Baladeva’s alarm clock went off at 1:00 A.M.,
and our cowbells followed.
He administered the wake-up rituals
including a pre-emptive strike
against headache.
I used the walker
to go into the room
where the Deities are and bowed down.
I began japa employing all the precautionary measures.
I proceeded at a moderate pace, silently,
with my eyes closed. I practiced “just hear.”
You simply chant and hear with no
other meditation. I am capable of this
method, and it gives me full satisfaction.
There are higher stages of perfection in japa,
but “just hear” is elevated in itself.
It is recommended by Srila Prabhupada.
Anyone who understands that the Name
is non-different from Krishna Himself,
and who absorbs himself
in the transcendental sound vibration,
is achieving a rare state
of japa. I prayed
to attain qualification
in this method.
I developed no symptom
of tension in the right eye
for the whole time
and was pleased by that.
I met my quota after four rounds
with ample minutes to spare.
After this I turned to writing
my experience in the Japa Report
as a change of pace
and relief from the tension
of constant chanting.
I began the second set
in the same way. I tried
to avoid mechanical chanting by cultivating
thoughtfulness and devotional feelings.
For being thoughtful, I adhered
to “just hear.” This enabled
me to isolate the mantras
and pay attention to them.
For feelings, I thought of the sweetness
of Radha-Govinda. I could not see Them,
but it increased my anticipation
to look at Them later.
I met my quota after eight rounds
with minutes to spare. I still
felt no twinge in the right eye,
and I was grateful.
After this I turned again to
writing in my Japa Report.
I began my third set
by keeping a moderate pace.
For a brief while I grew drowsy
and corrected it. I began to
alert myself and uttered
the Names carefully.
There are so many devotees
who are reading this report,
and I want to set a good example.
I was still completely
clear in the eyes. I regarded this
as auspicious.
I finished my twelfth round
with minutes to spare.
After this I did more
writing in my Japa Report.
I began my fourth set
at a moderate pace.
I called out to Krishna
for His blessings because
it is not possible
for me to do good japa
on my own endeavor.
I did not enter into
a deeper prayer state,
but I kept up extended,
attentive chanting.
It was decent japa.
I completed my sixteenth round,
meeting my quota
with minutes to spare.
I considered it a decent session
with no handicap. That
was a rare, auspicious event.
I had two short lapses into drowsiness
but quickly corrected them.