APRIL
निष्ठा — NIṢṬHĀ
Cultivating unwavering devotion
NIṢṬHĀ: Unwavering devotion
All of our activities should invoke the Divine within us, so that all that we do is drenched with divinity.
Last month we cultivated Tejas, the body becoming full of light as awareness brightened through the assimilation of energy and mastering over Samana, our inner brilliance. April is where that light becomes devotion. Niṣṭhā is the steady establishment of the heart in the Divine, remaining connected through all moments and allowing devotion to move through how you live, act, and relate. A life of practice becomes a life lived in relationship with God.
The goal is to offer our day, and all of our activities to God. To live in constant remembrance and always be anchored in our heart, remain connected to the Divine in every moment!
Niṣṭhā is a continuous return of the heart toward the Divine through repetition and remembrance. Devotion becomes the way in which you live, the heart always stays connected, and the Divine is present in all that you do.
Practice expands into the whole of life. Life is sādhanā and sādhanā is life!!
In waking, eating, working, dreaming, sleeping, serving, meditating, chanting, divinely loving, my soul constantly hums, unheard by any:
God! God! God! — Paramhansa Yogananda
Here Yogananda is talking about a state where remembrance becomes continuous. The mind returns to God so often that it begins to remain there, carried through every part of the day. This is the goal.
This is also called smaraṇa, remembrance. It means to keep God in your awareness, to consciously bring the mind back again and again until that connection becomes steady and unwavering.
Each time you remember, the connection strengthens. Each time you bring your awareness back, the mind becomes more anchored. Through repetition, remembrance of God in every moment becomes second nature.
This deepens niṣṭhā. Niṣṭhā is when that remembrance becomes established. The mind no longer moves away so easily. The heart remains connected. Devotion becomes stable, and your awareness stays with the Divine as you move through your life. Always thinking of God, seeing God in everything.
Yogananda teaches that this connection is experienced within. The subtle body, your breath, your energy, your feeling, becomes the place where God is known. As awareness deepens, you begin to feel that presence within your own body. Remembrance becomes direct experience and becomes the way you feel, think, and live.
“To perform your duties without consciousness of God is to forget God and to disconnect yourself from His power; but to perform duties with the consciousness of God is the highest, happiest, most successful way to live.” — Paramahansa Yogananda
Life continues, and awareness stays with the Divine. Where your attention rests shapes your experience {your life}. When awareness is placed in God, the simplest actions carry meaning, and connection continues through everything you do.
{All of our activities should invoke the Divine within us, so that all that we do is drenched with divinity.}
The Path Of Devotion
This is the path of Bhakti Yoga, the path of relationship with the Divine, where the heart remains constantly connected through prayer, remembrance and offering.
In Bhakti Yoga, we use different practices to develop love and devotion towards God. These are the 9 Limbs of Bhakti Yoga:
Śravaṇa — listening to the scriptural stories, names, and glories of the Divine.
Kīrtan — singing devotional songs, hymns, or chanting the Lord's names.
Smaraṇa — constantly keeping the mind fixed on the form, qualities, and name of the Divine.
Pāda-sevana — serving the lotus feet of the Divine, often through deity worship or serving humanity.
Arcana — performing ritual worship, offering flowers, or conducting, Aarti.
Vandana — prayer and reverence
Dāsya — developing the attitude of being a humble servant of God.
Sakhya — relating to the Divine as a companion
Ātma-nivedana — complete self-offering, surrendering one's body, mind, and soul to God.
These are ways the heart stays connected. Just begin simply, chant the Divine name. Return to smarana (remembrance) throughout the day. Offer your actions before you begin. Pause and bring your awareness back to God, again and again. Let your practice extend into how you move, speak, and live. This is how devotion becomes continuous, and the presence of the Divine is carried through each moment.
If you have deities at home, you can offer them ārati (a ritual of offering light to the Divine). See ārati procedure under supporting practices.
A Prayer to Lead Us to Thee
Pray with me, and let the yearning of your soul be behind your words:
Heavenly Father, may our consciousness be cleansed of all error and doubt. May our souls be filled with a desire to understand these great truths. Thou dost reveal Thyself unto babes.
Make us like little children, humble and receptive, that we may follow this true path until Thou dost reveal Thyself.
Bless us with the thorough understanding that leads to Thee.
May we never be satisfied until we find Thee. Take us away from side paths, and direct us to the path that leads to Thy temple, the temple that is fragrant with devotion from the hearts of all the saints who have ever loved Thee.
May we harbor a new determination to follow the path of Self-Realization, the shortest path that leads us to our highest goal and the fulfilment of incarnations: finding Thee. For if we have Thee, we have everything.
Give us perfect ideals, good habits, and, above all, the supreme desire to know Thee and to live with Thee every day.
— An Invocation by Paramahansa Yogananda
Cultivating Unwavering Devotion
A heart centered practice focused on cultivating devotion and steady connection to the Divine. We use a special meditation called Ishvara Prandhana to merge our mind with the Source and Light of All.
Practice everyday throughout the month. Use the sadhana checklist as your guide.
Supporting Practice
Melody one notes:
ACE → ACG → FC → ACG → FD
Melody two and three notes:
ACE → FC → ACG → FG
Maha Mantra Harmonium Tutorial
Haribol! Let’s chant the names of the Divine
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare
3 different melodies, 2 and 3 are the same.
Ārati Procedure
First clean your right hand by pouring a few drops of water into it from a copper cup, with a spoon. The right hand should be cleaned again after offering each article. Ring a bell with the left hand while offering articles with the right hand. Offered articles should not be placed back on the arati tray with the unoffered items.
Incense, ghee lamp, water, cloth, and flowers are offered by circling them clockwise toward the given parts of the deity’s body. As you offer these articles, chant the respective mantras and names for them, followed by the words, "sri (name) namah". For this example I will use ‘name’ as Radha-Krishna.
(Please note, this can all be done mentally if you are worshipping photos or don’t have all items available)
Incense should be circled:
4 times to the deity’s feet
2 times to their navel
7 times to their whole body
etam dhūpam samarpayāmi sri Radha-Krishna namah
Ghee lamp should be circled:
4 times to the deity’s feet
2 times to their navel
3 times to their face
7 times to their whole body
etam dīpam samarpayāmi sri Radha-Krishna namah
Water in a conch shell is offered:
7 times over their head
idam jalam samarpayāmi sri Radha-Krishna namah
A plain piece of cloth or handkerchief is offered:
4 times to the deity’s feet
2 times to their navel
3 times to their face
7 times to their whole body
idam vastram samarpayāmi śri Radha-Krishna namah
Flowers on a plate are offered:
4 times to the deity’s feet
etani puspani samarpayami sri Radha-Krishna namah
Cāmara should be fanned up and down, chanting:
etam cāmaram samarpayami sri Radha-Krishna namah
Peacock fan should be fanned up and down, chanting:
etam vyajanam samarpayami sri Radha-Krishna namah
Your Monthly Oracle Message
The Wisdom card invites you to tap into the deep, innate knowledge that resides within you. It is a call to connect with your higher self and the truths that are ever-present, guiding you toward clarity and insight. This card reminds you that wisdom is not only found in external sources but is rooted in the inner sanctum of your being. As you align with this wisdom, you gain the power to navigate life with purpose and discernment, moving beyond doubt and confusion toward profound understanding.
Reflective Practice:
What inner knowing am I being called to trust, and how can I allow this wisdom to guide me in my life?
Practical Exercise:
Sit in stillness and focus on your breath. Let go of distractions and invite a moment of inner clarity. Ask yourself a question that has been on your mind, then listen quietly for the answer that comes from your inner wisdom, without judgment.
A playlist to carry the essence of Nistha into your day. Intended for moments outside of practice, to accompany journaling or any space where you feel inspired (not during your main practice).
You're invited to reach out anytime throughout the month with questions or reflections related to your practice. I'm here to support you on your journey toward inner radiance and growth.
