Great Info on Japa (shivabeads.co.uk)

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Great info about Japa, found it very educational.

A.G.

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Source: www.shivabeads.co.uk

 

Japa

Japa by definition is the repeating of a mantra, traditionally performed on a

mala to keep count. For quotes on the power and blessings of japa by some of

the rishis and sages please The japa mantra generally recommended

for use with Rudraksha malas is:

Om Namah Shivaya

(Pronounced: Ong Na-mah Shi-va-ya)

hear mantra

For more information on this auspicious mantra please click here

The Range of Benefits from Japa

As a fundamental aspect of traditional and authentic yoga, japa harnesses inner

energies and calms the mind. Through practices such as japa yoga, prana is

energised, the mind (manas) is stilled, serene thought patterns

(sattva-vikalpas) are established, nadis are purified & Devi Kundalini may even

awaken. According to one noteable Swamiji the vibrations of the practice of japa

attracts positive astral forces and strengthens the protective aura. On the

physical level, the seven bodily constituents are purified. While sleep, energy

levels, the immune system & all-round health are improved, stress levels

decrease. Japa fills the mind with sattva (purity, peace), cleansing the mind

of tamas (torpor, sloth) & rajas (agitation). Once free of impurities the mind

is capable of reflecting higher reality.

The Three Levels of Japa

There are 3 levels of japa. This has much esoteric significance and corresponds

to the different bodies and states of consciousness. It is also of practical

benefit and allows each person to find the level that suits best. The three

levels of performing japa are -

Vaikhari - Audible repetition

Upamsu - Whispering repetition

Manasika - Mental repetition

Vaikhari, or audible repetition, is performing japa aloud at one's normal volume

of speech. This level of japa is very good if the mind is highly agitated and

difficult to calm down. This level of japa also has a strong effect on one's

environment and thus purifies their immediate surroundings as well as their own

body, emotins and mind. Upamsu, or whispering repetition, is the middle stage.

It is performed either in a very quiet whisper or just by moving the lips and

silently saying one's chosen mantra. The third level, manasika, is purely

mental repetition. There is no audible sound or movement of the lips here. All

repetition is done mentally. This is considered the best of the three means,

for it is said to be the deepest of the three.

How to Perform Japa

Performing one round (108 repetitions), beginners would generally be best to

start with vaikhari, audible repetition. It would probably be wise for the

beginner to perform japa this way for about 3 weeks. After that they may wish

to try moving on to upamsu japa. Alternatively, if one is new to japa, yet

feels confident that they could be successful beyond vaikhari, then they may

wish to try splitting the round (the 108 repetitions) equally between the 3

levels. Starting with vaikhari for roughly the first third, then moving onto

upamsu for the second third, and lastly for the final third performing only

mental repetition, that of manasika japa.

Traditionally the mala is draped over the ring finger & rotated round with the

thumb. It is the traditional practice to not cross the Sumeru bead (the bead

that sits at the top of the mala). Whenever the Sumeru bead is reached japa is

either completed or continues back in the oppostie direction i.e. going in the

reverse direction so that you go back the way you came to your starting point.

For example, if you have a 27 beaded mala (+ the sumeru bead) this would mean

that to perform one full round of japa (108 repetitions) would require going

round the mala four times (4 x 27 = 108).

Ideally japa should be practiced daily & always with focus and feeling. However,

ideals can take time to acheive. Swami Sivananda's words are worth nothing on

japa, he says:

"Even mechanical repetition of Japa without any Bhava has a great purifying

effect on the heart or the mind.

The feeling will come later on when the process of mental purification goes on."

Further Japa Information:

Frequent changing of one's japa mantra is not recommended.

One should follow the instruction given to them by their teacher or from a

reliable source. If a reliable source cannot be found or if questions are

unanswered, please feel welcome to write to us here at Shiva Beads. We cannot

guarantee that we have the knowledge or wisdom to successfully answer all

questions, but we can try or perhaps point you in the direction of where you

can find your answer.

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