BHAKTI YOGA
The Yoga of Devotion
Bhakti Yoga is perhaps the easiest and simplest yoga -
and the most profoundly effective - as it dispenses with
the essentially abstract and impersonal aspects of God as the
Absolute, and focuses instead on a personal God with attributes.
It is also more pragmatic than other yogas in that it is firmly based on
experience rather than explanation - for all must be experienced before it
becomes effective.
All is in God, for God is in All. Yet we are ensnared
by ignorance (avidya) and in the coils of illusion (maya) -
release is realisation of godhead and liberation from maya, and, by
Bhakti-marga (devotion to God), can be achieved in one
lifetime.
You are already what you
will become - but you need someone, or something, to help you
realise it. The Bhagavadgita (6.29) says that through
unswerving devotion to God the devotee 'perceives the common
essence in all things ... the Self in all things and all
things in the Self'.
Lose your self in God, and you
find your Self in God.
Bhakti-Marga helps provide a focus ('one-pointedness')
to the devotee. Single-minded concentration on,
and love of, God - however visualised - purifies
the heart, sanctifies actions, and enlightens the mind.
But all thoughts, actions, and
intentions, must be altruistic - not for the sake of hope of reward, or
success, or even the fear of failure - then the devotee becomes
rooted and nourished in the Beloved in whom all desires are fulfilled
because all true desire is from God, and for him alone.
Whatever the devotee loves is
served joyfully, and the greater the love the more intense and
'one-pointed' the devotion until the lover merges with the Beloved -
realisation and liberation. God can truly be apprehended only
experientially. Let go - and let God be All.
Krsna says (Bhagavadgita
12,8) 'Fix your mind on me alone, concentrate your intellect on me;
henceforth you ... dwell in me alone'.
Even so, it is only by God's grace (prasada)
that the devotee finds realisation of godhead and liberation from
maya. It is not merit through good works, knowledge, or even
devotion, but the gift of God freely given by him to whomsoever
seeks him.
The love of God is its own reward - its outward
manifestation is kindness, gentleness, and charity (love) to
all and concern for, and care of, all creatures and for
all creation - for the way of devotion is universal and open to all,
regardless of race, caste, religion, or culture, as no one,
man or woman, rich or poor, high or low, young or old, can be
denied the right to love God.
Ramananda said 'Let no man ask a
man's caste or sect. Whoever adores God is God's own'.
Whatever, or whoever, a devotee chooses
to love and worship as God, is God to that devotee -
whether it be man, woman, child, animal, tree or stone - and should
not be criticised, for God's grace to humanity is plainly seen in his many
incarnations (avataras) and emanations (vyuhas) appearing in physical form
to aid both man and all creation toward realisation and liberation.
'Whatever devotee seeks to worship, whatsoever divine
form with fervent faith, I, verily, make that faith unwavering ... thus
shalt thou be released from the bonds of actions, fair or foul of
fruits; and, liberated ... thou shalt attain to me'.
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