What do you think?
Rate this book
Wise-Love: Bhakti and the Search for the Soul of Consciousness
2019 Winner of the Montaigne Medal, Eric Hoffer Book Awards
We all long for boundless love as we long for home. But how can we find our home our meaning and purpose if we don't know our self? Wise-Love is an exploration of the self, or consciousness, guided through the meditative eyes of saints, sages, seers, and mystics. As we embark on the journey to the self, we discover that the self's most charming characteristic part of its eternal, unchanging nature is that it is a lover, a lover who can be satisfied only when ordinary love evolves into wise-love.
Pranada Comtois, a devoted pilgrim and teacher, illuminates bhakti's wisdom school of heartfulness and shows why mindfulness alone can never satisfy the self. Joy comes from an awakened heart and expanded consciousness, not from a controlled or stilled mind.
The first part of Wise-Love explores the nature of self/consciousness and how we interface with the world with the use of our physical body and subtle body (mind, intelligence, and ego). By understanding the distinctions between our real and false selves, we can factually answer the questions Who am I? What is my purpose? and How can I be happy? The second half of the book examines the nature of matter, the world of consciousness, karma, faith, mysticism, the efficacy of sacred sound, the maha-mantra, kirtan, humility, depth compassion, and how to culture wise-love. Each chapter unfolds with an understanding of matter and consciousness to present a key that unlocks our eternal nature so that we can experience the unbounded joy of the self in our daily lives.
When we encounter the self, we are automatically introduced to our Divine Inner Suitor and our loving relationship with him. Filled with insight and fresh perspectives, Wise-Love offers a map for the journey to our home of eternal affection, where a porch light is always lovingly lit, and a warm embrace from our Divine Other awaits.
Secretly nestled in the Upanishads and extolled in the Bhagavad Gita, bhakti yoga shines as the crown jewel on the head of India's timeless wisdom about consciousness and how to live one's meditation. Often over-simplified as devotion, bhakti is the method of experiencing the self and its Essence/Source. This concise yet comprehensive handbook exploring the meaning of bhakti's sophisticated philosophy promises to enrich you wherever you are on the spiritual path.
We all long for boundless love as we long for home. But how can we find our home our meaning and purpose if we don't know our self? Wise-Love is an exploration of the self, or consciousness, guided through the meditative eyes of saints, sages, seers, and mystics. As we embark on the journey to the self, we discover that the self's most charming characteristic part of its eternal, unchanging nature is that it is a lover, a lover who can be satisfied only when ordinary love evolves into wise-love.
Pranada Comtois, a devoted pilgrim and teacher, illuminates bhakti's wisdom school of heartfulness and shows why mindfulness alone can never satisfy the self. Joy comes from an awakened heart and expanded consciousness, not from a controlled or stilled mind.
The first part of Wise-Love explores the nature of self/consciousness and how we interface with the world with the use of our physical body and subtle body (mind, intelligence, and ego). By understanding the distinctions between our real and false selves, we can factually answer the questions Who am I? What is my purpose? and How can I be happy? The second half of the book examines the nature of matter, the world of consciousness, karma, faith, mysticism, the efficacy of sacred sound, the maha-mantra, kirtan, humility, depth compassion, and how to culture wise-love. Each chapter unfolds with an understanding of matter and consciousness to present a key that unlocks our eternal nature so that we can experience the unbounded joy of the self in our daily lives.
When we encounter the self, we are automatically introduced to our Divine Inner Suitor and our loving relationship with him. Filled with insight and fresh perspectives, Wise-Love offers a map for the journey to our home of eternal affection, where a porch light is always lovingly lit, and a warm embrace from our Divine Other awaits.
Secretly nestled in the Upanishads and extolled in the Bhagavad Gita, bhakti yoga shines as the crown jewel on the head of India's timeless wisdom about consciousness and how to live one's meditation. Often over-simplified as devotion, bhakti is the method of experiencing the self and its Essence/Source. This concise yet comprehensive handbook exploring the meaning of bhakti's sophisticated philosophy promises to enrich you wherever you are on the spiritual path.
- GenresSpirituality
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2018
22 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 11, 2023
A very readable book about the Bhakti path and the power of love.
July 17, 2023
"Wise-Love: Bhakti and the Search for the Soul of Consciousness is an extraordinary masterpiece that delves deep into the spiritual realm of Bhakti, providing readers with profound insights and a transformative reading experience. This first book of The Bhakti Series is a true gem that beautifully encompasses the essence of love, devotion, and the quest for higher consciousness.
Author [author's name] has undoubtedly poured their heart and soul into this book, showcasing a remarkable understanding of Bhakti philosophy. The way they articulate complex concepts and ancient wisdom is truly commendable - making it accessible to both spiritual seekers and those unfamiliar with the subject matter.
What truly sets Wise-Love apart from other books delving into spiritual enlightenment is its ability to not only inform but also inspire. Throughout the pages, readers embark on a spiritual journey that explores the depths of human emotions, the significance of love, and the limitless possibilities of connecting with the divine.
The book's structure is meticulously organized, guiding readers through various chapters that build upon each other. From the foundational understanding of Bhakti to its practical application in daily life, [author's name] leaves no stone unturned. The narrative seamlessly weaves together personal anecdotes, philosophical discourse, and poetic verses, creating a harmon
June 25, 2025
Reminded me of the Christianity I was raised in, which was a path of love, with Jesus being the Friend. Reminded me that whatever path we take of the Way, to remain connected to the heart and not to fear emotion. Appreciate the author differentiating between emotion and emotionalism.
Practicing a Zen path now, I find it can go to the head or so focus on detachment that one easily gets disconnected from the heart, though that is not the intent of the practice. And, too, I can often sense how a subtle, but sure, joy and love can arise by loving detachment in a path other than one that could be identified as bhakti.
Sensed at times the author was myopic about bhakti, presenting unfairly the relation of bhatki to unlike paths. Hence, a subtle elitism. Yet, I respect that is often what an author intends to do.
I much enjoyed this book, more so than I've enjoyed a book in a long time. I felt the author was communicating through the words the spirit of love she is, and we are. Thanks to her for reminding us. Peace!
Practicing a Zen path now, I find it can go to the head or so focus on detachment that one easily gets disconnected from the heart, though that is not the intent of the practice. And, too, I can often sense how a subtle, but sure, joy and love can arise by loving detachment in a path other than one that could be identified as bhakti.
Sensed at times the author was myopic about bhakti, presenting unfairly the relation of bhatki to unlike paths. Hence, a subtle elitism. Yet, I respect that is often what an author intends to do.
I much enjoyed this book, more so than I've enjoyed a book in a long time. I felt the author was communicating through the words the spirit of love she is, and we are. Thanks to her for reminding us. Peace!
February 5, 2023
started it so long ago that i kind of forgot what was talked about previously. would probably be a good idea to re-read quicker as it took me about 18 months from start to finish. good book with good ideas just wish there was more practicality/examples of how to use what is talked about in your daily life.
June 3, 2020
I usually love the books we pick for our bhakti book discussion groups, but this one...while there were gems on different pages, I just didn't connect with this book. There were some captivating lovely parts, but it's more like a book of different essays.
January 28, 2024
One of the most beautiful books about Bhakti I’ve read. The author provides an introduction of the Bhakti yoga tradition with such grace and care. I read this book while studying in India, and it helped me weave together the philosophy teachings and practices I learned daily.
February 24, 2024
got lost about half way thru but was determined to finish it. was gifted this book at a cow hugging retreat
June 5, 2018
Pranada Comtois’s long-awaited, award-winning book, Wise-Love, is at once deeply inspired and inspiring. Engaging both the novice and the seasoned practitioner of Bhakti in her dynamic discussion on the universal principle of “wise-love”, Comtois elegantly communicates timeless truths on the nature of the self and our search for the soul of consciousness.
Comtois’s delivery is at once poetic and exact, drawing on a wealth of tangible examples for the intangible transformations of the heart. And yet, despite finding new and refreshing forms of expression, she does not leave out their Sanskrit roots, but rather makes the deep wisdom of the Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita accessible to all who join her on this journey.
What I found incredibly attractive in reading Comtois’s work is that she not only focuses on the yoga philosophy she has dedicated over forty years of study and practice to, but in exploring the depths of Bhakti she draws on thinkers, writers, philosophers, sages and seekers from across nations and cultures, to demonstrate how the threads of Bhakti are woven into our ceaseless quest for knowledge throughout time. Her explanations are simultaneously rigorous, grounded in a practical realism, and yet they urge the reader to move towards a truer and deeper life of feeling.
“Joy comes from the awakened heart,” Comtois writes, “not a controlled and stilled mind.” And it’s in this mood that she leads the reader through the distinctions between various forms of yoga, deliberations on the ego and the false self, a balancing of dualism and non-dualism and the practicalities of a life lived in Bhakti, towards the features, charm and astonishing psychology of the Divine Other, the soul of consciousness.
Comtois explains in her introduction that it’s not possible to adequately encompass the full philosophical and emotive treasures of Bhakti in one short book, and yet she does a fantastic job of filling Wise-Love with exactly that: a lot of wisdom and a lot of love.
Comtois’s delivery is at once poetic and exact, drawing on a wealth of tangible examples for the intangible transformations of the heart. And yet, despite finding new and refreshing forms of expression, she does not leave out their Sanskrit roots, but rather makes the deep wisdom of the Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita accessible to all who join her on this journey.
What I found incredibly attractive in reading Comtois’s work is that she not only focuses on the yoga philosophy she has dedicated over forty years of study and practice to, but in exploring the depths of Bhakti she draws on thinkers, writers, philosophers, sages and seekers from across nations and cultures, to demonstrate how the threads of Bhakti are woven into our ceaseless quest for knowledge throughout time. Her explanations are simultaneously rigorous, grounded in a practical realism, and yet they urge the reader to move towards a truer and deeper life of feeling.
“Joy comes from the awakened heart,” Comtois writes, “not a controlled and stilled mind.” And it’s in this mood that she leads the reader through the distinctions between various forms of yoga, deliberations on the ego and the false self, a balancing of dualism and non-dualism and the practicalities of a life lived in Bhakti, towards the features, charm and astonishing psychology of the Divine Other, the soul of consciousness.
Comtois explains in her introduction that it’s not possible to adequately encompass the full philosophical and emotive treasures of Bhakti in one short book, and yet she does a fantastic job of filling Wise-Love with exactly that: a lot of wisdom and a lot of love.
September 8, 2018
With Wise Love I personally gained much practical insight for effectively communicating the essence of the principles and practices of bhakti. Pranada masterfully integrates head and heart, expertly blending creative metaphor and rationality, with poetical prose and soft, enticing entrance into the open secrets of bhakti culture, tradition and experience. Ancient bhakti texts, such as the 7th Chapter of the Bhagavatam’s First Canto, come to life in Wise Love, inviting and exciting us to enriched exploration of self and Source. Intelligence is the capacity to make distinctions, and throughout Wise Love Pranada consistently provides potent distinctions, such as that between animal, human, and the genuinely transcendent, and the relationship and distinction between psychology and spirituality, moving us to powerfully enriched, spiritually grounded intellect. I found Wise Love to be a distinctive, innovative presentation of the sublime process of self-realization, and I strongly recommend the book to those who are sincere or curious to devote their lives to distinguishing reality from illusion.
David Wolf, Ph.D.
Author- Relationships That Work: The Power of Conscious Living
Author of the Doctoral Dissertation- Effects of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra on Stress, Depression, and the Three Gunas
Developer of the Vedic Personality Inventory (VPI)
Founder and Director- Satvatove Institute; and the Satvatove Institute School of Transformative Coaching
David Wolf, Ph.D.
Author- Relationships That Work: The Power of Conscious Living
Author of the Doctoral Dissertation- Effects of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra on Stress, Depression, and the Three Gunas
Developer of the Vedic Personality Inventory (VPI)
Founder and Director- Satvatove Institute; and the Satvatove Institute School of Transformative Coaching
April 12, 2018
There are many complicated detailed tomes that describe the ancient Bhakti practice of Wise Love. This book is not one of those. This is an easily accessible text that speaks directly to the modern person. It doesn't require you to research older cultures and ancient languages. As the book progresses things get clearer and clearer and you will find yourself planning how to refresh your way of thinking and acting to get yourself closer to realisation of your self and the transcendental Lord.
I was really impressed by the authors ability to transmit deep ancient teachings in an easy to digest manner. No matter what spiritual tradition you follow this book will inspire and motivate you to dig deeper and fly higher.
I was really impressed by the authors ability to transmit deep ancient teachings in an easy to digest manner. No matter what spiritual tradition you follow this book will inspire and motivate you to dig deeper and fly higher.
August 14, 2018
Beautifully written, this book makes very deep philosophy accessible, and clear to understand. In a world that uses the word “love” so commonly, mostly for cheap gains, “Wise Love” carries the reader on a journey toward the real gem, which touches the heart and fully satisfies the soul (and the intellect with it, being logically presented). I enjoyed reading it very much and recommend it not only to spiritual seekers or yoga practitioners, but to anyone who really wants to explore love.
April 12, 2018
“In ‘Wise-Love’, Pranada Comtois artfully connects transcendental philosophy to practical experience in a down-to-earth voice that’s sure to resonate with modern seekers. A great resource for yoga teachers and a must read for anyone who longs for a deeper understanding of devotional yoga, ‘Wise-Love’ is a lucid revelation of bhakti-yoga as the science of spiritual emotions.” -Hkd
June 11, 2018
In Wise-Love, Pranada reveals bhakti's basics, its comprehensiveness, and its astounding richness and beauty. She opens us to a world view -- and indeed an actual world! -- that, beyond making complete sense, is far more attractive and delightful than the one we know.
June 22, 2018
This is a delightful book the makes the bhakti tradition accessible for both the eastern and western reader. Comtois's tight-but-elegant prose is a joy; she weaves together complex threads with a clear and authentic voice. What a gift!
July 27, 2018
Finally! A book about the Bhakti tradition that's thorough, systematic and presented in a way that's actually comprehensible. Pranada Comtois not only gave food for the intellect, but also was able to touch deep places in the heart, awakening the yearning of the soul for the divine.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews