August 20, 2026
Practical principles to rein in a restless, wandering mind during japa meditation and cultivate dependency on Krishna.
The Mind's Rebellion
"For humankind, the mind is the cause of bondage and the mind is the cause of liberation." ~ Amrta Bindu UpanishadA bhakti-yogi seeks to connect to Krishna through daily japa. But chanters face a formidable challenge: the restless mind, digging into past memories and exploring the future. The Bhagavad-gita (15.15) states that living entities are struggling hard with the six senses, including the mind. The mind's movements during japa are a form of this material conditioning, and it must be diligently pulled back.
Humility and Restraining the Mind
The first principle is to continue chanting daily. The word mantra means "to deliver the mind." The second principle is to acknowledge the mind's tricks and turn to Krishna for help. By doing this, we invoke the weapon of humility. Humility attracts Krishna's grace. Bhakti-yogis do not restrain the mind simply for the sake of control, but to attract grace.
Listening to the Holy Name
The third principle is listening to the holy names. Srila Prabhupada gave a simple strategy: when you chant, listen carefully to the words Hare, Krishna, and Rama.
The Katha Upanishad compares the body to a chariot, the senses to horses, the mind to reins, the intelligence to the driver, and the soul to the passenger. With strong, spiritually-directed intelligence, we can rein in the mind.
By Vraja Bihari Dasa
The Katha Upanishad compares the body to a chariot, the senses to horses, the mind to reins, the intelligence to the driver, and the soul to the passenger. With strong, spiritually-directed intelligence, we can rein in the mind.
By Vraja Bihari Dasa