Should We Pray with Eyes Open or Closed?
When we talk to someone, we look at them. Shouldn’t we do the same while praying to Krishna? Or is it better to close our eyes and focus within?
When we talk to someone, we look at them. Shouldn’t we do the same while praying to Krishna? Or is it better to close our eyes and focus within?
In the process of chanting our 16 rounds, we often struggle with attentiveness. And inattentive chanting is said to be the 11th offense. If we chant extra rounds, and that too without much attention, won’t that cause further problems? The general solution that the acaryas give for progressing from nāmaparādha to nāmābhasa is continuous chanting. But if our existing rounds are filled with inattention, then won’t additional chanting lead to more offenses?
Among all the processes available to a sadhaka for attaining spiritual perfection, chanting the holy name offers the highest purification of the heart. Although Krishna and His service are absolute—meaning there is no intrinsic difference between different services, chanting holds a unique prominence.
Dhruva Maharaja’s life is an ideal for one who wishes to go back home, back to Godhead. Which qualities, when cultivated, can make our journey BTG easier?
Chanting is a sacred service of worshipping Krishna, just as we worship Deities. Chanting is Krishna’s super-special mercy incarnation that has descended for our greatest benefit in Kali Yuga.
Every day, sitting down to focus on 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra is a great challenge. Though chanting is the most accessible way to connect with Krishna in this age of Kali, at times, we may not feel His presence. Should we really expect purification of heart with a lower level of chanting? Can we easily attain Krishna’s grace by putting no or little efforts? How can we ensure that our chanting becomes a deeply fulfilling experience every single day?
A devotee of the Lord is always protected by the Lord, no matter to whatever extent he may get bewildered by maya. On the other hand, a non-devotee, or even a jnani bereft of Krishna’s lotus feet gets carried away no matter how intelligent or expert he may be in controlling the mind and senses.
The same Brahma appeared as Haridasa Thakura in Caitanya Lila. Haridasa Thakura’s life of exclusive devotion enabled him to go beyond distractions, to the extent of conquering Mayadevi herself. Extra-ordinary parallels from the life of Brahma and Srila Haridas Thakura.