Invited by dear friends to join them in a 40 Day Sadhana, I agreed without much hesitation or expectation. The journey of the Sadhana was full of challenges, surprises and inspiration.
Here are my three biggest revelations:
1. Set intentions and allow them to evolve throughout:
Take a few days to witness what arise as natural intentions, and allow them to evolve throughout the 40 day journey. My intentions included a gratitude mantra before meals and eliminating the use of technology after 9pm. Half way throughout the Sadhana, I felt a spontaneous drive to strengthen my body through a fire-y asana practice and begin a running routine 3 x weekly. I embraced the unexpected and allowed for the Sadhana to slowly seep into other aspects of my life. Create the mental space and follow your intuitive energies by allowing your intentions to organically morph into what it is you truly may need.
2. Self-Love and Acceptance are key.
Yes, you will miss practices…and you may even do it intentionally. Know that it’s okay. I missed the odd practices and even took a day off throughout. I felt different each week, but overall as the weeks passed I began to feel more at ease. I came away from the Sadhana with new healthy habits, but most important a sense of self-love and acceptance for the whole journey, even the days that I wasn’t as mindful as I would have liked. The Sadhana is not meant to be a competition that leaves you feeling stressed. The Sadhana is there as a powerful reminder of your highest self and your capacity to commit and build presence.
3. Day 40 is just the beginning!
Through a daily Sadhana practice, we are transforming our inner being. 40 days is the time it takes to train the subconscious to release thoughts or habits that no longer serve us. Throughout the 40 days we change the habit by replacing old patterns with new ones on a cellular level, which reshape the signals sent to the body and mind. Through a Sadhana we are slowly chipping away at our subconscious identity and blocks which limit us and instead move towards our highest selves. Day 40 represented a beautiful new beginning, one full of gratitude, discipline and self-love!