Answer
Training the mind means repeatedly bringing it back to Krishna. Training is nothing but repetition. When we repeatedly practice something, it becomes a habit, and our mind naturally begins to think in that way.
Therefore, we should cultivate the habit of:
Thinking of Krishna.
Emotionally depending upon Krishna.
Surrendering to Krishna.
The question then arises: What should we repeatedly remember?
We should repeatedly contemplate Krishna's own instructions in the Bhagavad-gita, because there is no difference between Krishna and His instructions.
Training the mind to depend on Krishna means learning to depend on everything connected with Him, such as:
Krishna's holy name.
Krishna's instructions in the Bhagavad-gita.
The guidance of Krishna's pure devotees.
Sadhu-saṅga (association with devotees).
All these are non-different from Krishna. Therefore, we should continually train ourselves to depend upon Krishna and everything connected with Him.
The mind also requires variety. Srila Prabhupada has given a complete spiritual way of life with many forms of engagement:
Service.
Prasadam.
Dancing and kirtana.
Deity worship.
Chanting the holy name.
Studying Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Working for Krishna.
Producing results for Krishna.
Each of these engages different aspects of our nature and helps us remain connected with Krishna. If we sincerely follow the process Srila Prabhupada has given, our mind gradually becomes trained to stay in touch with Krishna.
A fundamental realization is especially important:
We must understand that we constitutionally need Krishna because we are His eternal parts and parcels.
Consider how attachment develops in ordinary life. We become attached to something because we feel we need it. For example, if someone is attached to a pair of glasses, they become disturbed when the glasses are lost or broken because they feel dependent on them.
The secret of attachment is the feeling of need.
Similarly, if we genuinely realize, "I have no existence without Krishna," then natural attachment to Krishna develops. Merely knowing this philosophically is not enough; it must become a deep realization.
When one understands:
"I am an eternal part of Krishna."
"I have no existence independent of Him."
then attachment naturally awakens.
Being "one with the Lord" does not mean losing one's individuality. It means clinging to the Lord with the realization that one's very existence depends upon Him.
This transcendental understanding develops by regularly hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Vedic scriptures. As transcendental knowledge deepens, attachment to Krishna naturally increases.
Therefore, one of the most important ways to train ourselves to think of and depend upon Krishna is to cultivate transcendental knowledge. As we realize that we are not independent but eternally dependent upon Krishna, we naturally seek to remain connected with Him in every situation.
The easiest and most effective way to remain connected with Krishna is to constantly chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
