Swami Rama once said: “The oldest traveler in this world is love.”Alongside the more common forms of yoga, Bhakti yoga is the path of love and devotion, not meant for those who follow blindly. It requires the courage to look deeply within, to face both the soft and unaccepted parts of yourself, and to offer everything to the Divine.
Swamiji often taught: “Anoint every action with love.”Whether you’re taking your child to school, washing dishes, working under pressure, or meditating, every moment can become an offering.
Bhakti is not limited to chanting or ritual. It is the expansion of loving awareness, the art of turning ordinary life into sacred ceremony. As the heart opens, life naturally becomes peaceful, joyful, harmonious, and clear.
1. What Is Bhakti Yoga?
According to the Narada Bhakti Sutras, bhakti is the intense love directed toward the Divine, a deep longing to taste the purest form of love, beyond the world’s constant change.
We experience glimpses of this sacred love in the relationships that touch our hearts. As the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad writes: We do not truly love another for who they are, but for the Divine residing within them.
Bhakti yoga allows us to use every sense, emotion, and action as an expression of love, offered to any divine form that resonates with one’s culture, background, or heart: Krishna, Christ, Allah, Yahweh, Hanuman, Mother Mary, or any other symbol.
Bhakti sees all forms of the Divine as equal, windows into the same pure consciousness.
2. Aparabhakti & Parabhakti: Love as Both the Path and the Destination
Bhakti is both the method and the goal.
Aparabhakti (lower bhakti)
The practices that cultivate and deepen devotion:
- Chanting
- Mantra meditation
- Prayer
- Creating an altar
- Reading scriptures
- Loving actions
…or simply moving through life with a softened, open heart.
Parabhakti (higher bhakti)
Complete union with the Divine, a state of immortal bliss, free from suffering or desire.
It is when you become love itself, recognizing the same Self in all beings.
St. Anselm wrote: “I have found a joy so full, and yet beyond all measure.”
3. The Three Stages of Aparabhakti: Honeymoon - Desert - Surrender
1. Honeymoon: The Spiritual Bliss Phase
Like falling in love, this phase is filled with light and inspiration:
- Peaceful meditation
- Heart-opening moments
- Guidance from a teacher
- Joy, clarity, expansion
Practices may include:
- Setting up an altar
- Chanting mantra
- Devotional singing or dancing
- Writing poems
- Yoga and meditation
- Offering flowers, incense, fruits, candlelight
Tips: This is a beautiful time to refresh your practice space. You might choose items like a durable yoga mat, a travel mat for outdoor rituals, yoga blocks to support heart-opening postures, or a soft headband to keep your breath flowing freely.
True Prayer
Swami Rama taught that there are two kinds of prayer:
- Ego-based prayer: asking for what you want.
- Pure prayer: asking for inner strength, clarity, and peace.
Only the second opens the door to grace.
Gratitude
Meister Eckhart said: “If the only prayer you ever say is ‘Thank you,’ that will be enough.
2. Desert: The Spiritual Dryness Phase
The most challenging yet transformative stage, similar to the “Dark Night of the Soul” described by St. John of the Cross.
You may feel:
- Dry
- Doubtful
- Discouraged
- Uninspired
- As though the Divine has “left” you
But this is when the seed grows its roots in darkness. Mirabai wrote: “No one understands the depth of my despair except the One I cry out to.”
Faith & Acceptance
St. Teresa endured 20 years of dryness before realizing that worldly desires are simply misdirected longing for the Divine.
The Gospel of Thomas teaches: “If you bring forth what is within you, it will save you. If you do not, it will destroy you.”
This stage asks you to face:
- Wounds
- Anger
- Fear
- Shame
- Unresolved desires
Tips: Gentle movement can help during this phase, think soft long-sleeve tops, leggings that support the hips and heart space, or a lightweight jacket for grounding walks.)
3. Surrender & Grace: The Melting of the Small Self
When all effort is exhausted, the small “I” dissolves.
This is when:
- The inner heart opens
- Light pours in
- Joy arises
- You feel carried by the Divine
- Actions flow without ego
This surrender becomes pure karma yoga, acting not for personal gain but to serve the Light in all beings.
Bhagavad Gita (12.12): “Higher than meditation is surrender in love, for from surrender, peace will come.”
These stages repeat many times, taking you deeper and more spacious with each cycle.
4. How to Cultivate Bhakti in Daily Life
Bhakti begins with simple, everyday loving-kindness as Philo said: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.”
Daily Bhakti Practices
1. Turn every action into an offering
- Cook as if serving the Divine: When preparing a meal, put your heart and love into every dish, seeing it as an offering, not only for those who will eat, but also for your own soul.
- Work with love: Carry out your daily tasks with focus, responsibility, and a loving heart, turning every duty into an opportunity to cultivate bhakti.
- Care for your family with presence: Give your full attention and care to your loved ones, truly listening and sharing each moment with them.
- Speak gently and truthfully: Choose words with care and compassion, communicate sincerely, and avoid anger or judgment.
Tips: Comfortable clothing makes this easier, breathable tank tops, crop tops, supportive sports bras, or joggers for mindful movement.)
2. Heal relationships
- Understanding: Listen to others with compassion, striving to understand their feelings and perspectives without rushing to judgment.
- Forgiveness: Let go of resentment, giving both yourself and others the chance to heal and move forward.
- Compassion: Recognize the weaknesses and mistakes of others with an open heart, offering support with kindness and genuine care.
Swami Rama: “The grace of love is forgiveness.”
3. Become an instrument of Light
Grand gestures are not necessary; small acts full of love are what give bhakti its power.
- Listening: Take the time to truly listen to others, creating space for them to feel understood.
- Helping: Be ready to assist whenever you can, even in small ways, as long as your intentions are sincere.
- Prayer: Offer prayers for yourself, others, or the world, nurturing compassion and connection to the Divine.
- Living kindly: Every small act of kindness contributes to positive energy and brings a loving presence into everyday life.
St. Thérèse taught through her Little Way that small acts done with great love are the essence of devotion.
Tips: Here, simple accessories can support your mindful routine, a water bottle to stay present, a cap for outdoor walking meditation or a versatile sports bag to carry your essentials.
Bhakti Is the Journey Back to the True Home Within Your Heart
We practice bhakti not to become someone else, but to return to who we truly are: loving, pure, and naturally luminous. Every time you sit down to breathe, open your heart, forgive, or perform even the smallest act with kindness… you take another gentle step toward that sacred inner home.
Continue offering everything you do, every breath, every movement, every joy and sorrow, every encounter in your daily life, to the Divine presence living within your own heart. It is this quiet offering that makes life clearer, softer, and deeply meaningful.
And on this journey back to the heart, you can allow supportive tools to accompany your body and mind. Products from Olaben: from yoga mats, blocks, and meditation yoga gym apparel to water bottles, sports bags, and accessories, can become companions that help you stay present, comfortable, and connected to yourself throughout every moment of practice.
Keep walking forward with an open heart.
Love is the path.
Love is also the home we return to.
