritual causes, obviously it also cannot overcome the unhappiness arising from them. The spiritual causes of unhappiness can be overcome only with the help of spiritual practice. Spiritual practice helps in curing many physical and psychological illnesses. Spiritual practice also bestows on humans the strength to endure unhappiness. Besides, it also helps in the development of Divine virtues like faith, sacrifice and courage in a seeker, making his life ideal and complete. This teaches us that irrespective of whether we make efforts for God-realisation or not, there is no alternative to spiritual practice.

While performing spiritual practice, the time that is required for attaining the goal depends upon the spiritual practice of the previous birth, destiny, impressions on the subconscious mind, obstacles in spiritual practice, etc. Since we cannot ascertain all these facts completely, it is appropriate to perform spiritual practice under the guidance of a Guru (Spiritual Master) or based on the Scriptures. Sanatan's Text Series on 'Spiritual Practice' elucidate how spiritual practice should be performed as per the Scriptures.

Spiritual practice has two main aspects vyashţi sādhanā (Individual spiritual practice that benefits only the seeker performing it) and samashți sādhanā (Spiritual practice for the spread of Spirituality). Since in this Kaliyug (Present era of strife amongst the 4 Eras Satyayug, Trētāyug, Dwāparyug and Kaliyug), the sättvikatā (Spiritual purity) in society has reduced, it is difficult to perform spiritual practice. Only when the sättvikatā in society rises, will it become easy to perform spiritual practice. This is why, encouraging people in society to perform spiritual practice is also an important aspect. Practical guidance on vyashți sādhanā and samashți sādhanā is provided in Sanatan's Text 'Individual spiritual practice and spiritual practice of spreading Spirituality'. - Compiler.