The Mind

Controlling the Mind In Bhakti Yoga

Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Excerpt from Krsna Consciousness Science of Self Realization © Bhaktivedanta Book Trust

So everything depends on training. That is yoga system. The whole yoga system means training. Our senses, our mind, our, this, that so many things, then we are fixed up in the self. Do you think that simply by fifteen minutes meditation a day we become realized? And then do all nonsense all the rest of the day? No. It requires training. You are trying to solve the problems of life and you want to do it very cheaply? No, then you'll be cheated. You have to pay for it. If you want the nicest thing then you have to pay for it. But by the grace of Lord Caitanya, the payment has been made very easy. Chant Hare Krsna. Everything becomes very easy. All this controlling system, perfection of yoga system, becomes very easy. That is the mercy of Lord Caitanya. Iha haite sarva-siddhi haibe tomara. Lord Caitanya has blessed that if you follow this principle, chanting, then you'll get all the perfection of self-realization. That is a fact.

So for this age, when people are so much fallen, no other process will be successful. This process of Bhakti Yoga is the only process. It is very easy and sublime and effective and practical, and one can realize oneself. Pratyakñavagamamdharmyam. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that you can practically experience. In other system, you do not practically experience how far you are making progress. But this system, if you follow, for a few days, you realize, "Yes, I am making progress." Just like if you eat, you understand that your hunger is satisfied. Similarly actually if you follow this principle of Krsna consciousness movement, you'll see yourself that you are advancing in the matter of self-realization.

One, who controls the mind, therefore the senses as well, is called gosvami or svami. One who is controlled by the mind is called go-dasa or the servant of the senses. A gosvami knows the standard of sense happiness. In transcendental sense happiness, the senses are engaged in the service of Håñikeça or the supreme owner of the senses Krsna. Serving Krsna with purified senses is called Krsna consciousness. That is the way of bringing the senses under full control. What is more, that is the highest perfection of yoga practice, Bhakti Yoga. In Bhagavad Gita it states in the 6th Chapter 27th Verse: "The yogi whose mind is fixed on Me verily attains the highest pleasure. By virtue of his identity with Brahman, he is liberated, his mind is peaceful, his passions are quieted, and he is freed from sin. Then in the 28th verse it says: "Steady in the Self, being freed from all material contamination, the yogi achieves the highest perfectional stage of happiness in touch with the Supreme Consciousness."

So here is the perfect process. "The yogi whose mind is fixed on Me." Me means Krsna. Krsna is speaking. If I am speaking, "Give me a glass of water." It does not mean that the water should be supplied to somebody else. Similarly, the Bhagavad-gita is being spoken by Lord Krsna and He says "Me." "Me" means Krsna. This is a clear understanding. But there are many commentators, they deviate from Krsna. I do not know why, that is their nefarious motive. No. "Me" means Krsna. So a Krsna consciousness person is always in yoga trance.

So in Verse 29 Krsna says: "A true yogi observes me in all beings and also sees every being in Me. Indeed the self-realized man sees Me everywhere”

Yes! Now, "A true yogi observes Me in all beings." How he can see? They interpret that all beings “are” Krsna. So therefore there is no use of worshiping Krsna separately. They take therefore to humanitarian activities. They say this is better. Why Krsna shall be worshiped? Krsna says that one should see Krsna in every being, but they do not know the techniques to do that. That requires training under bona fide spiritual master. This, "A true yogi observes Me in all beings." A true yogi is a devotee, just like these devotees are going to teach Krsna consciousness, Bhakti Yoga outside. Why? They see Krsna in all beings. How? Because they see that all beings are part and parcel of Krsna. The people are under forgetfulness of Krsna. So a devotee thinks let us awaken them to Krsna consciousness. Just like sometimes some missionary activities are there to give education to the uneducated children. Why? Because they see they are human beings. They should be educated. They should know the value of life. That is their sympathy. Here also the same thing. That everyone should know that he's part and parcel of Krsna. Forgetting this consciousness he suffers. That is to see Krsna in everything. Not that everything has become Krsna. Don't see like that; then you'll be mistaken. Just like if I see somebody, that this boy is the son of such and such gentleman. That means I see such and such gentleman in this boy. Is it clear? If I see every living being is son of God or Krsna, then that means I see God in every being. Is there any difficulty to understand?