Japa meditation

Japa – it is one of the simplest, safest and most systematic meditation technique. It is a method that is suitable for everyone without exception. Japa – it is ancient meditation technique when we rhythmically chant mantra and use mala beads. This technique is described in various traditional texts, like Mahabharata, Shastras. This meditation technique is widely used in various traditions: yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, Orthodox Christianity and others. In different traditions instructions for this technique can be a little bit different.

The Sanskrit word japa means ‘to rotate’. The practice is so called because it involves continuous rotation of a mala, synchronized with a mantra. Generally the practice is done for a fixed number of mantra repetitions, or for a set period of time. The chanting can be aloud or silent. Japa can be further defined as rhythmical mantra chanting with mala rotation and with awareness. For maximum benefits it must be practiced regularly.

Mantra chanting purify and protects mind from negative effect.

Benefits of Japa meditation

1) Mind becomes calm.
2) Mind becomes focused.
3) Remove negative aspects of the subconscious part of the mind.
4) Bring awareness.

To focus and calm down our mind. Mind is always very active, think about something, worry about something, want something, afraid of something, plans something, think about past, create various limitations, negative qualities like anger, fear, anxiety and other. Mind is restless and have huge flow of thoughts. This active mind do not allow human to focus, concentrate and he is always exploited by internal and external energies.

Japa meditation creates balance between our inner and outern world, gives focus, calm and balanced mind. In our time it’s very important to chant mantras because from childhood we get various information into our inner world. For example songs, movies, and they live in our consciousness. It accumulates and make impact to our life. If you would like to make deep meditation, you will encounter all this baggage of previous information and it would not allow you to go deeper. So we need to purify it. And this is how Japa meditation can help.

Japa Meditation Technique

Choose mantra for chanting. Use mala beads. Start chanting mantra rhythmically and move bead from you. 1 mantra = 1 bead. Hold beads on middle finger, second finger help to hold on, to keep mala beads from falling off. If person moves beads to himself it means that prevail demonic qualities of consciousness. If person moves from himself – he has strong altruistic qualities, when he tries to give away. So from beginning do it correctly.

What mantra to use for Japa meditation

According to your need and tradition. Ideal if guru or teacher with lifted level of consciousness will give you mantra But you can use any. You can try different mantras that you know, it will be positive. Then stick to 1 mantra. Universal mantra AUM that can use everybody. If you were practicing mantra chanting in your previous lives, that mantra will be more familiar than others.

How many times to repeat mantra? One hundred thousand times (100 000) is beginning.

Mala beads

In yogic tradition there are one hundred and eight (108) beads and additional one bigger. When we reach bigger bead, we don’t cross it and change direction.

You can use any beads. Best from natural materials. Good from rock crystal, amber, wood. Rock crystal accumulates energy very good. Mala save your positive energy of practice. When it’s hard, you can take your japa beads and this good energy will purify your negative energy.

Also you can do mala beads yourself. Just buy some beads. Better not to give your mala to friends, relatives. Your mala can take only people with higher level of energy, for example teacher.

Where to hold beads while chanting

There is theory, that near your heart chakra, but if you do long practice like 3 hours, hand will become tired, so you will relax it on leg. Most important is to do practice.

Recommendation is sitting posture with crossed legs, straight back.

3 ways to chant mantra

1) Loudly (audible).
2) Whispering, when lips are moved but there is no loud external sound.
3) Mental japa, when mantra chants in our mind.

We can do japa meditation any time and anywhere. Just be relaxed while chanting.