Confused About Which Sadhana to Do? Here's a Simple Way to Understand It

Summary

Om Swami explains that feeling unsure among many spiritual practices is understandable. Different sadhanas can work on different aspects of consciousness, much as a singer trains their voice in many ways. Practicing different mantras or invoking different divine forms does not necessarily mean changing one’s chosen deity; focus, devotion, emotion, and intention matter more than the form alone.

He describes sadhana as an ongoing process of self-purification—not simply mantra chanting or a way to obtain a specific worldly result. The example of researcher Frederick Banting illustrates how dedicated work, service, and detachment from rewards can also embody spiritual practice. The measure of progress, he says, is increasing peace and being disturbed less often.

Key Guidance

• Choose practices that suit you: Experiment with different sadhanas and notice which align with your temperament, energy, and sense of joy.
• Don’t mistake variety for a change of devotion: Practicing different mantras or honoring different divine forms does not necessarily mean your ishta—your chosen form of the divine—has changed.
• Focus on intention: Sadhana is primarily for self-purification and divine grace, rather than securing a particular outcome.
• Keep purifying yourself: Treat the practice as ongoing, like washing a garment whenever it becomes soiled; there is no final point at which inner work is permanently complete.
• Include conduct in your practice: Mantras alone are not enough. Virtues and righteous conduct are essential.
• Use peace as a measure of progress: Notice how often you become disturbed. Greater steadiness and fewer disturbances suggest progress.
• Practice with dedication and detachment: Serve and do your work sincerely without being attached to recognition or rewards.

Presenters and Sources Mentioned

• Presenter: Om Swami
• People and examples discussed: Frederick Banting, John Macleod, Charles Best, and an unnamed master and disciple in a story about gauging spiritual progress.