Our alarm clocks went off at 1:00 A.M.,
and the cowbells followed.
Baladeva administered my wake-up rituals.
I went into the room where
the Deities are and bowed down.
I began my japa at a moderate pace
taking darsana of Radha-Govinda.
I included looking at
Srila Prabhupada, Lord Caitanya,
Nrsimhadeva and Tulasi devi.
All are dear to me
and are worshipable.
I practiced “just hear,”
the method where you chant and hear
with no other meditation. I am capable
of this and comfortable doing it.
There are higher stages of perfection in japa,
but “just hear” is elevated in itself.
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 could not achieve that rare state,
but I tried.
I met my quota after four rounds
with minutes to spare.
I began the second set at a moderate pace.
Although I was chanting silently in my mind
I heard the Names clearly, with attention
and concern to pronounce the words properly.
I heard Baladeva’s vocal chanting from
the other room, and it was supportive.
But I was distracted by planning
what to write in the next Japa Report.
I was committing aparadha:
inattention to the Name.
So my japa was faulty.
But the maha-mantra is so merciful and powerful
that it vanquishes past sinful reactions,
ushers in liberation,
and brings one gradually to the actual goal –
attainment of love of God,
even when chanted with imperfections.
I continued looking at the
Deities, but intermittently,
not with a constant gaze,
lest I cause eyestrain.
I met my quota after eight rounds
with minutes to spare.
I began the third set at a moderate pace.
(Every 20 minutes, Baladeva places
a homeopathic Arnica gel pellet
in my mouth. They are supposed
to cure the pain in my left foot
so I can resume the morning walks.
The process is a little distracting
to my chanting, but I submit to it.)
In order to avoid mere mechanical chanting,
I cultivate thoughtfulness and devotional
feelings. For thoughtfulness, I adhere to
“just hear.” This enables me
to concentrate on keeping the mantras
separate, without mixing or missing them.
For feeling, I glance at Radha-Govinda
and imbibe Their sweetness. I
acknowledge that Radha-Krishna are
the heart of the Hare Krishna mantra,
composed exclusively of their Names
and uttered as a prayer
to be engaged in Their service.
In this set I tried to
enter an inward state
and prayerful attitude,
and I was partly successful.
So far I had experienced no head pain,
and I was grateful for that.
I finished my twelfth round
with minutes to spare.
Starting the fourth set
I noted that I was far behind.
I switched to a brisk pace.
I emphasized speed as a
priority over quality.
But I did not rush recklessly.
I held on to the bead until
the mantra was finished
before moving on to
the next bead. Baladeva
was also speeding, and
that helped me to increase my rate.
I completed 16 rounds
failing to meet the overall quota.
I was considerably behind in minutes
and this made me anxious.
I considered it a decent session
despite finishing late.
I was alert and wide awake the whole time.
I experienced no head pain.
I chanted all my rounds attentively.
I practiced thoughtfulness and
devotional feelings, and for a while,
I entered an inward state.
The late finish was a disqualification.
I follow the process
of doing a prescribed number of rounds
in obedience to the order of the spiritual master,
a sacred vow.