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THE PATH OF PERFECTION
other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” Chanting is very simple, and one will feel the results immediately.  Pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyam . If we attempt to practice other  yoga  systems, we will remain in darkness; we will not know whether or not we are making progress. In  bhakti-yoga , one can understand, “Yes, now I am making progress.” This is the only  yoga  system by which one can quickly attain self-realization and liberation in this life. One doesn’t have to wait for another lifetime.
cañcalam hi manah krșna pramāthi balavad drḍham tasyāham nigraham manye vāyor iva suduskaram
“For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate, and very strong, O Kṛṣṇa, and to subdue it is, it seems to me, more difficult than controlling the wind.” (Bg. 6.34) By chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, one captures the mind immediately. Just by saying the name  Kṛṣṇa  and hearing it, the mind is automatically fixed on Kṛṣṇa. This means that the  yoga  system is immediately attained. The entire  yoga  system aims at concentration on the form of Viṣṇu, and Kṛṣṇa is the original personality from whom all these Viṣṇu forms are expanded. Kṛṣṇa is like the original candle from which all other candles are lit. If one candle is lit, one can light any number of candles, and there is no doubt that each candle is as powerful as the original candle. Nonetheless, one has to recognize the original candle as the original. Similarly, from Kṛṣṇa millions of Viṣṇu forms expand, and each Viṣṇu form is as good as Kṛṣṇa, but Kṛṣṇa remains the original. Thus one who concentrates his mind on Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, immediately attains the perfection of  yoga .
śrī-bhagavān uvāca asaṁśayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ calam abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate
Yosaa for the Modern Age
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“The Blessed Lord said: O mighty-armed son of Kuntī, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by constant practice and by detachment.” (Bg. 6.35) Kṛṣṇa does not say that it is not difficult. Rather, He admits that it is difficult, but possible by means of constant practice. Constant practice means engaging ourselves in some activities that remind us of Kṛṣṇa. In this Society for Kṛṣṇa consciousness we therefore have many activities— kīrtana , temple activities,  prasāda , publications, and so on. Everyone is engaged in some activity with Kṛṣṇa at the center. Therefore whether one is typing for Kṛṣṇa, cooking for Kṛṣṇa, chanting for Kṛṣṇa, or distributing literature for Kṛṣṇa, he is in the  yoga  system, and he is also in Kṛṣṇa. We engage in activities just as in material life, but these activities are molded in such a way that they are directly connected with Kṛṣṇa. Thus through every activity, Kṛṣṇa consciousness is possible, and perfection in  yoga  follows automatically.
asaṁyatātmanā yogo duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyo 'vāptum upāyataḥ
“For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by right means is assured of success. That is My opinion.” (Bg. 6.36) The Supreme Personality of Godhead declares that one who does not accept the proper treatment to detach the mind from material engagement can hardly achieve success in self-realization. Trying to practice  yoga  while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite a fire while pouring water on it. Similarly,  yoga  practice without mental control is a waste of time. I may sit down to meditate and focus my mind on Kṛṣṇa, and that is very commendable, but there are many  yoga  societies that teach their students to concentrate on the void or on some color. That is, they do not recommend concentration on the form of Viṣṇu. Trying to concentrate the mind on the impersonal or the void is very difficult and troublesome. It is stated by Śrī Kṛṣṇa in the Twelfth Chapter of  Bhagavad-gītā  (12.5),