Theaching the Mind to Chant Even While Sleeping

By Abhaya Mudra Dasi

In his books and lectures Shrila Prabhupada often emphasizes that there are no hard and fast rules for the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. Anyone can chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra anytime and anywhere. But no matter how simple the sound, it is difficult to maintain this chanting incessantly. The mind creates many obstacles related to repeating of the Lord’s Name. Rather than supporting the repetition of the chant, the energy of the inventive intellect is often spent in running away from the most sublime sound vibration.

But I have heard many stories and read numerous narrations about devotees who chant aloud even when they are asleep. They have immersed themselves completely in the holiest of sounds throughout the day and it continues vibrating even in their subtle dream experience. It is the superexcellent potency of the Hare Krishna mahamantra that it can defeat even the very deep ignorance of sleep.

Often devotees think that they should chant only on their beads. Some who do not have time to touch the beads might not chant at all. Our spiritual master taught us the following injunction which in no way contradicts chanting on beads (the superlative method for concentration of the mind): When a devotee cannot find the time to chant at least sixteen rounds on japa beads, he or she should chant anyhow. Chant loudly, chant silently—chant just in the mind—or, whatever circumstances permit—or, because perfection is attained when Krishna is always remembered and never forgotten.

The more we chant the more we remember to chant. During our daily activities we think mostly about our past experiences. The mind mulls over our schedule, and considers what needs to be done immediately, and what plans we have to make for the future. Our thoughts appear like an unlimited array of experiences in pictures and sounds. The world vibrates within us and without us. But Krishna tells us in Bhagavad Gita that everything in this world rests upon Him “as pearls strung on a thread” (BG 7.7). Thus all the waves of the mind experience are also connected to Krishna. Even when the mind is trying to think about other things, there is no harm in chanting Hare Krishna because it is always better to chant than not to chant.

Often devotees reveal their thoughts as they ponder what if they don’t chant perfectly…then is it better not to chant? We can chant with concentration early in the morning, but we can chant throughout the day as well. Chant on beads, and then when other chores come, chant again. The mind has this capability to carry on two thoughts at the same time. So, even when we think about other worldly matters, we can still chant. Perfect chanting comes after we can make the two “voices of the mind” chant in synch.

The two voices belong to the living entity and Paramantama. The Swetasvataro Upanishad tells of the two analogous birds on the tree in our hearts. One bird is engaged in tasting the fruits of material enjoyment, and the other bird, Paramatma, who represents the Supreme Soul Shri Krishna, is simply watching his friend and waiting for his friend’s attention. Shri Krishna guides all living entities in their everyday activities but remains unrecognized until the living entity is pure enough and turns towards Him. From this moment onward the soul is able to associate directly with Krishna in the heart. Then, the voice of the living entity and Paramatma are in synchronicity with the Absolute Truth. This is pure chanting.

No matter on what level someone is situated in spiritual understanding; there cannot be difficulty in chanting. Because the method of chanting of the Lord’s Name is sublime, the repetition of the mahamanta is a simple task. The mind likes simplicity. The advertising industry uses this inclination of the human mentality to support the world’s selling power. The technique of repetitive promotion makes a person comfortable with the presented products. Just by seeing a certain product for about a hundred times, we involuntarily already know it, and we already have an inclination to buy it.

Chanting of the Lord’s Name is comfortable once we start doing it. The Lord’s name brings us the comfort of our real self and our real home. It is a most natural and simple process, and at the same time it is sublime. Krishna is wholeheartedly present in His Name. By chanting the mahamantra we are directly associating with Him. Krishna is the Supreme personality of Godhead and so is His Name unusual and transcendental. The Name has all the potencies of the Lord Himself.

Eager to associate with Krishna, a devotee chants all the time. The chanting is a process but it is also the goal of the process. There is nothing beyond it. The whole world is within it. And even when the world is finished, the name will still remain because it represents the Supreme Lord Himself. Those who worship the Lord are exempt from ultimate fear.

A devotee chants even in his or her sleep. This material world is also compared to a dream. What will be the difference of carrying on with chanting from the walking dream state into the deep dream state when we lie in bed? It is difficult to train the mind during sleep. We have hardly any control over sleep. But a wise devotee chants incessantly during the day and that intensity of chanting is automatically carried in his or her sleep (which only reflects his or her daily activities.) In this way not a single hour is lived without the presence of the Lord in the form of His Name.

I have heard many stories wherein devotees have uttered the mahamanta in their sleep. They have told how the Lord’s Name has helped them to face disturbing nightmares or even the haunting of ghosts in the dark. This cry is enough to save a soul from perpetual birth and death. At the time of death, if we can cry the name of Krishna, then we are safe. We will be born again as devotees in the material or in the spiritual world.

Nonetheless, a devotee wants to not only chant in the face of the biggest danger, but also carry on chanting in times of tranquility. Every moment is an opportunity to associate Krishna. The goal is chanting the Holy Name at any moment.

Sometimes we are overwhelmed by great emotions or by worries. But all reflective movements of the mind are temporary. What is eternal is the Holy Name. Chanting should be carried on even in the midst of all kinds of emotions. Devotees often think that if they chant they can overcome their bad times in this world. Sometimes they will, but sometimes their negative experience will be prolonged. It is not that the Holy Name has no potency—Hari Nama possesses all potency because it is non-different from Krishna. But Krishna is independent and He will test His devotees. Our only business is to cry for Him. Even when we cry for other things, we can transform that cry into a cry for Krishna. The intelligence comes from the Lord. The intelligence can help us transform material energy into spiritual energy.

It is easy to chant. The name of Krishna is the most unusual of sound vibrations. No materialist can explain the meaning of the Lord’s name. Devotees also cannot explain it. Unlike the materialists, who are baffled by the mahamantra’s other-worldly syllables, devotees know that Krishna cannot be explained because He and His Name are unlimited. And for this reason a devotee is never full enough with the sound of Shri Krishna’s Name:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Abhaya.Mudra.SS@pamho.net