Is Physical Yoga Compatible With Traditional Bhakti? | Thinking Bhakti Podcast EP42

Bhakti Yoga Changed My LifeIn this episode, Swami Revatikaanta sits down with Bhagawati Dasi, a yoga teacher and Bhakti practitioner, to explore how yoga can return to its authentic roots beyond trends and business. Together, they discuss the commercialization of yoga in the West, the loss of depth in modern practice, and how Bhakti Yoga offers a path back to sincerity and spiritual connection.Bhagawati Dasi shares her experience teaching yoga in New York City, reflecting on how inner transformation and devotion can be integrated into daily life. The conversation touches on the importance of community, mindfulness, and keeping spiritual intention alive in a world driven by image and success.Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial

What if someone in your family started doing things no one could explain?In this episode, we hear the personal account of someone who grew up with Paramahamsa Vishwananda — not as a distant guru, but as a close friend. From sacred ash (vibhuti) appearing on photos to spontaneous spiritual visions, these aren’t stories from books — they’re real experiences. Joined by Swami Revatikaanta and Mayuran, we explore key moments, including Ravi’s encounter with the Divine Mother — a life-changing experience that later continued with a darshan of Lord Narasimha.The life of Paramahamsa Vishwananda continues to inspire and reminds us that the Divine is still fully alive today — touching not just one life, but many.Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial

In this episode of Thinking Bhakti, Swami Revatikaanta speaks with Swami Tulsidas about spiritual life, creativity, and community-building.They begin with the story behind the podcast—how it started in the ashram with limited resources and a basic setup. Swami Tulsidas shares what pushed him to keep recording despite the challenges.The conversation moves into personal reflections on discovering Paramahamsa Vishwananda and building a devotional path without a ready-made community. They discuss the effort it takes to keep serving and growing spiritually even when things are far from ideal.One focus is the role of prayer—not as obligation, but as something natural and meaningful. Another is the Tulsi plant, its place at Shree Peetha Nilaya, and how respecting it deepens the experience of bhakti.They also reflect on tradition, etiquette, and how spiritual practice becomes personal over time, even when it feels complex at first.Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial

From Neuroscience to the Ashram: Swami Anashuya’s Unconventional JourneyIn this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Swami Anashuya shares his search for truth—from childhood questions about death and the soul to rigorous studies in biochemistry and neuroscience. After walking away from academia, he explored shamanic traditions in the rainforest, vibrational healing, and New Age practices, only to find that none could offer the clarity or heart-opening love he was seeking.Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial

Pandit Krishna Kripa Dasa – Hindu priest, author, lecturer, and President of the Hindu Federation of Spain – shares inspiring insights into his efforts to unify the different Hindu traditions in Spain as well as in Europe.He speaks about the differences with other religions, the challenges he faces, and the many beautiful teachings he has learned over the years in this role. He emphasizes the importance of using common sense to support this work.Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial

Meet Mahesh Kale, an Indian-American classical vocalist and playback singer renowned for his specialization in Indian Classical music, sharing deep insights into his life. He is one of the most prominent Indian Classical musicians of the new generation.How did it all start for him to develop such a passion for music? What does it mean to travel around the world, and how can someone develop such a love for music?His answers are fascinating, and in the end, he gives everyone hope by sharing that basically, everyone can sing—but one main ingredient is needed.Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial

In this episode with Shandilya, we dive into the true essence of yoga, exploring its connection to God, the role of intention, and the evolution of its practices. The discussion starts by challenging modern perceptions of yoga, highlighting the importance of understanding it as a conscious path towards God. The conversation contrasts Patanjali's classical yoga, emphasizing its practical structure, with the deeper, spiritual aspects taught in the Bhagavad Gita. The hosts reflect on the essence of Bhakti Yoga and Atma Kriya, stressing that yoga is more than physical postures – it's about the relationship and devotion to the divine.The episode also touches on the challenges of navigating the modern yoga landscape, where the practice has often been stripped of its spiritual roots. The importance of Shaktipat (the divine initiation) in Atma Kriya is emphasized, showing how grace and divine connection are integral to truly understanding yoga. Ultimately, the conversation underscores that yoga, at its core, is about a relationship with the divine, not just physical outcomes, and invites listeners to explore different forms of yoga that go beyond the surface, leading to a deeper understanding and connection with God.Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial

When someone truly dives into the spiritual journey, they are faced with many pitfalls and challenges along the way. One of these is the need to avoid desires that entangle the individual further in mundane reality. But what if there is a much more common danger that can sabotage the journey even more, yet one is not fully aware of it? Listen to Swami Revatikaanta as he explains in this satsang the importance of recognizing this enemy as soon as possible, before it becomes too late to confront it and to avoid unnecessary suffering on the spiritual journey back to Sri Hari.Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial

In this episode, we hear the story of Paartha, the first devotee of Paramahamsa Vishwananda in Europe, and how he met his guru at a very young age—an encounter that shaped his entire life.He shares insights about the early years of Bhakti Marga in Europe and how it gradually evolved from a small community into the global movement we know today.Swami Revatikaanta poses a fundamental question: How has Paramahamsa Vishwananda changed over the years? Has he become more strict? Has the path become more serious in the light of his mission to bring his students to God?We also explore the balance between independence and dependence, as well as the true meaning of service to God—something Paartha deeply sought to understand.Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial

This video is a continuation of the previous one. This time, we watch Stuart Knechtle as he speaks with a young student about frequently debated topics such as karma and caste. They also discuss the meaning of proselytization from both Christian and Hindu perspectives.Is Stuart Knechtle’s criticism of Hinduism valid, or is there a significant misunderstanding at play?Furthermore, Swami Revatikanta's analysis delves into whether followers of Sanatana Dharma should share their faith with others—and if so, in what way.At the end, Swami Revatikaanta asks the question: Is the method of debate valid? Is it a means of discovering truth, or merely a tool for winning over the audience?Watch Thinking Bhakti on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiRevatikaantaofficial