In spirituality, Bhakti is the most revered foundation stone for a seeker to get connected with the divine. With bhakti, the journey of the seeker becomes focused and firm. Let’s explore the aspect of Bhakti that helps a yogi in his spiritual journey.
What is Bhakti?
Bhakti is a Sanskrit term that summarizes the essence of devotion, awe, surrender, and love towards a deity, guru, or supreme power. Bhakti gives the feeling of oneness to the Bhakta (devotee) with his revered deity, transcending the barriers of separation and duality and merging the devotee’s heart and soul with the divine presence.
All the revered texts elaborate extensively on the concept of bhakti. In Bhagwat Geeta, bhakti is portrayed as one of the three primary paths to attain spiritual liberation, along with jnana (knowledge) and karma (action). It also emphasizes that bhakti is a simple and effective way to attain the grace of the Supreme, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their social status, intellectual capacity, or circumstances.
How is Bhakti different from Meditation?
Bhakti (devotion) and meditation are both spiritual practices aimed at realizing the divine; they are often categorized as distinct paths. Bhakti is popularly known as faithful service to please a Guru or Deity with Bhajan (devotional songs), Bhog (delicious food), and Prarthana (prayers), whereas meditation works as silent communication with the self and universe. In short, meditation aimed at attaining inner stillness, clarity, and awareness.
Why Bhakti should be combined with Meditation?
Bhakti is one of the three aspects (Bhakti, Kriya, and Utthan) of the spiritual journey. It is an emotional rendition and tends to go overboard, resulting in imbalances in one’s mental state and personal life if not supported with meditation (having awakened Kundalini).
Without self-realization, excessive bhakti can lead to fanaticism, attachment, or even neglect of one’s duties and responsibilities.
What is Enlightened Bhakti?
The Enlightened Bhakti is the purest form of devotion that connects the seeker with both the aspects of the divine, i.e., Sakaar (in form) and Nirakaar (formless). It is a joyous form of Bhakti in which a devotee feels blessed, thankful, and at peace all the time.
Enlightened Bhakti saints like Tukaram, Namdeva, Kabir, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu exemplified the transformative power of Enlightened Bhakti in attaining Spiritual Realization. Shri Krishna in Bhagwat Geeta has also asked to worship Him with Ananya bhakti; when there is no other or one becomes realized. This is the essence of Enlightened Bhakti.
The concept of Enlightened bhakti is beautifully explained by H.H. Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi Ji (founder: Sahaja Yoga). Shri Mataji describes why Enlightened Bhakti is necessary for a yogi and how without this Bhakti it is impossible to attain God’s realization.
It is wrong when people say, “We are doing bhakti.” I mean, there is no connection; you are telephoning without any connection. It’s madness to go on like this chanting and going on saying things when you are not connected with God.
H.H. Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi Ji
(20 September 1981 Boston, United States)
How does Sahaja Yoga help in attaining Enlightened Bhakti?
Meditation in Sahaja Yoga starts with self-realization through Kundalini awakening —the first and foremost step for any seeker to begin his spiritual journey. Once the Kundalini is awakened, She makes Her presence felt by giving a cool breeze in both hands and over the head of the yogi. Feeling this cool breeze in hands and head is the confirmation of being Realized.
Sahaja Yoga helps in maintaining a balanced spiritual life by integrating the body, soul, and mind. After self-realization, a yogi can easily clean and nurture his chakras by using Bhakti, as one becomes equipped to see the healing power of Bhakti. Here are the different qualities of Chakras that can be restored by Enlightened Bhakti with regular meditation.
Mooladhaara : Innocence, Wisdom, Purity, and Discretion
Svadisthana: Creativity
Nabhi: Peace, Satisfaction
Anahata: Fearlessness, Confidence, and Devotion
Vishuddhi: Communication, and the realization of being part and parcel of the Divine.
Agya: Forgiveness
Sahastrara: Strengthens the Union with the Divine
Enlightened Bhakti can make meditation more accessible and enjoyable by providing a sense of personal connection, and emotional engagement, while deepening the concentration and inner stillness necessary for experiencing the Divine presence.
For Self-realization through Kundalini Awakening, please click the hyperlink.
images: Pinterest