Sri Krishna says to Arjuna in Gita that, the path of the Bhakti (Love of God) is the supreme way to attain the highest.
Yes, this path is certainly supreme path for all beings, but there are some driving forces are essential in this path, which are prescribed by all traditional Masters & Vedic Scriptures which includes; Chanting of sacred names of God, Japa, Kirthan, singing of Gods glories, meditation of appealing images of Gods in the heart, daily rituals etc. As long as one persuade these spiritual disciplines, no doubt there can be definite & significant progress in the way to God Realization.
But there are certain times in our lives where we have to face uncertainties and miseries. At these times, it is really difficult to hold on to our beliefs & faith on the God because it would be tough to have elevated emotions in the heart for the God in uncertainties.
This is the time, most of us stuck in the Spiritual path, because all Science & Logics attack our beliefs and Faith hence one may lost in all the way from sacred path to Samsara (Worldly life).
Nonduality Sadhana Supports Progress
So, it is recommended to harmonize the paths of Bhakti & Knowledge by all great Masters such as; Adi Sankaracharya, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Nonduality or Advaita Vedanta guide our intellect perfectly into wisdom & peace without any need of Faith & beliefs. Yes, this is true, what does it requires? just to pay attention to the pointing’s and check with ones own experience and understand the Truth.
Vedanta, asks you not to believe on existence of God in the beginning. But it asks to observe our Individual Existence, and this is evident to us without any doubt at all time in our lives. Vedanta says, now don’t identify this Existence with any other phenomenon’s of life just keep on observing in the Meditation. This makes us clear slowly that, I am the ‘Existence’ itself not the Body or the Mind and their sufferings but ‘I am That’ is (Pure Existence).
Here, in this Vedanta Sastras (Texts), there is no belief required as it is highly logical & Experiential at every stage. Vedanta says ‘Brahman’ is the highest Truth, which is none other than ‘Pure Existence, Pure Knowledge & Bliss’ (Sat Chit Ananda). If one can sit with the guidance & contemplate in the meditation then it is quite possible to relate the attributes of Brahman to our own Existence. Yes, this is because the core of our Existence is ‘Brahman’. Vedanta says, there is no other existing things in the Universe except Brahman if this is the case our Individual existence is just an illusion.
No one can deny his or her own existence, hence this Sadhana can be done at anytime, anywhere and realize the Truth. The result of these contemplations will gives rise to profound peace in midst of uncertainties and personnel miseries. Yes, this is the sign of Vedantic Enquiry in to ones own self.
In conclusion, I would say; in these era of Science it is always better to carry wisdom along with Bhakti in our Spiritual journey in order to face undesirable situations in life but not stop our progress towards God realization. Hence, study of Vedanta & meditate/contemplate on the teachings is a greater support to Spiritual seeker along with all the prescribed Devotional practices.
Thank You, Ravi Kumar