How to control and purify our mind?

How to control and purify our mind?

That is a very important question. It’s the essence of life. That question and its answer is the path of perfection.

We become what we associate with. If we associate with impure people, impure activities, impure thoughts, we become polluted. If we associate with people who are pure, activities that are pure, and thoughts that are pure, we become purified.

Srila Prabhupada, gave the example of an iron rod. If we put it in fire, it becomes red and hot like fire; and if you touch it, you’ll be burnt the same way as when you touch fire directly. That is the power of association. But if we put that same iron rod in ice, it will become as cold as ice. So, our purification or our degradation is based on what our mind and senses associate with.

Krishna tells in the Bhagavad Gita that by engaging our senses and our mind, which is our sixth sense, in the service of the Lord, we become purified of all illusory designations. Elsewhere in the Vedas it is said that weather purified or unpurified, one who remembers the beautiful lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, becomes purified from both within and without.

Simply by our tongue we can invoke the presence of Krishna by chanting his name and discussing his glories. This Harinaam Sankirtan, Kirtan of the holy names, is the most recommended process in this day and age, called Kali Yuga in the Vedas. harer nama harer nama hare namaiva kevalam, kalau nasteva nasteva nasteva gatir anyatha: “In this age of kali the chanting of the holy names is the only practical means for the common people to attain the supreme perfection of a pure heart.” namnaam akaari bahuda nija sarva shaktis: “All the potencies and opulence of the Lord is present in the holy name.