The rules start with basic mechanical arrangements & end up with the proper mood and meditation. Anyone who follows these eight rules will surely improve his japa and receive delightful rewards from shri-nama.
1. 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.
2. Time, Place, Mind-Start chanting very early in the morning, either with devotees, Tulasi-devi, Thakurji, or in a place free from disturbance. Sit before your Deities or Tulasi-devi and chant prayers to Shri Guru and the parampara, the six Gosvamis and the Panca-tattva. Remember Namacharya Thakura Haridasa and pray for his mercy. Pray to the holy name to help you chant with full attention, purely, and free from offenses.
If the mind starts ‘jumping,’ calm it down by prayer, pranayama, or loud chanting. Shri Chaitanya’s Sikasastaka is the ideal prayer to recite and reflect upon before and during japa. A very good technique of concentration is to remember the meaning of the third sloka (trnad api sunicena) throughout the japa period.
3. Chanting Techniques-a) “Sit properly.” Yoga sastras proclaim that sitting straight facilitates concentration: “Right posture makes the mind calm.” (Tantra-raja-tantra 27,59) “For purification of the body and for success in yoga, posture is absolutely necessary.” (Rudra-yamala-tantra 2.24.38-39) “By the practice of good posture the body becomes disease-free, firm and efficient.” (Graha-yamala 2.85)
b) Chant without interruption. Once in Los Angeles, disciples asked Shrila Prabhupada what would please him most. “Chant sixteen rounds of japa at one sitting without interruption!” said Shrila Prabhupada.
c) Be careful to clearly and distinctly pronounce the holy names.
4. Concentration-Collect all thoughts into one; concentrate on the sound vibration.
5. Control the Mind-a) Pull it back when it wanders. Chanters Beware!!! Yoga sastras say that tamo-guna and sleep usually attack a sadhaka after he has practiced one hour of meditation. In other words, after sitting peacefully and chanting japa for one hour, one should be watchful and check his energy and attention levels. If you feel drowsy or dull headed, then chant loudly to shake off tamo-guna; go outside for a japa walk; drink some cold water and splash some on your face; do sirsasana (headstand) for 2 minutes and 10 rounds of pranayama; or a few stretching exercises. Refreshed and invigorated, sit before Tulasi-devi again and renew your japa meditation.
b) Cut the tendency to recall events from yesterday, last week or the year before. The bird of the mind flies on two wings: the past and the future. Cut off the wings. Be here now: Hear, chant and remember-love, serve and surrender! “Forget the past that sleeps; and never the future dream at all. Deal with times that are with you, and progress you shall call.” (Sarnagati) c) Don’t plan today’s duties. If the mind persistenly dwells on the “shopping list” or “things to do today”, then stop briefly, write down the points, and chant japa with a tranquil mind.
6. Absorb Four Qualities-try to fill the mind with the four qualities recommended in the third verse of Shri Chaitanya’s Siksastaka: humility, tolerance, pridelessness and respect for all.
7. Meditation-while chanting, meditate on the form of Radha-Syama or Nityananda-Gauranga, or the meaning of the holy names revealed by the previous acaryas.
8. Mood-chant with a feeling of longing for Krishna, hankering for Krishna and crying for Krishna. “This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother’s presence.” (Shrila Prabhupada in the Science of Self-Realization) Of course, this should not be done in an artificial way. But rest assured, Shri Krishna will respond to the sincere and helpless cries of a humble devotee chanting with a repentant heart.
In Kali-yuga, the mind is so lazy that it wants to quit without even trying. If one is not immediately successful in any attempt, his mind will balk, stammer and whimper, “Oh, I can’t do it. It’s too hard. I quit!” Working a steady job, maintaining a relationship, performing bhakti-sadhana, fasting on Ekadashi, and finishing one’s rounds of harinama are Herculean tasks in this techno age of fast living and low thinking.
Krishna teaches Arjuna that the mind can be strengthened by constant practice and detachment. An empowered mind serving the will of an enlightened master is a most helpful friend on the path of life an devotion. The determination to complete a task requires mental concentration, endeavour, surrender and the mercy of the Lord.
Achieving success in determined acts nourishes determination and enthuses one to undertake more difficult duties. Determination, being a mental power, becomes stronger by practice.
You should chant as loud as you could so that others can also hear the Holy Name as well and get purified.
Sense objects and desires encourage the mind’s natural tendency to run outward. Proper engagement of the senses helps internalize the mind. Scientists have proven that of all the techniques used to stop the oscillatory nature of the mind, those using sound and sight are the most effective. For example, the hypnotist subdues the subject’s mind by capturing his gaze (with a swinging watch), and speaking ina rhythmic monotonous way.
The following concentration technique, which combines sound and sight, perfectly controls the mind and engages it in serving Krishna.
While chanting the holy names-Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare…Gaze steadily at a picture of Krishna (or Radha-Krishna) for five minutes; close the eyes, and internally visualize the picture…Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare…During visualiztion, move the mind over the various limbs of the Lord. Begin with seeing Krishna’s lotus feet in the mind, then gradually rise up His transcendental body to His legs, knees, thighs, silk dhoti, belly, chest, pearl necklaces and garlands, Kaustubha gem, His neck, face eyes, flute, smile, hair, turban, turban ornaments, and peacock feather…Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare…
Then repeat the visualization going back down to Krishna’s lotus feet while continuing to chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. If the mental picture fades, open your eyes and gaze again. Then repeat the process of internal visualization five or six times. (The same can be done for Lord Gauranga’s form also) Do not be disturbed if in the beginning you cannot keep the picture of Radha-Krishna in the mind. Vigorous and regular practice of visualization will bring success. With a few months practice, you will clearly be able to visualize the Divine Couple (or Gauranga) smiling within your mind while you chant Hare Krishna in your heart.
Replies
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 229. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 230. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 231. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 232. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 233. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 234. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 219. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 220. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 221. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 222. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 223. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 224. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 225. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 226. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 227. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 228. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 209. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 210. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 211. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 213. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 214. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 215. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 216. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 217. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
QUESTIONS ASKED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA. PART 218. ON CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
Q. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOUND VIBRATION IN KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS ?
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA. Part 1.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA. Part 12.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA. Part 8.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA. Part 3.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA . part 7.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA. Part 4.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA. Part 11.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA. Part 10.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA. Part 2.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
Q. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF CHANTING 16 ROUNDS OF THE HARE KRISHNA MANTRA ?
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF LORD KRISHNA. Part 6.
The rules start with basic mechanical arrangements & end up with the proper mood and meditation. Anyone who follows these eight rules will surely improve his japa and receive delightful rewards from shri-nama.
1. 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.
2. Time, Place, Mind-Start chanting very early in the morning, either with devotees, Tulasi-devi, Thakurji, or in a place free from disturbance. Sit before your Deities or Tulasi-devi and chant prayers to Shri Guru and the parampara, the six Gosvamis and the Panca-tattva. Remember Namacharya Thakura Haridasa and pray for his mercy. Pray to the holy name to help you chant with full attention, purely, and free from offenses.
If the mind starts ‘jumping,’ calm it down by prayer, pranayama, or loud chanting. Shri Chaitanya’s Sikasastaka is the ideal prayer to recite and reflect upon before and during japa. A very good technique of concentration is to remember the meaning of the third sloka (trnad api sunicena) throughout the japa period.
3. Chanting Techniques-a) “Sit properly.” Yoga sastras proclaim that sitting straight facilitates concentration: “Right posture makes the mind calm.” (Tantra-raja-tantra 27,59) “For purification of the body and for success in yoga, posture is absolutely necessary.” (Rudra-yamala-tantra 2.24.38-39) “By the practice of good posture the body becomes disease-free, firm and efficient.” (Graha-yamala 2.85)
b) Chant without interruption. Once in Los Angeles, disciples asked Shrila Prabhupada what would please him most. “Chant sixteen rounds of japa at one sitting without interruption!” said Shrila Prabhupada.
c) Be careful to clearly and distinctly pronounce the holy names.
4. Concentration-Collect all thoughts into one; concentrate on the sound vibration.
5. Control the Mind-a) Pull it back when it wanders. Chanters Beware!!! Yoga sastras say that tamo-guna and sleep usually attack a sadhaka after he has practiced one hour of meditation. In other words, after sitting peacefully and chanting japa for one hour, one should be watchful and check his energy and attention levels. If you feel drowsy or dull headed, then chant loudly to shake off tamo-guna; go outside for a japa walk; drink some cold water and splash some on your face; do sirsasana (headstand) for 2 minutes and 10 rounds of pranayama; or a few stretching exercises. Refreshed and invigorated, sit before Tulasi-devi again and renew your japa meditation.
b) Cut the tendency to recall events from yesterday, last week or the year before. The bird of the mind flies on two wings: the past and the future. Cut off the wings. Be here now: Hear, chant and remember-love, serve and surrender! “Forget the past that sleeps; and never the future dream at all. Deal with times that are with you, and progress you shall call.” (Sarnagati) c) Don’t plan today’s duties. If the mind persistenly dwells on the “shopping list” or “things to do today”, then stop briefly, write down the points, and chant japa with a tranquil mind.
6. Absorb Four Qualities-try to fill the mind with the four qualities recommended in the third verse of Shri Chaitanya’s Siksastaka: humility, tolerance, pridelessness and respect for all.
7. Meditation-while chanting, meditate on the form of Radha-Syama or Nityananda-Gauranga, or the meaning of the holy names revealed by the previous acaryas.
8. Mood-chant with a feeling of longing for Krishna, hankering for Krishna and crying for Krishna. “This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother’s presence.” (Shrila Prabhupada in the Science of Self-Realization) Of course, this should not be done in an artificial way. But rest assured, Shri Krishna will respond to the sincere and helpless cries of a humble devotee chanting with a repentant heart.
In Kali-yuga, the mind is so lazy that it wants to quit without even trying. If one is not immediately successful in any attempt, his mind will balk, stammer and whimper, “Oh, I can’t do it. It’s too hard. I quit!” Working a steady job, maintaining a relationship, performing bhakti-sadhana, fasting on Ekadashi, and finishing one’s rounds of harinama are Herculean tasks in this techno age of fast living and low thinking.
Krishna teaches Arjuna that the mind can be strengthened by constant practice and detachment. An empowered mind serving the will of an enlightened master is a most helpful friend on the path of life an devotion. The determination to complete a task requires mental concentration, endeavour, surrender and the mercy of the Lord.
Achieving success in determined acts nourishes determination and enthuses one to undertake more difficult duties. Determination, being a mental power, becomes stronger by practice.
Sense objects and desires encourage the mind’s natural tendency to run outward. Proper engagement of the senses helps internalize the mind. Scientists have proven that of all the techniques used to stop the oscillatory nature of the mind, those using sound and sight are the most effective. For example, the hypnotist subdues the subject’s mind by capturing his gaze (with a swinging watch), and speaking ina rhythmic monotonous way.
The following concentration technique, which combines sound and sight, perfectly controls the mind and engages it in serving Krishna.
While chanting the holy names-Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare…Gaze steadily at a picture of Krishna (or Radha-Krishna) for five minutes; close the eyes, and internally visualize the picture…Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare…During visualiztion, move the mind over the various limbs of the Lord. Begin with seeing Krishna’s lotus feet in the mind, then gradually rise up His transcendental body to His legs, knees, thighs, silk dhoti, belly, chest, pearl necklaces and garlands, Kaustubha gem, His neck, face eyes, flute, smile, hair, turban, turban ornaments, and peacock feather…Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare…
Then repeat the visualization going back down to Krishna’s lotus feet while continuing to chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. If the mental picture fades, open your eyes and gaze again. Then repeat the process of internal visualization five or six times. (The same can be done for Lord Gauranga’s form also) Do not be disturbed if in the beginning you cannot keep the picture of Radha-Krishna in the mind. Vigorous and regular practice of visualization will bring success. With a few months practice, you will clearly be able to visualize the Divine Couple (or Gauranga) smiling within your mind while you chant Hare Krishna in your heart.
Hare Krishna dear Indira N Rangwar Mataji,
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Just here, listen this http://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/index.php?q=f&f=%2F02_-_ISKC...
Here His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaja chants in the Altar room, other Devotees are also chanting.
While chanting we have to hear our own voice it is the main principle.
Your servant,
thank u so much maral,i m gratefull to u for guiding me ,now i get the right way of chanting.hare krishna.