In answer to a request, here are some of the things I do to help me concentrate on my japa (chanting on beads). I can't say they all come from Srila Prabhupada or the scriptures, but Srila Prabhupada said you can judge a thing by the result.

First of all, do not think of japa as drudgery: "Whew! It seems like I've been chanting for hours and hours, and I only have three rounds done. Will it never end?"

Well yes. It really will never end. That's what we want, isn't it? to be calling out Lord Krsna's name forever? So think of japa as eternal, and you will become peaceful and attentive.

Do not think about all the things you will have to do when at long last you finish your japa. If your mind wanders off to your work, remind yourself that thinking about work while chanting does not help either the work or the chanting. And again, remind yourself that japa never finishes.

Sometimes I find it helps to read scripture or meditate intensely on a verse before starting japa. Your mind will become clear, and you will be able to hear your chanting. When your mind does eventually wander, bring it back to the verse and then to the chanting.

Whatever your case, be of good cheer. Japa does become easier as time goes by, and eventually, you won't even think about techniques.

I once asked Srila Prabhupada about chanting and driving, as one cannot chant attentively at the wheel.

"You should always be chanting," Srila Prabhupada answered, "but you should chant sixteen good rounds every day."

I don't chant my sixteen rounds on japa walks. There are too many distractions. You know the old saying: "Japa walk means japa talk."

Nor do I like it when the rounds just zip by like lightning. At the end I realize that I have gone through sixteen rounds without hearing any of it.

It can be painful at first, trying hard to concentrate on a repetitious sound, so we may look for excuses to chant in a distracting environment, where we can go through the motions without really listening.

I prefer to chant sixteen rounds in a sheltered environment where I do not have to look out for cars and traffic lights and dogs running in front of me.

But japa really does become easy and pleasant. I promise! I promise!

© Umapati Swami
June 26, 2006