I began japa at a moderate pace,
hoping to pay attention,
meet my quotas,
get some darsana time
(especially in the beginning),
and write a short Japa Report.
I practiced “just hear.”
It is an elevated
stage and I was not
able to attain it fully.
But I tried.
I met my quota after four rounds
with minutes to spare.
I began my second set
at a moderate pace.
Baladeva’s vocal chanting from the other room
encouraged and supported me
in my mental japa.
Although I was chanting silently in the mind
I heard the Names clearly, with attention
and concern to pronounce the words properly.
I lost track of time and said 50 extra mantras.
But that was all right.
I met my quota after eight rounds
with ample minutes to spare.
I began the third set
at a moderate pace.
I tried to avoid mechanical chanting
by cultivating attention and
devotional feelings.
For attention I focused on “just hear.”
This enabled me to keep
the mantras separate
without mixing or missing them.
For feeling I glanced at Radha-Govinda
and imbibed Their sweetness.
I acknowledged that Radha and Krishna
are the heart of the Hare Krishna mantra.
I met my quota after twelve rounds
with only a few minutes to spare.
As I began the fourth set
I noted that I had fallen behind.
I switched to a brisk pace
and emphasized speed over quality.
I completed my sixteen rounds
with a few minutes to spare.
But I still had much writing
to do. Yesterday I had
not prepared my japa quote
and I did not compose
my Radha-Govinda Poem.
I have little time to do them.
I considered it only a half-decent session
because of the writing
to do and the speeding
on the fourth set.
But I was alert and wide awake
the whole time.
I felt no head pain
for the entire session.
My rounds were attentive
and I wasn’t much distracted.
I followed the process
of doing a prescribed number of rounds
in obedience to the order of the spiritual master,
a sacred vow.