Inspired by Swami Mukundananda’s Talk: Watch the full video here
In today’s world of endless distractions and rapid goals, the one who masters the mind becomes the master of success. But how do we train this elusive, ever-wandering mind? The ancient Vedic scriptures, and more specifically the Bhagavad Gita, offer powerful techniques—and no teacher exemplifies them better than Shree Krishna, the divine master of mind, heart, and soul.
In a captivating discourse, Swami Mukundananda uncovers Shree Krishna’s method of training the mind using the subtle yet profound power of visualization, paired with the highest form of devotion (bhakti). This blog expands on his insights and demonstrates how you can use these ancient yet practical tools to achieve your goals faster, whether material or spiritual.
The Power of Visualization: A Tool from the Ancient Vedic Toolbox
Our subconscious mind operates more powerfully through images than words. You might not realize it, but you visualize constantly—from finding your car in a parking lot to imagining a goal’s outcome.
Take, for instance, how most people look for their cars. Rarely do you recall the car number. Instead, your mind brings up the image of your blue Toyota Camry, and you scan the lot for that image. Why? Because your brain learned to think visually from early childhood.
Visualization in the World of Peak Performance
Elite athletes, musicians, and performers all tap into the science of visualization. When the conscious mind is inadequate to operate under high pressure, visualized repetition trains the subconscious.
Swamiji mentions, “The best golfer in history, Jack Nicklaus, says he never hits the golf ball without visualizing himself hitting it, seeing its flight, and watching it land.”
Jack Nicklaus holds not just the skill but the mental discipline to visualize success before execution. He explains that once he holds the image clearly in his mind, the subconscious takes over to fine-tune the muscles and nerves needed to reach that goal.
Mind Over Matter: The Norman Cousins Story
Another compelling example is Norman Cousins, a philosopher diagnosed with leukemia. Knowing the power of the mind, he visualized his white blood cells consuming cancer cells each day.
“He would daily visualize WBCs eating millions of bad cells,” says Swamiji.
This mental imagery triggered a response in his bodily systems, resulting in the remission of his cancer. Cousins went on to live 20 more years, all thanks to a daily routine of purposeful, focused visualization.
What About Devotees? Can We Use Visualization Spiritually?
Yes! If visualization can transform athletes and heal disease, it can also elevate the soul. Swamiji beautifully ties this into bhakti yog—the path of love and devotion to God.
When your spiritual goal is clear—to purify the mind and attach it to God—visualization becomes a powerful aid.
Swamiji explains:
“Visualize the image of your Lord. That gives your mind a basis to rest upon. Once you do this, you now have a foundation for love.”
Why Is This So Important? Because the Mind Wanders
Many seekers struggle to stay focused during sadhana (spiritual practice).
“Swamiji keeps telling me, ‘Love God.’ But my mind doesn’t listen,” Swamiji echoes the inner conflict of many.
But when you close your eyes and bring the image of Shree Krishna to your mind’s eye, your wandering mind finally finds a home. This is not fantasy—it is a tangible spiritual technique.
A Practical Method for Mind Mastery: Sadhana
Swamiji outlines a simple, structured practice to master the mind:
- Set aside time daily for spiritual practice – Ideally 10% of your day (about 2.5 hours—if that's too much, then at least 1 hour.).
- Begin with Meditation – Visualize your Lord's image.
- Contemplate divine truths – Who am I? What is my goal?
- Use Bhajans to anchor the mind – Music helps internalize truths.
- Chant, hear, and remember – Kanam, Shranam, and Smaranam.
The Bhagavad Gita: Mind Management at Its Core
Swamiji beautifully supports these teachings with scriptural wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita.
1. Control of the Mind
Bhagavad Gita 6.6
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जित: |
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्ते तात्मैव शत्रुवत् ||
(BG 6.6 Read Here)
“For those who have conquered the mind, it is their friend. For those who have failed to do so, the mind works like an enemy.”
Train your mind, and it becomes your ally. Leave it wild, and it becomes your obstacle.
2. Withdraw the Senses Like a Turtle
Bhagavad Gita 2.58
यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वश: |
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ||
(BG 2.58 Read Here)
“One who is able to withdraw the senses from their objects, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, is established in divine wisdom.”
Visualization helps you redirect the senses inward, towards God, not the world.
3. Focused Meditation
Bhagavad Gita 6.14
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थित: |
मन: संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्पर: ||
(BG 6.14 Read Here)
“Thus, with a serene, fearless, and unwavering mind, and staunch in the vow of celibacy, the vigilant yogi should meditate on Me, having Me alone as the supreme goal.”
Swamiji ties this verse directly into the practice of mental visualization as a way to anchor your consciousness in the form of the Lord.
You Don’t Need to See God Physically
Many wonder: How can I visualize God if I’ve never seen Him?
Swamiji reassures us:
“The divine Lord is beyond material imagination. But you may visualize Him in any form you love—dark-skinned, fair-skinned, blue-colored Krishna… the Lord will reveal Himself in that same enchanting form when your heart is pure.”
This grants you the freedom to love—and that love becomes the channel through which God manifests Himself.
The Bhajan Path: Singing with Meaning
Bhajans are not mere music; they are spiritual tools.
Swamiji says,
“Saints have packed divine truths in their bhajans. When you sing, ‘Oh my mind, everything here is temporary,’ you meditate on impermanence and your eternal relationship with God.”
Remembering is Key (Smaranam)
The threefold practice—Chant (Kirtanam), Hear (Shravanam), and Remember (Smaranam)—binds the mind to God.
Visualization strengthens the “remember” part, anchoring the wavering mind to a stable, divine form.
Visualization Is Not Imagination—It’s the Beginning of Revelation
“Presently, we cannot bring the exact divine image,” Swamiji clarifies. “But that doesn’t matter. Even an imagined form, worshipped with love, becomes the medium through which God reveals Himself.”
Eventually, your practice becomes so deep that God responds. He manifests, as He did to the Gopis, in that very form your heart yearns for.
Why You’re Not Making Time for Sadhana
We often say, “I don’t have time.” But Swamiji boldly points out:
“You have time for world news. You have time for Instagram. You have time for YouTube. But you don’t have time for sadhana? It’s not a time issue—it’s a priority issue.”
Make time—just 10% of your day—and transformation begins.
Steps to Begin Today
- Decide now – Don’t wait. Resolve to practice daily.
- Visualize your Lord – Any form that inspires you.
- Sing bhajans – Choose one and feel its truth.
- Read the Bhagavad Gita – Start with one verse per day.
- Join the spiritual community – Surround yourself with sadhaks.
Final Thought: You Are the Sculptor of Your Mind
Your mind is like clay. What you visualize, remember, and repeat will shape it. Use Shree Krishna’s technique. Visualize with love. Meditate with devotion. Chant with surrender.
And one day, that form in your mind will cease to be imagined. It will become revealed.
📖 Start Now: Read the Bhagavad Gita
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