Mantra Meditation - The Basics of Japa

The Sanskrit word japa means silent, meditational chanting of mantras and prayers. Japa, or mantra meditation, while often associated with Indian religions, is a universal practice. Through japa we calm down, withdrawing into our hearts to seek our eternal relationship with the divine.

Since being totally generic with a practice like this is hard and can leave the reader with a bit of a meaningless feel, I'll go ahead and describe what I know best - meditation in the tradition of Sri Caitanya, the line I've received initiation myself. The bulk of this crash course should be easily adaptable for other traditions.

Every mantra has a meaning, a purpose, and a presiding divinity. The objective in Caitanya's tradition is the soul's attainment of an eternal relationship with Radha and Krishna, the original god and goddess of all existence, the personas of eternal, perfect knowledge and love.

Immersion in meditating on a mantra fills the soul, the mind and the body with great spiritual energy, brought about by the presence and influence of the deities of the mantra - in our example, Radha and Krishna. In fact, the word mantra is sometimes said to be derived of the Sanskrit words manah trayate, or "That which delivers the mind."

A mantra to meditate on

While initiates into diverse branches of Hinduism will have a host of secret mantras to meditate on, the maha-mantra, the "great mantra" and the essence of all mantras taught by Sri Caitanya is a treasure available for all, and without a cost at that. The maha-mantra reads as follows:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

This mantra consists of three distinct names of Radha and Krishna. Hare invokes Radha, and Rama is one of Krishna's names. By meditating on the mantra, invoking the divinities of the mantra, a practitioner will find the eternal world of Vraja and a loving relationship with Radha and Krishna in his heart.