Enhancing Bhava in Chanting: The Path to Divine Love and Tranquility

Chanting, a practice deeply rooted in many spiritual traditions, aims to evoke a profound emotional response known as bhava. Bhava transcends mere physical actions; it is an expression of the heart's yearning for divine love and integration with the Anahata Chakra, the fourth chakra associated with unconditioned love and joy.

The Essence of Anahata Chakra

The Anahata Chakra in Sanskrit is often translated as the unstruck heart, representing love that remains unhurt, unstruck, and unbeaten. This chakra serves as the outer center for love and compassion. However, its true source is the Jivatma, or the psychic being, connected to unconditioned love and joy for the Divine. This chakra is the wellspring of deep and profound truths that cannot be expressed in words.

Experiencing Divine Love and Bhava

The real love experienced through the Anahata Chakra is beyond any emotions, crying, or dancing. It is the profound experience of Anand (divine bliss) in the seas of divine peace. When you approach the outer ring of this chakra, you remain unperturbed, calm, and self-immersed. Even a fleeting taste of this experience can leave a lasting impact on your being.

Therefore, when chanting, it is crucial to aspire to delve deep within towards your inner being, rather than remaining in the outer layers, which can be clouded by transient emotions.

Practical Steps to Enhance Bhava

To increase bhava during chanting, it is essential to proceed with a discerning approach. First, understand that feeling is an internal state. The body naturally wants to act to release this feeling. However, the more you can stay grounded and focus on the feeling itself, the more profound the experience becomes.

Below are some guidelines to enhance bhava for the deity of the mantra you are chanting:

Acknowledge the Benefits: Recognizing the benefits of the mantra can infuse a sense of reverence and significance, which can lead to a deeper feeling of bhava. View the Mantra as Sacred: Considering the mantra as pure and sacred can also evoke a profound emotional response. Proper Chanting: Chanting the mantra with a calm and focused mind can reinforce the bhava. Detachment: Chanting with a sense of detachment from worldly concerns and expectations can help in deepening your bhava. Blessings: Seeking the blessings of the devata (deity) through poojas (worship) and kirtans (chanting in congregation) can significantly enhance bhava and the overall experience of chanting.

Conclusion

Discovering the untrodden path of Anahata Chakra is a rare and significant achievement. The ability to strike the inner chord of bhava can open inner doors to profound spiritual experiences. As you delve deeper into the practice of chanting, remember to center yourself and focus on the heart's genuine desire for divine love and tranquility.