Japa
Chanting a mantra or hymn softly and slowly is called japa, and chanting the same mantra loudly is called kīrtana. For example, uttering the mahā-mantra (Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare) very softly, only for one’s own hearing, is called japa. Chanting the same mantra loudly for being heard by all others is called kīrtana. The mahā-mantra can be used for japa and kīrtana also. When japa is practiced it is for the personal benefit of the chanter, but when kīrtana is performed it is for the benefit of all others who may hear.
In the Padma Purāṇa there is a statement: “For any person who is chanting the holy name either softly or loudly, the paths to liberation and even heavenly happiness are at once open.” (from Nectar of Devotion Chapter 9)
click on link; Srila Prabhupada Chanting
Simple Math
This morning as I was chanting my japa (which literally means “to speak softly”),I happened to notice the clock in front of me. How long does it take to say one mantra? So I chanted Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, while I watched the second hand on clock. It looked like it took just a little over 4 seconds to say one mantra. Devotees usually chant sixteen rounds on their beads, and there are 108 beads. So in my head I started to do the math…but pretty soon I needed a calculator
1 mantra = 4 seconds
108 mantras = 108 x 4 = 432 seconds
432 seconds divided by 60 = 7.2 or 7 minutes and 20 seconds
7.2 x 16 rounds = 115.2 or 115 minutes and 20 seconds
115.2 divided by 60 (minutes in a hour) = 1.92
(Now this was a little confusing for me…but I figure it is almost 2 hours)
The whole point of this exercise was to see how attentive I was while chanting. Honestly, I think that I have never completed my rounds in under 2 hours. Which means I have never yet been completely attentive. Well, there is always room for improvement. Hare Krishna!
Ten Offenses to be Avoided
The offenses against chanting the holy name are as follows:
1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord.
2) To consider the names of the demigods like Lord Siva or Lord Brahma to be equal to, or independent of, the name Lord Visnu.
3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.
4) To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version.
5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krsna to be imagination.
6) To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord.
7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of chanting the holy name of the Lord.
8) To consider chanting of Hare Krsna one of the auspicious ritualistic activities offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kanda).
9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name.
10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter.
Every devotee who claims to be a Vaisnava must guard against these offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success. It is also an offense to be inattentive while chanting.
Every devotee who claims to be Vaishnava must guard against these offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success KRISHNA PREMA!!!
The Hare Krishna Movement 