I began my japa a little late
at a medium pace,
hoping to meet my quotas,
pay attention, and
write a short Japa Report.
I practiced “just hear.”
It is an elevated method.
Anyone who understands that
the Name is nondifferent from Krishna,
and who absorbs himself
in the transcendental sound vibration,
is achieving a rare state of japa.
I could not attain that 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 in the mind
I heard the Names clearly, with attention
and concern to pronounce the words properly.
I was not much distracted.
I met my quota after eight rounds
with a few minutes to spare.
I began my third set
at a brisker pace.
I focused on the beads
and the clock to assure
that I was not falling behind.
Besides, I could not
maintain a steady darsana
of the Deities. I could
not enter a prayer state
but kept up the practice of
“just hear,” which enabled me
to keep the mantras separate
without mixing or missing them.
I met my quota
after twelve rounds.
On the fourth set
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.
I finally heard Baladeva’s vocal chanting
from the other room, and
it helped me to keep pace
on my mental japa.
I had been a little worried at falling behind,
but I completed my sixteenth round
with plenty of minutes to spare.
I considered it a decent session.
I was alert and wide the whole time.
I felt no head pain for the entire session.
Although I could not enter
a prayer state, I chanted my rounds
with external attention.
I met all my quotas.
I followed the process
of doing a prescribed number of rounds
in obedience to the order of the spiritual master,
a sacred vow.