What should I do on days when I have no time for my sādhanā?

keep a tiny “minimum” — a lamp, one prayer or a few names of God — so the thread is never broken.

Every householder has days of travel, illness, guests, deadlines or a crying baby. Traditions anticipated this: the idea of a full practice and a minimum practice is common, and remembering God by name is said to be possible at any time and place.

Decide in advance what your minimum is — perhaps three slow breaths and one Gāyatrī, eleven repetitions of your mantra, or folding hands before the mandir for one minute. On busy days, do only that, without guilt. You can also chant mentally while commuting, cooking or walking.

What breaks a sādhanā is rarely one missed day; it is the feeling “I have failed, so why bother”. Treat yourself kindly, return to your normal practice the next day, and let the small daily thread carry you through the hard weeks.

Mental japa (mānasika) is a recognised form · Source: common teaching of saints and gurus

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