Difficulties in Sadhana
“Difficulties” and “Sadhana” are seemingly opposing virtues. While the Sadhak is doing his or her work, difficulties are inevitable. When one progresses into Sadhana it gives rise to myriads of experiences. The initial experiences are fast and often direct. These are motivating for the Sadhak pushing one to do more intense Sadhana in quest of more spiritual experiences. But then comes a phase when one enters a plateau. This long phase often deters the Sadhak and mediates boredom. Boredom triggers depression and depression attracts a cascade of difficulties and negativity hindering our progress. As the Gita says, one has to stay away from difficulties and depression. Sri Aurobindo has stated that during moments of despair, one needs to focus more on the psychic rather than the physical and the mental. The psychic is closer to the Divine and somewhat resistant to difficulties. Difficulties and depression shrink our consciousness. Rather than living in fear and anticipation, one should fa...