Does chanting automatically make us kinder or do we have to strive to become kinder?

Answer Podcast

Transcribed by: Abhay Gupta

Question: Does chanting automatically make us kinder or do we have to strive to become kinder?

Answer:  It is both. Chanting makes becoming kind easier. Imagine there is a floor with a groove and the floor is tilted in the direction of the groove such that if water falls on the floor the water would naturally go in the direction of the groove. For water to flow towards the groove, proper inclination is needed, but at the same time the water also has to be there. If­­­­­­­­­­­­­ there is no water it won’t flow down. You can call chanting as the “inclination” of the floor and our effort as the “water” flowing on the floor.

God is all good. When we chant we connect with God and good qualities come within us. Also, since we are connecting with the All-good, our consciousness becomes more inclined towards good qualities. Hence, becoming kind, gentle, less short-tempered, all this becomes easier.

At the same time we have to put in our effort. If there is no water, nothing will flow down. So water has to be there. We will certainly need to try to become kind but if we try without chanting it will be much more difficult. With chanting it is much easier. Chanting acts like an inner lever so that we have to put a little force for it to lift up something very heavy.