For any mantra, a Guru is a must. For Rama Nama and the Mahamantra, you can start chanting even without a Guru.

Nama Article 20th October 2010

 

Source: http://www.namadwaar.org/answers/questions.html

 

I have heard that it is necessary to have a Guru initiate one into the Mantra, without which chanting of any mantra is futile. How true is it?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

 

For any mantra, a Guru is a must. For Rama Nama and the Mahamantra, you can start chanting even without a Guru. When you are accepted by a Guru, you can take formal initiation from him and continue. For all other mantras, one can recite it only after proper initiation.

 

From our scriptures

 

हरिसंकीर्तनस्यास्य नोपदेशः कथञ्चन

(Brahmanda Purana)

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare 
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare