The Importance of Spiritual Practice (Upasana)

Samarth Ramdas Swami says: “Upasana is a great support; without upasana, a person becomes helpless.” This means that spiritual practice helps a human being rise above obstacles, while the absence of spiritual practice reduces life to the level of mere existence, similar to animals.

Animals, birds and insects live only to experience pleasure and pain; they merely *undergo* life. But a human being, through dedicated spiritual practice (*sadhana*), can reduce suffering and ultimately attain liberation (moksha).

In today’s age, the path of devotion (bhakti) is simple and accessible. One does not need complex rituals or severe austerities; instead one can progress through *singing the Guru’s praises, devotional songs (bhajans), or performing the spiritual practices given by the Guru*. This path is supported by the teachings of the 15th Guru of the Nath tradition, Shri Vyankatnath Maharaj, who taught: “Without personal experience, there is no true knowledge — and such experience comes only through one’s own spiritual practice.”

Therefore, he emphasized: Begin with Upasana.

Through sincere spiritual practice, sorrow and worry diminish, negative influences are removed, students gain focus, and the mind becomes pure — revealing its natural peace and contentment. When upasana is performed daily with a calm and devoted heart, life never feels lacking in anything.

As the saying goes: “Without the Guru, there is no knowledge; the Guru is the embodiment of wisdom in this world.” By practicing the Guru’s instruction, the disciple’s path becomes clear; he moves closer to the Guru and, if he becomes one with the Guru’s consciousness, may even attain the state of the Guru.

Therefore, there is no substitute for Upasana — it must be practiced.