Japa essay – Bhajana Kutir#114

Japa essay

My japa suffered because I was a bit under the weather. But I wasn’t feeling too bad. I chanted the rounds in speedy measure. Chanting has to be done with all the components intact to be real chanting. You can’t be only counting, but you need to be calling out to Radha and Krishna. We have to be aware of Prabhupada’s teachings that the holy name is the sword to cut through the material nature and situate us free from sinful activities. It cleanses the mind of all dirty things and reveals to us the true nature of the soul, which is love of Krishna. When you don’t feel these valuable things, you’re not chanting properly. Chanting is a profound inner meditation, not merely an exercise of numerical strength. So much emphasis has been placed on chanting Hare Krishna, and it is no exaggeration. One has to concentrate and take advantage of the great opportunity. Early morning is very advantageous because the atmosphere is so quiet, but it can be disadvantageous because you’re still waking up from the night’s sleep. It requires effort and hard work. It’s the first demand of the day, and your subpersons should all pull together to make it successful. No other time in the day holds such golden opportunities, but it is also risky for dosing off.

Chanting in the morning,

all alone, you urge yourself

to be holy.

Remember the importance of

the holy names and

overcome your fatigue.

Count the names and

count on Krishna to

rescue you from inattention.

Rise to a level of meditation,

cry to the Lord for success.

The chanting is an easy process

but requires your utmost effort.

Fight off offenses and

chant from the heart

with awareness that you’re seeking taste.

I pray to chant nicely and always improve,

and gradually it comes with time.

from #114→