TLDR;
This video emphasizes the importance of Japa (chanting of divine names or mantras) as a spiritual practice for transforming the mind and achieving God-realization. It explains how Japa, when done with devotion and understanding, can purify the mind, concentrate thoughts, and ultimately lead to the experience of divine love and realization of God. The speaker underscores that Japa is a potent method given by authentic spiritual orders, and its effectiveness hinges on the practitioner's humility, faith, and consistent effort.
- Japa is a powerful technique for mind transformation and God-realization.
- Bhakti arises from perceiving God's love, enhanced through Japa and meditation.
- Mind training is essential; Japa purifies and concentrates the mind.
- Correct practice involves devotion, proper direction, and guru's grace.
- Japa leads to meditation, unveiling the inherent divine nature within.
Introduction to Japa [0:47]
The session focuses on Japa, the chanting of divine names and mantras, and its transformative power in achieving God-realization. Many people underestimate Japa, rushing into meditation and self-inquiry without understanding the inherent power of the Divine Name. The term "Mantra" signifies liberation of the mind through consistent contemplation. Holy Mother affirmed that Siddhi (spiritual accomplishment) is attainable through Japa alone, emphasizing the importance of taking mantra Japa seriously as a means to God-realization.
The Secret of Devotion [2:26]
Bhakti arises when one perceives God's love. The ability to form a continuous thought (dharana) about God's nature and love is crucial for devotion to spark in the human heart. Japa cultivates the mind's capacity for this level of dharana, helping to understand God's nature and love. Both Japa and meditation serve as means to comprehend Bhagavat bhaav (divine emotion), which cannot be attained merely through intellectual application but through applying the mind to the form and name of the Lord.
Application of Mind and Bhagavat Bhava [5:29]
Applying the mind to spiritual practice is tapasya (spiritual discipline) and knowledge. The continuous application of vritti (thought waves) leads to the emergence of Bhagavat bhava. Understanding God's love is not easy, as we are accustomed to human emotions, but Vaishnava scriptures and Christian mysticism reveal this as the secret of devotion. Chanting and meditation are essential for understanding God's love and allowing the heart to plunge into devotion.
The Importance of Spiritual Practice [6:26]
Saints and sages emphasize spiritual practice to train the mind to focus on divine thoughts. Engaging in meditation, scriptural reading, and chanting creates Bhagavat bhava and fosters a taste for these practices. Thakur emphasizes the equation: give your mind to Him, and He will give Himself to you. Mantra, when received with humility from authorized spiritual leaders, has the power to transform consciousness.
Four Ways of Doing Japa [9:17]
There are four ways of doing Japa: Vakhri (verbal chanting), Upamshu (lip movement without sound), Mansik (mental repetition), and Ajapa Japa (spontaneous reverberation in the heart). Ajapa Japa can be transmitted by realized Gurus through various means, including touch, intention, or look. Mantras should be received from an authorized guru, as the guru's power works through the mantra, and it contains a beejakshara (seed syllable) that embodies the deity's power.
Mind Training Before Japa [14:26]
Mind training is required before starting Japa to channel pranayik energy effectively. The mind is like milk, and the world is like water; without training, the mind gets diluted. Cooling the mind, adding the curd of the Lord's name, and churning through meditation transforms the mind into butter, allowing it to float unaffected in the world. Japa purifies the mind and body, concentrates the mind, directs spiritual search, removes obstacles, and evokes divine feelings.
How to Do Japa [17:17]
When sitting for Japa and meditation, face the North or East, as the Earth's magnetic field supports you when facing East. Use a mala (rosary) specific to the mantra, made of Tulsi, Chandan, or Rudraksha. The mala acquires the power of your Japa, creating an association that helps focus the mind. Anything associated with spiritual practice becomes sacred and should be treated with respect.
The Science of Japa [21:03]
Japa transforms consciousness by committing vital energy (Prana Shakti) to the Anahata Chakra (heart center). Concentrating on the heart and visualizing God there invokes chit shakti, the energy between the heart and ajna chakra (third eye), which yields the highest consciousness. The inherent power of the mantra (vachak shakti) combines with chit shakti through repeated practice, leading to realization.
Vachya Shakti vs Vachak Shakti [26:47]
Vachya Shakti is the power of words to unravel meaning, while Vachak Shakti is the power to invoke the presence of the deity. Combining Sadhna Shakti (Chit Shakti) and Vachak Shakti leads to mantra realization. Those who don't get results from Japa should not blame the mantra or guru but intensify their practice. Invoke prana shakti and use the mantra as a weapon to achieve the goal.
Transformation Through Japa [29:39]
Through the science of mantra, the mind transforms and feels the touch of divinity. Realizing the deity through Japa brings Bhagavat bhava, allowing one to conceive of God's love and nature. Constant focus on God leads to acquiring divine attributes and the capacity to capture Bhagavat bhava. Practice is essential to show God that you want Him in your life, and God invokes love in the human heart.
Story of Sanatana Goswami [32:32]
Sanatana Goswami, a disciple of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was immersed in Krishna's love, chanting day and night. When a villager asked for money, Sanatana gave him a philosopher's stone. The villager later returned, seeking not gold but the bliss Sanatana radiated. Sanatana initiated him, emphasizing that Japa with faith brings everything. If enough practice is there, Japa will reveal its power.
The Power of Japa and Mind Training [36:19]
Apply more mind power and practice, as Sadhana itself gives joy. Thakur compares the mind to a fishing rod, prana to the hook, and the name of God to the bait, to attract God. Japa is like a chain; link by link, you will reach God. Studies show that chanting God's name brings deep calmness and synchronous brain firing, leading to a well-developed brain and deactivation of lower emotions.
Neuroplasticity and Transformation of Consciousness [40:56]
The mind transcends its usual mode, transforming consciousness and elevating feelings. Human life is meant for elevated states of being and awareness, and human consciousness can be made infinite through practices. Bhagavat bhava is the fulfillment of human life, and pure love comes only from God. Japa and chanting with shraddha change the brain, neural connections, and relationships.
Commitment and Japa Leading to Meditation [43:51]
Have total commitment to Japa, and it will work for you. Japa leads to meditation automatically, revealing the form and nature of God. Name and form are connected, just like name and meaning, and the mystic power of mantra. Start with Japa and go on taking His name.
Insights from Swami Vivekananda's Bhakti Yoga [45:31]
Swami Vivekananda emphasizes the importance of mantras and words in conveying spiritual wisdom. The universe has name and form as conditions of manifestation, and the knowledge of the microcosm leads to the knowledge of the microcosm. Form is the outer crust of the Name, and the Idea is the inner Essence. The mantra unveils the purport of the word and the form, giving realization of the deity.
The Power of OM [48:19]
OM is the only possible symbol and the mother of all names and forms, from where the entire universe is created. Each syllable in a mantra is powerful, and with a clear mind, repeating it will unravel its power. There is a solid science behind mantra, with deep relationships between name, form, word, syllable, meaning, and mystic revolution.
Realization Through Japa [51:30]
Realization means the reality of your own being will unravel itself. You are pure consciousness, and Japa is a technique to unravel it. Realization is not something fantastic but the moment of connection to the ever-present reality. With this understanding, the session concludes with Om shanti shanti shanti.