Determination (Thoughts On Chanting Japa)

It takes a lot of determination for devotees to chant daily rounds of japa on their beads.
Some of us are just at the point where we are beginning to think about getting some japa beads, and starting to see about chanting rounds.
Some of us have beads, and we are maybe chanting a round or two.
Some devotees are committed to chanting a certain amount of rounds every day.
Others are chanting 16 rounds every day, and still others are working on improving those 16 rounds so they are the very best quality of japa.
All of this takes a lot of determination.
So, how do we get that determination? Where does it come from? How can we keep what we have and get more of it?
One way is by understanding the importance of japa in our devotional lives. We can read about the importance of chanting japa.
We know it is the process that purifies us from our material contamination.

“It is said that the execution of devotional service is so perfect that one can perceive the results directly. This direct result is actually perceived, and we have practical experience that any person who is chanting the holy names of Kṛṣṇa (Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare) in course of chanting without offenses feels some transcendental pleasure and very quickly becomes purified of all material contamination. This is actually seen. Furthermore, if one engages not only in hearing but in trying to broadcast the message of devotional activities as well, or if he engages himself in helping the missionary activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he gradually feels spiritual progress. This advancement in spiritual life does not depend on any kind of previous education or qualification. The method itself is so pure that by simply engaging in it one becomes pure.”
Srila Prabhupad, Bhagavad Gita, 9.2 (section of purport)

We also know it is by chanting this maha mantra that we are able to develop an understanding of Krishna and spiritual matters.

“One cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, or His form, quality or name simply by mental speculation or by discussing Vedic literature. One must understand Him by devotional service. When one is fully engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, beginning by chanting the mahā-mantra — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare — then only can one understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
Bhagavad Gita 7.26 (section of purport)

Reading and understanding these things will help give us determination to pick up our beads and chant.

We can also listen to Srila Prabhupad chanting japa. Hearing him chanting japa can help us develop an attraction to chanting japa, and understand how chanting japa sounds when it’s done correctly. This can also increase our determination.

When we chant a certain number of rounds every single day, doing that alone will increase our level of determination also. For example, if we just chant one round every day, that will help us become determined to chant that one round every day, then we can increase to two rounds every day, and we will become even more determined to continue our chanting, and increase the quantity of rounds we chant.
So, just by chanting we become determined to do more chanting.

Then there is also Tapasya to help us, austerity. Austerity is not a bad thing. Austerity done in the right mood, for the right reasons, is very beneficial and helps us develop determination for spiritual life. The main austerity for chanting japa is following the regulative principles. These principles help us so much to develop the determination we need to chant japa.

Determination in spiritual life is so important, and since chanting japa is so important in spiritual life, we really need to do what ever we can to develop that determination for chanting our japa.

One of my most favorite stories about determination is the one of the little sparrow and her eggs.

“As for determination, one should follow the example of the sparrow who lost her eggs in the waves of the ocean. A sparrow laid her eggs on the shore of the ocean, but the big ocean carried away the eggs on its waves. The sparrow became very upset and asked the ocean to return her eggs. The ocean did not even consider her appeal. So the sparrow decided to dry up the ocean. She began to pick out the water in her small beak, and everyone laughed at her for her impossible determination. The news of her activity spread, and at last Garuḍa, the gigantic bird carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, heard it. He became compassionate toward his small sister bird, and so he came to see the sparrow. Garuḍa was very pleased by the determination of the small sparrow, and he promised to help. Thus Garuḍa at once asked the ocean to return her eggs lest he himself take up the work of the sparrow. The ocean was frightened at this, and returned the eggs. Thus the sparrow became happy by the grace of Garuḍa.
Similarly, the practice of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, may appear to be a very difficult job. But if anyone follows the principles with great determination, the Lord will surely help, for God helps those who help themselves.”
Bhagavad Gita, 6.24 (section of purport)

So, if we just attempt to be determined to the best of our ability, we will be assisted by Krishna.
We can start with only a little determination, just pick up our beads and chant at least one round a day, then more and more from there (and if we don’t yet have beads, then start with just getting some).

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

* Navasi’s blog
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Comments
Thu, 05/22/2008 – 17:59 — GodlySorrow
GodlySorrow’s picture
Very Edifying and Encouraging!

Mataji,
We all need such reminding, maya is always calling for us to “get slacking” and stop Chanting so much, But His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada speaks to us and simply says “Chant and Be Happy”.
Sincerely,
All Glories to GOD, LORD SRI KRISHNA!
y.h.s.
jarad

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Thu, 05/22/2008 – 23:40 — Navasi
Navasi’s picture
Happily Chanting

Hare Krishna, Dear Jarad,

Yes you are quite right, this is the key to our happiness, chanting, and more chanting.

Maya will try to convince us that we have so many other important things to do, and therefore it’s not important to chant.

Meanwhile, our lives are going by at a rapid rate, and we’re actually only “busy” missing this golden opportunity of the rare human birth to become Krishna conscious.

It’s really very simple, as you said, quoting Srila Prabhupad:

“Chant and Be Happy” !

Jai! All Glories To Srila Prabhupad!

y.s.
Navasi devi dasi

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Thu, 05/22/2008 – 17:52 — krsna_shweta77
krsna_shweta77’s picture
The sweetest nectar

After a long time, Today I managed to get up early during Brahma Muhurt time – and the pleasure one feels after completing quality rounds during the early hours is so great. This far exceeds the feelings experienced by materialists on acheiving some mundane feat. So we need to keep our commitment strong, so that we can partake this sweet nectar of transcendental bliss every moment of every day!

Thank you Navasi Mataji for all your help 😉

Hare Krishna

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Thu, 05/22/2008 – 23:36 — Navasi
Navasi’s picture
Wonderful!

Dear Krsna Shweta,

This is very inspiring news!

I’m so glad to hear you were able to get up early and chant during Brahma Muhurta!
Also very happy to hear that you can see the difference this makes to your chanting (and everything else in the world! 🙂
You have the taste for getting up early to chant now, and you know now how wonderful it is… that will keep you striving to achieve that, along with the strong commitment you have to your rounds.

You’re doing very well. It’s been a pleasure to help you 😉

Hare Krishna!
Navasi

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Thu, 05/22/2008 – 01:35 — Aruna Locana
Aruna Locana’s picture
Commited to Chanting !

Dear Navasi ,

One of the topics that made me more enthusiastic on chanting was when I heard you saying in japa room, that we had to commit to our japa the same way we use to commit to other areas in our lives , like job , family , etc . Then after I started thinking …, if I can get up early to commute to work , why not for chanting… so after this I commited myself to get up early and start chanting everyday , then after I could go to work . By doing this everyday, I got stronger and then could feel more enthusiastic about the other areas in my life that through chanting I could fix day by day.

Thank you very much for your example !
Haribol,

Aruna Locana dd

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Thu, 05/22/2008 – 02:53 — Navasi
Navasi’s picture
Priorities and Commitments

Dear Aruna Locana,

Yes, I remember the talk you are referring to, it’s really one of my favorite subjects, because it’s just so true.
No life is free from commitments, we make them all the time about all sorts of things.

When we look at our priorities in this life, how this human form of life (among so many millions of forms) is meant for becoming Krishna conscious, and chanting our japa is essential to that, our priorities about these various commitments begin to shift.

Just like you are saying, you could clearly see that you got up early in the morning to go to work. Well, our most important “work” is chanting our japa, so why would we not get up early in the morning to chant?

It’s true that by doing this one thing, you will become stronger and more enthusiastic in your chanting, as well as your other duties and services.

As you of course know, there is always going to be something to demand our time and attention in this material world. It’s designed by it’s very nature to distract us from spiritual life. So, if we can just get this “head start” so to speak, of chanting our rounds early in the morning, all these other things will become so much easier to deal with.

I’m so happy to hear that you have been able to get up early to chant and that things are going better for you as a result.

Thank you for your nice comments Aruna.

Hare Krishna,
Navasi

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Wed, 05/21/2008 – 17:52 — mahaprabhucaita…
mahaprabhucaitanyadas@gmail.com’s picture
Determined chanting

PAMHO
Hare Krishna

Thank you for this inspiring blog entry.
It would be very useful for fallen souls like me to also know what other practical steps would be useful in strengthening this determination.

your servant in Krishna’s service
Mahaprabhu Caitanya Das

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Wed, 05/21/2008 – 22:24 — Navasi
Navasi’s picture
Strengthening Determination

Hare Krishna
Dear Mahaprabhu Caitanya Das,

I am very happy to give you some other practical things that you can do to strengthen your determination for chanting.

First it’s very important to:

Get Up Early To Chant

The early morning hours are the most conducive time for chanting, you will be much more able to concentrate, which in turn improves your determination. Quality japa leads to more quality japa.

In order to get up early you need to go to sleep early, so that’s important also. It helps a lot if you don’t eat late at night. That makes it easier to wake up early.

Try to finish all your rounds early in the morning this way, before you get all involved in the activities of the day. Make it a special time, just for your japa.

Your determination will be greatly increased if you are very focused while you are chanting japa, so another thing that is helpful is to make sure you are very attentive, not trying to do other things while you are chanting. Just chant, nothing else.

Another practical thing you can do to increase your determination would be to read and get involved in the discussions here on connect in the “forums” section. There is a section there devoted only to Chanting Japa. There are many nice posts there, and you can make comments and join in the discussions, and even post your own thoughts or questions.
Active participation in reading and writing about chanting will increase your awareness of the importance of chanting, and thus also make you more determined.

Without knowing what your chanting practices are like already, I can only make general suggestions, perhaps you are already doing these things…
So, I hope these suggestions are helpful to you.

Thank you for your comments.

Hare Krishna,
Navasi