Guru and Namakirtan: In the same way, when the mind imagines, it is called ‘manas’. When it thinks, it is called ‘intellect’. It is the same person who chants the Mantra as well as gets those thoughts.

Nama Article 21st September 2012

Source: http://www.namadwaar.org/answers/questions.html

When I chant any Mantra, some thoughts run in the back of my mind simultaneously. The moment I realize this happening, the thoughts cease and Japa seems to resume. Now, who is chanting the Mantra and who gets the thoughts? Are both one and the same person?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

When the force of air is mild, we call it breeze. When it blows with great force, we call it a storm. In the same way, when the mind imagines, it is called 'manas'. When it thinks, it is called 'intellect'.

It is the same person who chants the Mantra as well as gets those thoughts. The phenomenon that you experience is because of the fact that the mind operates at different levels.

It is also the same reason why people perform acts like 'ashtavadanam' (performing eight non-connected activities at the same time) etc.

Please check these: Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

To protect one from five senses one need to keep a vigilant watchman or a ferocious dog and that is nothing but the divine names of the Lord.

The Mahamaya (greatest illusion), the mind, can be brought under control slowly and steadily by Namakirtan alone.

The name of God is more powerful than the senses. It will become all right in time if you practise regularly.

If we think of God and pray to Him for His guidance and His grace, we shall derive strength to battle against these temptations and conquer our weaknesses

When we are idle, mind starts to play its game. If we do not want the mind to go astray, one should chant the Mahamantra kirtan incessantly. This is the easiest path.

Mind can be controlled by dealing with the situation from a practical standpoint with 'viveka' or discrimination.

If we put some ant-repellant around the sweets, the ants cannot get inside to the sweets. Similarly, lust, anger and fear would constantly pester our mind. We cannot avoid the attack of these on our mind by our intelligence.

In the field of battle the fight has begun in right earnest and passion, anger, pride and ambition are the foes to be fought.

Leaving the desires and anger, bless me to sing your divine names.

Just as soap cleanses the cloth of its impurities, so also the mantra is a spiritual soap cleansing the mind. Just as fire cleanses gold of its impurities, so also mantra cleanses the mind of its impurities.