The Mind Can Trick Us

Recently in the Japa Room I was discussing with the members about the nature of the mind and how it can trick us.

Even if we are reforming our Japa and have aquired good habits to overcome inattention, pronounciation and hearing etc. after sometime the mind may start to talk to us - "Don't worry about all those guidelines, your advanced in Japa now, you have reformed yourself....just let your mind wander and think of other things, don't worry about pronounciation or hearing, your on a higher level so it doesn't matter"....the mind can present these thoughts to us but it's essential everyday and for every mantra to preserve the basic guidelines given to us by Srila Prabhupada.

Before we start our chanting we can pray to the Lord for assistance with our Japa.....we can also remind ourselves about the quality and how we need to maintain that....I personally reflect on what I need to strengthen in my Japa and make a mental note before I start chanting.

I know some devotees like to make notes about their Japa, normally after their Japa session....notes that they can read over later and reflect on.

If we remain humble, realising that we can always make improvements in our spiritual lives, then we will give ourselves the best chance to make advancement.

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