Importance of Concentrated Japa Time

The following is a letter that Sacinandana Swami sent to a community member about chanting. Hoping it  would enrich our Japa I decided to share it.

"Srila Rupa Gosvami says that we can chant in all situations of life, whether loud, softly, while working, while going, etc. But there is great benefit, when one sits down, chants before a little home altar and concentrates the mind deeply on the sound vibration.
I believe that one���s personal qualities of japa will influence the rest of ones devotional service. Japa does not mean a tongue exercise but it is only effective when we put our mind where the sound is. We need really be present with our mind in the sound, so that the sound can vibrate everything unpleasant out of the mind. For this we really need to give first and a topmost priority for chanting. When chanting I always feel that I am entering a sacred room. The doors to the world close behind, and I am sitting facing the altar of the Holy Name which are the Lords form, qualities and pastimes.
Let us always remember that we are pioneers with a very high spiritual goal. Just like pioneers need to sometimes do things on the side which are only indirectly related to their goals (like building bridges over ranging rivers etc.) we also as pioneers need to try different things to get an understanding. Our pioneering will only be successful however if we do not loose our goal out of our eyes. For this end it is very important to have an concentrated private japa time and reading time. I suggest for your reading Brihad Bhagavatamrita because that book [...] is defining the goal and the meanings to get to it."

Letter from Sacinandana Swami 02-07-08

Hare Krsna

Aruna dd

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