What is bhakti yoga?
Bhakti means devotion. Dr. Sharad Wagle calls it the path for the mind-oriented person, who lives by emotions: prayer, devotional songs, and the stories of heroes you want to be like. Chapter 12 of the Gita is called bhakti yoga.
He warns about a common misconception. Going to a temple or a church, wearing saffron clothes, fasting for days or saying a rosary again and again does not make a person devoted if the mind is thinking the opposite. Chapter 12 ends with 35 qualities of a true devotee, and he finds them inspiring, because just by being a good person you can be a devotee.
The chapter is also practical. If you cannot reach the highest step, Krishna offers one step lower: practise spiritual disciplines. If not that, do everything for a higher purpose, not for fame or money. If not even that, keep the goal in mind and give up the anxiety for the fruit of your actions.
Start with How to control the mind, or join the Gita Study Group on WhatsApp. The episodes are below.
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