How to Cultivate Bhakti (Devotion to God)? - Pravrajika Divyanandaprana

5 Ways to Bring more Bhakti into Your Life.

1. Japa Meditation

Practicing japa, or mantra recitation with mala beads, can train your mind to focus on a powerful sound vibration containing energies that are said to be embodiments of the Divine. Through japa practice, we deepen our connection with Divinity. And we begin to open space in our heart for the realization that we are, and always have been, one with the Divine.

One example of a mantra that can be used in japa meditation is “Om Namah Shivaya.” One of the interpretations of it is: “I bow to my highest self (pure consciousness) again and again.”

If you rest your awareness on your heart center as you repeat this mantra, you can cultivate a feeling of devotion even more easily. When you’re done with your practice, take some quiet time to rest in the spaciousness that has been brought to the surface by your practice, and notice any wisdom or guidance that may have been revealed in the process.

2. Prayer

Prayer is a powerful way in which we can connect with the Divine and can be practiced at numerous points throughout the day.

A Morning Prayer. If you feel inspired, you can begin your day by surrendering to the Divine as soon as you wake up. The Christian prayer, “Thy will, not mine, be done,” can work well in this context. Or perhaps a prayer in your own words, simply to hand the steering wheel over to the Divine for the day.

You can also begin the day by giving thanks for your life, for the day ahead, for all that you have. The Medieval German mystic Meister Eckhart said, “If the only prayer you say in your entire life is ‘Thank you,’ that would suffice.

Prayers for Those in Need. Bhakti Yoga invites us to see the Divine in everyone and everything…and to recognize that we’re all one. By sending loving thoughts and intentions to those in need through heartfelt prayer, we can begin to walk the path of true devotion.

Say Grace Before a Meal. Yogis have been blessing their food and expressing gratitude for their meals for centuries. Yoga teacher and author Sandra Anderson writes in an article for Yoga International, “The yogi’s [grace] acknowledges…our place in the interconnected web of creation, and the divine source of consciousness that animates everything.”

Here’s a simple approach I use in my own life: I thank all the beings that were involved in bringing this food to me, then I offer it up to the Divine.

3. Set Up An Inspiring Altar

Bhakti Yoga teacher and kirtan artist Sean Johnson says an altar is “a mirror of the heart.” It’s a physical representation of your inner landscape of devotion—a beautiful way to connect with, and celebrate your relationship with, the Divine.

You can create a sacred space by placing an image of a beloved teacher or aspect of the Divine (such as Ganesh, Lakshmi, Shiva, Saraswati) that resonates with you on a small table. Add inspiring spiritual quotes and other devotional items that help you express your devotion to the Divine. You can offer devotion with all of your senses here. Before you chant, meditate, practice yoga, or just breathe in front of your altar, try lighting a candle, or making an offering of flowers, fruit, or incense with a devotional heart.

As Krishna states in the Bhagavad Gita 9.26, “Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or a little water—that, so offered devotedly by the pure-minded, I accept.”

4. Loving Service to Others and the Planet

Over time, by combining the practice of Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga (selfless service), we can come to know Divine Love. This doesn’t have to be an overwhelming proposition. Through service to the local and global communities, in even just one area that profoundly touches our hearts, we can help create a difference in the world and in our own hearts. And it’s pretty easy to make time in your life for small acts of kindness, such as holding a door for someone, listening open-heartedly, letting a driver merge in front of you in traffic, cooking for your loved ones, or picking up trash on the street.

Through acts of devotional service, we acknowledge the Divinity within everyone and everything. And that’s another way to open ourselves to the realization of our own inner Divinity.

5. Chanting and Participating in Kirtan

A central practice of Bhakti Yoga, the word kirtan means “to sing the praises of the Divine.” When we participate in this communal practice, we sing songs of praise to different gods and goddesses, or aspects of the Divine. The practice opens our hearts and facilitates a sense of connection to the Divine; it has a powerful effect on the people and other sentient beings all around you.


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