The Bhakti Step program is designed to facilitate natural progression in bhakti yoga. It provides a series of personal goals connected to Bhakti Step levels in the areas of daily chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, studying bhakti philosophy, engaging in other bhakti practices, and personal development.
Each stage of the program involves adopting specific practices, completing required courses and readings, and focusing on personal lifestyle development.
Personal Development
Chanting and other bhakti practices aid in transforming and elevating our character to a transcendent level. This transformation can be likened to gardening. When seeds are planted in infertile soil, they may grow but will struggle and compete with weeds for nourishment. However, in fertile soil, the seeds will flourish more rapidly. Similarly, the seed of bhakti thrives in the fertile soil of good character. As bhakti grows, it naturally uproots various weeds—identified as bad habits and negative qualities—along its path. Self-development is supported by ethical guidelines, referred to in the yoga world as yamas and niyamas (rules and regulations).
Benefits of Commitment
Why is commitment important? In any discipline of life, strong commitment is necessary for success. This holds true in bhakti yoga. Attaining pure spiritual love is a lofty goal, yet achievable through dedication. It demands responsibility and a sense of duty. Chanting is akin to taking a daily shower—it signifies a commitment to our inner cleanliness. Just as neglecting to shower results in physical dirtiness and odor, irregular chanting can lead to spiritual stagnation. Regular chanting purifies us internally and facilitates ascension to higher levels of consciousness, fostering continuous improvement. Other practices in the Bhakti Steps program complement chanting and invigorate our spiritual life.
The Ingredients
This program has five levels. Each level covers progress in maha-mantra chanting, learning the philosophy of bhakti yoga, adopting more devotional practices and character cultivation, helping us to develop qualities beneficial to our spiritual growth.
Advancing to each level involves a combination of required achievements and activities in different areas including:
This is the core of the progress in Bhakti Steps, gradually increasing one’s mantra meditation by committing to a minimum number of “rounds” (108 mantras) per day.
Along with individual japa meditation, Bhakti Steps introduces participants to the practice of kirtan, singing of the Maha mantra and other songs and prayers in groups. This includes listening and singing along to recorded kirtans from our online playlists and where possible joining in live group kirtans near you. We also teach you how to hold kirtans at home with your friends and family. There are no requirements for this category to progress through the levels, but it is still an essential element not to be neglected.
odi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.
The sankalpas (commitments) are specific commitments in sadhana lifestyle. They are tools that will be our companions in our gradual advancement and allies in our progress.
Svadhyaya means self-study both in terms of study you do on your own and self-examination. The elements in this category include reading recommended books beginning with small books and viewing movies and videos.
For each level there are specific courses that must be completed to advance to that level.
Sanga means association and getting together with other bhakti practitioners (we use the term devotee) is essential for progress in bhakti. Chant Now offers a variety of weekly group meetings at times that are convenient for you. Each meeting is led by an experienced devotee and includes group work relevant to the level of the group. To advance to the next level each participant in this program must attend a specified minimum number of group meetings.
Practical devotional service is a core element in the progress of bhakti yoga and for each level there is a prescribed minimum participation in different types of service beginning with becoming a Chant Now Seva Member.
Another element of bhakti that is introduced gradually in the Bhakti Steps program is archana or worship. This involves setting up of a home altar, learning various prayers and mantras and how to perform rituals as well as other elements of bhakti centered home life.
To participate in this program each member accepts one of the experienced Chant Now facilitators as their personal coach to help them navigate the program with full confidence.
The Steps
Click on the tabs below to see the detailed required achievements for each step of the program. For the levels after Explorer which is automatic for everyone, there is a link to apply to begin working on that level
What's Next
Completing the Bhakti step program is a major milestone in becoming a bhakti yogi and achieving full spiritual perfection in this life. However, in many ways it is just a beginning. In the program you will learn about the various stages of advancement in bhakti and realize that it is a lifetime effort.
To support you once you have completed this program, Chant Now has ongoing courses, sanga groups, and personal coaching. In addition, as part of your development in service, you can learn how to become a spiritual leader in the Chant Now team yourself and help others obtain the gifts of bhakti that you have received.
For some who complete the Bhakti steps program, the next phase will be to enter into a relationship with a devotee who will eventually become their diksha guru, while others may choose to go more gradually. In either case, Chant Now is there to support you, especially in your japa practice.
We hope you are inspired by the opportunity for spiritual development that this program provides and look forward to serving you.