The Hare Krsna Mantra 33

Krsna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the
mind. This consciousness is the original natural energy of the
living entity. When we hear the transcendental vibration, this
consciousness is revived. This simplest method of meditation is
recommended for this age. By practical experience also, one
can perceive that by chanting this mahamantra, or the Great
Chanting for Deliverance, one can at once feel a transcendental
ecstasy coming through from the spiritual stratum. In the ma-
terial concept of life we are busy in the matter of sense gratifi-
cation as if we were in the lower animal stage. A little elevated
from this status of sense gratification, one is engaged in mental
speculation for the purpose of getting out of the material
clutches. A little elevated from this speculative status, when
one is intelligent enough, one tries to find out the supreme
cause of all causes—within and without. And when one is fac-
tually on the plane of spiritual understanding, surpassing the
stages of sense, mind and intelligence, he is then on the tran-
scendental plane. This chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra is
enacted from the spiritual platform, and thus this sound vibra-
tion surpasses all lower strata of consciousness—namely sensual,
mental and intellectual. There is no need, therefore, to under-
stand the language of the mantra, nor is there any need for
mental speculation nor any intellectual adjustment for chanting
this mahamantra. It is automatic, from the spiritual platform,
and as such, anyone can take part in vibrating this transcen-
dental sound without any previous qualification. In a more
advanced stage, of course, one is not expected to commit
offenses on grounds of spiritual understanding.

In the beginning, there may not be the presence of all tran-
scendental ecstasies, which are eight in number. These are:
1) Being stopped as though dumb, 2) perspiration, 3) standing
up of hairs on the body, 4) dislocation of voice, 5) trembling,
