Devotion

Devotion or bhakti implies that we respect the sacred nature of all life and recognize the Divine presence in all creatures. We must learn to see our chosen form of divinity indwelling in all of creation.

Our own well-being arises from our contact with the sacred powers of life. Bhakti or devotion is our means of partaking of that. In practical terms bhakti embraces mantra, chanting, ritual, and meditation which add more meaning to our spiritual life experience.

Yoga implies that we take an integral approach to life, bringing unity and harmony into our own nature and our relationships.

Yoga is not just a matter of performing asanas but it is of the breathing in universal life, of speaking with the Divine Word, and of meditate with the Divine Mind. In this sense, yoga is the highest action that we as human beings can perform.

Do we need to worship?

Worship is necessary for the great majority of people, because it is an essential psychological need. No matter how much we try to repress our feelings or religious devotion, we will notice that people in general will always find an object of adoration, or devotion, whether it is the physical body, money, athletes, cars, houses, computers and other gadgets. The list goes on and on.

According to yoga psychology and the laws of the mind, we become our dominant thoughts. We can easily see that the adoration of the mentioned objects will have their corresponding effects to say the least.  

Devotion or bhakti yoga tells us to worship God, to love God, to adore God so that we can assimilate His Divine qualities and eventually experience oneness with Him.

Ways of devotion

Chanting the glory of God

Remembering the presence of God constantly

Service or seva, Service is when we get to blend our practice of karma yoga with bhakti in doing our duty and serving humanity.

Expressing respect and love for God.

Developing the feeling of being God’s servant.

Complete surrender of the personal self. Surrender is the highest form of devotion or bhakti. One's ego is totally offered to God and nothing but the Self (atman) remains and non duality or Oneness is experienced.