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Each-mantra-of-each-round:
- You have to chant and hear each mantra. Right
here and now.
- Focus on this bead you are now holding between your fingers,
this mantra that is now being uttered from your lips and
now entering into the ear.
- And then move onto the next mantra, which you must focus
on in the same way… and the next… and the next.
- This may work for 10 or 15 mantras, maybe even 30, and
the mind will become diverted again. Then you have to pull the
mind back and set to it again.
- Continue to do this and you will succeed
- At the end of each round, take stock of how well you did, and
resolve to make the next round even better: “This time I
am going to concentrate fully on each and every mantra
of this round – all 108.”
- The attitude is, “Right now, this is the only round that
counts.”
- And so it goes on for each and every mantra of each and
every round… You will see steady improvement… And if
you practice this each and every day, your rounds in general will
steadily improve.
Emphasizing individual words – gradually build up:
- At the beginning of each round, decide on a particular word
or words in your mantra to emphasise, e.g. the first "Hare"
of the first half, or every "Krishna", or the two "Ramas"
in the last line.
- You will see how the words you emphasise start to stand out
more
- With each round, add to it: the double "Krishna" and
the double "Rama".
- Again, these words in the mantra will stand out more.
- Keep adding to it, never take a step backwards, or allow an
emphasis you have already established slip away, until finally
you are emphasising every word of the mantra.
Reading it:
- If the maha-mantra is written on the wall somewhere,
try reading it while you are chanting it.
- With each word of the mantra that you are chanting, follow
it on the wall with your eyes.
- This way, you are engaging one additional sense in helping you
to concentrate.
Blank the Mind:
- Take a moment to put the mind in "blank" state and
try to hold it in that state while you chant.
Chanting in Unison:
- Form a group (or pair) and chant a round or two in unison.
- The strength in numbers and trying to keep the same pace really
helps in conquering the minds failing attention span.
Four Steps:
- First of all, make sure you are not tired.
- Make sure you have proper pronunciation.
- Make sure you are not being distracted by anything.
- Then fix on your concentration.
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