Characteristics of a Real Yogi in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
In the modern world, the true meaning of spiritual elevation is often misunderstood, but through his purports, Śrīla Prabhupāda perfectly clarifies the actual goal of meditation. The topmost mystic is not someone who performs magical feats, but rather a pure devotee whose mind is constantly absorbed in the Supreme Lord.
The True Purpose of Meditation
The fundamental objective of any authentic spiritual practice is to connect the consciousness with the Supreme Truth. Rather than striving for temporary physical benefits or mental tranquility, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the genuine practitioner seeks to observe the Supersoul within. This constant internal vision of the four-handed form of Lord Viṣṇu constitutes the highest state of trance. When the mind is perfectly fixed on the Supreme Person, one achieves the ultimate success of the yoga system.
- 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.
Transcending Gymnastics and Material Displays
It is a common misconception that spiritual advancement is marked by unusual physical postures, strange attire, or the ability to manipulate matter. Clarifying this misunderstanding, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphatically states that physical exercises meant for reducing fat have no connection to actual spiritual realization. A genuine mystic operates on the transcendental platform, far beyond the desires for longevity or cheap adoration from the public. The focus remains entirely on serving the Supreme Lord rather than performing bodily feats.
- The mind is always absorbed in Krsna consciousness. That is meditation. The yogis, the real yogis, not these gymnastic yogis, the real yogis, they, dhyanavasthita, they always meditate upon Krsna.
- Real yogis, not these fat-reducing yogis. I mean to say... Real yogis. They are concerned with understanding the Supersoul, Paramatma. And devotees, they are engaged in serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Ordinary men think that a yogi must have an ivory earring in his ear, but this is not the sign of a real yogi. Maharaja Prataparudra also thought that to become a mendicant yogi, one must wear such an earring.
- The yogis, they are always in meditation and thinking of Krsna. That is real yogi, not to show some gymnastic feats. These things are required to concentrate the mind.
The Insignificance of Mystic Powers
While the perfection of mystic powers allows one to become lighter than the lightest or even create a planet, such abilities are considered ultimate distractions. Through his lectures, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that ordinary people are easily bewildered by a person who manufactures a little gold. However, the supreme mystic understands that the Lord has already created millions of floating gold mines in space. Therefore, the genuine practitioner never exhibits these powers, recognizing them as material contaminations.
- 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.
- He (a real yogi) can even create a planet. These are some of the yoga-siddhis, but here it is stated that the supreme yoga system does not aim at material happiness or relief from distresses caused by material inconvenience.
- 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.
- 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 Topmost Position of the Devotee
The absolute pinnacle of all mystical practice culminates in pure, unalloyed devotional service to the Supreme Lord. By introducing the chanting of the holy names, Śrīla Prabhupāda freely distributed the highest system of meditation to the entire world. A pure devotee does not seek to merge into the void, but instead continuously relishes the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa. This state of constant loving connection is the ultimate perfection of human life.
- So this Krsna consciousness movement is teaching people how to become first-class yogi. Sa me yuktatamo matah. Yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. This is real yogi. To practice yoga.
- 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.
- 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.
- When we are absorbed in the thought of serving Krsna and when we act in that consciousness, we can become real sannyasis and real yogis.
Conclusion
To achieve complete success on the spiritual path, one must abandon all material motives and focus exclusively on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As Śrīla Prabhupāda so wonderfully explains, the true practitioner transcends all mystical powers and physical exercises by anchoring the mind in unalloyed devotion. This absorption in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the supreme destination of all genuine mystical endeavors.
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.