Episode 8 - Rites and Rituals

 Bhakti beyond Barriers 00:00 Introduction 06:40 Moulds that define us & breaking them 22:20 God working beyond boundaries today 34:10 Non-Negotiables in personal faith 45:30 Sacred texts of other religions and the Bible 57:34 Worshipping God in cultural moulds 01:02:32 Concluding Remarks

Bhakti in the midst of Pain and Suffering 00:00 Introduction 06:20 Dealing with loss & suffering 18:20 Finding strength amidst pain & suffering 39:26 Responding to the loss and suffering of others 43:55 Reflecting God in us when dealing with suffering 48:05 Concluding Remarks

Rites and Rituals 00:00 Introduction 05:35 Opening Remarks 14:20 Being part of Rites & Rituals 27:00 Rituals in other religions and Christianity 30:45 Giving up Traditions, Rites and Rituals   37:43 Dealing with Heritage 43:13 Impact of refusal to be part of Rites & Rituals 58:52 Concluding Remarks

Bhajan, Bhojan and Bhakti 00:00 Introduction 05:20 Elements of celebrations and shaping of life 15:10 Last Supper in today’s context of celebrations 29:11 Engaging with communities 40:06 Drawing boundaries in engagement 52:35 Dialoguing within the community and beyond 01:04:27 Concluding Remarks

Celebrations and Festivities 00:00 Introduction 05:25 Celebration of festivals and their meaning 19:20 Social and spiritual elements 28:32 History of festivals 41:50 Traditional festival celebration and Muktinath  56:05 Christian participation in Indian festivals 01:03:28 Concluding Remarks

Bhakti & Shalom 00:00 Introduction 03:22 Shalom in the context that we live today 13:18 Shalom as Identity in God; Bhakti as individuals and community 14:30 God and Shalom; Our Role in reconciliation of brokenness 24:35 Individual Shalom and Bhakti transferred to family and community 43:40 Shalom in Forgiveness and War   50:25 Concluding Remarks

Devotion | Salvation | The World 00:31 Introduction 06:22 Everyday practice of Bhakti in the Arena 17:57 Name of God and the use of language 24:42 Roles in passing on family traditions and faith 30:07 Participating in expressions of Bhakti like pooja 37:54 Methods of practising Bhakti and syncretism 50:58 Honouring parents and community 58:03 Concluding remarks

Devotion Beyond the Comfort Zone Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 03:54 - Your bhakti your arena 14:06 - Culture, community and bhakti 23:40 - Language of expressing bhakti 33:04 - Ethics of living in the arena 38:05 - Vocabulary and names of God 39:34 - Hierarchies & Discriminations 1:00:18 - Final Comments and Learning

Exploring Bhakti (devotional yearning) as expressed in culture, language & Scriptures 00:32 Intro 07:00 Experiences of Bhakti 11:30 Bhakti in Hindu Traditions & the Muktived 14:56 Bhakti in Hinduism & Jainism 19:41 Bhakti in History & Scriptures 35:44 Sociology & Spirituality of Bhakti 42:30 Syncretism & Hybridity 53:33 Conclusion

This inaugural episode explores cultural expressions of worship using symbols. It delves into it from Biblical, theological and personal narratives opening up perspectives that set us free.