Bhakti Yoga - yoga for opening the heart and devotion to love

Bhakti Yoga is a style of yoga where the practitioner fosters a loving devotion to God. Bhakti yoga is a hindu term for this spiritual practice. Hindu movements in which bhakti yoga is the major practice are known as bhakti movements. Bhakti yoga is often thought to be the easiest of the four general paths to freedom and liberation, or moksha (Karma, Raja and Jnana Yoga are the other 3).

In Sanskrit Bhakti denotes a blissful, selfless and all encompassing love of God as the father, mother, baby or whatever relationship to God that the devotee find's in their heart. Bhakti uses several universal principles which are also used in other religions in this world.

The main principle of Bhakti Yoga is to learn the different feelings and emotions in the mind. Feelings and emotions need to learn to be controlled or they will take over. Bhakti Yoga teaches the student not to hate or dislike any other person. Devotion to worship and the studen's choice of how they live their life is taught to be honoured. Bhakti Yoga also teaches about keeping the body very clean and eating sattvic food. Bhakti is also an example of cheerfulness.

Yoga states that a cheerful mind can deal with difficulties more easily. The aim of Bhakti is to achieve a state of equilibrium. The first step on the path of devotion is worship. Bhakti yoga says that to approach God by love is the way to prepare oneself for the greatest possible spiritual fulfilment.

Bhakti Yoga is not of the head but most certainly a journey of the heart.