The 4 Step Japa Mala Technique

The 4 step japa mala technique



Step 1--Make a sankalpa to hear ONE mantra.

A sankalpa is a resolution or determination to do something. So the 1st step is to tell the mind to resolve to just hear one hare krishna maha mantra.

The idea is that it is a doable request. If we tell the mind to hear 16 rounds of mantra, or even 1 round....the mind is to powerful to heed such a big request. But if we tell the mind "Just hear this one mantra..." we have it in our power to force the mind to comply to at least this small request.

If the mind is really going wild and it wont even heed this small request, make a resolution to hear one half of a mantra. So request the mind to hear one (or a half) of the maha mantra...and that means to hear EVERY word in that mantra with no distraction.

Once this has been completed (the hearing of one whole mantra, hearing every word of the mantra), repeat. Again tell the mind "hear just one mantra". Hear every word. Once this is done, repeat. Eventually the mind will succumb and it will hear one mantra after another. The mind will get absorbed in the sound vibration of the holy name.

Step 2. Neglect the mind

As the mind starts to become absorbed in the sound of the holy name, it will periodically rebel and try to drift to some other topic. So you must now neglect the attempts of the mind to deviate from the task of japa. It is like a child who wants something at the store...it will cry and cry, but the stern parent just ignores or neglects the misbehaviour.

In due course the child will get the message and calm down. Similarly the mind will introduce so many ideas and rationalizations for thinking something else, but one must just neglect the mind and force it back to japa.

Step 3. Take shelter of the Holy Name.

Now the mind is absorbed in the sound of the holy name. One's whole existence is only the holy name....there is nothing else to be conscious of. So realize that the holy name is in fact Krishna Himself and surrender completely to Him, and accept Him in the form of the Holy Name as everything and all that we really ever will need.

Step 4. Obtain Krishna's Mercy

If the Holy Name so desires, being pleased by our endevor He may bestow His mercy upon us and give us a glimpse of real bhakti and the sweetness of His loving friendship.

Again....it's
1. Make a sankalpa
2. Neglect the mind
3. Take shelter
4. Await Krishna's mercy.

It really works! Hari Nama Ki Jay!
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Comments

  • Hari Nama ki jay!
  • hare Krishna

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  • Great MataJi....Thanks for posting....hare krishna.

  • Hare Krsna...Thanx
  • Harae Krsna
    may Lord Sri Krsna bless us four our progress and remain protect us in spiritual life,
  • Hare Krsna.. Good insight from a sincere sadhaka. This post will definitely anyone who wants to improve his/her chanting and quickly come on the platform of nama bhasa. Thanks for sharing.
  • Chapter 6: Dhyāna-yoga
    Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
    http://vedabase.net/bg/6/en

    Chalter 6 is one of my personal favorites, Krsna teaches us how to control the mind and senses.

    BG 6.19: As a lamp in a windless place does not waver, so the transcendentalist, whose mind is controlled, remains always steady in his meditation on the transcendent self.

    BG 6.26: From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under the control of the self

    BG 6.35: Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: O mighty-armed son of Kuntī, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment

    Hari bol!!!
  • thank you very much about my question and your above explanation Prabhu, this is some thing very-very important for me
  • Great process!! All anybody could really need! THE GLORIES OF THE HOLY NAME Sri Harinama Cintamani http://www.bvml.org/SBTP/hc.htm Have you read what the Hari Nama Acarya himself says when requested by MahaPrabhu. One must pay attention the the aural reception of Krsna as his name is the same Self God on the absolute platform.
    Sri Harinama Cintamani
  • thanks a lot 4 helping
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