Teachings of Sri Sarada Devi - Part IV: Meditation and Japa

Japa is repetition of God’s name. Meditation is concentrating the mind on God or any chosen object of worship.

Japa can be performed all through the day without discrimination of place and time, as we walk from one room to another, while getting ready to go to a place of study or work, while eating, while performing any mechanical work like cutting vegetables, cooking, watering plants, driving, and also while lying down on bed before getting up after sleep, or before falling asleep. In contrast, meditation requires concentration and hence one has to find a proper place to sit peacefully and focus one’s mind on God. Both japa and meditation should be performed regularly.

We frequently hear about children indulging in bad habits and spoiling their life. If the practice of japa and meditation are inculcated in the minds of children at a very young age, it will have immense impact1 when they grow up.

Do you have a chosen deity?

If you are a worshipper of Vishnu, start reciting “Sri Krishnaaya namah!” or “Om namo Narayanaya!” or “Sri Ramajayam!”

If you are a worshipper of Shiva, start reciting “Om namah Shivaaya!”

If you are a Sikh, start reciting “Wahe Guru!”

If you are a believer of God, you might have special attraction towards a specific God. It need not be Ram or Krishna or Shiva. Whoever is your chosen God, repeat that God’s name as many times as possible, wherever and whenever possible. You will soon realize the strength that you derive from this good habit. If you have somebody younger than you at home (younger brother or sister, or children), share your experiences and make them understand the goodness of this habit. (If they laugh at you or express disinterest, do not try hard to convince them. It only means the time has not come for them to take up this good habit.)

Read the complete blog: Meditation and Japa