JAPA

What is Japa?

JAPA, OR RECITATION, IS THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICEof devotedly repeating a mantra, generally a specified number of times, such as 108, often while counting on a strand of beads,called a japa mala, while conscientiously concentrating on the meaning of the mantra. The repetition should be dutifully slow. This brings punya, merit, to the devotee. It should not be thought lessly mechanical or the hurried, so-called rapid-fire or machine-gun japa, which demonstrate ignorance of the tantras. Such casual, nonchalant negligence and disregard for contemplative traditions brings papa, demerit, to the devotee, creating internal strife, community opposition and turmoil for all concerned.

Lord Krishna says in the Bhagvat Gita

Of all the Vedas I am the Sama Veda!

Of all the Yagnas I am the Japa yagna!!

Thus highlighting the importance of japam.

Japa is a form of devotional worship, invocation, supplication, praise, adoration, meditation and direct, experiential communion. Unless we are actually in a state of samadhi (total absorption), which is rare for most people, japa provides a means to disengage from our racing thoughts and our memories of the past -- mostly the bad ones. The repetition of positive, uplifting, spiritual mantras over and over again lifts consciousness and causes the muladhara chakra to spin clockwise. We feel uplifted. Life does not look so bad, and neither does the past.A sense of forgiveness comes and the future looms bright. The past is forgiven and forgotten.Japam can be done by everyone. However for yagnas certain conditions are mentioned.

There are three ways by which one can do Japam

1. Ucchahi - loud recitation - less effective

2. Upamshu - soft recitation - more effective

3. Manasikam - within the mind - most effective.

OM is the basic vibration of the cosmic universe. Hence all mantras begin with "OM".

Benefits of Japam

1. Physical - to energize the system (to tone up the system)

2. Mental - to remove depression/obstacles/mental blocks.

3. Spiritual - Attaining Siddhi,self-development/specific areas of growth(strengthening the inner-personality by projecting positive powers inwards; over-coming/eliminating negative traits).

AFFIRMATION

To affirm means to “Make Firm”. An affirmation is a strong, Positive Statement that something is already so. An affirmation can be any Positive Statement. There are an infinite number of Possible Affirmations; here are a few just for some ideas:

1. Ever day in every way I’m getting better and better
   
2. Everything is coming to me easily and effortlessly
   
3. I am radiant being, filled with light and love
   
4. I am naturally enlightened
   
5. My life is blossoming in total perfection
   
6. I have everything I need to enjoy my here and now
   
7. I an the master of my life
   
8. Everything I need is already within me
   
9. Perfect wisdom is in my heart
   
10. I am whole and complete in myself
    
11. I love and appreciate myself just as I am
    
12. I accept all my feelings as art of myself
    
13. I love to love and be loved.............