4 Paths of Yoga: Bhakti
Bhakti yoga is sometimes referred to as the "path of the heart". Derived from the Sanskrit root, bhaj meaning "to serve God," Bhakti yoga is a practice of selfless devotion and recognition of the Divine in everything.
Bhakti yoga involves surrendering to the Divine or uniting with the universal consciousness, through practices such as chanting, devotional mantras, prayer, kirtan and rituals as part of their worship.
Surrender is both a necessary component and subsequent consequence of Bhakti yoga practice; by observing the divinity of everything in the universe, ideas of self and ego tend to dissolve, along with a sense of separation from others.
Those who follow Bhakti yoga don’t see themselves as separate from one another or from any other part of the universe, thereby enhancing feelings of love and unity.
The intention when practicing Bhakti yoga is to devote one's self to the Divine in everything, thereby realizing the union of atman (the individual self) with Brahman (universal consciousness). There is no spiritual path without Bhakti.
“When the river meets the ocean, it recognizes it is the ocean from the beginning to the end. In the same way, the moment a devotee surrenders to the Divine, the devotee becomes Divine.” ~ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
In the Bhakti Sutras, Sage Narada describes nine elements of Bhakti Yoga:
Satsang - good spiritual company
Hari Katha - to hear and read about God
Shraddha - Faith
Ishvara Bhajana - to sing the praises of God
Mantra Japa - Repetition of God's name
Shama Dama - Withdrawal and control of the senses with regard to worldly things
Santo ka Adar - to show honour to people who have dedicated their lives to God
Santosha - Contentment
Ishvara Pranidhana - Devotion to God
What does Bhakti look like in a modern Yoga context?
It can look like all the above, but it can also just be that you bring your devotional heart to your practice. You practice with reverence, intention and most importantly, love. You open your mind and heart for what lies beyond the physical body and the asanas. You may dedicate your practice to a greater cause or to someone that needs it more. Practice for yourself, but realise that through your practice you also practice for the people around you. And ultimately, you may walk through life more compassionate, more loving, more kind and you may see that we’re all made from the same fabric of universal consciousness.