Mantra Practice

In Chapter Three of Swami Radha's book, MANTRAS Words of Power, she says that when you begin to recite and practice Mantra you need to clarify to yourself what it is you want to achieve. 

During chanting it is also important to observe the mind.  The mind is easily distracted, becoming bored and lazy and as Swami Radha says, "you may begin to doubt your sincerity."  Swami talks about how one might begin to wonder if doing a different charitable act would be a more worthwhile way to spend ones time, but she says then you are missing the point when your thoughts go this way.  Swami Radha expresses how you will be of much more help to others when you have gained some spiritual power.

Once you have been given a mantra by your Guru, or you have chosen one for yourself that you feel naturally attracted to, it is important to stay with it until you experience some of its power.

Sometimes in Japa mantra practice a mala can be used to help in counting the repetitions and also to help give the body some activity helping to release nervous energy.  A mala is a string of 108 beads.  Swami explains the importance of the number 108, saying it is a holy number.  1 means one line, symbolizing God, the Supreme Energy, the power from which all other lines, circles or movement comes.  0 is completeness, a circle representing God's creation as complete and perfect.  8 is the sign of eternity.
Because the mind is so easily distracted, mostly with past or future events, a lot of energy is used unproductively.  Swami writes how life is a chain of cause and effect, and how the beads of the mala are also endless, but now the endless thoughts, with each bead, can be given a specified, significant meaning relating to the particular mantra chosen.
On each mala is a special bead called Mount Meru where the mala is tied together.  When chanting and the fingers reach Mount Meru, the mala is turned and the mantra continued the other way.  This bead represents the realization of a greater Self and that you need not continue the chain of cause and effect.

Much more information is given in chapter three on when is best to chant, how to chant, etc. but to summarize it is important to sit tall and relaxed in a quiet place, left leg crossed over right with hands in your lap and palms facing up.  Centre yourself for the practice ahead.  If you are using a mala, it is best to hold at heart level and move the beads with the thumb and ring finger.  Stay with it for a set period of time.  Come out of the practice slowly and gently, keeping the peace and quiet and sensitivity you have created for as long as you can.
To end, Swami Radha says that, "Time is needed following spiritual practice for the effects to be absorbed."

 Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/