RP: Continuing yesterday's question - japa involves chanting lords name or Vedic mantra like soham etc. there is a strong connection between name, form and the ideal behind the name. We have heard that Raam and Raam Naam are the same etc. Thus continuous repetition of the name with devotion actually takes us closer to the ideal. It is as though the gap between the chanter and chanted reduces. focussing on a dot can help in concentration for a short time but it does not go beyond that.
KG: Man is defined as the thoughts he maintains. By that maintaining lords name or any mantra will have a tendency 2 take him closer 2 the ideal. Lords name will submit mind 2 HIS attributes, mantras also have high ideas in it.
In general, Japa on any object will take us closer 2 the object in terms of its nature. As sadhaks want 2 realize HIM, having HIS thoughts will be a stepping stone. In worldly projects we have experienced that we have achieved goals by constantly contemplating on it. Constantly discussing and keeping its thoughts.... While hitting the Gym or Asana yoga or dot conc. has definitely helped indirectly....
SS: Beautiful thoughts shared by everyone on japa.
Ja- janma vicchedaha. Pa- Paapa Naashakaha. This is the etymology of japa. Helps one to go beyond transmigration and destroys agitations of the mind and past negative karma. A mantra(vedic or puranic) is used in Japa. Any word cannot be used in japa because mantra is a spiritual sound formulae.
Japa helps a person to
VS: Hari Om and thanks Swamiji
Is Japa just one name or is it multiple names. Is chanting Japa? E.g.Vishnu Sahasranama or Rudra Japa
SS: One name repeated is japa. If a whole stotram or suktam is chanted 11 times or more then its japa
GP: Ah! Why is a stotram or suktam chanted once not counted as japa? It seems to meet all the criteria of japa as defined earlier.
SS: Stotram or suktam comes under chanting and not japa because there is no repetition and reinforcement of one name and form. There are more supports involved because of many ideas present therein. Also japa has 4 stages loud, soft, mental and effortless. Chanting once does not have these.
GP: Got it swmiji
SS: Holding on to one name and form is much more tougher than chanting stotrams n stuties and to maintain devotion in japa is toughest.
Su: I think since the technique of Japa Is to help the mind develop single pointed focus, so stotram with different names hence visualisation of different forms... does not achieve that.... right Swamiji?
SS: It does achieve single pointedness but to a limited extent. From many diverse thoughts of different things, one has come to many diverse thoughts about the Lord. Pooja, stotram chanting etc help in this. Japa is the next step - holding on to one thought of the Lord. Higher level of single-pointedness
SK: Thank you for clarifying that Swamiji. 🙏
RB: Swamiji. Just to share my experience. I used to do my japa before and for the previous 12-14 months didn't do it for various reasons. ( don't want to blame me becoming a father). My japa Mala was in my sight but never did I pick it up. Then one day a few weeks back I just picked my japa Mala from the altar and every night before sleeping do my japa. I feel centered and more balanced now. It's my preparation to face the next day with conviction and power.
SS: Thats true Rishi
KG: Man is defined as the thoughts he maintains. By that maintaining lords name or any mantra will have a tendency 2 take him closer 2 the ideal. Lords name will submit mind 2 HIS attributes, mantras also have high ideas in it.
In general, Japa on any object will take us closer 2 the object in terms of its nature. As sadhaks want 2 realize HIM, having HIS thoughts will be a stepping stone. In worldly projects we have experienced that we have achieved goals by constantly contemplating on it. Constantly discussing and keeping its thoughts.... While hitting the Gym or Asana yoga or dot conc. has definitely helped indirectly....
SS: Beautiful thoughts shared by everyone on japa.
Ja- janma vicchedaha. Pa- Paapa Naashakaha. This is the etymology of japa. Helps one to go beyond transmigration and destroys agitations of the mind and past negative karma. A mantra(vedic or puranic) is used in Japa. Any word cannot be used in japa because mantra is a spiritual sound formulae.
Japa helps a person to
- Develop concentration and purity.
- Integrates the BMI
- Qualifications needed for Self-Knowledge are cultivated by Japa. Eg sukshma buddhi or subtle intellect. Agra buddhi or sharp intellect. Suddha man or pure mind.
- Holding on to the name and form we let it go deep into subconscious mind and transform it. Genius of Rishis we must admit here that they found methods of subconscious training and also unconscious vasanas elimination.
- In impulsive times japa comes to our rescue when we are overwhelmed by emotions like anger, lust, jealousy etc. Even in times of elation, fear etc it helps. Hence equanimity and balance, one can maintain through japa.
VS: Hari Om and thanks Swamiji
Is Japa just one name or is it multiple names. Is chanting Japa? E.g.Vishnu Sahasranama or Rudra Japa
SS: One name repeated is japa. If a whole stotram or suktam is chanted 11 times or more then its japa
GP: Ah! Why is a stotram or suktam chanted once not counted as japa? It seems to meet all the criteria of japa as defined earlier.
SS: Stotram or suktam comes under chanting and not japa because there is no repetition and reinforcement of one name and form. There are more supports involved because of many ideas present therein. Also japa has 4 stages loud, soft, mental and effortless. Chanting once does not have these.
GP: Got it swmiji
SS: Holding on to one name and form is much more tougher than chanting stotrams n stuties and to maintain devotion in japa is toughest.
Su: I think since the technique of Japa Is to help the mind develop single pointed focus, so stotram with different names hence visualisation of different forms... does not achieve that.... right Swamiji?
SS: It does achieve single pointedness but to a limited extent. From many diverse thoughts of different things, one has come to many diverse thoughts about the Lord. Pooja, stotram chanting etc help in this. Japa is the next step - holding on to one thought of the Lord. Higher level of single-pointedness
SK: Thank you for clarifying that Swamiji. 🙏
RB: Swamiji. Just to share my experience. I used to do my japa before and for the previous 12-14 months didn't do it for various reasons. ( don't want to blame me becoming a father). My japa Mala was in my sight but never did I pick it up. Then one day a few weeks back I just picked my japa Mala from the altar and every night before sleeping do my japa. I feel centered and more balanced now. It's my preparation to face the next day with conviction and power.
SS: Thats true Rishi
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