Whenever you get such lewd thoughts, watch keenly as to who is getting those thoughts. When you keep on continuing the enquiry, you will find an answer to the ‘I’. Concentrate on this ‘I’ and meditate on it incessantly.
During the rest of the time, chant the Divine Name ‘Hari’, ‘Hari’, ‘Hari’ constantly. Your thoughts in that direction will reduce considerably.
MIND
I have been practicing meditation for about two months now. But my mind wavers from trivial matters to lustful thoughts, though my eyes are closed. Am I doing it right? Please guide me.
You have started on the right track. There is nothing wrong in your practice. Continue with it. However patience and perseverance are paramount. Initially you put in the efforts, and eventually grace takes over. Hence, you will come to witness slowly that the situation changes for the better.
I feel restless, get negative thoughts and end up with frustration on myself. I lose concentration in my studies and only after a long time do I regain it back. At times I feel that I don’t chant Nama sufficiently. I want to chant the Mahamantra more and more with more love towards Krishna.
When chanting the Nama, it is incorrect to observe the mind. Concentrate on the Name, and the Named who is none other than Krishna.
Once a patient had a serious illness and he approached the doctor. After examining the patient thoroughly, the doctor prescribed a set of medicines. Immediately the patient said, ‘I am averse to taking these medicines. Please give me some medicines that will make me amenable to take these pills!”
So, chant the Divine Name. That is the solution to everything. Wake up from slumber, come out of your laziness, realize the truth and chant the Nama. That will show you the way.
What is the difference between Manas and Budhi?
The intellect [buddhi ] and the mind [manas ] are not physical organs. The mind [‘manas’] is nothing but a collection of thoughts. Thoughts owing to imagination and impressions of observed objects constitute the mind. Emotions like fear, anger, lust, etc. are dimensions of the mind. The intellect [‘buddhi’] is that sheath which is responsible for analysis and rational discrimination based on previously known facts.
I have observed that it is very tough to keep the mind free. I used to think too much and then get in to unnecessary trouble because of the same. I feel that the mind can be streamlined. Can you suggest the way?
First of all, it is important to understand what is mind. Mind is nothing but a collection of thoughts. Other than thoughts, there is nothing called mind.
Now, the next question is, how do these thoughts rise?
Thoughts rise because of Vasanas. Vasanas are nothing but latent impressions – impressions created deep inside us because we have been repeatedly doing certain activities for a long period of time. It is only when one is in deep sleep or when one is sedated that his mind does not function. During all other times, it is active. This is the nature of the mind.
Having thus said, it is also important that you don’t let your intellect watch the mind all the time and worry about your current state. This will create a complex in you, making you either guilty or proud and over-confident. So it is best not to police the mind.
Don’t mind what mind does.
The elephant cannot keep its trunk still. It keeps swaying it always. In order to arrest its movement, the mahout gives it a huge chain to hold on to. Similarly, in order for the mind to streamline its thoughts, we have it focus on the divine Name and Form of the Lord.
By chanting the Mahamantra either mechanically or whole-heartedly, the complex can be overcome and the thoughts can be streamlined. The Mahamantra has the power to do so.
