My dear Lord,
If we want to chant with more devotion, we have to rise early and exercise with concentration in japa yajna. The daily japa yajna is a relatively easy thing. It only takes about two hours, and we can surely find that much time out of twenty-four hours. If we can chant more than the minimum of sixteen rounds, that is good. But let’s start with sixteen good ones, offenseless chanting. That means chanting while avoiding the ten offenses, which start with disobeying the spiritual master and include inattention while chanting. Then we will receive the mercy. If we don’t make the effort, it’s like we’re hiding from the sun’s rays. What can the sun do for us if we don’t go out and expose ourselves? If we hide from its rays, we will grow pale and unhealthy. We need a little sunlight. Similarly, we need to bask in Your mercy.Your mercy is available in sadhu-sanga, guru-sanga, and sastra-sanga. They will rejuvenate us. We need to receive these not just by lip service, but by actual participation and association. Sometimes we need to inquire directly, submissively from sadhu and guru, and we need to regularly read the sastra with faith. Your mercy is available there.
(_Japa Transformations_)