It is written in the Bhakti teachings that inattentiveness while chanting is a type of madness. Imagine inviting someone to our home. We half open the door when they arrive, and all evening we are distracted – phone calls, text messages, conversations with others, glancing at the TV in the background, looking out the window. Our guest feels unwelcome, unwanted, and indeed wonders why he was invited at all. But we keep inviting them back again and again! Madness!
Giriraja Swami reminds us, “When we chant the holy name, we are inviting Krsna, and we should treat the holy name with all the respect, all the reverence, all the care, all the attention, and all the devotion that we would show Krsna if He came personally. It is a very serious practice. But at the same time it is a very blissful activity if we really give ourselves to it.”
Gone With the Wind
Can I go with You? On the sound of Your holy name?
I am running to keep up, but easily distracted.
With a nod I am off with my mind
Linking arms, walking in deep conversation about anything and everything.
Please wait for me, let me walk with You.
You are so undemanding. Immediately You leave
When others arrive and I forget
Then look around and find You in the shadows.
Come! Come! I want to give You my full attention
I promise I won’t leave You anymore
Then I am gone again – gone with the wind
And You patiently await my return. Like a dropped stitch
I must come back and pick it up and I realize, it is not You who leave – but I.
Comments