the secret underlying all sadhanas

Where there is a will, there is a way. That is, if a sincere liking to attain something arises in one's heart, a path whereby one can attain it will also be found, and because of that liking one's mind will unceasingly seek the goal until it is attained. Only when the liking to attain that goal does not truly arise in one's heart, will one experience difficulty in the sadhana or means adopted to attain it. Know that this is the secret underlying all sadhanas.

~ from Sadhu Om's Sadanai Saram, translated by Sadhu Om and Michael James

Vichara not Intellectual but Inward and Subtle

D: If I go on rejecting thoughts can I call it Vichara?

Sri Ramana Maharshi: It may be a stepping stone. But really Vichara begins when you cling to your Self and are already off the mental movement, the thought-waves.

D: Then Vichara is not intellectual?

M: No, it is Anthara vichara, inner quest.

D: That is Dhyana?

M: To stick to a position unassailed by thoughts is Abhyasa or Sadhana; you are watchful. But the condition grows intenser and deeper when your effort and all responsibilities are taken away from you; that is Aroodha, Siddhi state.


~ from Sat-Darshana Bhashya and Talks with Maharshi, by Kapali Sastri

Any time, anywhere

"[Sri Bhagavan] once said categorically: 'For practicing atma vichara, every day is auspicious and every moment is good -- no discipline is prescribed at all. Any time, anywhere, it can be done, even without others noticing you are doing it. All other sadhanas require external objects and congenial environment, but for atma vichara nothing external to oneself is required. Turning the mind within is all that is necessary. While one is engaging in atma vichara one can with ease attend to other activities also. Besides, atma vichara being a purely internal movement, one does not distract others who are around; whereas, in sadhanas like puja, others do notice you. One-pointed perseverence alone is essential in Self-enquiry and that is done purely inwardly, all the time. Your attention on the Self within alone is essential.'

~ from the notes of an early devotee, Sri M. G. Shanmugam, translated from Tamil by V. Ganesan and included in Moments Remembered