Sometime ago I wrote a 10 part series on avoiding offenses to the Holy names. Today I was reading a very good article written by Mahanidhi Swami and came across some very nice guidelines to help us with our Japa, so I thought I would start an 8 part series based on these guidelines.

Night before-Give up rice and eating heavy foods at night. Take simple foods such as milk and fruits. By eating a light meal you will sleep soundly, rise early without difficulty, and have full energy for attentive japa the next morning. The night before make a sankalpa or firm vow: “Tomorrow morning, I will chant with full concentration and sincere feelings.” Upon waking, take a full bath or at least wash the mouth, face, hands and feet with cold water before chanting. If you feel sleepy or dull headed, a kirtana with karatals will immediately invigorate the dull mind and purify the environment.

This first guideline is very simple and practical but sometimes overlooked in our spiritual lives. How we sleep and what time we sleep impacts greatly on our Japa the next morning.
If we eat very heavy foods, including grains, it will force the body to try to digest prasadam at a time when the fire of digestion is very low and thus the body works hard to achieve this and makes it difficult to rise and be fresh for our Japa in the morning.

What we think of before we take rest is very important, so the idea of a sankalpa is a very sound and simple idea...if we vow to chant good attentive rounds, and by saying this in our minds or verbally the night before, this impression will stay with us during the night and can help us to remain determined to chant good quality Japa in the morning.

Another good point the Maharaja mentions is to take full bath upon waking...if this is not possible for some reason, then at least wash your mouth, face, hands and feet with cold water before chanting. I personally find that to also chant the Hare Krsna mantra upon waking is very good...I continue to chant during my shower and I find this is very helpful to get me in the mood for Japa. Not only are we cleansed outside, but also inside in preparation for Japa.

The final point is also helpful for our dull sleepy mind...if you have kartals and it's appropriate (i.e., you won't wake your surrounding neighbours or sleeping family) then you can have a private kirtan, singing the holy names to invigorate your body and keep you awake to avoid inattention - there is no possibility of chanting proper and attentive Japa if we are falling asleep.