Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga: The Path of Love and Devotion
Bhakti Yoga is the path of love and devotion. It is considered by many to be the most direct path to spiritual union, as it focuses on cultivating a loving relationship with the divine. It is the yoga of the heart.
Core Philosophy
The central idea of Bhakti Yoga is to transform our powerful human emotions into a force for spiritual connection. Instead of suppressing love, attachment, and passion, a Bhakti yogi directs these emotions away from worldly things and towards God (in whatever form the devotee conceives of Him or Her—as Krishna, Shiva, Divine Mother, Christ, or an abstract ideal).
The Nine Forms of Bhakti
The sage Narada outlined nine primary forms of devotional practice (Navadha Bhakti):
- Shravana (Listening): Listening to scriptures and stories.
- Kirtana (Singing/Chanting): Singing the names and glories of God.
- Smarana (Remembering): Constantly remembering the divine.
- Padasevana (Service): Serving humanity as a manifestation of the divine.
- Archana (Ritual Worship): Offering flowers, incense, etc.
- Vandana (Prostration): Bowing down in humility.
- Dasya (Servitude): Cultivating the attitude of being a servant of the divine.
- Sakhya (Friendship): Seeing the divine as one's dearest friend.
- Atmanivedana (Complete Surrender): The total offering of oneself.
Key Poses
- The primary 'pose' of Bhakti Yoga is Anjali Mudra (hands in prayer at the heart).
- Postures that open the heart, such as Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) and Camel Pose (Ustrasana), are often incorporated into a physical practice to cultivate a feeling of devotion.
- Kirtan (call-and-response chanting) is a central practice.