Japa Meditation

Japa meditation is the form of meditation most commonly used in Buddhism, Hinduism and other Dharmic religions. It uses the continued repetition or chanting of a mantra, a poetic word or phrase used to help focus and/or clear the mind. (The word mantra comes from Sanskrit roots meaning "tool for thought.")

Repetitions are often counted with a string of beads, 108 in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, called a japa mala. Some variant of japa meditation can be found in most of the world's religions. Catholics using a string of rosary beads to count repetitions of the prayer "Hail Mary" provide an example in Christianity.

The continued repetition, whether of a prayer, a mantra, or one of the names of the Godhead, induces a trance-like state. The overriding purpose is to achieve nirvana. This Sanskrit word means "extinguishing," and refers to freeing the practitioner from emotions into a condition of peace and enlightenment.

These are also the goals of the meditation technique "Be Still and Know," developed by Roy Masters. Masters believes, however, that the repetition of a mantra dulls the mind and simply covers over emotions rather than dealing with them. His technique asks practitioners to allow emotions in, but simply to observe them without reacting to them. This leads to objectivity rather than repression of emotions. You can download a guide to "Be Still and Know" on the website of the Foundation of Human Understanding, where you may also order an audiotape, CD, or one of Roy's 16 books.

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