Meditation: Japa (part 1)

 

This week I will talk a little bit about Japa. 

Maybe you are asking yourself what is it. The Sanskrit word japa means 'to rotate'. The practice is so called because it involves continuous rotation of a mala (set of beads), synchronized with a mantra. Generally the practice is done for a fixed number of mantra repetitions, or for a set period of time. The chanting can be aloud or silent. Japa can be further defined as rhythmical mantra chanting with mala rotation and with awareness. For maximum benefits it must be practised regularly. 

Many people are in a hurry for the experience of meditation. This is undersrntandable, yet no amount of haste or aspiration will bring the experience unless the tricky and tempestuous mind is calmed. Meditation is a spontaneous process that can only occur when the mind has been brought to a certain level of harmony and one-pointedness.  This applies whether the mind is calmed for a short or a prolonged time. It must be harmonized. Without this, meditation cannot arise. 

It's so common to see people saying that they practice meditation, but, do they do it in fact ?😉

More about meditation and japa in the next article. I wish you a peaceful day, 

Padmapada 

🙏

 Source: Bihar School of Yoga