Japa represents that which puts an end to the cycle of births and deaths or attaining oneness with pure consciousness through silence. Japa is that which destroys all impurities of the mind. Japa is an old Vedic practice for attaining an inner harmony and quiet mind. In these challenging times our minds are generally disturbed or dismayed. We tend to think of our disappointments, fear, and commitments. We think, think and think. The mind becomes thick with sticky thoughts. Thoughts we cannot separate ourselves from. And stress steps in.

Our personal safety, the security of our family, the threats we face within and without our homes, the friendships we are losing, and the erosion of trust in each other. In these stressful times of political and racial tensions we must become mindful of not being pulled into a mire of anxiety, fears, anger, tension and especially hatred. We ask for peace and calm but do not understand that inner peace is inner silence, silence of the mind. Peace is being able to quietly thin the mind to a single point. In using a rosary of japa mala (which are usually 54 or 108 beads), you are able to turn a bead one at a time while repeating a specific mantra (which is a short grouping of words that has a sound; repetition of this sound generates a deep vibration in accord with the heat and eventually achieves a silencing of unwanted, extraneous thoughts).

In practicing Japa, the mantra should be repeated audibly and with the same time intervals. One very excellent mantra that is practiced by the students of the Vedas is Om Namo Shivaya. The Sanskrit words meaning “the eternal sound of the Lord’s name.” You may use any meaningful mantra of your choice. It is important that it has some deep meaning to you, for only then will sincerity and perseverance be present.

Using the mala, each bead representing the completion of Om Namo Shivaya is then turned, then on to the next bead, repeating Om Namo Shivaya and continue on until you have reached the beginning of the mala. There is usually an extra bead to indicate that you have finished one rotation of the mala. The beginning and end of each mantra denotes the beginning and end of each thought. Japa is not a series of continuous thoughts. It is the precise beginning and end of each singular mantra. Thus the same mantra is repeated, each with its own separate beginning and end. Between each mantra is the silence. The repetition of the mantra allows us the silence between the mantras. This silence is pure conscious-ness. This silence is you, before thoughts and activities are superimposed upon you. This silence is peace. This silence is meditation. Maintaining this silence is meditation. At the beginning and for some time other thoughts will come while practicing the mantra. Always go back to the sound of the mantra. Do not worry about the thoughts. Allow them to flow in and flow out, by going back to the sound of the mantra. The thoughts will resolve themselves into the silence. It is important that you do not concentrate on the thoughts that enter your mind, or else you will become obsessed with these thoughts and they will quickly build into monumental preoccupation. May your Japa practice bless you with many rewards of the spirit.

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