What is Bhakti Yoga? Is it difficult like hatha yoga or is it like integral yoga?
The word "Bhakti" means "devotion". "Bhakti Yoga"' is not a form of exercise, nor is it physical in any way. It is a way of achieving 'enlightenment" or 'Union with God" ('yoga' means "union") by the path of devotion, instead of studying and relying on scriptural teachings, which is referred to as "Jnana Yoga", or the Yoga of knowledge. It is rather like the attitude of a fan towards a celebrity, except that the celebrity is God, and the 'fan" revs up his/her devotion by focusing on the particular image of Deity they have chosen to revere,in various ways, by singing hymns of praise, praying, and constantly thinking about their image of Deity, and directing all their love towards it. Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa is a famous Indian Bhakti Yogi who achieved by this method. |
