BHAKTI YOGA AND KARMA YOGA
There is no contradiction in deepening bhakti or "devotion to God" internally, and karma yoga or "selfless service" externally. As long as we are in this world, we have both the internal which is the mind—and the external which is the world and outer conditions.
It is impossible to deepen karma yoga internally, as it is only meaningful to practice karma yoga in actuality. Likewise, only directing bhakti outward does not bring any real growth; you must fill your mind solely with bhakti inwardly as well.
Unless you apply the body, in any practice, results are not substantial. When an occasion arises for karma yoga, one must make that a priority. Making karma yoga a priority does not mean putting bhakti on hold or bringing it to a halt. Ultimately, you ought to experience and perceive all the various forms and names of this world as manifestations of One God; otherwise, Realization is neither true nor alive.
If bhakti is heeded only in the mind, one cannot break the limitations of the mind. To avoid this, you have to actually direct bhakti practice toward the entire world. For this, the external body is necessary. The Truth, The entire Universe is a manifestation of God, includes your body. By deepening your sadhana (spiritual practice), you break the shackles of bondage, becoming more able to practice karma yoga spontaneously. bhakti deepens at the same time. It is more important than anything else to willingly devote yourself to selfless service.
After all, what is it that one renounces? Obstacles, ignorance, and ego. As was asked before, what is Realization? Realization does not mean gaining extraordinary abilities or wisdom. Realization is the return to one's original source, the completely naked Self. That is Atman, Brahman, God, or Truth. That is already within you as your essence. It is neither regained nor reborn. It IS. But because this point is tricky, it is called maya, the intelligence and power that veils or covers the Truth. That's why you must restrain the mind-stuff from taking various forms. Renounce your mind totally. Surrender. Sadhana continues until one does so spontaneously.
The mind is abstract matter filled with thoughts and samskaras, or memories of past experiences. The mind is like a cloud. Although appearing as solid matter with form, a cloud dissolves, as does the mind. Because it was already transparent, it can only disappear. Evidence shows that both the thoughts of the mind and this world constantly change, just as clouds constantly change into different shapes and colors. Clouds are always just clouds. Nevertheless, you must clear them.
It is important to dissolve the negative obstacles of ego and ignorance. However, it is the nature of the mind for new thoughts to emerge, filling the space just cleared of thoughts. This quality of the mind is the difficulty of raja yogaor jnana yoga practices. Therefore, replace all other thoughts with bhakti.
It is truly difficult to thoroughly still or extinguish the mind. Unless one transcends death completely, it is nearly impossible for the mind to become transparent. By replacing the mind's thoughts with bhakti, the mind carries on its usual activities. Thereafter, however, everything else in the mind is gradually removed as a result of filling the mind with divinity. Ultimately, divinity has the power to dissolve the mind, so there is no difference between the Divine, the True Self, and the Truth. This is the significance of what Shri Ramakrishna taught: "It is difficult to extinguish the mind perfectly, so train the ego as a servant of God."
The "Eternally Perfected One" is the True Self; at the same time, there is nothing but the essence of the entire universe. There is only That. Everything else—the world in its variousness—is illusion. You must understand this deeply and master it. Consequently, strengthen bhakti and manifest Karma Yoga outwardly and concretely. This is enough to perfect yoga.