By Dr. T. D. Singh (Bhaktisvarüpa Dämodara Swami) and Sadäpüta däsa
The systematic process for studying the self is called bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga is, once again, a Sanskrit term meaning “the spiritual discipline by which one links up with the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Person, in love.” The basic tenet of bhakti-yoga is that in order to get accurate knowledge concerning the Absolute Truth, one must train the mind properly so that it is eligible to receive the knowledge coming from the higher source. We have already discussed how our new scientific paradigm describes the Absolute Truth as supremely sentient, and that everything-matter, life, knowledge, and so on-comes from that absolute source.
In order to receive real knowledge, one’s mind must be free from the contamination of the lower modes of nature. One of the main impurities is the false pride, or hubris, that impels us to believe we can understand everything by the process of experimental knowledge. We must give up this hubris, control the mind, and make it harmonious with nature. To control and train the mind, we must follow certain disciplines, one of the most basic of which is to hear proper sound vibrations.
These sound vibrations are called mantras, which literally means ”sound vibrations that can deliver the mind.” The most important mantra given in the Vedas is the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Chanting this mantra regularly is the easiest and most effective method for purifying the mind of all influences of the lower modes of nature.
The gold we obtain from a gold mine is usually in a very impure state, but by a purificatory chemical process we can refine pure gold from it. Similarly, when the mind is contaminated by the material modes of nature, it becomes impure. We have to remove these impurities by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Gradually our consciousness will become purer and purer, and our real identity will be revealed to us.
Thus, by developing pure consciousness we can revive our original identity as purely spiritual beings, uncontaminated by the modes of nature. In this stage we do not identify ourselves any longer with the body, gross or subtle, and we are on the plane of God consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thus we are free of reincarnation once and for all.
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