SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Bhagavad Gita As It Is -
Chapter 6 Text 44
purvabhyasena tenaiva
hriyate hy avaso 'pi sah
jijnasur api yogasya
sabda-brahmativarta te

purva--previous; abhyasena--by practice; tena--by that; eva--certainly; hriyate--is attracted; hi--surely; avasah--automatical ly; api--also; sah--he; jijnasuh--inquisiti ve; api--even; yogasya--about yoga; sabda-brahma- -ritualistic principles of scriptures; ativartate-- transcends.

TRANSLATION

By virtue of the divine consciousness of his previous life, he automatically becomes attracted to the yogic principles-- even without seeking them. Such an inquisitive transcendentalist stands always above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures.

JOURNAL:

The prakrta-sahajiyas generally chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, yet they are attached to women, money and intoxication. Although such persons may chant the holy names of the Lord, they are not yet properly purified.
Nectar of Instruction - Page 46

This is the passage that reminds me how most of my life has gone. The only thing that has ever worked for me while trying to break old addictions is japa. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Nothing else seems to calm me.

At the end of his purport to the above sloka Srila Prabhupada writes; Unless, therefore, one is purified, one cannot take to the principles of Krsna consciousness or become engaged in chanting the holy name of the Lord, Hare Krsna.

There is a lot of food for thought here. I chant in hopes that someday I will be pure enough to chant.