Hare Krishna everyone!
When we chant, how do we chant with focus? Can we think about Krishna from one way or the other? Or am I only supposed to listen to the Mantra I chant? Can I get your advice? Actually, for me, thinking about Krishna is relatively easier than listening to the mantra for 16 rounds; I don’t know why it’s so.
Basically, I wanted to know/confirm if the approach I am using is acceptable.
Hare Krishna!
Replies
Hare Krsna
When we chant, how do we chant with focus?
Lord Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has answered this in one verse as follows
tṛṇād api su-nīcena
taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā māna-dena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
‘One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.’ CC Antya 20.21
This is like a prerequisite for chanting easily. We should strive to cultivate this attitude.
Hare Krsna
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
To add to what Gayatri mataji has alraedy explained - the order is Naam, Rupa, Guna, Lila. We first progress to hearing the name of the lord, then remembering the form of the lord, then qualities and then pastimes of the lord. This progression is natural, wihtout any effort from our side.
The beginning point is to hear the name of the lord while chanting. Mind will wander, that is the function of the mind, Our function is to bring it back from wherever it is wandering back to hearing the name. Keep doing this. Slowly mind will understand that its tricks wont work.
Then the rest will follow.
I do know of devotees who concentrate on the name while chanting, they think about what they read (spiritual texts) the previous day. What we do in the balance 22 hours does have a bearing on the quality of our chanting.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krishna!
I couldn't understand the last line completely,"What we do in the balance 22 hours does have a bearing on the quality of our chanting."
can you please elaborate a little more?
thank you
hare krishna
Hare KRsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO. It means that chanting is not just a 2 hour exercise. It is a mirror that reflectes our entire spiritual life. In accounting language, it can be called like vouching. Chartered Accountants say that vouching is 50% of audit. Same way, our entire devotional acitivity is aimed at making our chanting better. So in the balance 22 hours, if we have invested in reading Srila Prabhupada books, doing some service to the deity or vaishnavas, we will see that the next day when we chant, we are able to chant better. Mind will naturally wander. Where can it wander or what can it ponder over? Obviously on whatever activity happened recently and planning for the day. If the activity that happened yesterday was related to devotion, mind will dwell on what we read, what service we did etc. This will naturally have a positive impact on chanting.
Similarly, if we invested in watching a movie or going out wiht friends, we will find our thoughts moving in that direction and we will not get taste in chanting.
I hope I have been able to explain.
Hairbol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krishna,
Actually when you chant prabhu your mind is thinking either, past things, or future things. To bring the mind to the present activity that is chanting you need to bring mind and fix it on the sound which is produced by your mouth. This is basic step.
Once your mind is into the sound produced by your mouth. You will start forgetting people, places and things around you and totally focus on what you are saying.
See, One lecturer was talking about photosynthesis ( for suppose) in the class and thinking in mind about eating sweets then his words whatever he says he will lose the flow of speech isn't it?
he will start to say Plants prepare sweets and chocolates in presence of sunlight .. instead of saying plants prepare food in the presence of sunlight. See how much big blunder it is.
So when someone is saying something he needs to focus on the topic that is being discussed or being said isn't it?
Mind is thinking about sweets and mouth is talking about photosynthesis. then it is just a blabbering. So, It is adviced to bring you mind to focus on what you are saying at first.
Once this practice is done perfectly. your mind wont wander in past things or future things and be in the present totally.
Now automatically as you mind is totally relaxed and focussed it will naturally slowly slowly could be brought to think about Krishna. It is not easy to think about Krishna at the start itself.
Both this bringing mind to a stand still and focussing on mantra syllables and thinking about Krishna will happen at the same time.
Simply one cannot imgine krishna like that only it is not so easy. If you are thinking about Krishna it means that you already brought you mind to a point focus and it is in the mantra.
Hare Krishna.
Hare Krishna matajii
I liked that Photosynthesis joke. It was pretty funny.
So what can I do right now?
Should I continue thinking about Krishna, or I need to consider listening to the mantra when chanting?
Hare Krishna!
Read the last lines
Both this bringing mind to a stand still and focussing on mantra syllables and thinking about Krishna will happen at the same time.
Simply one cannot imgine krishna like that only it is not so easy. If you are thinking about Krishna it means that you already brought you mind to a point focus and it is in the mantra.
Hare Krishna.
And Thank You Mataji for helping. :)
Both this bringing mind to a stand still and focussing on mantra syllables and thinking about Krishna will happen at the same time without your knowledge.