I began my japa at a moderate pace,
hoping to pay attention,
meet my quotas,
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 Himself,
is achieving a rare state of japa.
I was unable to attain this rare state.
But I tried.
I met my quota after four rounds
with a few minutes to spare.
I began my 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 was not much disturbed
by distractions. I couldn’t
enter a prayerful state,
but I kept up
external attentive chanting
one round at a time.
Baladeva’s vocal chanting
in the other room supported
and encouraged me to keep up
my mental japa.
I met my quota after eight rounds
with only a few minutes to spare.
As I began the third set
I noted that I was running late
by the clock. I switched
to a brisker pace
and emphasized speed
as a priority over quality.
But I didn’t rush recklessly.
I held on to the bead until
the mantra was finished
before moving on to the next bead.
I completed my twelfth round
with only a few minutes to spare.
On the fourth set I began
moving at a speedy pace.
I did not try to avoid
mechanical chanting by cultivating
thoughtfulness or devotional feeling,
but I kept up my “just hear.” This
enabled me to keep the mantras separate,
without mixing or missing them.
By rapid chanting
I caught up with the quota
with minutes to spare.
I considered it a decent session.
I was alert and awake the whole time.
I felt no head pain
for the entire session.
I did not enter
an inner mood, but by
consistently practicing “just hear”
I was able to enunciate
my rounds with
external attention.
I met my overall quotas.
I followed the process of
doing a prescribed number of rounds
in obedience to the order of the spiritual master,
a sacred vow.