7 TONGUES OF THE FIRE - BHAKTI: Reverence

Bhakti is not just Kirtan. While Kirtan is an outer expression of devotion, true Bhakti is a state of awareness—an innate capacity for joy, not something we “do.” Many sing Kirtan yet remain disconnected from true Bhakti because they haven’t learned to rest in their own natural radiance. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Bhakti is the ability to see life through the higher mind, where joy and wisdom reside.

Raja Yoga, the royal path by Patanjali, provides the path to access this higher mind. Through direct experience in meditation, we recognise that our nature is joy, and devotion naturally flows. Kirtan, prayer, and ritual then become genuine expressions of reverence, aligning us with the sages’ vision that all is connected, vibrating with the frequency of Sri—pure beauty.

At its core, Bhakti is about recognising life as a supreme gift and cultivating a relationship with the great mystery—the source of all life and light. This connection is deeply personal, developing like any meaningful relationship. Some struggle with religious conditioning, while others resist the idea of “God.” But Bhakti must arise spontaneously, free from rigid structures. The key is first accessing the joy and light within.

While Tantra prescribes precise rituals, Bhakti can be expressed intuitively, from the heart. A sincere offering—a fallen feather, a broken flower, a whispered prayer—carries more weight than mechanical precision. Like a child’s crumpled drawing gifted with love, the authenticity of devotion matters more than perfection.

To deepen Bhakti, tradition offers guidance: practice daily. Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, and Yoga Nidra—when practiced correctly—cultivate reverence and trust. Prana Dharana refines our sensitivity, opening us to awe and devotion.

Let go of limiting beliefs. Reflect on how practice has changed you. Lean into the Tantric worldview. Express gratitude daily—humility is Bhakti’s gateway and protects against ego’s corruption.

Bhakti is not something to create—it is already there. It is our natural state, emerging from the joy-filled higher mind. We need only remember how to access it and allow it to flow. Bhakti is what makes the Fire beautiful. Without it, both practice and life become far too serious.