Learn, Unlearn, Learn..
First of all, you must be very well strongly connected to your Chosen Deity. And your believe must be strong like a Pillar, that your Chosen Deity is alone the Highest Ever deity (that’s because you will come across a many panditas who will demotivate or create bakwas confusion) Therefore, if you have learned something from Panditas, unlearn everything, try to be empty.
The Bhand Achara Paddhati
Panditas say there’s a achara in Sri VIDYA that you be Inside Shakta, Outside Shaiva and Greet with Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Reality is it’s BOKWASH So anyone who preaches such things, just remember, that fellow isn’t a realised one. They are simply the tape-recorder who will utter what has been recorded in their brains.
The truth is in any Shakta marga, you will only finally chant Hare Rama Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
How to Read Puranas
Choose only that section from any puranas, where exactly form of your Chosen deity is revealed. You can keep the stories, stutis, stotrams and anything you find on your Ishta with you. Apart from it, those rest things one should skip. If you don’t do that, then don’t start sadhana. Because you will be in loop again. And you will be in the network of Dhongi Babas.
Guru - Whom to Surrender
Your deity alone is The Guru which you will realise later
Guru isn’t always a physical form - Tattva is what is invoked
Whomever jeevani (life) you have been inspired from, choose him/her as your Guru. You should be able to co-relate with their life & teachings
Few Imp. Pointers for Shakti Sadhana
( Only for the Deity who is Parama Vaishnavi )
Remember, if you are opting for Shakti Sadhana specifically for if the deity is said to be Parama Vaishnavi, then go to her temple and see in evening time which chants are being read there. It is because, in most Parama Vaishnavi temples, alone Bhagavat Katha & Hari Kirtan is done. So, if that is followed, you should incorporate them in your sadhana too, because the Mother loves to listen them.
Based on your Intensity
Things you will understand and people will come in your life to guide you further
Remember, this world of Spirituality is most corrupted from fake saints to fake babas to fake sadhakas. You donot need to get jnana of everything. Just take that what you need alone for your own chosen deity.
Is Nyasa etc mandatory?
If it is needed for you, you will be prompted to do. If not, keep everything simple. Ishta Devata means you must have fallen in love with the name itself. I didn’t have a 108 names since past 10 yrs. And all of a sudden, I found that after 10 yrs. So I know, only when deity wills, it happens.
Be Aware of Energies
Tornado Power
So, make life simple. But dedication is required even if you give 30mins a day - That 30 mins is alone completely for your Devata, each second should be dedicated. First let you cry out... Then things will slowly change. But always remember, when Cleansing happens life will change 180 degree, and when Guru comes life again change 180 degree. That means, you must be ready for the blow of energies, so that you can sustain. Most sadhakas cannot stand the Cleansing process itself. As it doesn’t clean Karmas just in a day, it may take it’s time. So you need to be mentally clear on basics of sadhana.
Nama Smaran
A simple Guru stuti, simple Ganapati stuti & then one simple Your Ishta devata stuti. After that do as much you love to do Nama smaran. Donot force yourself that you have to do. You must be someone who knows no other name. That’s it... Everything will unfold based on your sincerity & love towards the deity.