Watering the Seed of Spirituality, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, August 31

“When we chant as a regular spiritual practice, we are not just pronouncing words (although in a way we are). Rather, we are invoking the presence of Krishna, who is alive, fully conscious, and personal. And as He says in the Bhagavad-gita (4.11),  Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham: ‘As they surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly.’ So, when you are making that effort to articulate and hear every syllable in the mantra, Krishna sees, ‘Oh, he is making some effort.’ And Krishna reciprocates. He gives you some mercy. We do not have it in our power to control our minds. Even Arjuna says in the Bhagavad-gita that it is more difficult to control the mind than to control the wind. You just can’t control it. That takes help from Krishna. But when Krishna sees you making that effort, He helps. And when you experience His reciprocation, you know that He is there. Then while chanting you really feel that you are calling His name. It is a prayer to Him. You are actually calling His name.”