When we talk of a spiritual journey, it is presumed that we
have a fixed ideal. For, without an ideal to follow, there is no question of
going forward; we simply remain at the mercy of our senses, our lower nature.
Keeping the ideal in mind, amidst the multifarious duties of
life, becomes possible only if we have a fixed routine. Inability to maintain
this routine is an indication that we are sliding away from the spiritual
ideal.
Emphasizing that steadfast adherence to a routine is most
essential for a spiritual life, Swami Brahmananda advises, ‘Make a routine of
everything. “I shall meditate so long, repeat mantram so many times, study for
so much time, and sleep so many hours.” With an irregular life you cannot be
successful in any work.’
Many sadhakas slip away from the path by neglecting their
spiritual routine. Among the main things in the daily routine that a sadhaka
should strictly adhere to are the timing and duration of his japa/meditation/scriptural
study, the timing and duration of his sleep, and the timing and quantity of his
food intake.
Source – Vedanta Kesari September 2017