Making Your Devotion Powerful

      The key element for transmission  of energy (or Shakti) is silence. The devotee needs to access deep silence within their own meditation practice and carry their silence within themselves to access their own devotional power. Also, the transmission of Bhakti takes place within silence. In music it is the silence that reverberates between the sounds. In seva or selfless service it is in the welling up of the blissful feelings and the gratitude in the eyes of those who have received the seva. In dance it is the still places within the motion. In visual art it is the formless within the form. In theater it is the space between the words.

        It is the sacred works of art that endure and inspire and represent the best of what humans are capable of. In the creation and sharing of sacred art, there is a transmission of Divine energy. In this way, the devotees have imparted their most divine feelings to others and they have inspired the same devotion in others that they have cultivated in themselves. Stored within their art is the power of their devotion left for future generations.

  

      The skilled Bhakta (devotee) stirs and arouses their feelings in the activity of their devotion. Then in the stillness after the activity, they launch their devotion into the hearts of others. Whenever you can catch the deep silence within your own consciousness; in your own meditation, at the end of a song or in a moment of quietness in conversation - it is an ideal opportunity to send an impulse of devotion from your heart to another’s heart. 

[excerpted from Shiva Sai Mandir's Center for Yogic Studies Fall Vedic Studies class]

The tender words we said to one another

are stored in the secret heart of heaven,

One day like rain, they will fall and spread 

and our mystery will grow green over the world.

- Rumi

Why is Devotion Important on a Spiritual Path?

The word “bhakti” comes from the Sanskrit root “Bhaj” which has associated meanings of devotion, participation and fondness. Bhaj is also the root of the word Bhajans which are devotional songs. 

 Bhakti is considered to be many things: A religious devotion that anyone can experience and cultivate, a system of yoga which involves specific practices and disciplines, a path to enlightenment which seeks experiences that refine feelings and open the heart to universal love. Bhakti can also mean, simply, an intense love of God. Bhaktas are those spiritual aspirants who approach enlightenment through devotion to God. They are also called devotees. By ancient tradition, devotion can be directed to any form of the Divine (Saguna) or a formless ideal (Nirguna).

Bhakti is a necessary aspect of any tradition or teaching that aspires to self-realization or enlightenment. This is because bhakti is necessary for an open heart. An open heart is necessary for direct experience. Direct experience is necessary for real knowledge. Bhakti is necessary for real knowledge.

There is a Vedic saying, “Knowledge of the books stays in the books.” For knowledge to be real it must be experienced. A closed heart cannot experience, discern and know the subtle and living energy that is the essence of Vedic knowledge. If one engages in spiritual practices with a closed heart, they will bear no or very little fruit. If one engages in spiritual practices with an open heart, any path will soon bear fruit.  

The purpose of bhakti is to open the heart of the devotee and prepare it for direct experience of the divine.