Japa Nam-Repeating God's Name

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Japa Nam

Repeating God's Name

 

In order to focus one's mind on God, Babaji taught people to chant

the ancient mantra Om Namah Shivaya. It is a Sanskrit phrase which

means something like "I surrender to/bow to/take refuge in God,"

or "Lord, Thy will be done." The Name of God used in this mantra is

Lord Shiva, the Supreme Manifestation of God. Constant repetition of

the mantra (japa) focuses the mind on God-- opens the heart and mind

to God-- and stops, or reduces, the tendency of one's mind to

constantly plan (the future), worry (about the past), daydream

(illusion), or otherwise idle away in essentially useless activity.

 

Repeating God's Name of Om Namah Shivaya is a protection and a

purification of the consciousness. It is like a clear running

stream, constantly washing and renewing the mind for higher purpose.

Babaji's main purpose for re-appearing is to reform the hearts and

minds of people. He comes to remove confusion and evil from mankind.

Shri Babaji once said: "The mind can be purified only by japa. This

is the only medicine for the disease of the mind. While your mind

and heart are impure, how can God live in your heart? The water to

clean your heart is the Name of God. Teach everyone to repeat the

Name of God -- everywhere."

 

The mind that is generally focused on God's Name(s) responds, when

the need arises, spontaneously to perform its required functions

quickly, easily and well. Babaji emphasized Om Namah Shivaya but

also gave other mantras on some occasions. The essence of his

instruction is "Repeat God's Name." Shri Babaji said that when the

great destruction comes to the world, those who believe in and

worship God sincerely, and especially those who repeat His Name,

will be saved by the power of the mantra. "God's Name is more

powerful than a thousand atomic and hydrogen bombs."

 

How to perform Japa:

 

Usually, japa is performed on a mala (prayer beads, 108 beads per

strand, like a rosary). In the morning, upon waking from sleep, a

bath is taken immediately (pour water over all the body from a

bucket with a cup). After bath and dressing in your prayer clothes,

you sit peacefully in front of your altar. You touch the mala only

with the right hand. You hold the beads without using the index

finger (index finger is known as the "ego" finger so you leave the

ego out of this). You begin where the mala has one larger bead and a

tassle; you say one mantra per bead, working the mala around between

thumb and middle finger. Once you have completed the 108

repetitions, you turn the mala around and go back the same direction

you came. The large bead at the end is called the "guru" bead, so

you "don't cross the guru," you keep turning the mala around and

going back over the beads the opposite direction. Since 5 is a Shiva

number, it is good to do a minimum of 5 rounds of the mala at a

sitting. This is done morning and evening.

 

Japa Nam is also accomplished by constantly repeating the Name of

God while working, eating, walking, and everything you do in a day,

without always using the mala. When you repeat the Name of God while

working, it is also called Karma Yoga.

 

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