The Highest Yoga - Constantly Thinking of God
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is essentially an educational institution meant to teach people the art of constantly thinking of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the mind is always active, either in the waking state or in sleep. By training the mind to remain absorbed in the name, form, and pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, one conquers ignorance and prepares for an eternal life of bliss and knowledge.
The Topmost Yogi (Sabīja-yoga)
According to the Bhagavad-gītā, the highest yogi is not the one who performs gymnastics or holds the breath, but the one who constantly thinks of the Supreme Lord with love. Śrīla Prabhupāda defines this state as sabīja-yoga, or "living yoga." Unlike mechanical processes, this constant internal engagement connects the soul directly with the Supersoul within the heart, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of all yoga systems.
- The topmost yogi is he who constantly thinks of Krsna within himself and chants the glories of the Lord. This system of bhakti-yoga has been existing from time immemorial and is now continuing in this Krsna consciousness movement.
- In the Bhagavad-gita it is clearly defined that the most elevated and powerful mystic yogi is one who can constantly think of the Supreme Lord within his heart and engage in the loving service of the Lord.
- When he (the yogi) is constantly thinking of the Lord, that is called sabija-yoga, or living yoga. One has to be promoted to the platform of living yoga.
- Of all yogis, the greatest is the one who constantly thinks of the Lord within the core of his heart with love and devotion.
Antiseptic for the Mind
The material world is full of contamination, but thinking of Kṛṣṇa acts as a powerful antiseptic. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by constantly thinking of the lotus feet of the Lord, a devotee is immediately situated in śuddha-sattva, the platform of pure goodness which is beyond the influence of the three modes of material nature. This constant remembrance protects the devotee from the dangers of material existence and conquers both sleep and ignorance.
- Constant thought of the Lord is the antiseptic method for keeping oneself free from the infectious contamination of the material qualities.
- By constantly thinking of the lotus feet of the Lord, the devotee immediately becomes situated in suddha-sattva. Suddha-sattva refers to that platform which is above the modes of material nature, including the mode of goodness.
- Either in waking or in sleep, a devotee of the Lord can never be free from thinking of Krsna's name, form, qualities and pastimes. Thus a devotee of Krsna can conquer both sleep and ignorance simply by thinking of Krsna constantly.
- The material world is full of danger (padam padam yad vipadam). Therefore one must become a Vaisnava and think of Visnu constantly. This is made easier by the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
Attaining a Spiritual Body
The nature of one's thoughts at the time of death determines one's next birth. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that by constantly thinking of God during this life, one molds their consciousness to be divine. Upon quitting the body, such a person does not take birth again in the material world but attains a sac-cid-ānanda body—a body full of eternity, knowledge, and bliss—exactly like the Lord's. Even enemies of the Lord achieved liberation through constant thought, proving the immense power of this process.
- This Krsna consciousness movement is for educating people how to think of God constantly. And if we practice like that, then, after giving up this body, we are going to get a body which is exactly like God. This body is called sac-cid-ananda.
- A devotee who engages in the service of the Supreme Lord and who constantly thinks of Him should never be considered to have a material body.
- Paundraka, Narakasura, Salva and Kamsa were all inimical toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but because all these kings constantly thought of Him, they achieved the same liberation - sarupya-mukti.
- Constant thought of the Lord makes the devotee eligible to return home, back to Godhead.
Practical Methods of Absorption
To maintain constant thought of the Lord is not an artificial imposition but a result of love and practice. Śrīla Prabhupāda recommends specific processes to facilitate this: the arcana-mārga (Deity worship) and the chanting of the holy name. These activities engage the senses and the mind, creating a state of samādhi where the devotee cannot live for a moment without thinking of Kṛṣṇa.
- The arcana-marga, or the devotional path prescribed in the Pancaratra system of devotional service for worshiping the Deity in the temple, makes the devotee think constantly of the Lord; that is samadhi, or trance.
- The devotees can constantly think of the object of worship, the Supreme Lord, in any of His features, Narayana, Krsna, Rama, etc., by chanting Hare Krsna.
- A pure devotee cannot remain a moment without being absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This constant thinking of the Lord is described in Bhagavad-gita as satata-yuktanam, always engaging in the Lord's service.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that whether one thinks of the Lord as a worshipable object or even as an enemy, the act of constant thinking is potent enough to grant liberation. However, for those who think of Him with love and devotion, the result is the highest perfection: entering the kingdom of God to associate with Him eternally.
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 Constantly Thinking of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience his teachings in their direct, verbatim form.