Bhakti: The Path of the People

A rant about the medicine we need at this time (and an announcement)

People are suffering.

The masses are suffering.

The leaders are suffering.

We’re living through the age of Mad Kings. Cartoonish supervillains are running the world from their suffering. The wise leaders and “good” leaders are also suffering.

Even (many of the) so-called spiritual teachers and influencers — behind the polished Instagram reels and softly lit videos — are suffering. Secretly burning out, strung out on ketamine, jumping on camera and doing their thing and then slumping back into their lives of chaos and disconnection.

We are living in a moment of profound disconnection, even in the midst of unprecedented access to “spiritual stuff.” The ancient wisdom that once kept hearts connected to the Source has been fragmented, packaged, and sold back to us in bite-sized pieces: mindfulness apps, cacao ceremonies, $500 mala beads, Bhaktifest…

And yet: the heart longs for something deeper. Not just festivals. Not just song circles. Not just gong baths, breathwork, psychedelic vacations… Many souls out there long for something more. They’re longing for real, committed relationship with the Divine that actually helps them in their life.

This is the essence of Bhakti Yoga.

Bhakti is the path of the people. The householder’s path. The warrior’s path. The path for the brokenhearted and the world-weary. The path for people who have experienced having their “dick in the dirt” — so to speak.

It is the yoga of love, devotion, service — of cultivating a living, breathing intimacy with the One, in all circumstances. And then serving their world from that place.

It is not escapist. It is not sentimental. It does not shy away from grief, anger, despair, or the pain of separation. Bhakti gives these feelings to God and makes them sacred.

Bhakti Yoga weaves in all the other yogas so that we can increase our capacity for the relationship with Grace. It heals us and makes us strong. It gives us a north star to navigate with.

Gurupūrṇimā

Yesterday was Gurupūrṇimā. We had a lovely gathering here at the house with shared food (a big part of bhakti culture) and chanting and community. Parents, kids, single people, old people, babies, straight people, queer people, white people, brown and Black and Asian people. Each of us had our own totally unique relationship to Grace, but we were all gathered around that same north star. We had all been touched by Grace and many of us literally had our lives saved by Grace.

Our Guru is Baba Nityānanda

His very being radiated with love and grace. One of the verses we sing to honor him is this:

नित्यानन्दाय गुरवे शिष्यसंसारहारिणे।

भक्तकार्यैकदेहाय नमस्ते चित्सत्तात्मने॥
nityānandāya guruve śiṣya-saṁsāra-hāriṇe bhakta-kāryaika-dehāya namaste cit-sat-ātmane

To the Guru Nityānanda, who destroys saṁsāra for his disciples, and has taken a body only to serve his devotees, we bow to that Soul of Consciousness and Truth.

Baba Nityānanda

For people who are connected to him in particular, this is a verse in praise of him. But for us all, this is telling us about the power of real bhakti. It destroys saṁsāra — the cycles of worldly suffering. For the bhakta — the one who practices bhakti — the Divine Principle serves us, no matter how hard we want to serve them.

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Gurupūrṇimā Announcement!

This year, I am offering my 9-Month Advanced Spiritual Training, with the Bhagavad Gītā as the backbone, and Bhakti Yoga as our foundation.

Mid September to mid-May 2025/26

It’s not bhakti as a genre of music. Not bhakti as a “vibe.” But bhakti as it is meant to be practiced: a long-term, committed relationship with Grace, and transformation, and service.

We will study the Gītā (and other texts).

We will learn and practice meditation, mantra, ritual, prāṇāyāma, karma yoga, and more. We will look unflinchingly at the state of our hearts and the state of the world. We will practice the kind of yoga that prepares us to truly serve others — not just perform spirituality, but embody it, and bring it to those who need it most.

Here’s an amazing verse from the Gītā. Krishna — the voice of the Divine Beloved — says:

यः सर्वस्य न उद्विजते लोकः लोकाच्च न उद्विजते च यः। हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तः यः स मे प्रियः॥
yaḥ sarvasya na udvijate lokaḥ lokāc ca na udvijate ca yaḥ। harṣāmarṣa-bhayodvegair muktaḥ yaḥ sa me priyaḥ॥

That one from whom the world does not shrink, and who does not shrink from the world; who is free from excitement, intolerance, fear, and agitation — such a one is dear to Me. (Bhagavad Gītā 12:15)

We do not shrink from life. And life does not shrink from us. We are promoters of life. Supporters of life. Defenders of living.

Hurt people hurt people. Free people free people.

This is not a teacher training. I don’t believe in them. From the classical yogic point of view, the idea of a 200, 300, or 500-hour training making someone a teacher is absurd. This is training in the truest sense — training your heart, mind, body, and life to live and serve as a human being of depth, integrity, and love.

If you are feeling called — not just to “learn,” but to dig in, commit, transform, and get free — this may be for you.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

For now: sit with this question. 🌿 What is your relationship with the Divine?

The world needs us to show up, ready. This is one way we can get ready.

Let me know if you have any questions.

With love and service,
Harshada