Baladeva’s alarm clock went off at 1:00 A.M.,
and our cowbells followed. He
administered to me the wake up rituals
including a pre-emptive strike on headaches.
I used the walker
to go into the room
where the Deities are and bowed down.
I began my japa slowly
vocally and with my eyes closed.
I practiced “just hear.”
This is the method
I am satisfied with
and capable of doing.
There are higher stages of perfection in japa
but “just hear” is elevated in its own
sense. Those who understand that
the Name is Krishna Himself and who
absorb themselves in
the transcendental sound vibration
are attaining a rare stage of japa.
I met my quota after four rounds
with a few minutes to spare.
Throughout the whole set
I did not receive any twinge in the right eye.
I started the second set
switching to silent.
Although I was chanting silently in the mind
I heard the Names clearly, with
attention and concern to pronounce the words
properly. While I was distracted
by planning what to write
in my Japa Report, it was
not so bad because
I had already written some
in the report.
Nevertheless, I was committing aparadha,
inattention to the holy names.
So my japa was faulty.
But the mercy and power of the maha-mantra
is so great that it vanquishes sinful reactions,
ushers in liberation
and brings one to love of God,
even when chanted with imperfections
as I was doing.
I met my goal after eight rounds
with only a few minutes to spare.
I began my third set by trying to avoid mechanical chanting
by cultivating thoughtfulness and devotional feelings.
For being thoughtful I adhere to “just hear,”
allowing me to distinguish each mantra.
For feelings, I thought of the sweetness
of Radha-Govinda. I acknowledged that Radha-Krishna
are the heart of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
I met my quota after twelve rounds
with just a few minutes to spare.
And I turned again to writing
in my Report.
I began the fourth set
at a speedy, quiet pace.
The new president has tried
to keep out all foreigners. But
through a widespread
protest against this policy to keep
the people out, the people hired lawyers
and the banning policy was partly stopped.
But it is a contentious time.
For my own japa
I went rapid and wanted
the ban lifted. I didn’t race recklessly
but kept a steady pace. I
completed my quota of sixteen rounds
with only a few minutes to spare. We could not
be sure if some who were finished
before the quota
were actually counted on time.
At least I follow the process
of doing a prescribed number of rounds
in obedience to the order of the spiritual master,
a sacred vow.