Day 1: Bhakti Challenge

Welcome to DAY 1~  Start connecting to Love now.

Let’s jump in!  Has this ever happened to you-- you are having dinner with a loved one and both of you are laughing and enjoying your connection to each other. Your heart feels warm and open to them.  Then, a touchy subject comes up and they say something that upsets you.  In fact, now every word feels hurtful.  Soon your chest tightens, the breath becomes shallow and the doors of your heart slam shut.  The ICE queen or king has landed. Where is the LOVE now? ... because its getting cold in here. (I will come back to this..)

During this 15 Day Challenge I will refer to the Narada Bhakti Sutras-- a 1,000 year old text with heart-centered reflections that inspire us to awaken a deep and eternal LOVE that resides within all of us. Sound complicated?  Its not, anyone can do this.  All you  need is 15 minutes.  Remember, nothing will change if do things the way you have always done them.  Try this 15-minute practice everyday for 15 days.  It will be your experience that will empower you to share your heart like a peaceful warrior of LOVE.

Where did the LOVE go anyway?  The Sutras says that the LOVE inside all beings never leaves.  Yeah, but... you may be saying.  Bottom line is that for something to ring your TRUTH bell you must experience it for yourself.

Try this:

Part 1. Imagine someone your deeply cherish and feel overflowing warmth toward.  It can be a  newborn child, close friend, spouse, a beloved pet.  Breathe in deeply and notice where you feel the sensation of LOVE in your body.  Spend 30 seconds breathing into this LOVE.  Close your eyes and do Part 1 now before moving on.  

Part 2. After you have connected to the Love inside from Part 1 let’s go on.  Now imagine someone that is a challenge for you.  Take 30 seconds to notice the sensations in the body that arise.  Close your eyes and do this now. 

What happened to the Love?  I bet if you did Part 1 again that the Love would arise just as it did before.  It truly never left. The Love is there waiting to rise up again should the heart be open to receive it.

Bhakti Sutras say that this wellspring of Love inside of us is ever-flowing from the center of our heart. When we feel warmth for someone that we Love that it truth we are witnessing the joy of their existence-- that presence that is the Divine inside of them.  We catch a glimpse of the radiant, glowing Spirit that is the essence of who they are.  In fact, going even further, they arereflecting your own radiance back to you.  How divine!!   And, in that moment there is a sense of connection, an abiding Love and even a sense of Oneness.  Let’s bring this in to practice.

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Bhakti Practice for Day 1:

Dedicate a quiet corner in a private room for your Bhakti practices.  If you have a cushion, mat, altar, or candles feel free to use them. 

1.  Do 5 minutes of movement and breath. A few yoga sun salutations or easy stretches will work well.  Move and breathe mindfully.

2.  Do 10 minutes of the Radiant Heart Meditation.  Sit comfortably with good posture.  Breathe deeply and draw fresh air into your lungs.  Fill the lungs in all directions-- expand the back body, allow the ribs to fan out and soften your chest.  Long flowing, nourishing breaths. Stay focused on the chest rising and falling with each breath. Now,  imagine an image of the SUN -- a radiant, light-filled, glowing sun.  Place the sun into the heart. Breathe easy and full. Notice what happens over time.  Stay curious, remain open, and allow the Radiant Heart practice to reveal something about the nature of your own heart to you.

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Doing the practice is essential.  Remember your intention to practice. Were you wanting more LOVE in your life?  Are you wishing that the world was a place of LOVE not war? Then allow your experience to bring forth your own personal truth about your Heart and the LOVE inside. And sit in dedication to this Sangha knowing we are more powerful together.

*  Keep a journal of your own experiences.  

*  Sign-up for the Bhakti Blog online to receive updates.

*  Share your experiences or questions on the Blog.

Until tomorrow, Namaste~ 

Sienna

Reference-  Narada Bhakti Sutra translation Exquisite Love by William K. Mahony Anusara Press 2010.