It’s our tradition, or it’s an essential part of the program to chant the maha-mantra. … The whole idea is to chant the maha-mantra for some time before we attempt to make a serious or meaningful presentation in terms of knowledge. The example is just like at the beginning of the class – at least when I was a little boy – the teacher wiped the whole slate clean, and then we were ready for a new day. So it’s like that. It’s meant to kind of clear your mind and make it more receptive and attentive and available to the subject matter
Whats Your Views...........??
Hare Krishna
Manish Chauhan
Comments
Hare Krishna,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Your latter point of "it's an essential part of the program to chant the maha-mantra" is spot on.
Although chanting the maha mantra can help to make your mind more receptive and attentive and available to the subject matter as you said, that also depends on the quality of your chanting, your endeavour and sincerity. If you are sincere in your efforts, Krishna will help you. E.g., say someone has finds it very difficult to memorise slokas, if they are sincerely trying and want to use it in Krishna's service, Krishna will help him by His mercy. Also, if you are chanting attentively, then this CAN make it easier for you but not always necessarily.
We try to chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra because Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did and because it is the prescribed method for this yuga.
HH Jayadvaita Swami has a page listing the benefits of chanting:
http://www.jswami.info/WhyChant
you may wish to read this to find out more.
I do not know very much and may be wrong on a lot of the subject matter, thus feel free to correct me :)
Hope this helps and Haribol!
Your servant,
jenny