I began my japa at a moderate pace
hoping to pay attention,
meet my quotas,
get in some darsana,
and write a short japa report.
I practiced “just hear.”
It is an elevated process.
I couldn’t attain it fully.
But I tried.
I met my quota after four rounds
with minutes to spare.
I began the 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,
attentively, and with concern
to pronounce the words properly.
I wasn’t much distracted.
I met my quota after eight rounds
with minutes to spare.
I began the third set
at a moderate pace.
I focused on the beads
and the clock
to monitor my progress.
Besides, I could not
sustain staring at the Deities.
I noted that I had fallen behind.
I switched to the brisk pace
with emphasis on speed as
a priority over quality.
I couldn’t enter a prayerful attitude,
but I maintained “just hear,”
keeping the mantras separate
without mixing or missing them.
I finished my third set
failing to meet the quota,
being minutes behind.
I began the fourth set
continuing the brisk pace.
I managed to keep enunciating
with external attentiveness.
I completed the sixteenth round
meeting the overall quota
with only a few minutes to spare.
I considered it a decent session
despite speeding on two sets.
My rounds were enunciated
with external attention.
I was alert and wide awake
the whole time.
I felt no head pain
for the entire session.
I was late starting
to write my Japa Report.
I followed the process
of doing a prescribed number of rounds
in obedience to the order of the spiritual master,
a sacred vow.