40 Real Bhakti – Daily Devotion Without ISKCON: An Alternative Bhakti Path Rooted in Dharma

Sharing a website that offers a path to finding bhakti yoga in one's daily life based on the teachings of Swaminarayan. This is an alternative approach then that offered by ISCKON & other groups. Plus a story of Zen Buddhism, & discussion of five vows vs four regulative principles. Note, this website is no longer available. Live 6.10.2023

0:00 – Intro (apologies for technical problems), Shri Krishna Sharanam Mamah (Ashtakshara Mantra) 7x
2:36 – Alternative Bhakti Yoga path instead of Swami Prabhupada & ISKCON
5:00 – Bhakti Yoga path of Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya on new website of Arizona Vedic Cultural Center of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul USA (not BAPS)
6:25 – About website author & scholar Ananda Bhagat, finding new English translations of Swaminarayan books, his re-discovery of lost Ashtakshara Mantra
11:05 – Promo video of website from Arizona Vedic Cultural Center @azvedicgurukul
13:56 – Contents of website, remembering god during day via Zen Buddhism story, when spirituality is easy vs hard
19:55 – Bhakti yoga builds a personal relationship with god
21:00 – Ramanuja's unknown lineage
24:03 – How to become a devotee of god, genuine Sanatana Dharma/Hindu teachings & traditional vs a mix of beliefs & our own ideas
26:24 – Five Vows (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possessiveness) vs ISKCON's four regulative principals
27:30 – Closing thoughts, Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya is home

From the website's Intro: "Many people long for a meaningful and enduring connection with something larger than themselves. They search for calm, purpose, and fulfillment in a world filled with chaos, distractions, and transient pleasures. Bhakti Yoga supplies the means to satisfy these desires and fulfill the primary goal of human life, forming an eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord. Through examining the process of Bhakti Yoga, we will learn the methods and insights that enable us to incorporate it into every facet of our lives from sunrise to sunset. By drawing upon the knowledge of sacred scriptures, the direction of spiritual masters, and the wisdom of great devotees, we will learn how to incorporate devotion into our daily lives. By regularly practicing satsang, prayer, mantra meditation, pooja, kirtan, dhoon, selfless service, and other sacred devotional exercises, we will feel our longings subside, and our sense of contentment and purpose develop. This webpage offers practical, step-by-step directions to motivate and direct us along the path of devotion; it is not a theoretical discussion of Bhakti Yoga. It is a guide for the serious seeker. Bhakti Yoga awakens our hearts, promotes compassion and understanding, and infuses our lives with meaning and joy when performed with sincerity and devotion. It offers a comprehensive strategy for integrating Bhakti into our daily lives that enables us to experience the love and realization of Lord Swaminarayan."

For seekers who’ve outgrown spiritual fluff.
This isn’t about trends, vibes, or blind devotion. This is real talk for real seekers.

🎙️ Each episode is part of a larger journey. This isn’t random content—it’s a structured path into deeper truth, not easy comfort.

I’m Premanand Das Bhagat (Aaron Joy), in Portland, Maine, USA.
I followed the so-called spiritual path—believed everything and anything, joined a cult, and ran in circles. Through honest effort, deep unlearning, and painful self-awareness, I found clarity in Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism).

Now, I speak to those who feel the same disillusionment.
If you believe in asking questions, rejecting lazy universalism, and using logic and scripture together to navigate this chaotic world—you’re in the right place.

🕉️ I'm a Integral Vedic Counselor, Certified Spiritual Life Coach and Ayurveda Specialist. I'm a student of Dr. David Frawley and devotee of Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya, following the non-Advaita, non-Universalist Vaishnava lineage of Ramanuja. My spiritual name was a gift from Dr. Chaturbhai Babaria (Swaminarayan Gurukul USA).

📩 Email: aronmatyas@hotmail.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aaronmjoy
☕ Support the channel: https://buymeacoffee.com/aaronjoy

Available on YouTube, Rumble, Spotify, Bitchute, Amazon, Audible, Apple & Google Podcasts, iHeart, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Chromecast, Listen Notes, Podcast Addict, Podcast Ranking, Podtail, People Ai, Podchaser, Everend, Rephonic, allfeeds.ai, fyyd.de

#swaminarayan #baps #sanatanadharma #hinduism #hindu #ancientwisdom #yoga #shreeswaminarayan #iskcon #gujurat #prabhupada #swaminarayanbhagwan #swaminarayansampraday #bhakti
0:00 – Intro (apologies for technical problems), Shri Krishna Sharanam Mamah (Ashtakshara Mantra) 7x
2:36 – Alternative Bhakti Yoga path instead of Swami Prabhupada & ISKCON
5:00 – Bhakti Yoga path of Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya on new website of Arizona Vedic Cultural Center of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul USA (not BAPS)
https://sites.google.com/view/bhaktiyogaindailylife/home (Center homepage: https://azvedicgurukul.com/)
6:25 – About website author & scholar Ananda Bhagat, finding new English translations of Swaminarayan books, his re-discovery of lost Ashtakshara Mantra
11:05 – Promo video of website from Arizona Vedic Cultural Center youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@azvedicgurukul @azvedicgurukul
13:56 – Contents of website, remembering god during day via Zen Buddhism story, when spirituality is easy vs hard
19:55 – Bhakti yoga builds a personal relationship with god
21:00 – Ramanuja's unknown lineage
24:03 – How to become a devotee of god, genuine Sanatana Dharma/Hindu teachings & traditional vs a mix of beliefs & our own ideas
26:24 – Five Vows (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possessiveness) vs ISKCON's four regulative principals
27:30 – Closing thoughts, Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya is home

From the website's Introduction: "Many people long for a meaningful and enduring connection with something larger than themselves. They search for calm, purpose, and fulfillment in a world filled with chaos, distractions, and transient pleasures. Bhakti Yoga supplies the means to satisfy these desires and fulfill the primary goal of human life, forming an eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord. Through examining the process of Bhakti Yoga, we will learn the methods and insights that enable us to incorporate it into every facet of our lives from sunrise to sunset. By drawing upon the knowledge of sacred scriptures, the direction of spiritual masters, and the wisdom of great devotees, we will learn how to incorporate devotion into our daily lives. By regularly practicing satsang, prayer, mantra meditation, pooja, kirtan, dhoon, selfless service, and other sacred devotional exercises, we will feel our longings subside, and our sense of contentment and purpose develop. This webpage offers practical, step-by-step directions to motivate and direct us along the path of devotion; it is not a theoretical discussion of Bhakti Yoga. It is a guide for the serious seeker. Bhakti Yoga awakens our hearts, promotes compassion and understanding, and infuses our lives with meaning and joy when performed with sincerity and devotion. It offers a comprehensive strategy for integrating Bhakti into our daily lives that enables us to experience the love and realization of Lord Swaminarayan."

For seekers who’ve outgrown spiritual fluff.
This isn’t about trends, vibes, or blind devotion. This is real talk for real seekers.

🎙️ Each episode is part of a larger journey. This isn’t random content—it’s a structured path into deeper truth, not easy comfort.

I’m Premanand Das Bhagat (Aaron Joy), in Portland, Maine, USA.
I followed the so-called spiritual path—believed everything and anything, joined a cult, and ran in circles. Through honest effort, deep unlearning, and painful self-awareness, I found clarity in Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism).

Now, I speak to those who feel the same disillusionment.
If you believe in asking questions, rejecting lazy universalism, and using logic and scripture together to navigate this chaotic world—you’re in the right place.

🕉️ I'm a Integral Vedic Counselor, Certified Spiritual Life Coach and Ayurveda Specialist. I'm a student of Dr. David Frawley and devotee of Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya, following the non-Advaita, non-Universalist Vaishnava lineage of Ramanuja. My spiritual name was a gift from Dr. Chaturbhai Babaria (Swaminarayan Gurukul USA).

📩 Email: aronmatyas@hotmail.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aaronmjoy
☕ Support the channel: https://buymeacoffee.com/aaronjoy

Available on YouTube, Rumble, Spotify, Bitchute, Amazon, Audible, Apple & Google Podcasts, iHeart, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Chromecast, Listen Notes, Podcast Addict, Podcast Ranking, Podtail, People Ai, Podchaser, Everend, Rephonic, allfeeds.ai, fyyd.de

#swaminarayan #baps #sanatanadharma #hinduism #hindu #ancientwisdom #yoga #shreeswaminarayan #iskcon #gujurat #prabhupada #swaminarayanbhagwan #swaminarayansampraday #bhakti