Bhakti Yoga — Harnessing the Force of Emotion to Open to the Action of the Psychic Being

Each part of our being has the capacity to aid in the spiritual quest. Various psycho-physical techniques, such as Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Mudras, Bandhas help to direct the flow of energy of the physical being. Jnana Yoga uses various forms of meditation, concentration and techniques of directed intense focus of though on specific issues to help achieve the results associated with the Yoga of Knowledge. Karma Yoga integrates the mind, the will power, the vital energy and the physical body in an attitude of service that can bring identification with the divine intention in the manifestation. Bhakti Yoga harnesses the emotional being to bring about a connection with the psychic being, with qualities such as aspiration, consecration, devotion, surrender, and love for the Divine acting as the force that helps bring the realisation. Being centred in the heart region, Bhakti Yoga is closest to the seat of the psychic being which is deep behind, and thus, by expressing the qualities associated with the psychic being, Bhakti Yoga is probably the most likely method for connecting with the psychic being and helping to bring it forward.

Sri Aurobindo writes: “The deeper the emotion, the more intense the Bhakti, the greater is the force for realisation and transformation. It is oftenest through intensity of emotion that the psychic being awakes and there is an opening of the inner doors to the Divine.”

reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, The Psychic Being — Soul: Its Nature, Mission and Evolution, Section 6 More Lights on the Psychic Being, pg. 186