Journal Entry: Purashcharana; Meditation, Mantra & Mala Beads

Purashcharana, is a Sanskrit word that means “a forward step” or “the first step on the path of Spirituality.” Purashcharana is a dedicated practice of several components including Japa/ mantra repetition, homa / fire offering, tarpan / nourishing of the body and mind, and marjana /cleaning the body, as stated in the book, The Power of Mantra and the Mystery of Initiation, by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.

As is the tradition of my practice, I will not share my personal mantra or practice specifics as these are living and Sacred gifts to me from my Spiritual Teacher. I will, however, share through journaling my thoughts, my experiences, self-discoveries, and the preparation leading up to and throughout my practice.

I began my Purashcharana in April 2019. A goal that became my personal commitment to God. For me, the practice of mantra and meditation is about deepening my own inner relationship with God, and through this inner experience, I hope to gain a deeper realization, respect, and understanding of the Divine within myself.

April 19, 2019 – A Full Moon…

Together with my spiritual teacher, Rolf, we picked a date for me to start a 40-day practice of meditation and Japa. Japa is a mantra practice that is done with mala beads and can be done in conjunction with meditation. I started this practice on April 19, 2019, Good Friday and a full moon. April 19th, I decided was a good day, a special day to begin a meaningful and mystical practice. The practice was to be done in 40 days including the traditional additional 10% (4 additional days) ending my practice on June 1 exactly 2 years to the day of my arrival to the Himalayan Institute.

A Turbulent Mind…

Purashcharana came to me at the beginning of a time when some serious decisions that needed some attention and focus were running amuck in my mind causing hesitation and vacillation. While important, I decided that doing nothing at this time was a decision worth doing and to drop from my mind the choices that I had in consideration for the next 44 days to focus on this spiritual commitment. This one decision to do nothing but commit to meditation and Japa practice would prove to be the best decision of all. Leaving room within myself to soften the anxiety that I was experiencing due to the oscillating going on in my head. Interestingly and even comforting, a couple weeks into my practice when I’d take a peek at some of those serious decisions the idea of them became easier. The practice was beginning to create a clearer view of the paths that I could choose to walk, giving me a sense of renewed discovery and releasing the sense of fear. How did this work? Could a dedicated mantra practice really produce such a calming, and clear effect on my brain? As I tucked away those once pesky choices and returned to my commitment, I wondered how this practice would unfold a new depth within myself. I closed my eyes and promised to keep my mind and heart open to the possibilities.

Signposts, Whispered Hints & Magical Gifts…

As I get older and process my own life experiences I believe less in coincidences and more in cosmic law and divine intervention. These laws come complete with signposts whispered hints and magical gifts to be sure but one needs to slow down, sit, and pay close attention.

From the moment I arrived at the Himalayan Institute, I was drawn to mala beads, mantra, and meditation. Yes, the beads are enticing and they make for a great mystic accessory but I wanted to know more. Where are they from? What’s the history behind mala beads? How and why are they used? And how can I learn to use them? Shortly after I arrived at H.I. I purchased a book on Japa, a beautiful set of ebony mala beads, and a meditation journal. Not knowing what to do with the beads, I wore them at first. I’d find myself rolling the beads between my fingers in thought. I truly love the feeling of them when worn. They feel like a string of mystery around my neck and they seem to gently remind me of the spiritual path that I’m on. To this day I have a set that I wear and a set that I pray with. Both are filled with my shakti, prayers, thoughts, dreams, sadness, joy, and love.

Over time I’ve discovered a bit about mala beads and have grown to love them even more. Mala beads or prayer beads trace back to 8th century India. Ever-evolving through various traditions such as Buddhism, Judaism, and even Catholicism as rosary beads. Mala beads can be made of rose petals, natural stone, wood, nuts, seeds, shells, and lava stone. Through these natural “gems” mala beads are said to be a channeling source of prayer and shakti. By attending various yogic philosophy classes, reading books such as the Bhagavad Gita, studying the Yoga Sutras, and visiting my teacher with questions, the enigma of meditation, mantra, and yoga philosophy began to quietly and gently reveal an invisible thread that I’ve begun to pull on with hungry enthusiasm.

Hey Rolf!, do you have time for a chat?

One day I approached Rolf with wide-eyed enthusiasm and said I’m curious about mantra, what does it mean? He answered with, “A mantra is a living and Sacred Sound of the Divine”, and by offering me a book to read and suggesting that I consider receiving a personal mantra. I declined the personal mantra at that time, stating that I didn’t think I was prepared for one. I wanted to understand this thing called mantra, I wanted to understand the true meaning, depth, and power behind this form of prayer before receiving something that I would devalue without the proper understanding. Funny enough, I could hardly wrap my head around this book or subject until many months later after receiving my personal or guru mantra before the book began to make sense to me.

Rolf’s suggestion of Panditji’s book, The Power of Mantra and Mystery of Initiation was the key to opening a door full of mystery, awe, and curiosity, leading me to dig deeper into the study of sound, words, and their vibration and the power of words and how they affect us. As I read through philosophical and sacred texts I’m always mystified by the subject of mantra/ Sacred Sound and the origin and the concept of shabda (sound) and the transmission of mantra to the Sages. In this early stage of my mantra studies, I have observed of late the unique way in which the few mantras that I have memorized have had an effect on me physically and spiritually. I have felt a very real feeling of hum or vibration in the core of my being during certain periods of mantra practice. I have felt the deep softening of my body when I’ve brought awareness to my breath and linked it with focused meditation, I have at times been keenly aware of my behavior and my responses to others’ behavior when in group practice and ritual that includes several long daily fire havan’s and mantra practices and in this awareness I’m able to see where I can catch myself and replace negative reactions and judgments with positive responses. I have and continue to feel a sense of peace and joy when these practices settle and I can process and marinate in them.

As I begin to trust this mantric vibration a deeper ability of trust in myself and in my discernment has begun to rise up from the depths of my Soul as if awakened by an eternal and internal love song leaving me feeling warm, protected, and in love with life. The more I meditate and practice with my beads in hand the more the days of contentment, joy, and real happiness seem to last and outweigh those dark heavy days of a turbulent mind.

A New Year and New Practice

In preparation for a personal practice at the start of the new year, I consulted my friend and Spiritual mentor, Rolf. The following are some thoughts that he suggested that I consider before embarking on a 14-day Spiritual Meditative Journey.

Consider the reason, Intention, and full journey of this Inner Quest

Consider the Mantra and its qualities and purpose

Consider the realistic commitment

Consider omitting alcohol and cannabis during this journey

Consider beginning this practice at the start of the new year – A personal commitment to myself to reaffirm trust in self

I must understand my personal mantra/prayer

It is advised to practice before committing. Know how long a mala takes with my chosen mantra and how long I can reasonably sit in comfort

Work with my Spiritual advisor and friend.

Consider reading the Bhagavad Gita during this Sacred time.

This year my heart is considering this Journey as a companion to Practice and Study of a Year to Live