Smarana is the conscious practice of remembering the beloved (divine or human) throughout daily life, training attention and devotion—a simple discipline that sustains unconditional love.
Smarana means 'remembrance' and is a core bhakti practice: continually recalling the name, form, and qualities of the beloved. Mirabai practiced smarana of Krishna constantly—singing his names while working, invoking his presence in solitude and community. This was not sentimental nostalgia but active spiritual discipline, retraining the mind's default patterns from self-concern toward divine presence. Smarana is one of the nine limbs of bhakti, accessible to all regardless of education or status. For Agape across traditions, smarana offers a practical framework: unconditional love is sustained through deliberate remembrance. We strengthen love for those we remember—whether through prayer, journaling, ritual, or simple internal recall of their goodness. Smarana teaches that agape is not a one-time decision but a practice renewed hourly. In forgetting, we default to selfishness; in remembering others' inherent worth and our shared humanity, love resurfaces naturally. Smarana democratizes spiritual practice: anyone can remember, and remembrance itself transforms both lover and beloved.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.