Japa Aids ~ = Goal

[Guest guest]

Ammachi, "Tom" <tomgull wrote:

>

> Thanks for the update. Perhaps the name brand would be

> better? The Tally II comes in a desk stand model. Funny how the

> box on the staples model guaranteed accuracy though. I'll have to

> check mine for the problem and I'll report back.

>

> High japa number chantings is good, but I think the goal should be

> Amma's goal of constant japa with attention. I've seen plenty of

> Tibetan buddhists (at least American ones) that do japa constantly

> very mechanically (no pun intended), which only creates Karmic punya

> rather than mental purity or devotion.

>

> tom

> >>>>

 

i agree about the goal of Japa;

actually, Amma says that eventually it will go by itself effortlessly;

then, it will sink into SILENCE;

or something like that.

 

but meanwhile, effort is needed;

and after years without using a counter;

(i have seen them used at Amritapuri);

i decided to try it after reading your( Tom's ) post

recommeding a tally counter;

 

i see it as one of many aids one can use to remind oneself,

to challenge oneself and make the effort;

for me it's sort of like a booster shot which i use

when convenient( walking etc )

 

after a few days with the counter, i find it easier

to do japa without the counter

also, easier to focus on silence

and some self-inquiry here and there

that are part of my practice

 

i bow down to all who do not need many aids

 

amma bless,

amarnath

 

i bo

[Guest guest]

I tested my counter and it seems to work fine.

I guess people should test it before leaving

the store. If all else fails, you could try

taking it apart to see if the problem is a

simple burr on a gear or something.

 

About the constant japa, I DO like that people

do long japa's with or without a resolve

(Shree Maa/tantric influence). It's just that

if you don't try to do japa Always, you don't

get the same benefit. I went through a short

phase, which I later read a similar account of

an ashramite and Amma's scolding, in which the

"switch" from being inward/outward focused to

more Inward Focused causes a person to suddenly

drop what they're holding because they're not used

to it yet. Once you get past this adjustment

phase, internal constant japa comes much easier

with less effort, along with Automatic Detachment.

Just a new habit to be formed.

 

"i have seen them used at Amritapuri" (Amarnath)

I always try to share what I learn with whomever

is open to it, as I wouldn't have learned much

without the same from others. Unfortunately,

not many share such common or basic tips such

as using a counter. It's one of my pet peeves

about Amma long-timers. For many years the

Lalita Meditation was only known to long-timers

because of no effort to share the melody with

newer folks. It's why I try to do little sevas

like the Chantingdevi and Bhajanlearning

groups when I can.

 

This lack of care for others on the path, is

also what I mean by being able to 'prove'

another's Tamas or selfishness as applicable.

tom

 

 

Ammachi, "amarnath" <anatol_zinc wrote:

>

>>

> i agree about the goal of Japa;

> actually, Amma says that eventually it will go by itself

effortlessly;

> then, it will sink into SILENCE;

> or something like that.

>

> but meanwhile, effort is needed;

> and after years without using a counter;

> (i have seen them used at Amritapuri);

> i decided to try it after reading your( Tom's ) post

> recommeding a tally counter;

>

> i see it as one of many aids one can use to remind oneself,

> to challenge oneself and make the effort;

> for me it's sort of like a booster shot which i use

> when convenient( walking etc )

>

> after a few days with the counter, i find it easier

> to do japa without the counter

> also, easier to focus on silence

> and some self-inquiry here and there

> that are part of my practice

>

> i bow down to all who do not need many aids

>

> amma bless,

> amarnath

>

> i bo

>