I want to be aware that I have the capability to participate in my own spiritual life. I am not completely helpless. Although the mind has millions and millions of times gone away from paying attention to the holy name and has brought up all these foolish memories and fantasies and lines of thought, I have the innate capability to do something about it. I just have to be hopeful.
I want to have a more spiritual relationship and friendship with my mind. The mind is not just a subject for psychoanalysis, although I may use that technique sometimes. Another technique I may use is argumentum ad baculum, the broom and the stick. Ultimately, though, I hope to get the mind’s voluntary cooperation.
Dear mind, do you like these propositions that are given to us by Raghunatha dasa Gosvami? Would you like to practice raganuga sadhana-bhakti in this lifetime? Would you like to accept Svarupa Damodara, Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami, and other great devotees as your siksa gurus? You can become their disciple. In fact, the mind’s place is very important in bhava-seva. Therefore, our devotional service is sometime s called manasa-seva. All these sweet practices and attainments can be ours—if you will kindly worship and work as I am advising, following the words of Manah-siksa.
(_Begging for the Nectar of the Holy Name_)
JAPA POEM
I admit my state of chanting
is fallen. When you chant,
be aware that
you are serving Radha and Krishna
and that you want to do it.
Make your mind a friend.
Beat the mind with a stick
if that is what it takes.
Be attentive. Know:
I can change.
I can reform.
I am not completely helpless.
“All these sweet practices
and attainments can be ours.”