No Improvement in the Quality of Chanting for many years? Tips!
A Male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Prabhu, I’m chanting from last 2 years, 1 round daily, but still I’m struggling to get my concentration on mahamantra while chanting, My mind is acting impulses, i go on thinking about something, i start planning or previous memories become fresh in my mind, starts cherishing them. Then after some time, I remember that I’m chanting. My chanting is still the same, as it was 2 years when I began. How can I overcome this problem of not able to concentrate on maha-mantra”.
REPLY:
It is natural. But, you are taking more time for improvement in the Quality of Chanting.
Krishna Himself says in Bhagavad Gita that the mind is very difficult to be controlled; But, He also says that it can be achieved with the consistent practice.
The cause for your problem is: You have the desire to chant well. But, you have not fully developed a TASTE in chanting. Chanting is not a mechanical process. When you chant, you are developing DIRECT LINKS with Krishna Himself. Krishna starts to dance on your tongue when you start chanting.
(Will Offensive Chanting give Heavenly life instead of Goloka Life? READ HERE!)
All you have to have is DEVELOPING A TASTE IN CHANTING.
When will we get that taste in chanting?
It depends on our preferences in life. We should first decide what is the most important in our life – whether Getting Krishna eternally or Getting the temporary pleasures.
After deciding, we should give preference for that and keep other things regulated and controlled. That means, if you prefer Krishna, you should keep material pleasures regulated.
While taking food, the rice should be more and the pickles should be very less. If more salt or chilly is added, the food is not eatable. Every stuff should be added in the right quantity.
Similarly, if you like to strengthen your taste in chanting, you should keep the unwanted desires regulated.
You watch a movie of your favourite star. During this 3 hrs period, you do not feel hunger, pains, etc. In fact, you totally forget the entire world and live with your favourite star. So, your mind is fully occupied by your favourite star. This is called INVOLVEMENT.
Why don’t you show the same involvement in chanting? When you chant, you should forget what happens around you. This is the real involvement.
You must try for this state of mind. Of course, this might be difficult for you. But, it is definitely possible.
Don’t fight to stop unnecessary thoughts. Start concentrating only in the necessary thoughts. The unnecessary thoughts will automatically vanish in due course of time.
Place a bucket of soiled dirty water under a running water pump for minutes. See all the dirty water disappears & the water in bucket becomes clear after some time.
(Why so many bhakti programs if Chanting alone can give Krishna? READ HERE!)
Thus, Every one of us have anarthaas (defects). Nobody is 100% perfect! Don’t fight with situations/ defects (Soiled water). Just practice Krishna Consciousness (Pure water) sincerely. All the defects will disappear soon! Only Krishna Consciousness remains!
If you like to ‘involve’ in chanting, you must realize the SUPREMACY OF MAHA MANTHRA and its importance for this kaliyuga.
Hare krishna Maha Manthra is able to purify any person of any stage. Simple to chant but very effective in results!
Is it healthy to involve in materialistic thoughts and actions for all the 24 hours? Can’t we spend atleast 2 hrs daily for the creator & protector of us? We are helpless without Krishna!
Srimad Bhagawatham: 12.3.52 says:
“krte yad dhyayato visnum tretayam yajato makhaih dvapare paricaryayam kalau tad dhari-kirtanat”
MEANING:
“Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Visnu (Dhyana), in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices (Homa) and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet (At temples) can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra”
(Tips for reducing the mind diversions while chanting! Tips! READ HERE!)
Try to wake up before 5 am (don’t scold me), clean hands & Chant atleast a some rounds preferably before the Sunrise or atleast before 8AM! Start daily duties after chanting in the early morning & find the difference! This early morning chanting will not have more distractions. Your mind will be almost clear from contaminations before sunrise.
Above all, you should have strong faith that Krishna will take care of all your genuine needs if you just please Him. Instead of trying to please hundreds of people, please Krishna alone. He will make you glow in front of others.
Take sincere efforts to avoid offences while chanting! Krishna Sees only our CONSCIOUSNESS! Not the status!
In spite of our care, we may commit some offences while chanting, as we are human! So, don’t lose hope for your unintentional offences. Take much care not to commit offences intentionally.
Hope these tips for Improvement in the Quality of Chanting will help you. Happy chanting.
(Is Silent Chanting within mind effective to give desired results? READ HERE!)