Attention! If you are not interested in spirituality or do not believe in God, better skip this article. It’s an about very specific practice I follow which may be for someone a culture shock. But for others who are ready to follow my journey let’s start 🙂

It is absolutely a must to turn on these spiritual sounds before starting to read (especially song number 4)
https://sriradhamadhuri.bandcamp.com/releases?fbclid=IwAR3OxA8bo2CBg_le5tVMChIh5HP_SYVZqI9D-QVl-R27K_8wJbY7cDKhcQI

The word yoga means “to connect.” Though yoga is commonly used for health and fitness, the Vedic texts explain that yoga is meant to connect with God.

Bhakti means “devotion,” or “devotional service,” or “pure love.” So Bhakti-yoga means to practice connecting with God, and reestablishing our relationship with Him, through acts of love and service, or devotional service.

Long story short, Bhakti Yoga in the west is better known as Hare Krishna movement (Yes, we sometimes dance in the streets, it’s cool). I practice Bhakti for about 5 years already. This week I felt I need to strengthen my practice.

Personally I do these kinds of practices: Chanting Holy names (Meditation with Japa mala every day for about 1h 45min), reading scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam and Prabhupada’s books, Listening to seminars about Bhakti, Listening spiritual music, reading about the saints, cooking and offering food for Krishna, singing, dancing for God, visiting temple, etc.

We believe almost any activity we can make spiritual. Just do your business but add God there, remember him, pray to him, become his friend.

Weekly results

So these are things I was doing:

• Instead of regular TV shows, movies I watched Mahabharata (a TV show about Krishna’s pastimes)
• I tried to meditate more in the mornings before work.
• A few evenings this week I was reading scriptures.
• Once I did arati (offering of fire and incense). I did it at home as I have a small altar.
• On Saturday we had Ekadashi, so I was fasting all day (just drinking water).
• On Sunday we had a celebration (Sri Nityananda Trayodashi) in the temple, so I sang, danced and had an amazing time with other Yogis.

In Conclusion:

My mistake was, I haven’t chosen one thing but was ready to do everything. Bhakti includes so many things that it’s just impossible to improve everything in one week. But still, I tried my best. I must say, I did less than wanted. I am planning to repeat this challenge but with more specific goals.

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Hare Krishna!

P.s. If you have any questions, please leave a comment 🙂