Continuous Repitition of God's Name ~ Mantra Japa

[Guest guest]

Mantra Japa is one of the most basic and most important teachings of

Amma. And yet our attitude may be too casual especially since She

gives us so many options. Having read Amma, Ramana Maharshi and

others on mantra japa, a simplistic summary is as follows:

1) If we make a really huge effort of continuous mantra japa(

perhaps becoming our make practice ) it would lead to Awakening.

Amma says that mantra japa practiced with devotion and supplemented

with selfless service is enough to get us to the goal of Awakening

to our true nature.

2) On the other hand if we are inclined toward other practices(

meditation, self-inquiry, bhajans, etc ), whatever effort we put

into mantra japa will purify and strengthen our mind and make it

more suitable for other spiritual practices. One advantage of mantra

japa is that it can be practiced throughout the day most of the time

either in between other practices or along with some of the

practices like seva.

 

Below, are some( not all ) of Amma's words on mantra japa(

repetition of God's Name ):

 

Without love of God doing japa or meditation is of no use. But those

who think that they can wait to begin sadhana while developing love

of God are idlers. They are like those who wait for the waves of the

ocean to subside before bathing. … Through sadhana we are filled

with shakti (energy) and the body is freed from diseases. Then we

can perform any action without collapsing. - Ammachi, For My

Children, p95…p96

 

When one sows seeds, he takes care that chickens do not feed on

them. After the seeds sprout, there is no problem. In the beginning,

a seeker should not be attached to anyone. Devotees leading a

household life should be especially careful of this. Waste no time

chatting with the neighbors; whenever you have time, sit for japa,

bhajan or meditation. - Ammachi, For My Children, p101

 

Who says there is no time to do japa? One can say a mantra every so

many steps. Can't one do japa while travelling in a bus by imagining

the Beloved Deity's form in the sky, or recite the mantra with eyes

closed? If one does japa this way, one loses no time allowing the

mind to get entangled in roadside attractions. It is surely possible

to do japa while performing household duties. Those whose hearts

seek God will always have time for spiritual practices. - Ammachi,

For My Children, p117

 

"The various spiritual practices make up the most delicious and

healthful food [mental food; as opposed to thoughts and desires].

Once you experience this, start to feed the mind regularly with the

Divine Name, japa, dhyana (meditation) and other spiritual

practices. … "Slowly the hunger to have more and more of this

spiritual food [repeating the Divine Name, chanting one's mantra,

meditation, etc.] will grow until at last it becomes a terrible

hunger. You will want to swallow God. But to attain this, starve

the mind. Stop feeding the mind with worldly thoughts and

desires." - Awaken Children Vol.4, p40

 

"At present love is like a spark within us. Constantly blow on it,

using the fan of the Divine Name, japa and meditation. You may

perspire, sneeze and cough, but do not stop. Your body may become

hot; tears may fill your eyes; you may want to faint. But do not

stop. If you perspire, you sneeze and cough, persist in your

efforts, and be assured then that you are heading towards the goal.

Soon you will become Love itself. This is the reward for your

love." - Awaken Children Vol.4, p143

 

No matter how much we meditate and do japa, if we have no love for

God, our efforts are fruitless. No matter how hard we row, our boat

will only inch its way along if it moves against the current. But if

we raise a sail, the boat will pick up speed. Love for God is like

the sail which will help us progress fast and reach the Goal

quickly. - Ammachi, For My Children, p54

 

Kumbhaka is the stillness of breath which occurs when concentration

is perfected. One might even say that breath itself is thought. The

rhythm of breath will change according to the concentration of

thoughts. Even without pranayama, kumbhaka (retention of breath) can

happen through devotion. Doing japa continuously is enough. -

Ammachi, For My Children, p59

 

Children, to compel the mind to meditate is like trying to submerge

a piece of wood in water. If one loosens his grip, the wood pops up

immediately. If you cannot meditate, do japa. Through japa the mind

will become amenable to meditation. … if the mind's impurities are

eliminated by japa, meditation will be easier - Ammachi, For My

Children, p63 … p69

 

"Spiritual realization is easier for a woman to attain than for a

man, provided she has the proper discrimination and determination.

But by nature, women are yielding and giving and this often results

in being unsteady. This unsteadiness should be overcome through

constant repetition of one's mantra and remembrance of God." -

Awaken Children Vol.4, p13

 

"Children, don't forget to chant your mantra. The period of sadhana

is like climbing a high mountain. You need a lot of strength and

energy. Mountain climbers use rope for pulling themselves up. For

you, the only rope is japa. Therefore, children, try to repeat your

mantra constantly. Once you reach the peak, you can relax and rest

forever." - Awaken Children Vol.4, p50

 

Wherever you go, you must either chant your mantra silently or

meditate. If this is not possible, you must read spiritual books.

Don't waste time. Mother does not worry about the loss of ten

million rupees, but Mother is really concerned about wasting even a

single moment. Money can be regained; not time that is lost.

Children, always be aware of the value of time. - Ammachi, For My

Children, p17

 

Knowledge, Devotion, Action: One should not talk while working, as

talking diminishes concentration. Action performed without attention

is useless. Do not forget to do mantra japa while doing your work.

If you cannot do japa and work simultaneously, pray before

starting, "God, I am doing Your work. Please give me the strength

and ability to perform it. I am working through Your Power." -

Ammachi, For My Children, p56

 

Mantra is for making our mind pure, not to satisfy God, for what is

the mantra to God? - Ammachi, For My Children, p67

 

No matter how much we feed a cat and caress it, the moment we divert

our attention, it will steal things. The mind is also like this. To

tame and concentrate the mind, always repeat the mantra while

walking, sitting, working. The mantra should continue like the flow

of oil being poured from one vessel to another.

In the initial stages of sadhana, along with contemplation of form,

japa is also necessary. Don't worry if the form is not clear; it is

enough to continue japa. As you make progress in sadhana, the mind

will become fixed on the form and japa will naturally slow down. -

Ammachi, For My Children, p70

 

Children, it is difficult to row a boat through water covered with

water plants. If one first removes them, the boat will move with

greater ease. Similarly, if the mind's impurities are eliminated by

japa, meditation will be easier. - Ammachi, For My Children, p69

 

Continuous japa without sraddha is as harmful as the incorrect

practice of pranayama. During japa, try to avoid other thoughts as

vigilantly as possible. Fix the mind either on the form of

meditation or on the letters of the mantra. - Ammachi, For My

Children, p69

 

Children, always chant the mantra. The mind must be trained to do

japa incessantly. Then whatever work we may do, the mind will

continue japa. A spider continues to spin a web wherever it goes. In

the same way, during every action, continue japa mentally. -

Ammachi, For My Children, p69

 

In Kaliyuga (the dark age of materialism), bhajan (devotional

singing) and japa are effective. The money gained by selling a

thousand acres of land in former times can be earned by selling one

acre of land today. This is the special characteristic of Kaliyuga.

Even five minutes of concentration gained is a great asset. -

Ammachi, For My Children, p71

 

What Ramana says complements Amma's words beautifully:

http://www.hinduism.co.za/japa.htm#Japa

Japa (Repetition of God's name) By Sri Ramana Maharshi Edited

by David Godman

Also, above is followed by:

The Secret of the Mala:(Rosary) By Sri Radhakrishnan Srimali which

is interesting but better taken with a grain of salt; main reason I

mention this section is because it is followed by a very good

article by:

Holy Mother on Japa Sri Sarada Devi, Wife of Sri Ramakrishna

Paramhansa

By Swami Nikhilananda

 

I hope others will share their experiences of this amazingly simple

(?) and profound practice of continuous repetition of God's Name.

Also, any stories of enlightenment due to this practice like

Valmiki, Syama Mataji(born 1916), and others. And any other words of

Amma on this would be greatly appreciated by all I'm sure. Thank you

very much.

 

Amma Bless,

amarnath

[Guest guest]

Namah Shivaya,

I've been praying for help in mentally reciting my Amma given mantra consistently. Today I wrote the first letters of my mantra's syllables, on the inside of my fingers with indelible marker. It helped a bit, but not enough.

Here's something I've done, that's helpedme to love my mantra more. First, I grew up in a Chritian tradition, & I'm more often seeing Amma & Christ as one. What's working for me is to realize that it's Christ, (His consciousness) who has given me the mantra, (side note: while praying for & experimenting with speaking in tongues over 20 years ago, I repeatedly said one of the wordas that is now in my Amma given mantra. I specifically recall questioning if it was a word in another language.) While thinking of this, I softly say my mantra to myself while counting them on a mala, then kiss the mala bead aftrer each repitition.

I would love to hear what others have done, to help them focus more consistently on their mantra. I'm really wanting some help with this.

Thank you,

Sweta

 

amarnath <anatol_zinc > wrote:

Mantra Japa is one of the most basic and most important teachings of

Amma.

 

 

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