The "highest love" from the perspective of Bhakti-Yoga

Abstract

Modern western civilization is characterized by a process of increasing individualization. We feel free to express ourselves more and more differentiated, and we can choose – our attire, our occupation, our partner, our friends, our place of residence. In the same manner, we individually choose whom or what we love. Our experience of love, as well as our ability to love can be limited by our individual assessments, preferences, aversions etc. However, is a more comprehensive experience of love and communion possible, which transcends individual shaping of character; and is such an ability to love cultivable? The Yoga tradition provides a distinct affirmative answer in the form of Bhakti-Yoga, the Yoga path of love and dedication. Many poet-saints describe the state of all-encompassing and unconditional love, which they themselves could attain, in their songs. In this essay, this path of Bhakti-Yoga and the desired states of being will be described on the foundation of traditional Yogic scriptures as well as writings of the afore-said poet-saints.