Answer
We have all created a mental world in which "I am this body, you are the body, everybody is the body." Everywhere we see everybody as bodies, and every relationship as a bodily relationship. You are finished—you are living in this world of bodily relationships and "I" and "mine."
That is the root problem.
The way to get out of that is through the pure energy that comes from the nama.
You should not see only the soul. You should see the Supersoul in each body. You should not think, "This body is yours." The real owner is sitting within the body. The Supersoul is the real owner.
Even though He is the real owner, He does not want any fruit or enjoyment from the body.
It is said that in this body, the soul and the Supersoul are like two birds. One bird wants to eat the fruit, while the other bird does not want any material fruit because He is not material.
The Supersoul does not take pleasure in matter.
This entire material world, including these material bodies, has been created for those who want to forget Krishna and independently imitate Krishna, because Krishna is independent.
During chanting, we have to practice hearing. Hearing will give you the answers about how to overcome this.
It is just like this: initially, I start my japa in the bodily concept of life. But I hear, and that hearing gradually dissolves the bodily concept. A little improvement will come, and detachment will come.
With a more detached self, you will chant your rounds after a few years in an even more detached way.
That means the chanter is getting purified. The quality of the chanter is changing as you advance. It is not the same quality of chanting that you had when you started chanting as a bhakta.
As you go on, the knowledge—the chit-shakti that is flowing into your heart—purifies you. You become a better person and a better chanter.
And the best chanter is one who develops complete humility.
That is the ultimate stage of chanting. It means the chanter is situated in his proper constitutional position. That chanting will be very powerful. That chanting will produce ecstasy.
You see, it is just like reciprocation. Suppose you and I are talking, and I project an angry personality towards you. How will you reciprocate? Accordingly, right?
But if I come before you very humbly, your reciprocation will be different.
So, what is the personality you project? What is the personality with which you approach the nama?
The nama is a real person.
What is the personality that is best? More humble than a blade of grass and more tolerant than a tree.
It takes time. Initially, you simply learn, "I am a servant of Krishna. Engage me in Your service. Engage me in Your service."
But a deep inner feeling should gradually develop. As you chant externally, "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare," internally the heart should be crying for service.
The heart should cry for service. The heart should cry for mercy. The heart should cry for self-realization.
