Kanthimala

Japa by Bhurijana Dasa: A Guide to Improve Your Chanting

Japa, meaning “to recite” or “to chant,” refers to the meditative practice of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra in Hinduism. Bhurijana Dasa, a senior Hare Krishna monk and spiritual teacher, wrote a book titled Japa: Nine Keys From the Siksastaka to Improve Your Your Japa.

Here’s what you might find in this book:

• The Importance of Japa: Bhurijana Dasa likely emphasizes the significance of japa in spiritual development, citing its benefits for achieving inner peace, connecting with the divine, and overcoming challenges.

• Nine Keys from the Siksastaka: The Siksastaka is a prayer by Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness). The book might explore nine key principles from this prayer that can help improve your japa practice. These principles could include:

  • Attention and Focus: Maintaining focus on the mantra and its meaning.
  • Cleanliness and Purity: Approaching japa with a clean mind and body.
  • Humility and Respect: Chanting with humility and reverence for the holy names.
  • Offenses and Avoiding Them: Identifying and avoiding actions that can diminish the effectiveness of japa.
  • Association and Fellowship: Surrounding yourself with positive influences who support your japa practice.
  • Quantity and Quality: Balancing the importance of chanting a sufficient amount with maintaining focus and quality.
  • Faith and Determination: Approaching japa with unwavering faith and determination.
  • Patience and Perseverance: Recognizing that improving japa takes time and consistent effort.

• Practical Techniques: The book might offer practical techniques to help you implement the nine keys, such as meditation exercises, breathing techniques, and tips for overcoming distractions.

• Real-Life Examples: Bhurijana Dasa might share personal anecdotes or stories from scriptures to illustrate the power of japa and the challenges one might face.

Overall, Japa: Nine Keys From the Siksastaka to Improve Your Japa is likely a valuable resource for anyone interested in deepening their japa practice.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• The book might be specifically geared towards followers of ISKCON, but the core principles of japa can be universally applicable.
• If you’re new to japa, you might want to explore introductory resources on japa and the Hare Krishna mantra before diving into this book.