{"id":2191,"date":"2017-07-22T16:44:43","date_gmt":"2017-07-22T16:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meditationmag.com\/blog\/introduction-japa-meditation\/"},"modified":"2017-07-22T16:44:43","modified_gmt":"2017-07-22T16:44:43","slug":"introduction-japa-meditation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meditationmag.com\/blog\/introduction-japa-meditation\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction to Japa Meditation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes it feels as if darkness and despair are all around us. \u00a0Illness, stresses at work and in relationships, and the continued search for happiness can weigh us down and make us feel like there\u2019s no hope. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to learn from my spiritual teacher. Through him, I have slowly come to understand that I am not my body\u2026 and, therefore, that\u00a0<\/span>endeavors for sense gratification<\/span><\/a> will only bring temporary happiness. My true essence is spirit soul. \u00a0As a spirit soul \u2014 part and parcel of God \u2014 I know that true and lasting happiness comes from having a connection with God. The simplest way to do this is by hearing and saying the Holy Names of God through techniques like <\/span>Gauranga breathing<\/span><\/a> and japa meditation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"japa<\/a><\/p>\n

What is Japa Meditation?<\/h2>\n

Mantra meditation is the personal chanting of transcendental mantras. \u00a0These mantras, which are Holy Names of God, have the ability to relieve your mind from the stresses of this world and help you to focus on God. \u00a0One mantra that I learned and say each day is \u201cGopala Govinda Rama Madana Mohana.\u201d \u00a0By <\/span>saying this mantra<\/span><\/a> out loud, you engage your senses of speech and hearing, which then cause your mind to focus on the mantra. <\/span><\/p>\n

Japa meditation takes mantra meditation one step further by introducing <\/span>beads<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0The use of beads incorporates the sense of touch to our meditation. According to the <\/span>vedic teachings<\/span><\/a>, the more senses you involve in meditation, the more potent the effects of the mantras become. \u00a0In addition, chanting on beads makes use of our inherent desire to touch or fiddle with something, and turns that tendency into something spiritual. \u00a0As we touch each bead, we say the mantra out loud. \u201cGopala Govinda Rama Madana Mohana.\u201d \u00a0Then you continue to the next bead and repeat the mantra. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you continue to do japa meditation, you\u2019ll notice that your mind begins to focus on the mantras. Other worries or <\/span>concerns fade<\/span><\/a> away. This is the purifying power of these mantras; they help you become connected to God and forget the troubles and problems of this world. \u00a0When first beginning japa meditation, don\u2019t worry about the number of mantras that you are chanting. Rather, it is the quality and focus of each mantra that is the most beneficial. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n