Overcoming obstacles in our Japa can be a daily battle....our mind is not fully absorbed in the sound of the Hare Krsna mantra so we allow it to wander on to other thoughts.

We can get distracted by sounds and sights around us - this is the nature of the material world and Mayadevi, her service is to test us to see if we have strong determination and also if we are willing to make an effort to move towards the Lord, if we pass the test then we make great advancement, if not we continue in our illusion.There a a few simple guidelines that Srila Prabhupada has revealed to us...firstly chanting early in the morning, concentration on the sound and pronouncing the words very clearly - there is a nice quote on this subject:

"Chanting japa should be done early in the morning with full concentration preferably during the Brahma Muhurta time. Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra, pronouncing each name distinctly and gradually your speed in chanting will increase naturally. Do not worry so much about chanting fast, most important is the hearing."

Letter from Srila Prabhupada 6/1/72