Stream of Bhakti

Nitai discusses with guest Bhaktimarga Swami about the great warrior/sage Bhishma. Bhishma always fought for a higher cause than himself, never seeking his own glory. Even though he was the most powerful warrior of his time, he was slain on the battlefield. Still, he spent his last breath speaking of dharma and spiritual perfection. The integrity of his spiritual life remained intact until his last moment. He is a hero in the Bhakti tradition to this day.

We’re Back! We’ve been busy since our last episode remodelling Stream of Bhakti. Nitai and Ani discuss the changes and where you will find us live from now on. Today’s episode recaps our voyage through the Bhagavatam thus far, focusing especially on the questions put forward by this great Bhakti text. Although an ancient book, it remains relevant and transformational to this day.

Nitai and Ani talk about the art of reading ancient texts while applying the wisdom in practical life today, and how different understandings lead to different outcomes.

Nitai and Kala talk about how a Bhakti yogi deals with life’s turmoils, internal vs external renunciation, how to become the most gentle, and the story of the touchstone.

In honour of Women's History Month, we invited Kala and Manjari to do this episode going through the prayers of Queen Kunti. Our two guest hosts provided valuable insight into the female experience of Bhakti both in the pages of the Bhagavatam and the present day. They discussed how mothers are the first Gurus, who are some female heroes in the Bhakti movement and Kunti's address to Krishna in the mood of poetic kinship.

Nitai and Ani are joined by Kala and Krishna Prana to introduce one of the greatest women in Bhakti, Queen Kunti. We will be discussing her powerful meditations over the next few weeks with the women from the Kirtan Vancouver team who will help us unpack the Queen’s greatness as a Bhakti yogi.

Nitai and Ani discuss how suffering awakens compassion in the heart of a Bhakti yogi, the importance of the Bhakti practices, and Arjuna‘s decision about the life of Ashvatthama.

Nitai and Ani continue to discuss the tragedy of Ashvatthama, how life’s difficulties are engineered to reveal our inner qualities, how our relationship with divinity can be appreciated and perceived, and why we resonate when we see Bhakti qualities in others. And don’t miss Ani’s touching memories of his daughter Vidya’s birth.

Nitai and Ani discuss the life of Ashvatthama, the death of his father, his friendship with Arjuna, and how Bhakti was displayed even in the lives of warriors.

Nitai and Ani talk about how we respond to our outer environment based on our inner environment, what happens when we neglect our spiritual development, how the mind and senses are like a train, and the challenge of understanding the Vedic worldview from a modern perspective.

Nitai and Ani discuss the lives of ancient warriors, the importance of learning from even the worst kinds of situations, and setting our auto-pilot for difficult times.

Nitai and Ani discuss the freedom found in pure chanting, the power of association, and how Bhakti heightens our propensity to love.

Nitai and Ani talk about Narada’s ashtanga yoga journey and his personal encounter with divinity in the forests of the Himalayas. They discuss the difference between personal wants and personal needs, how to soften the heart through renunciation, and why we sometimes cry in kirtan.

Nitai and Ani talk about the inner journey of yoga, how love really is like a rose, how the Vedic culture turns charity on its head, sustained Bhakti vs sporadic Bhakti, and how Bhakti is more than just a hashtag.

Nitai and Ani talk about the four Bhakti ashrams, how yoga is intentional dependence on Divinity, the need for spiritual vulnerability, how Bhakti looks different from other yoga paths, and why the origin of life is important for yoga.

Nitai and Ani talk about genuine risk taking in spiritual life, the power of the Sanskrit language, and living in harmony with the natural world.

Nitai and Ani talk about guru relationships, the search for community, stages of spiritual development, the perceptive powers of Bhakti yogis, and Ani’s story about a Vancouver Island wolf.

Nitai and Ani discuss past lives, fulfilling the soul’s desires, what is not destroyed by time, accumulating spiritual wealth, how we never die, and a few words about cold showers.

In this episode, Nitai and Ani talk about sacred space in Bhakti, how to do yoga without trying, and how personality can change the world. And don’t miss Nitai’s pilgrimage story and how Krishna lifts a mountain.

Wondering what life is like in a Bhakti ashram? Ani and Nitai reflect on their ashram experiences and how Bhakti spreads from one person to another. And don’t miss the past lives part too!

Nitai and Ani discuss 5 recurring topics in yoga philosophy. Understanding each topic helps us to connect the experiences of the heart in Bhakti, such as Kirtan, to the thinking mind. With heart and mind united, a Bhakti yogi never loses touch with their spiritual purpose in every day life.

In today’s episode, Nitai and Ani talk about how a spiritual view of oneself is important to make sense out of life’s challenges. Why do we feel the need for connection and purpose in life? Are we just biological machines or are we spiritual beings within the machine? What’s the difference?

Nitai and Ani continue their discussion about the modes of nature and how Vyasadeva’s dilemma is resolved. Find out why parts of Bhakti philosophy are confidential, how the practice of yoga relates to the 3 modes of nature, the importance of getting personal feedback, and what mode of nature causes Ani to eat burnt toast.

This week Nitai and Ani talk about the origins of the Bhagavatam, the root of Bhakti philosophy. Who compiled these books, and why? What was the author’s intention and what was his dilemma? What are the 3 modes of nature and why are they so important to understand in yoga? Ani shares about his voyage to the Himalayas and Nitai meets a swan.

Stream of Bhakti Episode 8: Empowered Bhakti by Nitai and Ani

Nitai and Ani talk about the universal form described in Bhagavad Gita and three different ways we relate to the Divine. Also, how is the body like a cage? How does this make the soul want to be free? Free from what? Arjuna’s mood of love was covered by fear when he saw the universal form. How did he regain it again? Hearing about Arjuna’s vision can free us from fear and unlock the love stored within the heart.

The sages have put their questions before the great master Suta Goswami. As Suta begins to answer, he first thinks of his own teachers, and then thanks his students with great respect. He begins to explain how only actions true to the soul can bring true happiness.

In the first chapter of the Bhagavatam, the sages declare that humanity faces many challenges in the journey of self-realization. They ask six powerful questions with the intent of revealing the spiritual path of Bhakti for those who wish to follow it. Join us on the next episode as we begin to hear the answers.

In this episode we meet our hosts, Ani and Nitai, and hear about their connection with the Bhakti tradition. Ani grew up in a family of Bhakti yogis and now continues the tradition with his own daughter, Vidya. Nitai discovered Bhakti as a young man, which led him to ashram life for 20 years.

Stream of Bhakti Pilot Episode 1 by Nitai and Ani

Stream of Bhakti Pilot Episode 2 by Nitai and Ani

Stream of Bhakti Pilot Episode 3 by Nitai and Ani