Sai Center of Stamford Study Circle Sunday, Oct. 3 rd YOGA OF DEVOTION

Transcription

1 Sai Center of Stamford Study Circle Sunday, Oct. 3 rd YOGA OF DEVOTION

2 Recap Source of Love Yoga Of Dharma (Action) SvadharmA Atma Dharma Path of Love Yoga Of Devotion

3 What is Devotion?

4 What is Devotion? Bible: Colossians 3:17English Standard Version (ESV) 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Quran Loving devotion to God is a beautiful spiritual state of mind and a proactive way of life. It is the Divine guided, beautiful journey from darkness into light, to engage in the righteous deeds and promote peace and prosperity for all mankind. (Refer to 2:257

5 Yoga Of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga) Worshipping God with worldly flowers are impermanent they fade away, drop down, lose fragrance, develop unpleasant odor. Natural flowers that have been created by the Will of God, by offering them back to the Creator Himself has no special distinction. Instead Worshipping God through good qualities, good conduct, good thoughts, and good company is far superior than offering/worshipping God with ritual worship and flowers. This is called para bhakti (supreme devotion) distinctive type of devotion by which you worship God with a good, clean mind and good conduct.

6 Yoga Of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga) contd. Arjuna said: Those ever steadfast devotees Who thus worship You And those who worship The eternal unmanifest Brahman, Which of these has the best knowledge of yoga? Krishna said: Those ever steadfast devotees who worship With supreme faith by fixing Their mind on Me as personal God, I consider them to be the best yogis.

7 What Swami s Says on Devotion (Bhakti) Swami once asked the students in the Bhajan Hall, What is bhakti? A student replied, Swami, bhakti is love for You. Swami said, Yes, that is the right answer. So, bhakti is love for God!

8 Types Of Devotees The Gita describes four types of devotees Jnani (one who has conquered delusion and attained wisdom), Jijnasu (the devotee who is a seeker of wisdom), Aartha and Arth arthin (those who turn to the Lord to relieve some or the other form of suffering). Geetha Vahini, Chap 13.

9 Types Of Devotees continued This classification can be understood by an example: Jnana (wisdom) is like the through train, the passenger need not detrain and board another train to reach the destination. Jijnasu is a passenger who has entered the through carriage who also does not have to detrain and board another train; but the carriage will be detained and attached to other trains en route. The Aarthas and Arth arthis board the ordinary train, and will have to alight at a number of places en route and wait until another train comes by; they reach the goal by stages. It is a long and arduous journey. But still it can be accomplished if the devotee persists. Thus the goal is attained by all; only the process and the pace are different. All seek the same high goal. Do not limit your desires to the little. Those who yearn for the Lord are generous and large hearted.

10 Types Of Devotees continued Two type of Devotees Part time devotee (temporary worker) Full time devotee (permanent worker) The difference between a worshipper and a devotee is that, a worshipper however ardent and sincere in his worship of the Lord, is rooted in fulfilment of his desires or some personal benefit. The devotee get constant Grace.

11 Qualities Of a Devotee You should cultivate four main qualities which are the prerequisites of a devotee of God. The first one is maitri, friendship The second, karuna, compassion The third mudita, feeling happy at others' progress The fourth quality is upeksa, detachment.

12 Practice of Devotion Narada Story Have Gods name in the lips all the time (sadhana) while immersed in doing your Dharma Hanuman, Meera Bai, RamaKrishna Paramahamsa Moral Constant Sadhana What is Sadhana? Whatever we do, we do for their joy. This includes breathing, eating, bathing, dressing up, studying, working and everything else. Then every activity is transformed into Sathkarma (noble deed). Sadhana literally means 'Sa (Divine) dhana (wealth)'.

13 Questions 1. How do you practice Devotion? 2. What challenges you face practicing it?

14 Study Circle responses:

15 Thanks. Further reading: Sadguru Sai Guided Me Towards True Bhakti.htm conversations.htm