Since the Hare Krishna chanting requires us to move the chanting beads and our lips, we may mistake the process to be simplistic. More sophisticated paths, with either complicated bodily exercises or sophisticated philosophy appear more attractive and genuine. Spirituality is misunderstood in many circles to mean a lifestyle and philosophy that is subtle and apparently unattainable. The vaguer the explanations are, the more authentic the path seems to be. I remember a doctor friend whom I had known since childhood to be a straight forward and truthful person. He lost a few patients in the initial days of his practise due to his honestly telling them that there was nothing wrong with them except the fact that they were lazy and simply needed to exercise daily to keep good health. He also didn’t recommend any medicines for them. They left disappointed, and a neighbouring doctor made a quick buck by offering them a long diagnosis and a list of expensive medicines. The patients felt this doctor was more qualified and learned, and his prescriptions were accepted. My friend learnt a valuable lesson that it doesn’t pay to be simple and honest. The same malady afflicts spiritual circles as well. Chanting Hare Krishna is easy and sublime. However due to the external appearance of the path to be simply chanting of God’s Names, we may be illusioned to think it lacks efficacy and is suitable for either children or those who can’t philosophise deeper spiritual truths. Nothing could be further from truth.

Radhanath Swami offers a brilliant analysis on the working of Hare Krishna yoga. “The Hare Krishna meditation is simultaneously simple and difficult. The principle is simple- to chant and hear the Names of God and offer our love to Him. However the application is difficult because the practise requires us to be humble to accept the path sincerely without duplicity and pride.” To the extent a practitioner is receptive to the simple message of Hare Krishna yoga he experiences tangible benefits in quick time. On the other hand those who prefer to speculate for hours and doubt the efficacy of the Holy Names, struggle to discover taste and bliss, even as they chant occasionally. The path requires us to invest our faith in the mood of a simple, innocent child. We see children attracted to chanting and dancing of God’s Names because of their inherent innocence to accept. However it needs to be clarified that this simple faith is not merely sentimental; the faith is based on strong scriptural basis. The Vedic scriptures recommend the chanting of Holy Names of God as the panacea for the modern age of quarrel and hypocrisy. Besides, pure devotees have over the centuries personally practised and recommended the path for the general populace.

Radhanath Swami gives many classes on the life and teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who appeared in the Navadwip district of West Bengal, India, over five hundred years ago. Lord Chaitanya, the incarnation of Krishna for the present age, was the greatest scholar of His times who defeated in debate, the likes of Keshav Kashmiri, and Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, the learned logicians and scholars of India. Yet the same Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu enthusiastically chanted and induced all to participate in the chanting of Holy Names of Krishna. He showed by his personal example that chanting is the spiritual activity not only recommended for all people of this age, but the supreme Lord Himself enjoys it.

Source: http://www.krishnayoga.info/radhanath-swami/hare-krishna-simplistic-practical/