The Sadhana Practice vs The Empowerment Journey

As I sit with my practice these days, there's a question that keeps arising in my heart – a subtle distinction that feels increasingly important to explore in our modern yoga landscape. It's about the fine line between spiritual practice (sadhana), and what we often call the empowerment journey; the two paths that often interweave yet lead to fundamentally different destinations.

In our contemporary world, where self-love and empowerment messages flood our social media feeds, it's easy to mistake these powerful yet distinct paths. Both feel uplifting, both speak of transformation, but they lead to fundamentally different destinations.

The empowerment journey is beautiful in its own way, it gives us a sense of direction, guides us to find our voice, and reminds us to embrace our worth in a world that often asks us to be smaller. It's about strengthening our sense of self, building confidence, and claiming our space. These are valuable tools for navigating our material world with grace and courage. Yet, the spiritual journey (sadhana) calls us to something else entirely. In the ancient wisdom of yoga, we're invited to look beyond the very 'I' that we're often encouraged to empower. This path gently asks us to observe how our attachment to this 'I' – what yoga philosophy calls 'asmita', might be the very source of our suffering.

There's a subtle irony here: while the empowerment movement strengthens our identification with our individual self, traditional sadhana practices guide us to soften this very identification. It's not about becoming more of who we think we are, but rather about peeling back the layers to discover what lies beneath all our self-definitions.

While holding space as a yoga teacher, I sometimes notice this subtle distinction blur. A practitioner might come seeking spiritual growth but find themselves instead on an empowerment journey, strengthening the very aspects of ego that traditional practices aim to dissolve. Both paths have their place, but understanding their distinct natures helps us approach our practice with clarity. This isn't to diminish the value of empowerment work. In many ways, it can be a necessary stage in our evolution. Sometimes we need to build a strong sense of self before we're ready to begin questioning its ultimate nature. The key lies in recognising which path we're walking and why.

I find myself reflecting on my own journey with this delicate balance. For years, I've wrestled with questions that arise in my practice, seeking the balance between discipline and gentleness. There are days when I sit with my practice, questioning whether my dedication is truly serving my spiritual growth, or if it's another form of self-imposed pressure. Am I being too rigid, too demanding in my sadhana? Should I listen more closely to my body?

These questions often surface in conversations with my husband, becoming a topic we explore deeply together. I share my uncertainty about what I observe in the modern yoga world – the prevalent message of self-love through yoga. While beautiful, it leaves me wondering: are we truly walking the path of spiritual practice, or are we simply finding more sophisticated ways to strengthen our attachment to our small self? It's a conversation that continues to unfold, without clear answers. Sometimes, in the quiet moments of my practice, I notice how easily the line blurs between authentic spiritual inquiry and the subtle workings of ego dressed in spiritual clothing. The ego can be clever, turning even our spiritual aspirations into another form of self-glorification.

Yet perhaps this very questioning, this gentle wrestling with where we place our attention and intention, is itself part of the practice. Maybe the key isn't in finding perfect clarity, but in staying present with the questions themselves, letting them guide us deeper into our understanding.

As we navigate this path together, I invite you to pause and reflect: What are you truly seeking in your practice? Are you looking to strengthen your sense of self, or are you ready to explore what lies beyond it? There's no right or wrong answer – only the truth of what resonates with your current journey.

May your practice bring you whatever your heart truly seeks, whether that's the strength to embrace your individual light or the courage to dive into the vast ocean of consciousness that lies beyond our personal boundaries.

In shared practice & reflection,

Merdin