Fixing the Mind Through Bhakti-yoga

The mind (manas) is the central faculty of the subtle body, and its purification and stabilization are fundamental steps in spiritual life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the mind, naturally absorbed in material activities, is restless, hovering, and never vacant, making it the primary source of disturbance for the living entity. The entire process of yoga is therefore aimed at gaining control of the mind and concentrating its full attention on the Supreme Lord.

Imperative to Fix the Mind

Because the material mind is contaminated by attractions and driven by the agitation of acceptance and rejection, it prevents the soul from achieving realization or working properly. Spiritual life, therefore, begins with the determined effort to fix the mind on transcendence, moving it from what Śrīla Prabhupāda describes as the temporary (asat) material platform.

• The material mind is not fixed, but the very same mind can be fixed when engaged in the activities of Krsna consciousness. Otherwise, as long as the mind is on the material platform, it is hovering and all this rejection and acceptance is asat, temporary.
• The essential point is that the mind, which is contaminated by material attraction, has to be bridled and concentrated on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It cannot be fixed on something void or impersonal.

The simple, direct process of bhakti-yoga is recommended as the easiest way to immediately engage the mind and drag it away from material distractions.

Perfect Yoga is Bhakti

While other processes like haṭha-yoga involve mechanical breathing exercises (puraka, kumbhaka, and recaka) meant to force the mind to fix on a point, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that bhakti-yoga achieves this spontaneously and effectively. By fixing the mind at the lotus feet of the Lord, one attains samādhi, or transcendental trance.

• The whole process is to drag the mind from material engagements and fix it on the lotus feet of the Lord. This simple process alone will help one advance to the highest stage of spiritual success.
• The process of Krsna consciousness is to chant Hare Krsna and to hear the sound attentively so that the mind is fixed upon the transcendental vibration of Krsna's name, which is nondifferent from Krsna the personality.

This determination is what characterizes a fixed-up mind, which quickly leads to liberation unless the decision is consciously changed.

Ācārya's Direction

The spiritual master's essential function is to guide the disciple in this process of fixation. By engaging the devotee in a specific type of service, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the ācārya ensures the mind remains fixed upon the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, controlling the senses automatically.

• The ācārya or the spiritual master's duty is to give direction to the disciples how he can fix up his mind always on the lotus feet of Krsna. He should... he knows how to engage a particular devotee in a particular type of service.
• So if our mind is fixed up in Krsna, then naturally the senses will be controlled. If we fix up our mind that we shall not do anything, drdha-vratah. This is determination, that "I shall have nothing to do without Krsna." Then you are first-class yogi.

Conclusion

Fixing the mind is synonymous with achieving samādhi. This is not accomplished by attempting to fix the mind on an impersonal void, but, as Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches, by directly engaging the restless mind in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva. This singular focus transforms the mind from a madman into a controlled instrument of the soul, ensuring spiritual success.

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Fix the Mind. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles)