It’s a realisation I had today about sharing our thoughts and experiences in devotional life with others….how that may have the effect of inspiring someone.When a devotee writes and tells me about the fact that they have started chanting 16 rounds again…or that their Japa has improved by reading articles in the Japa Group…this inspires [...]

Over the years I have discovered some effective ways to overcome inattention: 1. Don’t do anything else whilst chanting Japa 2. Listen very carefully to the sound coming out your mouth…choose a quiet place to chant so that you are able to hear your own chanting properly 3. Pronounce each word very clearly…even if it [...]

I have just started going to the gym, so I started linking my gym workout with my spiritual workout i.e. Japa. There are people at gym who train us to built our bodies, so likewise there are devotees at the spiritual gym i.e. Temple or home who train us to built our spiritual life.I have [...]

The “Art of Chanting Hare Krsna” mentions how devotees on different levels of advancement focus on different aspects of their chanting. A neophyte is mainly interested about different external methods, madhyama-adhikari tries to cultivate proper mood of devotion and first class devotees are absorbed in the mellows of devotion.Attentive hearing, right time and place etc. [...]

Every living entity has an inherent fear manifested out of its natural temporary position in the material world which is a labyrinth of birth, sorrow and death. But the sum total of all fear put together represented by Kala (time), mrtyu (death) and yama (the presiding deity of death) themselves are fearful of Lord Hari’s [...]

“If one’s heart does not change, tears do not flow from his eyes, his body does not shiver, nor his hairs stand on end as he chants the Hare Krsna maha−mantra, it should be understood that his heart is as hard as iron. This is due to his offenses at the lotus feet of the [...]

“Everyone of you should be thoroughly convinced of the power of the Hare Krsna mantra to protect you in all circumstances and chant accordingly at all times without offense. Then advancement will be swift and you will gradually come to see everything clearly so that you may act for the pleasure of the Lord without [...]

I had a small realization this morning about chanting japa. From practical experience I have realized that our degree of attententiveness to our japa effects every other aspect of our practicing Krishna consciousness. I have seen devotees who completely space out during their rounds (this is not to say I am exempt from this) , [...]

“There are three essential traits that must be cultivated to obtain success in chanting the holy name of the Lord: saintly association, isolation from the disturbances of mundane life, and determined, confident enthusiasm.“ Harinama Cintamani ShareTweet

Everyone is interested in attaining success in life. But the so-called “success” achieved through any material means does not lead to eternal happiness or perfection. Srimad Bhagavatam, however, gives the doubtless and fearless process of achieving the ultimate success leading to divine, unsatiable and blissful perfection for all…irrespective of their qualification. etan nirvidyamānānām icchatām akuto-bhayamyoginām [...]

From time to time I receive email messages from devotees who appreciate the Japa Group, I thought I would share the latest with everyone: “….I have been reading the japagroup since september 2007 almost everyday and it has inspired me many times. You really have made a very good project. I am always very happy [...]

The sound of Krishna’s Holy Name is very beautiful and attractive. It is in fact Krishna Himself. There is no difference between Krishna’s name and Him. Krishna is all attractive, His name is all attractive as well. In fact Krishna literally means “all attractive”. We can become very attracted to Krishna’s name by chanting Japa [...]

“There are innumerable living entities traveling throughout the different planets of the universe, and out of them there are a few who are fortunate enough to meet a pure devotee and get the chance to understand devotional service. This devotional service is just like a seed, and if it is sown in the heart of [...]

H.G. Mangalananda prabhu has been sharing his realizations about sankirtana here in Helsinki. He gave an example – when one is chanting spaced out Japa rounds, it is like a closed hit with the karatals, the sound doesn’t resonate even for a moment….one stays in the lower modes of the nature. But when one chants [...]

“Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare − these sixteen names composed of thirty−two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali−yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the [...]

Recently I received an email in regards to overcoming the wandering mind during Japa, here is the reply: Hare Krsna,Thankyou for your message about Japa. The problem of the wandering mind is a common one, even for devotees engaged full time in a temple, the mind can still wander onto other things during Japa. In [...]

True humility comes from attentive and serious chanting….by purification of the false ego (identification with the body, mind and intelligence) we realise that we are still in the early stages of our devotional journey, still taking baby steps on our way back to Godhead. An advanced and purified devotee never considers he has his Japa [...]

“. . .when you chant Krsna, Hare Krsna, actually the fact is Krsna is dancing on your tongue by sound vibration. Krsna is not away.” Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 4.20-24 – New York, August 9, 1966 ShareTweet

“In the offensive stage one may desire all kinds of material happiness, but in the second stage one becomes clear of all material contamination. When one is situated on the transcendental stage, he attains the most coveted position the stage of loving God. Lord Chaitanya taught that this is the highest stage of perfection for [...]

Following the success of the Japa Room, there is a brand new audio/visual chatroom opening this week. The Gita Room is a great way to hear about the Bhagavad Gita and join the association of devotees for nectar discussions on this most important book. Please visit http://www.thegitaroom.com to register. ShareTweet

nama cintamani-rupamnamaiva parama gatihnamnah parataram nastitasman nama upasmahe “The Holy Name is a beautiful transcendental touchstone – it is the supreme goal. There is nothing higher than the Holy Name. I therefore worship the Holy Name.” ShareTweet

nama-yajno mahayajnahkalau kalmasa-nasanamkrsna-caitanya-prityarthenama-yajna-samarpanam “The sacrifice of the name is the highest yajna, which destroys the contamination of Kali-yuga. In order to please Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, I offer this sacrifice of the Holy name.” ShareTweet

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna! [quote][b]from Sri Caitanya and Ragunaga Bhakti by Srila Adikesava Prabhu[/b] “….But sometimes on the assistance of Radha, the sakhis agree to have anga sangha with Krsna. A manjari never accepts anga-sanga with Krsna, even if Krsna desires and Radha insists. She is so absorbed in the happiness she feels in the [...]