Namaste.
In Japa Mala Mantra practice, once you learn the technique and mechanics, the key to results is focus, and practice.
Focus: on the result you wish to see, if it’s change, phrase it in a positive tense, see yourself as already in that new state. Really experience it with all your senses. How does it feel?
Practice: if this is new to you resolve to practice your mantra 4,000 times then, follow through with it.
Sounds like a lot? just 1 round a day for 40 days, a round each in the am and pm for 20 days, or the fast track, 4 times a day for 10 days. You can do this. You’ll be glad you’ve done this.
In the engineering community we had a saying, Want change? Make change.
Change takes action!
Thought is a start, plants the seed.
Thought + intention = the potential for change.
Thought + intention + regular practice = Transformation
This is a science. The science of clearly focusing the mind, (dharana) to make space for meditation(Dhyanna.) If you practice, you will see the results. Remember that it’s just one of many paths.
Don’t rush, fully articulate your mantra, respect the space between the beads, and the sounds. Like the transitions in your breath and your asanas, everything matters…. or nothing matters.
If you’re wearing your mala, it’s the right wrist (sun) for men, the left wrist (Lunar) for women.
I’d be glad to answer any questions, send an email or ask me after class.
Om shanti, peace… I’ll see you in class
john
Beautiful class Sunday. I look forward to your next workshop. I’d like to try the Chakra mala mantras but am unsure on how. Do you do the whole cycle of beads per bij mantra/chakra or do you move through the different chakras with each bead? Thanks.
Hey Jess, it was so good to see you. The new you that is.
Thanks for coming to class. If you look at the handout I passed out there are several ways to chant/balance the Chakras. You can pick one and do a round or several, or chant some number of each.
I’ve been taught to always move upwards, trying to bring energy up, and into the central channel. though some traditions emphasise moving down to bring grounding energy in.. Perhaps if you were feeling way-Vata?
I’ve also been taught to emphasise meditation on the heart (Anahata) and above, again, not wanting to bring things down, but upwards.
If you’ve got 15 minutes or so, I like to do a round for each, starting and the muladhara and work my way up. When I practice this I sometimes have spontaneoui full-spine chiro adjustments.
What is probably most important is to pick a practice and stick with it
for a while to see some results. There are also recordings you can practice with. aks me to hear the live Bhagavan Das Bija chant. wild !
Take care, hope this helps.
john