Questions about INATTENTIVE CHANTING and answers by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura from his books:
Q. What is the main impediment blocking one from developing attachment for chanting?
A. If one gives up all the offenses in chanting, but remains inattentive, he can never develop attachment for chanting. (Sajjana Tosani 11/1)
Q. What are the various definitions of inattention while chanting?
A. O Lord! All anarthas are produced when we do not pay attention to our chanting. The exalted devotees have defined inattention as indifference, laziness, and restlessness. (Harinama-cintamani)
Q. What is the symptom of a restless chanter?
A. Those who are afflicted with restlessness try to finish their prescribed rounds as soon as possible. One should be extremely careful not to commit such an offense while chanting. (Harinama-cintamani)
Q. How can laziness be destroyed?
A. The characteristic of a saintly person is that he does not waste time. By seeing such character in another, one will certainly hanker after it. One will think, “Alas! When will I become fortunate enough to chant, sing, and remember the holy names of the Lord like this saintly person?” Such enthusiasm in a lazy person’s mind will destroy his laziness because he will remember Krsna. (Harinama-cintamani)
Q. Why does one become indifferent to chanting the holy names?
A. If the desire to accumulate wealth, enjoy the association of women, name and fame, to cheat others, and to seek victory over defeat fills one’s heart, that will naturally make one indifferent to chanting the Lord’s holy names. (Harinama-cintamani)
Q. Why is inattention in chanting the source of all offenses?
A. O reservoir of all transcendental qualities! If one chants the holy names of the Lord but his attention is elsewhere, how can he benefit? If even such a person chants one hundred thousand holy names of the Lord, still a drop of the mellow of ecstatic love will not be attained. O Lord! This is the definition of inattention while chanting the holy names. This offense is deeply rooted in the hearts of materialists. (Harinama-cintamani)
Srila Prabhupada showed us the "japa walk." When a person walks, they have to aware of their surroundings, steps, obstacles, holes, bumps, etc. A certain amount of attention must be paid to the function of physically walking. The stereotypical idea of a person sitting with eyes half closed and doing japa doesn't match the walk, chant, stop, talk style that Srila Prabhupada daily displayed. Thank Krishna that he did because there are many of us with restless leg syndrome! :) I would be lost without my japa walk. My wife can sit in one place and chant more rounds than Haridas Thakur. Me, I gotta move. I am forever grateful that Srila Prabhupada liked walking while chanting – Iskcon's first and foremost multi-tasker.
Hare Krsna dear vaisnavas,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am very inspired by these responses by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur. During these very difficult times I am trying my humble best to increase my focus on simply hearing every Holy Name in the Maha Mantra.
I noticed that my mind has a tendency during chanting, to wonder over many thoughts, many of which are Krsna conscious. So I would try to drag my mind back to the chanting. But inevitably I would miss hearing several Maha Mantras. But what I have decided is to simple make sure that I am actually hearing each and every one of the 16 names in the Maha Mantra, and simply ignore any other distractions whether it is coming from my mind or any other distractions as in the distractions related to taking walks etc.
My humble opinion is that we should concentrate on making sure that we are actually hearing the Holy Names. Just like if a very famous person where to show up at our home, we would put aside everything and give 100% attention to their every need. So how could we not pay full and absolute loving attention to Harinam Prabhu as He manifest Himself dancing on our tongues. He is personally present when we vibrate His Holy Names.
Your humble servant,
Balabhadra Bhattacarya dasa
We are extremely fortunate to recite Maha-mantra – realize and internalize this fact of calling the Supreme Lord with complete submission is the key.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Hare Krishna,
this article is extremely important. Practically all the behaviors addressed affected me in a daily basis.
I hope and pray that one fine day i will be able to hear each and every transcendental sound of the Holy Name. may i be protected from all these inattentions.
Hare Krishna!