Sadhu Paksha, Day One

Bodhinatha's Sun One Video. Most Recent update: July 30, 2003.

Bodhinatha speaks on Japa, Mantra Repetition, niyama # 9, elucidating the many dimensions of the sacred science of mantrams, chanting a holy syllable, word or sentence again and again.

Japa may be done silently or aloud. Sometimes it is best to begin aloud, so the mind is more focused, then slowly let it become internalized as concentration improves. Often japa is done right after attending a puja. Japa is not used to acquire worldly things. Instead, prayers are used for that. People who anger should not practice japa.

The simplest japa is A-U-M. This is the primary sound of the universe. Initiation is important before starting the practice of japa yoga. Once initiated it is essential to continue the practice, to strive consistently and to chant as instructed by the guru.

14 minutes, 2 seconds

Today's Inspired Talk
Title: Improving Our Behavior with the Help of the Guru Part 5 Category: Self Improvement Duration: 12 minutes, 6 seconds Date Given: July 9, 2003 Date Posted:August_02_2003 Given by: Bodhinatha

Cybertalk: Part 5 of 7 - Continuing Bodhinatha's first Guru Purnima class on the role of the guru and his task of helping us improve our behavior, Bodhinatha tells us that "If you were perfect you wouldn't have been born in the first place." In other words, we all have human weaknesses and we can't condemn ourselves for being imperfect. When we make a mistake, rather than reacting with "I shouldn't have done it," make the resolve "I shouldn't do it again." Here we begin to take a look at controlling anger. Gurudeva gives us many tools for this important restraining of the instinctive nature. The first is color, the visualization of light blue flooding our aura.

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