I have been a practitioner of bhakti-yoga for almost 11 years. My first real introduction to this tradition was a chance encounter with the Bhagavad-gita, a central holy text from India. Since then I have tried in earnest to follow and live up to the teachings and principles this particular tradition advocates. Yoga is not about gymnastic posturing, nor for advancing material facilities. Yoga, in essence, is a progressive path of self-awakening that leads the soul to fully realise it’s place in creation. It is thus a fully spiritual disciple which culminates in bhakti, or devotion, to the Supreme.
This past weekend I took a significant step on this path. My spiritual master, or guru, was visiting London for a few days on a stop-over from India to America. After waiting 5 years, he offered me, along with 50 others, official initiation into the bhakti tradition, or what is known as diksha in Sanskrit. In his presence, members from my temple community, and God, I vowed to follow the principles of bhakti, and strive to lead my life as a servant, of the servant, of the servant of God. He then gave me a new set of prayer beads which he previously prayed on, and gave me a new name to signify my commitment and spiritual re-birth. Thus from now on I will be know as Gopal Lila das — one who is the servant of the childhood pastimes of the Lord.
Above: His Holiness Radhanath Swami, my spiritual master, gives me my new prayer beads after initiating me into the bhakti-yoga tradition of India.