Mantra Meditation - The Basics of Japa

The Sanskrit word japa means silent, meditational chanting of mantras and prayers. Japa, or mantra meditation, while often associated with Indian religions, is a universal practice. Through japa we calm down, withdrawing into our hearts to seek our eternal relationship with the divine.

Since being totally generic with a practice like this is hard and can leave the reader with a bit of a meaningless feel, I'll go ahead and describe what I know best - meditation in the tradition of Sri Caitanya, the line I've received initiation myself. The bulk of this crash course should be easily adaptable for other traditions.

Every mantra has a meaning, a purpose, and a presiding divinity. The objective in Caitanya's tradition is the soul's attainment of an eternal relationship with Radha and Krishna, the original god and goddess of all existence, the personas of eternal, perfect knowledge and love.

Immersion in meditating on a mantra fills the soul, the mind and the body with great spiritual energy, brought about by the presence and influence of the deities of the mantra - in our example, Radha and Krishna. In fact, the word mantra is sometimes said to be derived of the Sanskrit words manah trayate, or "That which delivers the mind."

A mantra to meditate on

While initiates into diverse branches of Hinduism will have a host of secret mantras to meditate on, the maha-mantra, the "great mantra" and the essence of all mantras taught by Sri Caitanya is a treasure available for all, and without a cost at that. The maha-mantra reads as follows:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

This mantra consists of three distinct names of Radha and Krishna. Hare invokes Radha, and Rama is one of Krishna's names. By meditating on the mantra, invoking the divinities of the mantra, a practitioner will find the eternal world of Vraja and a loving relationship with Radha and Krishna in his heart.

The word Hare is derived from the name Hara, referring to the one who captures Krishna's mind, and who is the embodiment of Krishna's joy. Krishnais that sole blissful joy, the charming, bluish-lustrous, lotus-eyed son of Nanda, the bliss of the land of Gokula. This Krishna is also called Rama, for he is thoroughly clever and cunning, the deity of diverse pastimes, who always enjoys in the company of Radha.

Three kinds of japa

Japa can be done in three ways: 1) vācika, where the mantra is pronounced clearly and aloud, 2) upāmśu, where the lips move quietly and only the meditator hears the mantra, and 3) mānasika, where each syllable of the mantra is meditated on in the mind alone..

When the mind wanders restless, returning the consciousness to prayer through speech and hearing helps; when a calm mind prevails, internal japa leads to deep meditation. Everyone may choose a method of japa suitable for themselves, or do their japa in different ways according to the needs of the moment.

Japa-mala - Rosary

It is good to make japa into a daily habit, to meditate at least a certain amount of time daily. Regularity will bring about perfection in chanting the mantra over time. A japa-mala, or a rosary, is used in counting the mantras; it also helps with focus.

A rosary is made of 108 beads, a knot tied in between each bead. The best material for japa-beads is the sacred Tulasi-wood; in its absence, any pure, and preferably natural, material will do. After the 108 beads - representing the 108 foremost cowherd maids - a larger bead representing Radha and Krishna is tied in the middle.

The rosary is best to keep in a separate bag reserved for it, a bag with a hole for keeping the forefinger out. While meditating, the japa-beads are pulled towards oneself, one with each mantra, while holding the rosary between the thumb and the middle-joint of the middle-finger or the ring-finger. Arriving at the end of the rosary, do not jump over the main bead - turn back.

One trip around the japa-beads is called one mala, or one round, and it takes four to ten minutes. Everyone may choose a minimum meditation quota suitable for themselves, such as four or eight rounds. Some more advanced meditators do daily 64 rounds (100.000 names) , or even over 200 rounds - which is then a full-day engagement. One shouldn't however make too big leaps at once; let the amount of your meditation grow naturally, not by squeezing.

General tips for japa

While japa can be done anywhere and at any time, it is yet better to at least do a part of one's daily meditation alone, in a solitary environment. Further focus is gained for example by early morning meditation, by sitting in clean clothes and atop a pure asana (a cloth folded as a seat, such as a blanket or a shawl), using candle-light instead of bulbs, or sitting towards the sun or another light source.

It is good to sit on a firm foundation cross-legged, or you are familiar with yoga, for example in padma, gomukha or vajra-asanas - a firm posture keeps the energy channels of the body open and generate clarity and power in the mind. Peaceful, rhythmic breathing through the nose is also a fine aid in soothing the mind's flow.

The most important instruction is this - remember why you're doing the japa! Mechanical meditation or mantra-chanting do not yield a result, do not fill the heart with spiritual power, bliss and inspiration. The mantra should be chanted like a prayer, with thought, focusing on its meaning. The essential task of meditation is creating a connection to conscious spiritual reality via the mantra's medium, seek that!

Ten instructions

The holy names of Radha and Krishna ought to be meditated on with proper attitude; attitude that would make you attractive to them. To aid in this, our sages have given ten instructions to follow while meditating on the holy names.

1. Don't mock, gossip of or speak badly of those on the sacred path, nor of others - keep clean your heart and your words.
2. Don't think of Siva as independent of Visnu - respect diverse religions, there's one supreme at the root of them all.
3. Respect the guru - don't dismiss the one, who has shown you the sacred path and is guiding you onward.
4. Respect the sacred texts - ancient texts are of many kinds and for many purposes, and everything we cannot comprehend.
5. Be confident of the holy name's greatness - the name is nondifferent from the divinity itself, nothing is impossible for it.
6. Do not theorize of the holy name in vain - the sages who walked the path in the past knew what they spoke of, follow their way.
7. The holy name destroys infinite bad karma - but who wrongs on this merit has no-one left to turn to.
8. Many are pious works - but above them is the holy name, not on par with them.
9. Do not preach in vain - speak of the holy name to the interested, not to the indifferent or the opposed.
10. Love the holy name as your all-in-all - having heard of its wonders, why wouldn't you be attracted?

Following these ten guidelines, worshiping and meditating on the holy name brings about perfection, leads us to the end of our road, yields the fulfillment of our desires, brings us face to face with Radha and Krishna.

Diverse prayers

Many hymns and prayers have been written to complement meditation and worship. Here are some that have helped us along the way - learn those that inspire you. You can, of course, start japa even without knowing them.

Prayer to the japa-beads

Starting the meditation, take the japa-beads with folded hands and remember the following prayer.

avighnaṁ kuru māle tvaṁ hari-nāma-japeṣu ca /
śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇayor dāsyaṁ dehi māle tu prārthaye //

"O mala! I plead you - take away obstacles from the way of my worship of the holy name, let me serve Radha and Krishna!"

The greatness of the holy name

Before starting japa, remember the power and greatness of the holy name.

nāma cintāmaṇi-rūpaṁ nāmaiva paramā gatiḥ /
nāmnaḥ parataraṁ nāsti tasmān nāma upāsmahe //

"The holy name is like touchstone, the name alone brings the greatest goal; nothing is greater than the name - thus we worship the name!"

Prayer to Panca-tattva

Sri Caitanya taught us the importance of the maha-mantra; therefore we meditate on him and his companions, remembering their names.

śrī-gaurāṅga nityānanda śrī-advaita-candra /
gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda //

"The golden Sri Caitanya (Gauranga), Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasa and other companions of Gaura..."

Meditation on the holy name

Bring yourself to eternal Vrindavana with Radha and Krishna; remember the goal of your path, remember those whose names you meditate on.

dhyāyed vṛndāvane ramye gopa-gobhir alaṅkṛte /
kadamba-pādapa-cchāye yamunā-jala-śītale //
rādhayā sahitaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ vaṁśī-vādana-tat-param /
tribhaṅga-lalitaṁ devaṁ bhaktānugraha-kārakam //

"Meditate in the charming Vrindavana, surrounded by cowherd boys and cows... In the shade of a Kadamba-tree or in the cool waters of Yamuna-river... On Krishna in Radha's company, immersed in playing his flute, this playfully standing, charming deity, the giver of benedictions to his worshipers..."

Remembering Radha and Krishna, invoking them into the temple of your heart, meditate on the Hare Krishna -mantra, immersed.

Concluding the japa

Concluding the japa, thank Sri Caitanya at whose request the japa is being done, and set aside your japa-beads to wait for the next day's meditation.

nāma-yajño mahā-yajñaḥ kalau kalmaṣa-nāśanam /
kṛṣṇa-caitanyca-prītyarthe nāma-yajña-samarpaṇam //

"The worship of the holy name, the greatest of worships, destroys the miseries of the grievous modern age; for the joy of Krishna Caitanya we dedicate the worship of the names."

Your own application

Mantra meditation, as all religion and spirituality at that, is an individual practice; therefore, you'll need to find your own habits and routines, the methods you are comfortable with. Please use this gloss as an inspiration for your mantra meditation and adapt its content to best suit your needs.