Aatmabodh Sadhana

"Aatmabodh Sadhana" is a Sanskrit term that loosely translates to "self-realization spiritual practice." In this context, "Aatma" refers to the soul or self, "bodh" refers to realization or enlightenment, and "sadhana" refers to spiritual practice or disciplined and dedicated pursuit.

Aatmabodh Sadhana is a spiritual practice aimed at gaining self-realization, a state of understanding and experiencing one's true nature, which is believed to be divine or supreme consciousness in many Eastern spiritual philosophies. It involves a process of introspection, meditation, and mindful living designed to peel away layers of ignorance and illusion (known as Maya in Hindu philosophy) obscuring one's true self.

The form of Aatmabodh Sadhana that I was taught involved imaging that each day was a new life, then when you wake up in the morning, thank the Divine Consciousness or whatever you believe in for this new life. Immediately after, start planning your day, if today is your only day, what needs to get done? What is urgent and what is not? And then end with asking that Divine Consciousness for strength to follow that plan.

There’s a deep and beautiful cultural tradition behind the practice, but I find that: one, it makes it inaccessible; two, it is overly mystical. So I’m going to try to recontextualize through the lens of the practice of Daily Standup in some flavors of Agile.

Daily Standup

A standup, also known as a daily scrum, is a short meeting in Agile project management methodologies, particularly Scrum. Typically lasting around 15 minutes, it is conducted standing up to encourage brevity. Each team member reports on what they completed the previous day, what they plan to accomplish that day, and any obstacles or issues they've encountered. The standup's purpose is to foster open communication among team members, encourage immediate resolution of problems, and ensure everyone is aligned on their tasks and the overall project progression. By keeping team members informed and accountable, daily standups help to maintain project momentum, facilitate swift action on obstacles, and promote continuous improvement.

Morning Routine

The concept of conducting a personal daily "standup" within a meditative space can offer profound benefits, giving you an opportunity to gain clarity and focus for your day. Much like a team aligns their goals and tasks during a daily standup in Agile methodologies, you can align your thoughts, intentions, and energies in this personal morning practice.

Begin your day with a moment of calm and introspection. Find a quiet space where you can sit comfortably and close your eyes, letting go of any residual tension from sleep or any anxiety about the upcoming day. Take a few deep, calming breaths, grounding yourself in the present moment. Now, conduct your personal standup.

Ask yourself: "What is in progress?" Reflect on the tasks or projects you are currently engaged in, acknowledging the progress you have made. Then ask: "What's on the horizon?" Look forward to the tasks you plan to undertake today. Consider your priorities, which tasks or goals are most important for you to focus on. Finally, identify any potential blockers — these could be external circumstances, but also internal challenges like stress, worry, or lack of motivation.

Just as in an Agile standup, the goal is not to solve all problems immediately, but rather to gain clarity and prepare for the day. Acknowledge these blockers without judgment and consider if there are any steps you could take today to address them.

By taking this time each morning for mindful self-reflection, you set the tone for your day, grounding it in clarity, intention, and proactive thought. This practice can help increase productivity, reduce stress, and promote a sense of control and purpose in your daily life.

Tatvabodh Sadhana

"Tatvabodh Sadhana" is another term from Sanskrit, where "Tatva" refers to 'element' or 'reality', "bodh" refers to 'realization' or 'awareness', and "sadhana" denotes 'spiritual practice'. Thus, Tatvabodh Sadhana can be translated as a spiritual practice aimed at understanding or realizing the fundamental realities or principles of existence.

The form of Tatvabodh Sadhana that I was taught involved imaging that each day ended with a new death right before sleeping. The practice is to contemplate on that Divine Consciousness and go through a report with it of your day, did you accomplish everything you set out to today? Did you make any mistakes? Did you do anything well? When I was taught it, I was instructed to imagine yourself on your own funeral pyre.

Just like the previous meditation, there is a deep and beautiful cultural tradition behind this practice as well, but there are similar problems around accessibility and mysticism, so let’s try to recontextualize it through the lens of a retrospective.

Retrospective

A retrospective, or sprint retrospective, is a meeting held at the end of each sprint in Agile methodologies, especially Scrum. During this meeting, the team reflects on the completed sprint to identify successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. It typically involves discussion of what went well, what didn't, and what actions can be taken to improve the next sprint. The goal of the retrospective is to foster a culture of continuous improvement within the team. By providing a dedicated space for reflection and feedback, retrospectives help teams to learn from their experiences, improve their processes, and enhance

Evening Routine

Just as a team gathers at the end of an Agile sprint to reflect on their work, accomplishments, and challenges during a retrospective, so too can you benefit from this practice on a personal level. An evening "retrospective" can provide a valuable opportunity for reflection, learning, and growth.

To begin, carve out a quiet moment for yourself in the evening. Settle into a comfortable space where you can think without interruption. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, centering yourself after the day's activities. Now, initiate your personal retrospective.

First, ask yourself: "What went well today?" Think about the tasks you completed, the goals you achieved, the positive interactions you had. Allow yourself to feel a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for these successes, no matter how small they may seem.

Next, consider the question: "What challenges did I face?" Reflect on any difficulties, setbacks, or disappointments you encountered. Remember that the purpose here isn't to dwell on negatives, but to gain insight. Did you encounter any "blockers," such as lack of time, resources, or emotional or physical energy? Were there things that disrupted your focus or affected your productivity?

Finally, turn your thoughts towards the future: "What can I improve for tomorrow?" Based on your reflection, identify any changes you can make or actions you can take to improve your next day. This could involve reprioritizing tasks, setting aside dedicated time for a particular activity, or perhaps incorporating more self-care into your schedule.

By conducting a personal retrospective, you foster a sense of self-awareness and continuous self-improvement. This practice encourages a mindful approach to living, empowering you to learn from each day and progressively create a more balanced and fulfilling life.