When Sadhana Fructifies into Siddhi (Aatmbindu Upanishad)

 

       Briefly recapping the thrust of the previous verse, we can say that the mind has been given the Sadhana of turning inward and keeping its attention on the Self as best as it can. 

       1 In this practice, it will not be successful immediately. The practice takes time to get perfected. While it is still not perfected, the stage is defined as a Sadhana. In the stage of Sadhana it is necessary to maintain the self-discipline of restraining one’s mind from running outwards. 

       2 Gradually the duration of concentration on the Self increases as thoughts get less and less troublesome. Eventually there comes a time when the mind, as it were, gets “dissolved” in the heart centre. This is the point we have been striving to attain. It is the point when all thoughts vanish and one is able to abide undisturbed in the Self within. At this point the Sadhana (the effort) has fructified into Siddhi (perfection). At this point, restraint, which implies an application of great effort, is no longer needed. The abidance in the Self is undisturbed. Hence the “effort” to restrain the mind is not needed. The whole process becomes effortless. This is the indication that the goal is approaching near. The mind has found a better way to “enjoy” itself – within its own heart, in the Presence of the Divine! 

       3 This, of course, is the theory, which sounds so simple. In practice it is like climbing up to the peak of Mount Everest! When one actually practices this advice he begins to realize how much is demanded of him. He has to sweat and toil for every inch gained on the path. The sweat and toil is to overcome the resistance of the mind to the change. 

       4 The Rishi, who has already been through the journey, is now able to advise the student to beware of too much verbalizing of this theory. One can easily get stuck on the path by resorting to too much of discussion on the theory. It is rightly said, “An ounce of practice is worth tons of theory.”