How to practice Japa?

 

Why do we practice Japa? The purpose of practicing with a Mala, according to Yoga is to awaken the psychic awareness in an individual.

Why does one need a mala?

It is a Japa Yoga psychic requirement. Our psychic system does not stay stable for very long. Therefore, a mala is ideal as it keeps the psychic system under control. Sometimes one is lost in the chanting, and the mala can fall from one’s hands. One imagines that one is in a trance. This is not what happened. One was locked in a meditative pose and may have been asleep. One has to have a system of checks and balances. It is the continuity of the mala, which keeps one conscious of the beads. The fingers are moving and counting as one moves from one bead to another.

There are five points one must keep in mind.

  1. Handling the mala
  2. Flow of nadi
  3. Position of right arm
  4. Use of Gomukhi
  5. Errors in Japa

Significance of 108 beads

There are 108 beads.1 represents the Supreme Consciousness, 8 represents the eightfold aspect of the physical nature and 0 represents the Cosmos, the entire galaxy of creation. So, 1 is Cosmic Consciousness, 0 is the Cosmos and 8 is the eight-fold physical nature. There are other interpretations by scholars. 108 is the garland, the symbol of unconsciousness and associations. The garland of skulls around Kali’s neck are 108, and they represent the incarnations. The number of beads is fixed at 108 and the final bead is called Meru. It can also be referred to as Bindu. The consciousness cannot cross Meru or Bindu. If one has been distracted while chanting, then the Meru or Bindi gives one a jolt.

How does one handle the mala for japa?

Three fingers are allowed: thumb, third and fourth. The second and fifth fingers are not allowed. One will hold the mala between the thumb and the third and fourth finger. One can place the mala near the heart, one must not swing the Mala. The left nostril must be flowing, when one starts the Japa. If both are flowing it is ok. If the left nostril is blocked, a method used in ancient days was to place a staff under one’s armpits. Then the left nostril will be unblocked. One may need to place the left hand under the arm pit for at least fifteen minutes to enable the left nostril to flow.

What is the use of a Gomukhi?

Gomukhi is a bag, and the mala is placed in it. It is very convenient as one can be walking, while chanting.

One must remain with the same mantra, which is given to one. The guru prescribes how many rounds are to be performed. Pronunciation must be correct.

I humbly acknowledge my Gurus, Swami Satyananda Saraswati and his guru, Swami Sivananda Saraswati for the knowledge.

Aim Hrim Klim

 

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