As devotee-seekers, we often begin mantra meditation with enthusiasm and anticipation. However, our mind soon starts coming in the way of our meditation with increasing frequency and ferocity. Why does this happen? What can we do about it?

The mind due to its past memories of material indulgences is by default externally, materially directed. So even during meditation it frequently keeps our consciousness in the external, material realm, thereby interrupting our inner remembrance of Krishna. This remembrance is central to the experiential joy of meditation; without it, meditation becomes an empty ritual. If we don’t strive to remember Krishna, meditation starts appearing like a dulling duty that takes our time away from the interesting and important business of life.

To improve our meditation, we can seek inspiration from scriptural descriptions of its sweetness. The Bhagavad-gita (18.77) gives us a glimpse of that sweetness when it declares that the remembrance of Krishna and his message brings thrills at every moment. These verses, coming as they do towards the end of the Gita, indicate that comprehending its message empowers us to practice and relish meditation.  The Gita gives us a sound philosophical understanding of the glory and the beauty of Krishna. This understanding serves as our intellectual firepower for blowing away the roadblocks created by the mind in the way of our meditation on Krishna. Of course, the understanding alone cannot give us the experience of Krishna. But it can help us become determined to fight off anything that blocks us from that experience.

Once we start connecting with Krishna through loving remembrance, then we will find that remembrance to be fulfilling and empowering. Thereafter, we will experience meditation as what it actually is: a thrilling opportunity to relish the joy supreme.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Text 77

“O King, as I remember the wonderful form of Lord Krishna, I am struck with wonder more and more, and I rejoice again and again.”