Guest guest Posted March 21, 2004 Report Share Posted March 21, 2004 OK, I am working on stabilizing the Virasana (hero posture) somewhat in the manner of Swamiji, by lengthening the number of mala repetitions, on what i hope will be a regular basis. The question is, what is the sadhu (efficient) manner of counting, both the mantras per exhalation, and the malas themselves ... I am using the Durga Mantra on the back of the Durga Puja book (Om Hrim Srim Dum Durgayai Namah)to count ... (btw is this referred to as the Gyatri?) So, on each inhalation I do one mantra (internally) and then exhale a number of repetitions ... how does the sadhu track this count, if it is 5, or 6, or more? And, how to best track the count of the malas? I am simply making a little slash on a piece of paper. On a similar note, what is the classical method of holding the mala while counting and optimizing the pose itself? Hope this is not too yoga-techie. steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2004 Report Share Posted March 21, 2004 Parvati did a post a while back showing how to count the mantras on your fingers. It really works and I love it. It is like nyasa, putting the mantras into your fingers. "bingo_ridley" <sconnor (AT) austin (DOT) rr.com> Mon, 22 Mar 2004 03:45:39 -0000 Technical question on counting ... OK, I am working on stabilizing the Virasana (hero posture) somewhat in the manner of Swamiji, by lengthening the number of mala repetitions, on what i hope will be a regular basis. The question is, what is the sadhu (efficient) manner of counting, both the mantras per exhalation, and the malas themselves ... I am using the Durga Mantra on the back of the Durga Puja book (Om Hrim Srim Dum Durgayai Namah)to count ... (btw is this referred to as the Gyatri?) So, on each inhalation I do one mantra (internally) and then exhale a number of repetitions ... how does the sadhu track this count, if it is 5, or 6, or more? And, how to best track the count of the malas? I am simply making a little slash on a piece of paper. On a similar note, what is the classical method of holding the mala while counting and optimizing the pose itself? Hope this is not too yoga-techie. steve Sponsor / <?subject=Un> Terms of Service <> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 Steve, As far as the number of mantras per breath is concerned, that will become a nearly thoughtless process as you become more familiar with doing japa in this way. For me, counting the number of malas is done in two ways, internally and externally. When doing japa aloud, or if I'm trying to get comfortable with a new mantra, I may count externally. Any object will do. I use some small stones I have. Just put one aside each time I reach the guru bead. Internally is a bit more difficult, but not too hard. It requires simply remembering the number. As the guru bead is reached, one repeats the number mentally three times (or more) with an intention that it will be retained. It helps to "see" the number. Then, as japa proceeds, the number is let go until the guru bead is reached again, at which point the last number should pop up and you repeat the process with the next number in the series. Chris , "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...> wrote: > OK, I am working on stabilizing the Virasana (hero posture) somewhat > in the manner of Swamiji, by lengthening the number of mala > repetitions, on what i hope will be a regular basis. > > The question is, what is the sadhu (efficient) manner of counting, > both the mantras per exhalation, and the malas themselves ... > > I am using the Durga Mantra on the back of the Durga Puja book (Om > Hrim Srim Dum Durgayai Namah)to count ... (btw is this referred to > as the Gyatri?) > > So, on each inhalation I do one mantra (internally) and then exhale > a number of repetitions ... how does the sadhu track this count, if > it is 5, or 6, or more? > > And, how to best track the count of the malas? I am simply making a > little slash on a piece of paper. > > On a similar note, what is the classical method of holding the mala > while counting and optimizing the pose itself? > > Hope this is not too yoga-techie. > > steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 hi chris, thanks, i like the idea of the little stones. steve , "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956> wrote: > Steve, > > As far as the number of mantras per breath is concerned, that will > become a nearly thoughtless process as you become more familiar with > doing japa in this way. > > For me, counting the number of malas is done in two ways, internally > and externally. When doing japa aloud, or if I'm trying to get > comfortable with a new mantra, I may count externally. Any object > will do. I use some small stones I have. Just put one aside each time > I reach the guru bead. > > Internally is a bit more difficult, but not too hard. It requires > simply remembering the number. As the guru bead is reached, one > repeats the number mentally three times (or more) with an intention > that it will be retained. It helps to "see" the number. Then, as japa > proceeds, the number is let go until the guru bead is reached again, > at which point the last number should pop up and you repeat the > process with the next number in the series. > > Chris > > , "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...> > wrote: > > OK, I am working on stabilizing the Virasana (hero posture) > somewhat > > in the manner of Swamiji, by lengthening the number of mala > > repetitions, on what i hope will be a regular basis. > > > > The question is, what is the sadhu (efficient) manner of counting, > > both the mantras per exhalation, and the malas themselves ... > > > > I am using the Durga Mantra on the back of the Durga Puja book (Om > > Hrim Srim Dum Durgayai Namah)to count ... (btw is this referred to > > as the Gyatri?) > > > > So, on each inhalation I do one mantra (internally) and then exhale > > a number of repetitions ... how does the sadhu track this count, if > > it is 5, or 6, or more? > > > > And, how to best track the count of the malas? I am simply making a > > little slash on a piece of paper. > > > > On a similar note, what is the classical method of holding the mala > > while counting and optimizing the pose itself? > > > > Hope this is not too yoga-techie. > > > > steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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