Teachings
Modes of Devotion (Part 4)
Smarana, or Remembrance of God (continued)
For japa to be effective certain conditions need to be fulfilled.
Faith in God's name: Sri Ramakrishna taught that a childlike faith in God and His name is a prerequisite for japa to transform us and bring us close to God. Our mind tends to dwell on our undesirable past, our bad actions, and on the weak links in our character. A spiritual seeker has to resolutely desist from such negative thoughts and cultivate wholesome thoughts. Sri Ramakrishna once told a Goswami (devotee of Vishnu): "You are all good people. How much japa you practise! How much you chant the name of Hari!" The Goswami humbly said: "Oh, no! We do very little. I am a great sinner." Sri Ramakrishna (smiling): "You have humility. That is good. But there is also another way: 'I chant the name of Hari. How can I be a sinner?' He who constantly repeats: 'I am a sinner! I am a wretch!' verily becomes a sinner. What lack of faith! A man chants the name of God so much, and still he talks of sin!"
On a different occasion Sri Ramakrishna said, "The wretch who constantly says, 'I am bound, I am bound' only succeeds in being bound....One should have such burning faith in God that one can say: 'What? I have repeated the name of God, and can sin still cling to me? How can I be a sinner any more? How can I be in bondage any more?'"
Conscious repetition of the mantra: Mechanical repetition of the mantra does not have a transforming effect on our being. It is usual for many people to be caught in the vortex of thoughts when they repeat the mantra feebly. Such an exercise tires them quickly and they manage to do just the bare minimum number of repetitions of the holy name. If we remember that God and His holy name are not different, we will tend to do japa less mechanically. Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi emphasized the importance of conscious japa: "Repeating the name of God once, when the mind is controlled, is equivalent to a million repetitions when the mind is away from God."
Longing for God: Referring to people who mechanically repeat God's name without any longing for God, Sri Ramakrishna remarked: "Well, these people practise so much japa and go to so many sacred places, but why are they like this? Why do they make no progress? In their case it seems as if the year consists of eighteen months. Once I said to Harish: 'What is the use of going to Benares if one does not feel restless for God? And if one feels that longing, then this verymplace is Benares.' They make so many pilgrimages and repeat the name of Godmso much, but why do they not realize anything? It is because they have no longing for God. God reveals Himself to the devotee if only he calls upon Him with a longing heart."
A strong will to transform oneself: Sri Ramakrishna teaches that the mantra purifies our mind, but we have to struggle to grow in purity and not let our mind slide back to its old ways. Even if we have done something wicked we should not dwell on the past, but rather in the present, be steadfast in our spiritual practice and make an agreement with God: "If a man repeats the name of God, his body, mind, and everything become pure. Why should one talk only about sin and hell, and such things? Say but once, 'O Lord, I have undoubtedly done wicked things, but I won't repeat them.' And have faith in His name."
(To be continued)