Transformation Through Love - The Practice of Bhakti Yoga

Just as a flower gives out its fragrance to whomsoever approaches or uses it,

so love from within us radiates toward everybody

and manifests as spontaneous service.

~ Swami Ramdas

Bhakti Yoga is a type of yoga described in the ancient yogic texts. It means “an intense love for God” and is often called the yoga of devotion. In the practices of Yoga, the term “God” is the God of your faith, whatever and whomever that may be. As we all travel toward the nation’s day of Thanksgiving, it is the perfect time to stop, breathe, and find some ways to practice love for God. One of the simplest ways to come to an understanding of bhakti yoga is through self love and care and through a devotional attitude of treating others the way we would like to be treated.

Some ways to practice Bhakti Yoga: Prayer; Chanting; Contemplation; Reciting mantras, sacred texts, or verses from the bible; and Song. Bhatki yoga can also manifest in community participation and service through devotion to others.

Of these practices, maybe we are all most familiar with Prayer: “Prayer is a simple but very effective way to connect with the Divine. Swami Rama said there are two kinds of prayer: ego-centered prayer and genuine prayer. In ego-centered prayer we approach God to petition for favors. Genuine prayer, on the other hand, comes from within.

“In this inner sacred prayer, Swamiji said, we do not pray to an external divine principle, ‘but to the highest principle within ourselves --- not for any external favors or gifts but rather only for the strength to face and resolve with serenity all of the many problems that fill our lives. Such prayers, which are completely selfless and pure, are always answered.’

“Genuine prayer includes gratitude. As Meister Eckhart said, ‘If the only prayer you say in your entire life is ‘Thank you,’ that would suffice.’ Upon waking up before you get out of bed, give thanks for a new day and for all you have --- even the simplest things, like clean water, sunlight, laughter.”

“The timeless path of divine love is as alive and relevant today as it was in the days of the ancient sages. Through this path, we can transform our everyday life from the mundane to the sacred, from the trivial to the profound. But cultivating the principles of love, compassion, gratitude, surrender, and selfless service, we can prepare our hearts and minds to receive the grace of unconditional love and wisdom. Then we become the instruments of the Divine, and everything we do is an expression of love and devotion. Our lives become a joyful celebration.”

On Thanksgiving Day, consider this bhatki yoga practice for making your day a day full with prayers of every kind: Begin the day with gentle love, care, and attention for yourself; then, extend that love to your family and friends and you will have practiced devotion to God. Spend the day in celebration and Thanksgiving for our abundance of blessings mixed in with our sorrow and hardships. Sing, read scripture, create the altar of the Thanksgiving feast table, tell stories, share poetry, hug each other, laugh, listen carefully, enjoy being together. End the day with your prayer of gratitude.

Safe travels and much love to you all,
Jonie
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Inspiration for my thoughts and the quotes included here are from my own contemplation on the upcoming holidays and the timely article in Yoga International magazine's Winter 2010-11 issue (on newsstands), Yoga of the Heart, Transformation through Love, by Irene Petryszak. Namaste.