Mind can be one's friend as well as enemy. A person controlled by his mind is constantly looking for sense gratification. But, by directing the mind away from sense objects and towards Krishna and by making Him the object of the senses, one can use the enormous power of the mind to advance in the spiritual life.

There are two major forms of meditation that we are familar with in the various world traditions -- Those which attempt to shut off or silence the mind and thought processes (impersonal meditation), and those which engage the mind actively with direction (personal meditation).

Both methods are supported by the wise. However, the mind is active by nature, especially in these modern times(Kali Yuga), with distractions all around. Impersonal meditation is practically impossible due to the fact that an active mind cannot be forced to be completely inactive. It is therefore prescribed by the Lord to engage the mind directively in the highest form of meditation, the process of mantra meditation. (Man=mind, and tra= to direct or control the mind.)

Chanting

Yoga is the spiritual discipline to link oneself with the Supreme.

According to the ancient vedic teachings, the yoga system, beginning with hatha-yoga, pranayama (physical exercizes and breath control) and karma- yoga, culminates in bhakti-yoga, the yoga of devotion to the Personality of Godhead. It is clearly stated in the Bhagavad-gita that out of all the different kinds of yogis -- the astanga-yogi, the hatha-yogi, the jnana-yogi, the karma-yogi, and the bhakti-yogi -- the bhakti-yogi is on the highest platform of yoga.

From the beginning of karma-yoga to the end of bhakti-yoga is a long way to self-realization. Karma-yoga, the fulfillment of one's duties, executed without fruitive desires is the beginning of this path. (Unlike karma, karma-yoga does not include sinful activities, but only good, pious activities, or prescribed activities.) Then when karma-yoga increases in knowledge and renunciation, the stage is called jnana-yoga. When jnana-yoga increases in meditation on the Supersoul by various physical processes, and when the mind is on Him, one has reached the stage called astanga-yoga. When one surpasses astanga-yoga, and comes to the point of serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, one has reached bhakti-yoga, the culmination.