Mantra Meditation: Peace of Mind

Initially, meditation focuses on controlling the mind, for in our normal condition we are slaves to any whimsical thoughts, desires and appetites the mind may generate. We think of something and immediately we want to do it. However the ancient Sanskrit classic, the Bhagavad Gita tells us that the meditator must learn to control the mind: " for one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends, but for one who has failed to do so, the mind will remain the greatest enemy."

The materialistic mind attempts to to enjoy by employing the senses to experience matter and material relationships. It is full of unlimited ideas for sensory gratification, and being perpetually restless, it constantly flickers from one sense object to another. In doing so the mind vacillates between hankering for some material gain and lamenting some loss or frustration.

In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna explains, "one who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace. and how can there be any happiness without peace?" by chanting the Hare Krishna Maha mantra, we can control the mind instead of letting it control us.

Mantra is a sanskrit word. Man means "mind" and tra means " to deliver." Thus a mantra is a transcendental sound vibration with potency to liberate the mind from material conditioning.

In his commentary of the Srimad Bhagavatam, the great indian saint A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, explains " our entanglement in material affairs has began from material sound." Each day we hear so many material sound from the radio and television, from friends, family and colleagues, and based on what we hear we act. But as Bhaktivedanta Swami points out " There is sound in the spiritual world also, if we approach that sound then our spiritual life begins." When we focus our mind on the purely spiritual sound vibration of the Hare Krishna mantra then our mind becomes calm. The spiritual sound vibration of the mantra soothes the restless mind. The Maha mantra, being imbued with Krishna's supreme energies has the power to subdue all kinds of mental disturbance.

Just as a reservoir of water is transparent when not agitated, our mental perceptions become clear and pure when the mind is no longer agitated by the waves of material desires. The mind in its pure state, like a mirror cleansed of dust, will then reflect undistorted views of reality, allowing us to go beneath the surface and perceive the essential spiritual quality of all life's experiences.

 

Kirtan Yoga: Mantra meditation music nights

Every Friday @ Cafe Atma. 6.30pm - 8.30pm

£5 inc meal

 

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