Devotee(1): (reading question) "What are your views about silent meditation on one's, in one's own self, and this japa, gāyatrī-mantra?"
Prabhupāda: Yes. Simply by mechanical japa, we'll not be ha... We have to hear from the śāstra what is self. Of course, those who are actually following the rules and regulation of gāyatrī-mantra, they'll be, gradually come to the spiritual understanding. But not as official chanting. That will not help. "Because I have got gāyatrī-mantra, oh, om-burble bura burra..." (makes sound) Finish. Not like that. Don't cheat yourself. Try to understand.