Why Wait to Do Japa?
A Story about Baba Muktananda
About the Author
Whenever I am engaged in an important assignment, I play the mantra in the background as I do my work. This has helped me to focus on and complete my assignments well. Repeating the mantra has become a constant companion in my life.
Hosur, India
Minnesota, United States
Reading this story, I recalled my own struggles as a mother of young children. A fellow Siddha Yogi had suggested I repeat the mantra regularly throughout the day. I wondered how I’d do that in the midst of all my other tasks as a mother. However, I tried it out.
I was amazed at how my outlook and approach to life began to shift. There was less struggle, greater ease, and an appreciation of the gifts around me.
Today, japa, meditation, chanting, and visiting the Siddha Yoga path website are my regular practices. They keep me anchored to the Truth, remind me of the bountiful beauty of nature, and guide me to see God in others.
Thank you, Baba. Thank you, Gurumayi. I feel your love every day.
Paddington, Australia
I am grateful to be learning about the importance of mantra japa from a Siddha Yogi who learned it from Baba himself! Her story tells me clearly, just as Baba said: “Never forget to do japa.”
Thank you, Baba, for this lesson. Thank you, Gurumayi, for all your love and care!
Yautepec, Mexico
As soon as I did that, I could sense Bade Baba, Baba, and Gurumayi in the room with me and feel their supportive presence. I kept repeating the mantra and breathing deeply throughout the procedure. I found that if I stayed relaxed and centered, I could move my awareness of the procedure to the periphery of my awareness and just enjoy satsang with my beloved Gurus.
California, United States
After several hours of struggling to sleep tonight, I decided that I should read the “Stories of Baba Muktananda” on the Siddha Yoga path website and look for guidance in them. I immediately chose story number 12, and I did receive the guidance I needed! The storyteller clearly states that when she has sleepless nights, she practices japa! And now I am going to do this too.
I am amazed to discover how Baba continues to guide us, even through other people’s experiences.Mumbai, India
Recently my cat has been sitting beside her bowl with head bowed, but has not been eating her food. I tried everything I could think of to entice her to eat, but nothing was working. When I read this story, I remembered how I’d been able to persuade her to eat in the past. So I went into the kitchen, repeated the mantra Om Namah Shivaya aloud to her with love, and she quietly ate her food! After all, I thought, I repeat the mantra before I eat, so why not repeat it before offering food to my cats?
Thank you Baba, for this timely reminder!Sydney, Australia
Until recently, japa hasn’t been one of my regular spiritual practices. I had thought that I had time to meditate, and sometimes to chant, but not to practice japa. Then last week, I noticed that in photos Baba often has a japa mala in his hand. I thought to myself, “If a living Guru continued to repeat the mantra, what makes me think that I can do without it?”
I realized that japa is an indispensable practice, one that can permeate not only my formal meditation time, but also my daily life. I pray for the grace and self-effort that I find in this story to remember my resolution to repeat the mantra every day—just as Baba did.North Carolina, United States
Reading this story has been a beautiful experience for me. It has inspired me to renew my commitment to a specific teaching, to appreciate the effort I’ve been able to make so far in assimilating it, and to relish the opening of my heart that has come from that.
Ohio, United States
Thank you, Baba, and thank you, Gurumayi, for your ever-patient teaching and perfect guidance.
Kentucky, United States