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The Practice of Devotion (Bhakti)

“You have to come from devotion to practice meditation.  Only then will you get Self realization.  You should always begin meditation with devotion.”

“You should do the prayer and then come into meditation.  You will not be able to come into the line of meditation unless you do prayers.  You should say prayers to see that your mind gets controlled.”

“If you practice prayer, bhajans, homa, and japa, all these will help you develop further in the spiritual path.  Gradually these will bring you into the line of meditation.”

“Bhava is the beginning for samadhi and tapas.  Bhajan is for devotion [bhakti].  That’s the start for the spiritual path.  Just like you go to first class in primary school.  It’s like that.”

“If you practice prayer, bhajans, homa, and japa, all these things will help you develop further and further on the spiritual path.  Gradually these practices will bring you into the line of meditation.”

From the printed “Meditation Instructions” that Shivabalayogi gave after initiation into dhyana meditation:

“If you have been doing some form of prayer, worship or chanting of mantras, this may be done before or after meditation but is not to be combined with it.  Practicing meditation regularly and with devotion helps fulfill your wishes in course of time.”

This and more can be read in the books on Shivabalayogi, including  Divine Play,  Swamiji's Treasure,  and Tapas Shakti.