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Originally Posted by NickSM11
Hello everyone. Can someone please tell me in a concise way what Bhakti Yoga really is?
I've read that it is basically loving devotion to God and that it is considered the fastest way to experience the divine in Hinduism, but how is this loving devotion practiced exactly?
Thanks.
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Namaste.
Bhakti is something that you feel...it's already there, really and when it is and you align yourself with it, it sort of practices itself.
If you have an Ishta Devata...if you feel drawn to a particular 'version' of God/Goddess (remembering they are all ONE, just different aspects so devotees can worship them in a form)...anyway, if something touches your heart deep down..plays on the strings of it like a lyre...or rips it out...that is your Ishta Devata.
Once having found that and once you can feel that love, you follow your heart in how
it chooses to worship God...let your heart guide you.
Sometimes I'll sit and stare at a beautiful picture of Lord Shiva for hours:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...35983b0295.gif
Other times, I will write poetry to Lord Shiva or colour in pictures of Him:
http://tryonshorts.com/wp-content/up...pages-eume.jpg
Other times, I will put on some Bhajans/Kirtans and either close my eyes and sing along or dance around the floor...sometimes I'll remember things...like Ravana trying to lift up Mt. Kailash whilst I listen to Shiva Tandava Stotram:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSlcr2maZw8
Other times, I will offer fire, water, incense and a leaf to a statue/murthy of Shiva to represent the 4 elements, with my heart being the 5th one.
Other times, I will just sit in meditation and chant "Om Namah Shivay" or "Om Hroum Jhum Saha" over and over until tears are streaming out of my eyes...and I'll hear a voice - "turn it
within - turn it all
within and let the tears bathe your heart" and then I go into total rapture for Lord Shiva.
Other times, I read books about Him or go on the forum here to teach others about Lord Shiva as an act of love - like I am doing now.
This is how it happens.
Om Namah Shivaya
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