Prabhupada 0687 - Concentrate One's Mind in Void, That is Very Difficult
Lecture on BG 6.35-45 -- Los Angeles, February 20, 1969
Devotees: All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Devotee: Verse thirty-five: "The Blessed Lord said: O mighty armed son of Kuntī, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by constant practice and by detachment (BG 6.35)."
Prabhupāda: Yes. Now, Kṛṣṇa says, "Yes." Kṛṣṇa does not say that it is not difficult. Kṛṣṇa says, "Yes, it is difficult." But it is possible by constant practice. This constant practice is to engage oneself in something which reminds us Kṛṣṇa. Do something, and... Therefore we have so many activities. Not only kīrtana, but temple activities, prasādam activities, publication activities, so many activities. Everyone is engaged in some activities and the, Kṛṣṇa is the central point. Therefore a person who is typing for Kṛṣṇa, he is in yoga system. A person who is cooking for Kṛṣṇa, he is in yoga system. A person who is chanting in the street, distributing our literature, he's also in Kṛṣṇa. So by ordinary habits we are engaged, as in our material life we were engaged in so many things. If we mold our life in connection with Kṛṣṇa, then in every activity there is Kṛṣṇa consciousness and therefore this yoga perfection is there automatically. Yes, go on.
Devotee: Verse thirty-six: "For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled, and who strives by right means, is assured of success. That is My judgement (BG 6.36)." Purport: "The Supreme Personality of Godhead declares that one who does not accept the proper treatment to detach the mind from material engagement can hardly achieve success in self-realization. Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite a fire while pouring water on it. Similarly yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time."
Prabhupāda: Because I sit down for meditation. Of course if meditation is focusing the mind on Viṣṇu, that is very good. But there are so many yoga societies, they educate their student to concentrate their mind on something void, something color. Not exactly to Viṣṇu form. You see. So that is very difficult task. That is also explained in the Bhagavad - kleśo 'dhikataras teṣām avyaktāsakta-cetasām (BG 12.5). One who is trying to concentrate his mind on the imperson, or voidness, it is very difficult and troublesome. At least here in this temple - these students they are trying to concentrate his mind on Kṛṣṇa. But to concentrate one's mind in void, that is very difficult. So naturally my mind is flickering. Instead of finding out something void, my mind is engaged in something else. Because mind must be engaged, something. If it is not engaged in Kṛṣṇa, then it must be engaged in māyā. So if you cannot do that, then this so-called meditation and sitting posture is simply useless waste of time. Go on.
Devotee: "Such a show of yoga practice may be materially lucrative, but useless as far as spiritual realization is concerned."
Prabhupāda: Yes. Materially lucrative. Suppose if I open such yoga class, and I charge five dollars for sitting. Money is not very rare in your country, you come. But simply I give you some sitting posture or pressing nose and this and that, but if you cannot attain the real, I mean to say, result of yoga practice, then you have wasted your time and money and I have cheated you. That's all. That is not possible. That is not possible. One has to concentrate his mind on Viṣṇu form, steady, constantly, that is called samādhi. So the same thing is being done in a different manner, suitable for this age. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Go on.
Devotee: "Therefore the mind must be controlled by engaging it constantly in the transcendental loving service of the Lord."
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Devotee: Unless one is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he can't steadily control the mind. A Kṛṣṇa conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga practice, without separate endeavor, but a yoga practitioner cannot achieve perfect success without becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious."
Prabhupāda: Then? Go on.