I open the door to the early morning air. It’s 4am and all is quiet. I pull my beads out of their bag and find the starting point. Deep breath. Short prayer of respect to my teacher, another short prayer to the giver of this chanting meditation, Sri Caitanya. Then I begin my daily walk of 16 rounds.
The dark night sky welcomes me. Most of the world sleeps. My mind also sleeps, thankfully. Thoughts of yesterday and later today have not begun to line up for attention. It’s just me and Krishna.
The morning walk starts the night before. If we want to be serious about our meditation practice, our morning spiritual workout, we have to get to bed reasonably early. We have to plan to want to be there, to show up with as much energy as possible. If, as it is said in the teachings, that this mantra has the power to purify the mind so we can perceive the self within, then we owe it to ourselves to give it our best attention. If we are tired we will not last.
The mantra walk can be done sitting or walking. Once you get into a few rounds a rhythm will start. If walking watch out for distractions along the route. Walking up and down the same stretch can minimize that. Walking in a quiet park on along a river is wonderful. Sitting under a tree is powerful.
If you can’t make the whole 16 rounds in one sitting, then it is good to do it in blocks of 4. That takes about a half hour. Again, like any activity, the best result will come from attentiveness. Try to keep your focus on the sound of the name. In the words of Srila Prabhupada – “Try to hear yourself chant sincerely.” The transcendental sound vibration will do the rest.
Add a daily walk to your schedule. At home, at the office, or join us here at the Temple in the early morning. It’s an exercise that will have a positive impact on your whole life.
Comments