Bhakti Yoga

BHAKTI YOGA
-Sumary-

What is Bhakti Yoga? Bhakti yoga is one of six major branches of yoga, representing the path of self-transcending love or complete devotion to God or the divine. Bhakti yoga is based on the doctrine “Love is God and God is Love” continue
 
Practice of Bhakti Yoga
A practitioner of bhakti yoga regards God as being present in every person or sentient being. Although bhakti yoga was developed within a Hindu culture, it can be practiced by members of other religions… continue
 
History
Bhakti yoga is considered by some to be the oldest form of yoga with its roots in the Vedas, or ancient scriptures of India. Some of the hymns in the Vedas are thought to be four thousand years old. However, Bhakti yoga did not emerge as a distinct form of yoga until about 500 B.C…. continue
 
Nine Principles of Bhakti Yoga
The ‘Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu’ (The Hindu sacred texts written by the teacher, poet, and philosopher Rupa Gosvami) provides the following as the nine primary activities of bhakti, with the instruction that by following all or just one of these activities perfectly, the aspiring devotee can achieve pure love of God….
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Practice of Bhava
When the devotee grows in devotion, there is absolute self-forgetfulness. This is called Bhava. Bhava establishes a true relationship between the devotee and the Lord. Bhava then grows into Maha-Bhava wherein the devotee lives… continue
 
Recommended Books
“Practice of Bhakti Yoga”
“The Yoga of Spiritual Devotion: A Modern Translation of the Narada Bhakti Sutras” continue