Guru and Namakirtan: Spiritual discipline means holding the mind steadfast at His holy feet all the time and immersing the mind in thoughts of Him. Repeat His Name.

Nama Article 9^th March 2015

Source: Gospel of Holy Mother Sarada Devi

VARANASI 17 Pous (January-February) 1912:

Disciple: How and where should I perform spiritual disciplines?

Mother: Varanasi is the place for you. Spiritual discipline means holding the mind steadfast at His holy feet all the time and immersing the mind in thoughts of Him. Repeat His Name.

Disciple: What can repetition of His Name achieve, if it is not attended with earnestness?

Mother: Regardless of whether you get into water willingly or are pushed, your clothes will be soaked. Practice meditation regularly, for your mind is still unripe. After prolonged practice of meditation your mind will become steady. And you should constantly discriminate between the real and the unreal. Know the worldly objects to which the mind is drawn to be unreal and surrender your mind to God. A man was angling in a pond all by himself when a bridegroom's procession with its music passed by. But his eyes remained fixed on the float.

Disciple: What is the aim of life?

Mother: The aim of life is to realise God and remain immersed in the contemplation of His holy feet always. You monks belong to the Master. He is watching over your earthly life as well as your life to come. What worry do you have? Can anyone think of God all the time? Spend some time relaxing and some time absorbed in thoughts of Him.

Please check these: Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Is chanting while doing work considered as meaningful chanting ?

Nama Chanted unknowingly also wipes out all of one's sins

Don't stop chanting for any reason. The rest of the things will be taken care of automatically.

Therefore, just as we bathe, wear clothes, eat food, etc. whether our mind is involved in it or not, so too, should we do a certain amount of Năma japa, părayana, kirtana, vandanam every day

Mechanical chanting is the only starting point we can attempt. It matures to love by grace.

Mechanical chanting is the starting phase. It will soon graduate to mental chanting and soon this mental one-pointed chanting will lead to the source of the chant, which is the truth.

Those who chant the Mahamantra even once in this Kali Yuga are assured of 'Moksha' (liberation)

It is impossible for anyone to do continuous Dhyana, Yoga or Brahma-Vichara or to observe austerities like fasting or vigil. But the Name can be chanted continuously even if it is mechanical.

Nama Kirtan, whether done knowingly or unknowingly, certainly has to give its effect

Japa even once uttered has its own good effect, whether the individual is aware or not.

The same scriptures also state that one should follow the words of the Guru without any doubts or questions and act accordingly.