May 6, 2025
Japa is the process by which the mind becomes saturated with the repetition of the mantra. This promotes concentration of the mind. Japa is often used in pranayama practice, and Swami Sivananda recommended its association with yoga asanas. You might object that this would distract you from concentrating on the yoga postures. But while the mind is supposed to observe the body during the posture, if you watch carefully you find that you are thinking of something else. Only the yogi observes with the mind absolutely still, totally absorbed in the observation — that itself is the mantra.
The master advises us to think only of the mantra instead of getting lost and silly thoughts, letting the mind wander here and there, thinking of a million things. During any activity whatsoever, the conscious mind can be occupied with the repetition of the mantra. One can learn to say the mantra, on walking, associating it with the breath. Synchronized with the respiration, japa becomes continuous — almost a reflex action. Mantra -repetition between each of the daily tasks prevents nervous, psychological and physical tension. Some people believe that the very vibrations of a mantra have a beneficial effect and that sincere invocation of God may make Him appear!
The mantra may be Sanskrit or any other language. The important thing seems to be that the formula used should be fairly short. The early Christian fathers used Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison — Greek for 'Lord have mercy upon me, Christ have mercy upon me'. It was called the 'prayer of the heart'. Swami Sivananda used to recommend to Christians the shorter form of ‘OM Jesus’.
A shorter mantra promotes intense concentration, but it is only of use when the mind is close to concentration. If concentration itself is difficult, along mantras better as the mind is kept busy working it out. With a short mantra the attention may more easily wander away. The ideal however is a short mantra.
The yogis suggest three different ways of japa: (1) to say the mantra fairly loud, (2) to move the lips without much of a sound, and (3) repeated mentally.
We are looking for love instead of loving — that is the problem!