24/7 in 2026
There is a Hindu saying that “more, faster, is what hell is.” These days, it can feel like a supreme act to slow down, to stop, to say no. And like anything that we become masterful at, adjusting oneself and one’s life to be a reflection of heaven rather than hell gets easier with…practice! That said, Sadhana 24/7 in 2026 continues with its commitment to turtle posting to avoid becoming a pathway to the pit.
I have written about the mind and beauty before, and it bears repeating given the more, faster avalanche of mind-world “stuff” that threatens to snuff out the Light of the Being if we allow it.
In the book Total Recall, Joan Minninger states: “Scientists estimate that we remember one out of every one hundred pieces of information we receive, and that if we remembered everything, we would be paralyzed by information overload.” Imagine a population paralyzed by information overload…sounds like a plan by Dr Evil to capture the spirit of humanity.
Beauty is naturally ordered, as is Truth, Love, Peace, Responsibility, and Freedom. The absence of order is chaos.
Bringing order to our inner and outer worlds is to create the structural support for meaning and purpose to guide our lives. A still and subtle mind issues forth thoughts/vibrations that concretize the natural order (Beauty) that creation is based on. In cultivating and nurturing soundness of mind and right thinking, we equip ourselves to accomplish the Divine task set before all humans: to evolve spiritually in the understanding of ourselves and our place in the hierarchy of the cosmos - as stewards of the natural and cosmic order of creation.
As humans, we can avoid the chaos inherent in “more and faster” by assessing the state of being we currently find ourselves in - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually - and then course-correcting as needed.
It can be difficult to see ourselves clearly, to acknowledge our gifts (light) as well as our challenges (darkness) in a balanced way. Freedom from the habit of wrong thinking, the doorway to chaos creation, is found in the courage to suspend whatever is blocking us (things like pride) from asking for help when we need help. When we can’t see, there is usually someone we know who can: a true and honest person in our home or community - a bridge to the assistance that is always available to us from the spiritual world, but difficult to access in avalanche season.
Early one morning I encountered a farmer in his pickup truck pulled over onto the side of a country road. I stopped, jumped out of the car, and walked over to him as he unloaded buckets of whey for a gaggle of pigs way up on the hillside, a good distance away from where we stood. Suddenly, when they became aware of the farmer and the whey, a wild stampede of massive, medium, and miniature pigs hurtled down the hill toward us. I never knew pigs could run so fast. It was glorious! I said to the farmer: “Awww, it makes me so happy!” And he replied in a gruff voice: “Yeah. Whenever anyone tells me they are having a hard time, I tell them to go see the pigs!”
Bridges are found anywhere and everywhere in the natural world.
Having a sound mind, and consequently, a relaxed, open heart, requires about as much consistent care and effort as establishing and maintaining a vegetable garden - a lot. When a garden is the primary source of food for you and your family, you do what needs to be done without griping about it, and as if Life depends upon your consistent efforts, because it does. You turn the soil, you remove the weeds, you balance, build, and water the soil so that it will produce healthy “fruits”.
With ongoing care and attention, an established garden will continue to be a source of sustenance for mind, body, and spirit as long as needed. Weeds unattended are a big problem, choking out the intention to grow good things. Keeping the soil balanced is another biggie, as is water to foster robust and resilient growth. Weed, balance, water.
So it is with the mind-garden; only now the fruits of a commitment to sustain a weed-free, balanced, and nourished mind, a beautiful mind, extend to and benefit not only you, but the entire human family, all creation, and the cosmos itself.
Sadhana:
After writing this post, this video about nourishing the mind came my way. Check it out:
Sadhana 24/7 is meant to be a seed supplier and cultivator for those seeking to sustain and maintain beauty of mind and heart. The seeds you find here have a guaranteed germination (transformation) rate with the application of practice, contemplation, and time.
2026 Seeds:
Confessions of a Yoga Teacher: A multipart series on all things yoga, told from the perspective of a life lived immersed in the real and the unreal worlds of yoga.
Be Wise: An ongoing series about the best and most effective resources and practices that support balance, health, and wellness on all levels of Being.
Mutterings: Inspired and inspiring people, places, and things you probably have never heard of and should know about.
Prompted: Spirit only knows.
Thank you to all of you who have supported Sadhana 24/7, and most of all, for practicing. Your efforts are never wasted and are much needed!