First and foremost, if you want to develop devotion, keep the company of devotees. Your conversations should relate to and be centered on devotion. While performing your actions, be grateful for all that you have received from the Lord and act in a spirit of dedication.

At first, it might be mere lip service. You may say, ‘O Lord it is for you. O Lord it is for you,’ – without much sincerity. As you continue doing it, you will develop devotion and recognize the joy of doing your actions for the Lord. In the company of devotees, you develop devotion – satsaìgatve nissaìgatvam – and you can detach from all your preoccupations with things and beings that make your bhakti run away – bhägaté. You’ll create a ‘fence’ beyond which your mind will not be able to run.

Secondly, it is natural to develop love for the Lord when you continue to serve Him. Whatever actions you perform, keep reminding yourself that you have been given this role, this ability and this talent in your life by Him. Be grateful and do your actions constantly remembering the Lord.

Thirdly, see whatever comes into your life as the grace of the Lord. Gradually, you’ll begin to see the love of the Lover of the universe.

If nothing works, pray to the Lord or the devotee of the Lord and ask for bhakti. Then, you will have bhakti that remains firm and steady despite whatever may be happening in your life.

Being a devotee doesn’t mean that you should not be alert and vigilant. You have to keep your senses in check and be well-disciplined.

Seek Him. Serve Him. Know Him. Bhaja Govindam