40 days to Freedom
Feb 01, 2025
What is a kriya? What is a sadhana? Why do we practice for 40 days and why is this important?
Kriya
A kriya is an intentional set of instructions for a specific spiritual practice that opens pathways. It includes asana, breathwork, mantra and mudra. In Sanskrit the root kri, means 'to do'. Kriyฤ means action. Sometimes it means deed or effort' When we invoke a kriya with a sadhana we have the ability to release any old stuck patterns that are no longer useful and open new pathways for the energy that we are calling in. There is a Kriya Yoga school, established by Yogananda, and most singular Kriyas were given by Yogi Bhajan Indian-American Sikh Yogi
Sadhana
A sadhana is a spiritual practice. Usually it is referred to as a daily practice. ts can be anything like,eating, praying, or getting on your mat. In Sanskrit Sadhana literally means accomplishing something. Sadhana is the all encompassing vehicle of the focus of the action. When we use a sadhana we are focused on creating the life that we desire.
Sadh = tool toward the goal
Dhana = some say this means riches
The number 4
Let's begin this lil lesson with basic numerology. The number 1 represents independence, the number two is a partnership or a dual reality, number three is a party! The number 4 is the builder. 4 is a square which is the base of the strongest structure that exists, the pyramid (number 5) Number 4 is the posts that create the base of the structure that keeps the walls together.
The significance of 40
A quarantine is 40 days of isolation. 40 is usually indicated for time periods, like 40 days or 40 years. A human baby is gestated for 40 weeks. It is common to mourn 40 days for a death in many religions. You will find many examples of the use of 40 in a lot of spiritual practices.
From the Bible:
Genesis 7:4 The flood was 40 days.
Genesis 8:5-7 Noah waited 40 days after the tops of the mountains were visible before sending out a raven
Numbers 13:2
Spies were sent by Moses to explore the Promised Land for "forty days" (
Number 32:13 The Hebrew people lived outside of the Promised Land for "forty years" which was considered a generation (
Moses spent three different periods of "forty days and forty night" on Mount Sinai
and in even more religions, we see 40 days as significant
In Islamic traditions
Muhammad was 40 years old when he received his first revelation and Masih ad-Dajjal roams the Earth in 40 days
When we employ a practice of anything for 40 days we have established a routine.
When we do something for 40 days it breaks a cycle and starts a new cycle.
Join us for our annual Benediction. A 40 days to Freedom practice Stella Luna Yoga
