This is one of the most difficult things for me to do is getting up so early to chant. I seem to focus better with my chanting in the evenings and I don't know why. I have tried a few times to get up in the morning at 4am to chant. My friend Dayal said that getting up at that hour is the best time to chant japa. Do devotees who are already initiated always need to get up at that hour to chant? I want to be initiated one day and I want to make sure of the things I need to know before I try to get initiated. I sometimes feel so frustrated with myself if I don't get up at that hour to chant, and I want to do it, but it's hard to wake up at 4am.
Hare Krsna
Hare Krsna simplyshadygirl-ji
NityānandaChandra prabhuji is 100% correct. A sincere endeavour is definitely required. In fact waking up in the very early hours of the morning prior to the Brahma Muhurta time (90min before sunrise) is considered an austerity that The Lord happily accepts as part of the devotee's devotional service activities. It is our little bit of penance that we perform every day to please the Lord. Making this effort is part of learning how to love Krishna .
Srila Prabhupada often emphasized the necessity of rising early.
- "So, you must practice how to love Krishna . First you have to rise early in the morning. You don't like to, but you think, 'I will rise early to satisfy Krishna .' This is the beginning."
Hope this helps.
your servant,
Santosh
What "practice how to love
What "practice how to love Krishna" or "learn how to love Krishna"? How can you practice how to love - you either do or don't.
Do you think waking up at 4am helps you love Krishna more? Then do so. (I don't understand how, but that's not the point). If you don't think it's necessary, and can show love for Krishna in a different way, then do that instead.
Krishna never said to wake up at 4am to chant to him - in what book did he say so? What's wrong with curling up next to him in bed for the entire night and being held in his arms or you holding him?
Your entire day should be devotional - every breath should be completely and utterly attached to Krishna (or the Universal Existence) without even thinking. Surrendering to Love is surrendering to Krishna
"Krishna never said to wake
"Krishna never said to wake up at 4am to chant to him - in what book did he say so?"
The book of Krishna's life called Srimad Bhagavatam in chapter called, 'Lord Krishna's daily activities', in this book it is described that Lord Krishna to teach us by example woke up every morning at the brahma murhurta 4:30 am and engaged in spiritual duties.
"What's wrong with curling up next to him in bed for the entire night and being held in his arms or you holding him?" as you see the queens hated the crowing of the rooster because this meant that Lord Krishna would leave their embrace.
it is always much much
it is always much much easier with association. Mornings and evening will, in general, always be the easiest to chant. By waking early in the morning we put ourselves in contact with the mode of goodness. But it generally requires preparation the day before. Don't eat a late night meal and don't go to sleep to late and this way you will have an easier time.
HARIBOL!!!!!!!!!!! how much
HARIBOL!!!!!!!!!!!
how much sleep is required?
I was never sure of that... i have a problem with staying up toooo late and then when it comes time to wake in the morning i have a very hard time getting up. i am a school teacher so i have to get up early anyway but 4-5 would right now put me at about 3 hours of sleep due to the amout of OTHER work i have to do. i love being awake before the sun rises. it is peaceful and you don't have the worlds stress to keep you from thinking about Krishna.
i am really starting to move forward with my devotional life... chanting is wonderful. i have been so positive. i want to be initiated at some point. i am now at about 8 rounds a day, not including the times that i dont have my beads and just count by tally marks!!... i have been told when i am at school to use a clicker (a lot of people frown on this, but more people frown on me here for having my beadbag).
i have so many questions still...
Regularity is very important
Regularity is very important for physical health, mental clarity, mental strength, and fortitude. Therefore it is recommended that one keep a strict sleep schedule. Actually the early hours provide body better rest than later hours. For example if one sleeps 7 hours a night. That 7 hours is best spent going to bed earlier and rising earlier. As the true saying goes, "Early to bed, early to rise keeps a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
Regarding work Srila Prabhupada mentions that we should not work excessive hours.
In the purport to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 7.14.3-4 it is mentioned,
http://vedabase.net/sb/7/14/3/
When one is healthy and regulated 6 hours should be sufficient, otherwise one may need more. Children need at least 8 hours. Excessive sleep only causes one to be more tired.
Hare Krishna
Your humble servant,
Nityananda Chandra Das
Interesting
I will now attempt to make an endeavour to rise earlier than what I have currently. Thanks!
Hare Krishna
HARIBOL! thank you so much
HARIBOL!
thank you so much for the input! i think my body and mind are not on the same level yet. soon they will work as one and i can focus more.