Question: Mota, Is there any association between Japa and Dhyana?
Pujya Shree Mota: Japa can done loudly. It can be done mentally with closed mouth and just moving the tongue. With constant effort Japa will be done in the heart automatically. It is best if Japa is done with the heartbeat, since heart is where the Japa originates. Japa itself is a kind of Bhava (intention, love, faith). Once the Japa is established in Bhava, Dhyana will automatically evolve from it. Dharana also will be established. In this way Japa, Dhyana and Dharana will be arranged in place.
Today there are many places where Dhyana is taught and many shortcuts are suggested. But the incremental process is not taught. For this reason, people keep inquiring at many places. There are many books explaining Dhyana are written but just reading the books will not cut it. Dhyana is easy if you create the habit of doing Dhyana at the same time and same place, get involved deeply in it and practice it regularly with enthusiasm, love, devotion and knowledge. This will not happen with just the talk. Start doing, start doing.
Pujya Shree Mota
Shree Mota Sathe Vartalap
Edition 2; Pages 53 - 54.
