Yoga has always been associated with meditation, but it actually comes in different types, each one offering different kinds of experiences and levels of achieving spiritual awakening. Bhakti meditation is one of the notable methods known as the ‘yoga of devotion’ that allows you to behold the Divine. The name is Sanskrit coming from a root, ‘bhaj,’ which means ‘to worship or adore God’. So, Bhakti meditation has always been referred to as ‘union through love and devotion’ and ‘love for love’s sake’, and it helps you attain self-realization as it connects you with everything to achieve a sense of oneness with them.
The purest form of Bhakti is like a devotional fire you could feel in your heart. The earliest example of this is from the twelfth century when Akka Mahadevi, a 10-year old girl, refused childhood games and became Shiva’s devotee. She eventually married a king, but her love for Shiva was more powerful than mortal love. So, she ran away, and legend has it, she abandoned her riches and luxuries, devoting the rest of her life to the Hindu deity. This way, Akka Mahadevi has become part of Bhakti meditation, which is historically treated as a reaction to an ascetic means to self-realization.
Through Bhakti meditation, you could build a more personal relationship with God. At its heart is surrender, which you must do to the Divine as your inner self. Thus, the path involves concentrating your emotions, senses, and mind on the Divine. Bhakti respects your own feeling or idea of what or who God is. In some cases, it could mean whatever makes you feel love or makes your heart filled with beauty. As it helps you recognize and understand universal love, you can naturally acquire a sense of trust with the universe, which is considered wise. You can relax and generate a more positive energy, which could be felt by others.
You can learn and practice Bhakti meditation from a reputable and established Guru specializing in meditation and spiritual workshops. Consider a Guru that will not impose any religious beliefs, conversion, or teachings, spiritual teachings, and new age innovations. That way, you can be sure that the practice simply follows a path to God-consciousness and self-realization.