A devotee’s question: One devotee is asking how to constantly go ahead in sadhana?
Swami Nikhilanand Ji’s answer: I was just discussing that we want to see progress. So this devotee is saying, “How to get constant progress?” The key is consistency. Whatever practice the Guru has prescribed, that this is the path to God. Do this. We have to be consistent in that. Consistency means every day we have to do something. Whatever that is, whatever means of practicing and experiencing that connection with Radha Krishna is, we have to do it consistently every day.
That means don't try to do five hours one day and nothing the next. That type of erratic practice of sadhana will keep you going up and down. It's much better to do less amount, but the same every day. Just be consistent. Keep practicing devotion every day. If for you half an hour feels like a lot, “I just can't do it. I can't do it every day. So I do it one day and then I stop for a week.” That's not going to give you progress. Doing five minutes every day will give you more progress than doing thirty minutes one day and nothing for the next six days. Although it may add up to close to the same amount of time, you don't get the same benefit. Benefit comes from practicing every day.
That means whether it's sitting, doing some kirtan, doing roopdhyan, of course, or sitting and doing some Radhey breathing. Whatever form of sadhana you're doing, you have to do it every day, and keep the mind positive. That's the other important point. Be consistent in your practice of sadhana and stay positive.
Allowing your mind to become disheartened is a big enemy of devotion. Keep going. Keep doing the same thing. Keep practicing every day and know that God and Guru are with you and they are gracing you. So keep the mind in that positive outlook. If you feel bad, it's okay. Everybody has bad sanskars, but while you're feeling bad, you still have to feel good. You still have to have a positive outlook, “I know I'm being graced by Radha Krishna. I know that I'm on the true path. I'm having a bad day. It's fine. It's not the end of the world. Things will get better. This is just one small day. I've survived much worse.” We keep worrying, “Oh, I have this. I have that. I have that.” Yes. But compared to what you've been through in the rest of your life, is it any worse than what you've already survived? No. Probably a lot better.
And yet today, I'm so bothered by this thing. I'm worrying and becoming so stressed about this thing, and I've been through hundreds and thousands of things as worrisome or worse than this. Then why am I worrying? I made it through all of that. I made it here today. I'll make it further ahead.
So use some positive thinking to keep the mind always being hopeful and positive and be consistent. The progress will happen automatically. So just those two things: be consistent in doing sadhana every day and always keep the mind positive. Don't allow any feelings of disheartenment to come in your mind.
