TO JASON AND ALL: how to start practicing Bhakti yoga?

[Guest guest]

Namaste Jason and all new members: Welcome to the club. I can offer

some help and guidance to you and all who wish to become devotees of

Maa and to learn how to serve Her, and become closer to Her.

In my experience, they accept sincere devotees who demonstrate their

sincerely by performing the sadhana which they perform, and by

changing their behaviors to align themselves with the principles of

the Sanatan Dharma.

 

As a devotee of Maa and Swami, I have learned that there are many

different ways to serve these Masters in order to become closer to them.

 

I perform all types of yoga: karma- seva: i.e.: chopping wood,

trimming trees, cutting the lawn, painting the houses, etc, . I

attempt to perform this seva in a meditative way. This means I

attempt to stay focused and balanced- physically, emotionally,

mentally, and spiritually while performing all actions.

In the same way, I attempt to perform the techniques of worship they

have taugh us: pujas, homas, japa, meditation, etc.

In our tradition, all forms of yoga are woven together, and practiced

together, in order to create a coherent and unified mind, body, heart,

and soul, In my experience, one cannot just practice bhakti yoga.

One cannot just BE devoted, one must also have clear understanding and

knowledge of the object of one's devotion.

For example, I love Maa. So I want to demonstrate my love for Her,

and ultimately, merge with Her. That is my goal, as a devotee with a

bhakti personality.

So, to accomplish that goal, I need to KNOW what She likes, and how

She worships, how She wants me to worship, and how She likes the wood

cut, the house painted, etc,, so I can please Her in every way, on

every level.

Thus I need knowledge. So I seek out Swami, who knows Her best, and

I ask him how to please Her.

Armed with this knowledge, I make a plan and action steps to reach my

goal. Then, I practice daily, regularly, with discipline and

devotion. Daily Shiva puja, daily seva, daily japa.

 

In the Durga Puja, Maa Durga sets out the steps of Action which lead

one to Perfection.

1. First is the Goddess of inspiration

2. Second is the Goddess of Sacred Study

3. Third is the Goddess of the Delight of Practice

4. Forth is the Goddess of Purifying Austurity

5. Fifth is the Goddess who Nutures Divinity

6. Sixth is the One who is Ever Pure

7. Seventh is the Goddess of the Dark Night of Overcoming Egotism

8. Eight is the Goddess of the Grear Radient Light

9. Ninth is the Goddess who Grants Perfection

 

Now, how to develop a daily practice which will bring one into harmony

and alignment with Maa?

 

Maa suggests one begin their spiritual practice by worshipping Shiva.

He is the Guru of the Gods and of all Gurus. If He resonates with

your soul, you can continue His worship. If not, He will lead you to

the Aspect of God which suits you best.

So, order the Beginner's Shiva puja book from the Devi Mandir web

site. Set up an altar in your home, learn the puja, and practice it

daily. There is a Shiva Puja tutorial on the club home page, on

the left margin, see FILESS, click on it, and look for the Shiva Puja

class tutorial.

As you begin practice, you'll have questions So post your questions

on the club, and other devotees will respond and as you interact with

them, you will build relationships with like-minded souls. That is

call satsanga. The family of devotees who support and strengthen each

other.

Maa and Swami tell us that satsunga is a vitally important technique

to foster spiritual growth.

 

Another way to foster the growth of the heart, is to listen to Maa

sing to Shiva. You can order CD's of Maa singing Shiva songs, one

CD is called: SHIVA IS IN MY HEART.

Now, to summarize: learn how to worhsip Shiva, listen to Maa singing

about Him. Come to the club with questions and you will learn more

about your practive and about other's experiences of Shiva, puja,

chanting, etc.

When the time is right, come to the Mandir to visit.

Any Questions?

 

Jai Ma Jai Swami

 

Vishweshwar

 

 

 

 

 

 

In , " hill.jason38 " <hill.jason38 wrote:

>

> as a new member, i don't know where to start. the first time i read

> about Shree Maa i was very amazed by how much devotion and reverence

> her followers gave her that i was persuaded to join this group, hoping

> to learn how to start practicing Bhakti myself. i have a general

> understanding of Bhakti yoga, but not an outline of some sort by which

> i can begin practicing. as a beginner, how should i spend my devotional

> time in the morning? can i become a devotee of Shree Maa even though

> i've never met her? if so, what can i do to serve her as Guru?

> thanks for helping answer my questions, Jason.

>