I received an email today from HH Sacinandana Swami on chanting which is very inspiring. Please read:
Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I would like to send you a little inspiration. It is an elaboration of a
point I sent in my last piece of inspiration "Gathering Gems."
How to chant attentively:
Once the German devotee Uttama-sloka Dasa came to Srila Prabhupada with an
important question that had been burning in his mind for a long time:
"How can I chant with full attention?"
Srila Prabhupada's answer was brief and powerful:
"Just try to hear yourself chant sincerely."
I strongly recommend you try this "formula." It will quickly arrest the
wandering mind and bring it into a devotional space. From there, you can
easily chant with a sense of relationship to Sri Sri Radha Krsna, and then
address Them with feelings.
Wishing you all the best and lots of spiritual strength,
Sacinandana Swami
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I would like to send you a little inspiration. It is an elaboration of a
point I sent in my last piece of inspiration "Gathering Gems."
How to chant attentively:
Once the German devotee Uttama-sloka Dasa came to Srila Prabhupada with an
important question that had been burning in his mind for a long time:
"How can I chant with full attention?"
Srila Prabhupada's answer was brief and powerful:
"Just try to hear yourself chant sincerely."
I strongly recommend you try this "formula." It will quickly arrest the
wandering mind and bring it into a devotional space. From there, you can
easily chant with a sense of relationship to Sri Sri Radha Krsna, and then
address Them with feelings.
Wishing you all the best and lots of spiritual strength,
Sacinandana Swami
“Once, on a morning walk, a disciple asked Srila Prabhupada, “How can we know if we are chanting with quality?” And Srila Prabhupada replied that when you come to the quality you will know it, you won’t have to ask. He said that when you eat, you feel refreshed and get strength. You don’t have to take a certificate that you have eaten. You will understand whether you have eaten or not. That is quality. And he said that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu showed what is quality: Sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda virahena me — ‘Without Govinda, the whole world is vacant.’ That is the quality of love. But, he said, “That requires time. That requires sincerity. Quality is not so cheap.” — Giriraj Swami
I was reading a discussion about Japa and this question came up....it was in relation to the wandering mind and if we should think of anything...and what should that be. What do you think about during Japa? Please share your experiences
One suggestion by HH Sacinandana Swami was to meditate on the meaning of the mantra "Oh Lord, Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in your devotional service" - his point was that if the mind is going to think of something it's better to think about the meaning of the mantra.
Happy Chanting!
1 comment:
Don’t Trust Me
O my Lord
I think You know that I love only You,
although I pretend to love other people and things.
I think You know that when I am sad
it’s because I feel separated from You,
although if I am asked
I would give other reasons.
When I cry, it’s always because of missing You,
although my tears carry other names.
I think You also know
that I am only looking for You,
although I seem to be looking for other persons and things.
Yes, I am a divided soul,
searching for something in the east,
while going west.
I am a helpless soul,
forced by some other agent long ago
to play the double life of a devotee and a cheater.
But do You know why I am writing You this?
It’s because I want Your special mercy.
Don’t believe my acts,
don’t trust my words,
but look deep into my heart
and You will see Your own beautiful image.
(by HH Sacinandana Swami)
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