Icon of Jesus Christ from the Cathedral of Hag

5 ways I’m striving to practice Bhakti yoga:

1. Prayer. On my knees, ritual style. After meditation, asana practice, in the car, on the stepmill…

2. Music. I’ve been listening to Christian kirtan and devotional music, particularly these albums, composed by my friend Scott Robinson. Also love Taize Community music, and Mantra Girl. Singing along when I have the whim…

• Listen here…Bless the Lord O My Soul by Mandala

3. Visualization. On the cross, the image of Christ. I’m practicing seeing the cross at my chakra locations during meditation and pranayama exercises.

4. Seeing God. Trying to recognize God in everything. Every person, animal, plant, situation, etc.

5. Imagery. To keep this all in my awareness (which is basically the point of the practices…) I’m adding “adornment” where I can see it and be reminded. Pictures, icons, signage, and post-it notes, even wearing cross jewelry or writing reminders on my hand will serve as prompts to recall my devotion to Isvara-Pranidhana (surrender to God.)

It sounds easy…sure, anyone can pray and wear a cross necklace, right? The challenge is to remember why, to be aware of intention, and to release the ego from the practices. Not so easy, but all we can do is keep up.

How do you practice devotion?