I began my chanting
at a moderate pace, planning
to write a short Japa Report,
intermittently receive darsana,
and meet my quotas.
I practiced “just hear.”
My beads became tangled,
and I wound up chanting
100 extra mantras.
I failed to meet my quota
after four rounds,
being many minutes behind.

I began the second set
at a moderate pace.
Although I was chanting silently
in the mind, I heard the Names
clearly, with attention, and concern
to pronounce the words properly.
But I was distracted by planning
what to write in the next Japa Report.
So my chanting 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
as I was doing.
(I like to repeat the lines
about the power of the maha-mantra.
I use them as affirmations.
They give me confidence
that I am making progress,
although I am making mistakes.)
I met my quota after eight rounds
with minutes to spare.

I began the third set at a brisk pace.
But I was not falling behind.
I finished my twelfth round
with minutes to spare.

I began the fourth set at a brisk pace.
I completed the sixteenth round,
meeting the overall quota
with ample minutes to spare.

I considered the session to be half-decent,
because I couldn’t attain a prayerful state
and the chanting tended to be mechanical.
But I was alert and wide awake the whole time.
I felt no head pain for the entire session,
and I was grateful for that.
I did not attain an inward state,
but I enunciated my rounds with external attention.
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.