Characteristics of a Real Yogi in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
The true essence of the yoga system is perfectly realized when one's mind is incessantly absorbed in the Supreme Lord, a standard brilliantly illuminated by Śrīla Prabhupāda throughout his teachings. Rather than pursuing mundane mystic perfection, a genuine yogī attains the ultimate spiritual success by dedicating all actions to pure devotional service.
The True Purpose of Meditation
The general populace often misunderstands the nature of meditation, confusing it with simple breathing exercises or voidism. The actual objective of meditation, as explained extensively by Śrīla Prabhupāda, is to seek out and focus upon the Supersoul residing within the core of the heart. This concentration purifies the practitioner and establishes a constant, unbroken connection with the Absolute Truth.
- Real meditation is to find out the Supersoul within the core of the heart. That is real meditation. God is situated in everyone's heart, so the yogis, they try to find out the Supersoul within the heart. That is real yogi.
- Yogi's business is to see God within the heart. That is real yogi. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yogino. Yogi's business is to see in meditation always Krsna or Visnu within the heart.
- The mind should be engaged in Visnu. The yogi, the real yogi, who goes to the forest, to the secluded place, he thinks of the catur-bhuja Visnu.
- Those who are real yogis, they always observe the Visnu form within the heart. That is the process of meditation and samadhi.
Beyond Mystic Perfections
While the practice of yoga can unlock incredible mystic powers, or siddhis, these are considered mere material distractions by those on the highest spiritual platform. Such powers might bewilder the ordinary man, but as Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches, the authentic practitioner ignores them in favor of cultivating an unalloyed relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Displaying magic or creating material elements holds no value for one who understands the grandeur of the supreme creator.
- A real yogi can become smaller than the smallest, lighter than the lightest and bigger than the biggest. Whatever he wants he can produce immediately in his hand.
- Sometimes yogis do attain certain siddhis or powers, but these are not the purpose of yoga, and real yogis do not exhibit them. The real yogi thinks, - I am now contaminated by this material atmosphere, so now I must purify myself.
- If some yogi shows some mystic power, and little gold if he can manufacture, we accept him as God. But we forget the real yogi who has created millions of gold mines, floating in the air.
- We forget that the real yogi, the Supreme Lord Himself, has created millions of gold mines and is floating them in space. Those who are Krsna conscious are not befooled by yogis who claim to be Bhagavan.
The Supreme Yogī is the Devotee
Ultimately, the highest stage of all yoga systems is bhakti-yoga, or devotional service. The pure devotee who serves the Lord with love and devotion is recognized as the topmost yogī, a truth emphatically established by Śrīla Prabhupāda based on the Bhagavad-gītā. While others labor for sensory rewards or struggle to perceive the Lord in the heart, the pure devotee talks and interacts with the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly.
- The sannyasi and yogi is the same because yogi has no other business. He is simply trying to concentrate his mind on the Visnu. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah (SB 12.13.1). Yoginah, not these black yogis. The real yogi.
- So-called yoga practices of voidism and impersonalism are not recommended in any standard yoga-sastra. The real yogi is the devotee because his mind is always concentrated on pastimes of Lord Krsna. Therefore Krsna consciousness is the topmost yoga system.
- Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah (SB 12.13.1). Yogis - real yogis - see the form of Visnu within the heart by meditation. The devotees, however, meet the Supreme Person face to face, just as we meet face to face and speak face to face.
- In the material world everyone is working for sense gratification. The profits of one's labor in the material world are used to gratify one's senses. But a real yogi does not desire such fruits. He has no desire other than Krsna, and Krsna is already there.
Conclusion
A proper understanding of spiritual life reveals that gymnastics or supernatural feats are not the markers of advancement. By studying the profound insights of Śrīla Prabhupāda, it is clear that a genuine yogī constantly harbors love for Kṛṣṇa, anchoring the mind entirely in the Lord's service and thus achieving the ultimate perfection of human life.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Real Yogi. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.