1. An initiated mantra is to be practiced regularly without break. A minimum of 20 minutes a day will be useful. In a situation where one does not find time to sit and chant the mantra, at least a few repetitions should be done without sitting for the japa.
2. It is better to practice japa twice a day, both in the morning and evening/night. Before going to sleep, one should compulsorily recite the mantra a few times, by lying on the bed.
3. Soon after initiation, mantra japa can be recited with lip movements, so that pronunciation mistakes can be avoided. After 10 days from the date of initiation, mantra should be chanted only mentally.
4. A japa mala can be used during the first month. After a month, japa mala can be dispensed with. Count the number of repetitions per minute. For example, if you can recite 10 japa mantras per minute, you can fix a time of 20 minutes for doing 200 repetitions. This can be noted down in a note book for reference for performing puraścaraṇa.
5. By getting initiated into japa mantra does not confer any benefits. Mere repetitions will not help. While doing japa, all other thoughts should be removed and entire focus should be only on the mantra and the Devata. One may or may not have material benefits which should not be the sole aim of any japa mantra.
6. By repeating japa mantra, siddhis cannot be attained. Japa mantra is meant to purify the mind and helps in further progress towards the path of Liberation.
7. Japa mantra alone will not help. It has to be practiced along with prāṇāyama and meditation. First, prāṇāyama is to be practiced at least for 10 minutes (prāṇāyama document is sent separately). Then japa mantra is to be practiced followed by meditation. One’s closeness to Devata is decided only on the basis of mantra japa cum meditation. Mantra has to enter into subconscious mind. Only then, the mantra will work.
8. Effect of mantra japa purely depends upon one’s karmic account and sincerity in practice. To feel the first effect of mantra japa, it may take six months or even more, depending upon one’s sincerity. There are instances when one begins to feel the effect of mantra japa as early as a month and similarly there are instances when one does not feel any effect of the mantra japa even after two or three years.
9. It is not necessary to take bath before doing mantra japa, as it is not related to the body, but to the mind. However, clean body helps to purify the mind. It is advisable to keep the stomach half empty.
10. Since japa is to be followed with meditation, sitting posture should be with erect spine. One can also sit on a chair and do the japa.
11. Avoid using incense sticks and lamp in the place where one meditates.
Please go through these links for further details.
2. How to meditate with a mantra japa / How to Practice Mantra Japa
January 13, 2016 07:54 AM
thank you for sharing
January 17, 2016 08:49 PM
Thank you sir. Sairam
January 18, 2016 02:39 AM
Sir,
The information that is given under the point numbers.9 and 11 are great. Till now i have not come across such guided word from the experienced master. This helps much to the elders , especially-who are in cold country areas, and who are sick.
October 12, 2017 07:47 PM
What is the reason behind point no. 11 ?
October 12, 2017 07:50 PM
While meditating, we need pure air with good oxygen level. Incense sticks will pollute the air around us. There are two reasons for avoiding lamps while meditating. When the lamp is burning, it consumes oxygen, thus making the air around us with less oxygen. Second, in case we lose our consciousness while meditating, we may fall on the lamp. These are precautions we need to follow for practicing good meditation.
January 09, 2018 10:53 PM
I practice a Siva Mantra (Verse 946) of Thirumoolar and took it as a deeksha in 2009 as part of a teaching(Siva Yoga). The teacher/Guru who initiated left physical plane a year after. Whenever I chant the mantra and do the practices, intense heat is generated along spine and whole body. I see some suggestions in this site on sphatika mala. Also read about sandalwood application on forehead. Can you please provide more alternatives to balance this? I do not want to give up on the teaching for this reason. The heat of the kundalini energy also causes mild to intense pressure within head - mostly makes me feel little spaced out from reality. Should I take it as a normal part of the process and proceed or back down practices and resort to slower method? Please share your thoughts based on experience for the two questions. Thank you in advance. The predicament is there is no physical guidance readily available except for the Master who's in a different dimension :) And I face this too much prana in system with few chantings (<9) and I checked with other folks initiated and they do not readily observe such kind even after 108 chants. Is my system weak or too sensitive?
January 10, 2018 09:59 AM
Please do the following.
1. Close your right nostril and breathe through left nostril (both inhalation and exhalation). Do this for 10 to 15 times, three times a day. This will bring down the heat generated because of Kundalini.
2. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Use more of milk and milk related products such as ghee, buttermilk, curd, etc.
3. Avoid spicy food.
January 11, 2018 08:41 PM
Thank you Sri Ravi. The heat subsided to an extent. I also enjoy applying chandan as it keeps the head cool and thoughts more grounded. Will be more careful about water & food. Gratitude.
September 02, 2019 08:25 AM
Dear Ravi Guruji, Namaskarams. This month we have the Pitru Paksha starting in the dark fortnight of the month with Mahalaya Amavasya falling on Saturday, September 28, 2019. Is this day and period especially auspicious for mantra japa and siddhi. Would love to get your guidance. Thanks
September 02, 2019 11:32 AM
Generally, we don't start any auspicious deeds during Pitru Paksha. There is no special significance is attached to mantra sadhana on Mahalaya Amavasya.