A lot of people think that in chanting 16 rounds, it is all about sincerity. And they come to me and ask, “I am lacking. What can I do to get more serious about chanting 16 rounds?” In other words, how to become more sincere? But it is not about sincerity, it is about organisation. Organise your life! Become regulated! Do not let the mind and the senses just drag you according to their dictations. The ‘manoratha’, the chariot of the mind, is taking us here and there and everywhere. Whatever we see, that goes into our mind and it says, “I must have it!”
kāmādīnāṁ kati na katidhā pālitā durnideśās
teṣāṁ mayi na karuṇā na trapā nopaśāntiḥ
(Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 22.16)
The senses are demanding and we are just giving in! Whatever the senses want, whatever the mind comes up with – “Yes! That is what I will do!” Just running after the mind. But the essence of yoga is sense control and mind control. So, how is it done by regulation? To a certain extent, some determination is required and that determination is based on knowledge in the beginning and of love for Krsna in the end. But then, it requires regulation, that we control the mind and the senses and engage them in a regulated way consistently.
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