Bhakti-Yoga The Easy Path of Devotional Yoga

Bhakti-Yoga: The Easy Path of Devotional Yoga

From the Depths of Illusion To Making Contact with God

By Stephen Knapp

This is a systematic description of how bhakti-yoga works, the practice and philosophy of it, and how to become successful on this spiritual path.

Bhakti-yoga is the process that can take a person beyond mere faith and give direct experience of the spiritual strata and one’s real spiritual identity, beyond the body, and to the joy that is on that plane of consciousness. It is the spiritual process that is especially recommended for these difficult times.

Herein is a revelation that such a realization and experience is not only possible, but leads us to taste the greatest happiness when the soul finally reconnects to its natural condition and joyful disposition. It is like finding the home you have been looking for all your life. And now, at long last, you can reach the ultimate platform of realization, peace, comfort, bliss, and connection with Divine Love. The hankering for this has motivated all of us to seek out our real spiritual nature for many lifetimes, and now upon attaining this knowledge we have found our real destiny.

Some of the additional topics within include:

* What is so special about bhakti-yoga, the universal path.

* Mantra-yoga, the importance of it in this day and age.

* How to make sure you have a genuine guru.

* Feeling ecstatic reciprocation from the Lord.

* Beginning to understand and perceive God.

* How the Lord reveals Himself to His devotee.

* Having your own realizations of the highest levels of spiritual truth.

* Manifesting your spiritual identity.

* And ultimately attaining freedom from material existence and entering the spiritual world.

This book is based on and includes numerous quotes and references from the Vedic literature to authorize the knowledge that is presented within.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Why so Many Quotes in this Book * Use of the Srimad-Bhagavatam

CHAPTER ONE

RECOGNIZING LIFE IN THE ILLUSION

CHAPTER TWO:

BHAKTI IN ALL RELIGIONS

Bhakti: The Universal Religion

CHAPTER THREE:

WHY KRISHNA?

Krishna as Bhagavan * The Attractive Qualities of Krishna * The Loving Nature of the Living Being *The Advantage of Devotion to Krishna * Srimati Radharani: The Feminine Aspect of Krishna

CHAPTER FOUR:

WHY BHAKTI-YOGA?

The Easy and Joyful Path of Bhakti-Yoga * The Easy Release From Karma * Reaching the Goal of Bhakti-Yoga * An Overview of Bhakti-Yoga * Other Important Factors About Bhakti-Yoga * The Stages of Bhakti-Yoga

CHAPTER FIVE:

STARTING WITH FAITH

CHAPTER SIX:

SADHANA-BHAKTI: THE REGULATIVE STAGE

Thinking of the Form of Krishna * Molding One’s Life for Spiritual Advancement * Climbing the Ladder of Success * Attaining the Higher Levels of Bhakti

CHAPTER SEVEN:

ADOPTING THE PRINCIPLES

The Lord Accepts Our Devotional Mentality * Approaching a Spiritual Master * Association With Devotees * The Food We Eat

CHAPTER EIGHT:

RISING ABOVE MATERIAL DESIRES AND OBSTACLES AND ATTAINING THE SUPREME PEACE

The Main Factors That Ruin One’s Spiritual Advancement * How the Immature Devotee Can Be Successful

CHAPTER NINE:

THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLE FOR THIS AGE–CHANTING THE HOLY NAMES

Chanting the Holy Names is the Recommended Process for this Age of Kali-Yuga * Some Important Benefits of Chanting the Holy Names * Chanting the Maha-Mantra Purifies the Consciousness * The Advanced Position of One Who Chants Hare Krishna * The Bliss in Chanting the Holy Names * Self-Realization Through Chanting * The Significance and Meaning of the Holy Names of the Lord * How the Maha-Mantra can Deliver All Living Beings * The Most Worshipful Object is the Holy Name * The Most Important Principle in Bhakti-Yoga * How to Chant the Holy Names

CHAPTER TEN:

GETTING THE RIGHT INSTRUCTIONS FROM A PROPER GURU

What is a Spiritual Master * Recognizing a Qualified Guru * The Rare Good Fortune of Meeting a Pure Devotee * Is It Necessary to Have a Spiritual Master? * The Importance of Approaching a Spiritual Master * Stages of Association with Pure Devotees * Transmitting Spiritual Sound * Taking Initiation of a Qualified Guru * The Significance of the Parampara or Disciplic Lineage * The Significance of Initiation * How the Spiritual Master Teaches * The Duty of a Disciple * If One Rejects His Spiritual Master * When to Reject a Guru * Conclusion

CHAPTER ELEVEN:

STARTING TO GET THE TASTE FOR BHAKTI-YOGA

CHAPTER TWELVE:

FEELING RECIPROCATION FROM LORD KRISHNA

How the Lord is Ready to Protect His Pure Devotees * Special Attention From Lord Krishna

CHAPTER THIRTEEN:

BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THE LORD

CHAPTER FOURTEEN:

ATTAINING LOVE OF GOD

How to Attain the Stage of Love of God

CHAPTER FIFTEEN:

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LOVE FOR GOD

CHAPTER SIXTEEN:

THE TYPES OF DEVOTEES AND DEVOTIONAL SERVICE AND RISING TO THE TOPMOST POSITION

The Types of Devotees Practicing Bhakti-Yoga * Kinds of Devotional Activity * Varieties of Activities After Liberation * Rising to Pure Bhakti

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:

THE OUTLOOK AND BEHAVIOR OF A DEVOTEE

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:

HOW THE LORD REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS DEVOTEE

CHAPTER NINETEEN:

ATTAINING THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD

CHAPTER TWENTY:

BEING ABSORBED IN GOD

Reaching Trance or Samadhi in Bhakti-Yoga * Attaining Oneness with God on the Path of Bhakti-Yoga * Absorption in God is the Goal of Life

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE:

REALIZING THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO:

ATTAINING YOUR BLISS: THE HIGHEST HAPPINESS IS IN SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES

Symptoms of Ecstatic Emotions * Why the Early Vedic Texts Often Do Not Describe This Bliss

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:

ATTAINING REALIZATION OF ONE’S SPIRITUAL IDENTITY

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR:

ENTERING RAGANUGA BHAKTI: SPONTANEOUS DEVOTIONAL ATTRACTION

How to Attain Raganuga Bhakti * Raganuga Bhakti Brings the Devotee to Krishna * Devotion in the Feeling of Separation

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE:

ATTAINING LIBERATION AND ENTERING THE SPIRITUAL WORLD

How We Reach the Spiritual World * How a Devotee Attains a Spiritual Body * Attaining a Spiritual Body in the Mood of Your Devotion * Entering Krishna’s Pastimes in Another Universe * Entering the Spiritual Realm * Additional Descriptions of Vaikuntha * Descriptions of the Lord’s Supreme Abode * More Descriptions of Goloka Vrindavana * Entering Krishna’s Confidential Pastimes * Conclusion

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:

HOW DEVOTIONAL YOGA BENEFITS OTHERS

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN:

TELLING OTHERS ABOUT BHAKTI-YOGA

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:

HOW GOD CAME TO GIVE LOVE

The Story of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu * Sri Caitanya Bhagavat (Adi-Lila, Chapter Three)

READING LIST

GLOSSARY

REFERENCES

INDEX

ABOUT THE AUTHOR