The Japa - Repetition of Holy Prayer

Those who practice 'japa'-the repetition of holy prayer - often use some kind of rosary, a string of beads made from different sorts of material, such as 'rudraksha' seeds, 'tulasi' (basil), sandal wood or crystal. The rosary hangs on the middle finger of the right hand and the beads are turned by the thumb toward the devotee as the prayer is repeated.

Primarily, the rosary facilitates the counting of the prayer. Its second function is to help the seeker concentration. The restless mind is bound to have a certain amount of concentration in the process of using the rosary. The psychological intent of using a rosary is to direct whatever attention the mind can muster to the repetition of the prayer, letting the rest of the mind wander as it pleases. But, besides these two uses, there is another function of the rosary, which is to lift the mind to higher spiritual levels.

How the rosary contributes to spiritual life cannot be understood in the very beginning. As our faith and love for the prayer grows in intensity, this function of the rosary begins to be understood. Then the spiritual seeker uses the rosary, but not for the sake of counting or for concentrating the mind. The rotation of the rosary becomes a part of the power and joy of prayer. To the spiritual aspirant, it seems that the whole world is participating in the rotation of the rosary. The various experiences of the five senses - sound, touch, taste, sight, and smell- can no longer distract the mind. They have united with the rosary in seeking closeness to the Divine. Each bead is now a segment of the world of sense experience.

If during the practice of 'japa' the rosary can help to minimize the distractions of the mind, it is certainly a great friend in our spiritual adventure. When we begin to understand this function of the rosary, then the technique of 'japa' begins to change. The material that constitutes the rosary also changes, no longer being confined to 'tulasi' or 'rudraksha.'

The 'prana'- the essence or life that ceaselessly function in the body through inhalation and exhalation can well be substituted for rosary. The meditator experiences the prayer being repeated in harmony with the rotation of the breath. The prayer consciousness combined with the movement of the breath transforms the biological prana, the'essence' into divine prana. The biological prana maintains, protects and strengthens the organs, blood vessels and millions of cells. The role of the divine prana is to communicate spiritual power to the blood streak and cellular systems.