In a recent discussion in Skype Japa, I quoted some very nice writing from Satsvarupa Maharaja's daily Bhajan Kutir articles. In this article he highlights the importance of hearing the Holy names. Below is the quote that we discussed.
"By deliberately hearing the sound of each syllable, your mind will be occupied, and if you do this vigorously, there will be no chance for the mind to wander to other realms of thought. This method is so simple that chanters may overlook it, but if you apply it, it is very effective. There are further stages in chanting, in which one thinks of the pastimes of Krishna, meditates on His qualities, and even comes to see His form, but they all follow from the basic practice of attentive hearing. The reason this works so effectively is that the holy name is Krishna, and the Hare Krishna mantra is invested with all His potencies. Anyone who practices the “just hear” method will find great improvement in his or her chanting."
From Bhajana Kutir #75
Comments
Hare Krsna!
Dandavats dear devotees.
For those of us who have access to Srila Prabhupada's audio library, I refer you to "Lecture Los Angeles 1968-12-01 - On Initiation The Path of Purification"
From 44:50 - 45:18 Srila Prabhupada explains this concept very clearly...as well as His legendary comparison of Jayananda prabhu to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! Hare Krsna!
Thank you again for another great posting.
Your servant,
Santosh
Srila Prabhupada Lecture
Thanks for your comments and info Santosh....I will try to find the lecture and have a listen.
Chanting Outside Japa
Thanks Rasa Prabhu for this nice quote.
Its very important and interesting to see how to mind works all the time. Today I tried chanting on the streets as if I were chanting on japa, I could perceive that my mind was not wandering around the streets and other things I was thinking of the mantra, maybe this could help me in my japa time, what do you think?
ys
Aruna devi
Chanting On The Streets
Thanks for your comments Aruna devi...interesting that you were able to chant Japa style whilst walking down the street and you were able to keep focused and your mind did not wander. This will certainly help to train you to ignore all distractions during japa...I would imagine that it will help.
Often
I do walking japa
I take my bead bag and go for a walk in the botanical gardens in Sydney during my lunch hour.
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Visit the Food Channel @ Krishna.com
Japa Walk
Thanks Anthony...I know those gardens well...I also Japa walk to a National Park nearby where I live...I find the fresh air helpful for combating tiredness - it's easy to get distracted in nature so I try not to get caught up in the activities of the birds etc. Sometimes a bird comes up and listens to my Japa (when I am sitting and chanting)....it's always a pleasure to see living entities getting the Lord's mercy in the form of the Holy names.
All the living entities attracted to Krsna
I occasionally chant outside and have experienced that, too :)
:-)
:-)
If I come across a little creature
If I come across a little creature, or a big creature I always chant the holy names to it. Sometime plants and when I am feeling completely crazy even books or other inanimate things.
If a bug comes in my house for I usually take it outside and let it hear the mahamantra before I set it free.
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Visit the Food Channel @ Krishna.com
Absolutely!
Good on you prabhu-ji for what you're doing. That is the secret. Chanting not just for your own purification, but for the purification of all other living entities.
A few months ago a beautiful stray baby kitten came to my home and has adopted us as his family. I chant to him everyday. He has also taken Maha-prasadam and Maha-water. Every time I see him I say Hare Krsna! and he falls down playfully and starts rolling from side to side. Even vervet monkeys that come past my home sometimes get chanted to when they get close enough! lol!
Great Mercy
This is great mercy Santosh...a very fortunate cat indeed!
Chanting For The Bugs
Everything benefits from chanting the Holy names...nice to hear you are so merciful to all living beings Anthony.
Thank you
Hare Krsna Rasa Prabhu,
Thanks ever so much for posting this quote. I often remind myself of this. It's a work in progress but by constantly practising it can be achieved.I've realised that I need to slow down the pace of my chanting a bit so instead of 6 minutes for a single round it takes about 7 minutes. I simply want to ensure that I'm focusing on each syllable.I've noticed the difference.
Keep writing and thanks for the Japa Room messages on Facebook. Due to my temple service I'm unable to join you all on Paltalk.
Haribol
Focusing On Each Syllable
Thanks for your comments Dhamam Rupini dd....nice to hear about your Japa reform and how you are slowing down and focusing on the mantra with concentration. Sorry to hear you cannot make it for the Japa Room...please keep in mind we have 2 times available...you can check it out at http://www.japaroom.110mb.com
Hare Krishna Rasa
Hare Krishna Rasa Prabhu,
That is really good to know it or to be reminded about it. I have 11 more rounds so I can apply the method you said -hearing each and every syllable of Mahamantra.
Please keep showing your mercy like this by posting such valuable things.
Always at your lotus feet,
Durga
Hearing Each Syllable
Thanks for your comments Durga...nice to hear you applying this method that Srila Prabhupada instructed us to use. Please let us know the difference it made to your Japa.