Recently in the Japa Room we had a very nice session talking about the importance of prayer for assistance in our Japa. I thought I would share a few of the very wonderful and interesting comments that were made during the session.
"I would like to add to my prayer the intention to attain a humble state of mind not only while chanting but everytime, surrender to the names and also give me strength to always make efforts to improve my chanting."
"When I Re-started chanting after some time (as I had mentioned before) I prayed to God to help me to give me the dedication and determination to continue with it and never lose track again and He has really helped me and as before he has also attracted my husband towards it."
"I would like to increase the number of rounds that i do and never forget Him or lose faith no matter what the situation is."
"I always pray to God to help me so that I never get too ahead of myself and never feel proud no matter how more or little advance I make in my journey because pride is one of the biggest test by Mayadevi that only a few can overcome. Sometimes I have noticed (no offence to anyone) that some devotees compete and take pride in the number of rounds they do - I do not want myself in that situation."
"I think we should also pray AFTER the japa to thank God to give us the opportunity and knowledge of the Holy name and help us chant it and be happy :-)) and finally tonight I would also be thanking God to help me discover this Japa room and and a chance to associate with devotees online."
Comments
Troubled Mind
Dear Rasa Prabhu,
This week I have been more concerned about some decisions I need to make what do you suggest for concentration, I have been praying but my mind keeps troubled.
Thanks so much
yr servant
Aruna devi
Concerns
Thankyou Aruna devi....there will always be something in the material world to distract and concern our minds...that is the nature of the world we live in, it's full of things that keep our minds occupied. At the time we chant Japa, there is no need to think of anything else but the Holy names....then after our Japa we can think about these things. I have a habit of just ignoring any thoughts that come in my mind during Japa...I just push them out and again listen to the Holy names with concentration. Once we go beyond the Namabasa stage of chanting, when we develop deep attraction for the Holy names, this won't be an issue...until then we need to be very strict on our minds....beat it with a slipper and stick.
The Sound Controls the Mind
Thanks Rasa Prabhu for your nice explanation, the mind is always trying to take over and control our thoughts, telling things that we sometimes agree or believe but when we engage it on the holy names we dont even perceive we have minds because we just chant and the sound is our only weapon in this concentration battle, we forget everything else, however for that we need to make efforts to be attentive to the mantra so nothing else will speak louder than the holy names.
yr servant
Aruna devi
Turn Down The Mind
Thanks Aruna devi....yes we need to turn down the mind's volume and turn up the volume on the mantra...it means ignoring all thoughts (unless some thoughts of Krsna's pastimes etc. come naturally)...listen to the mantra and don't listen to the mind.
Dedication to Remain Firm
Thanks Rasa Prabhu for this inspiring article.
I liked the part that a devotee prayed for dedication and determination to always keep chanting. Its really important that we pray to remain our sadhana and with our rounds done. Sometimes we face difficult times and maybe arent able to chant our rounds but if we have this blessing, dedication and the determination to continue we will never lose track of it.
yr servant
Aruna devi
Sticking To Our Rounds
Thanks for your comments Aruna devi....as you say when we face difficulty it maybe be harder to chant all our rounds but we need to remain strong and stick to chanting our rounds each day regardless of the situation...in this way the Lord sees our effort, and along with prayer, the Lord helps the struggling devotee.