In this weeks meditation exercise, Sri Chinmoy offers some advice about the appropriate times for practicing mantra, japa and meditation. He also highlights the value of using a spiritual name as a mantra and defines the difference between mantra and japa.

Even if you got your mantra, japa and meditation all from the same Master, you should practice them at three different times because the forces of these practices do not go together. In the morning, if you want to, you can chant a specific mantra; in the evening you can do japa and at some other time you can do meditation. Otherwise, while you are meditating, if you suddenly get the inspiration to do japa or to chant some specific mantra, you will only ruin your aspiration. Japa and mantras have their own significant power but in the highest type of meditation, when your inner being is communing with God, at that time there is no thought, no idea; your mind is calm and quiet, so there should be no mantra or japa there.

In my own case, I do not emphasise the importance of mantras for those following my path. But if a disciple does want to practise a mantra, I tell him that he can repeat the name of God – 'Supreme – or he can chant 'Aum'. Again, if he does not care to repeat these divine words, he can chant his own soul's name. To some disciples I have given spiritual names, soul's names. If you can repeat your own soul's name, I assure you that you will be able to bring to the fore all your divine qualities and to become energised with divine power. If you repeat even ten times very slowly the spiritual name I have given you, then a new and fruitful consciousness will dawn in you. (Source: Two Divine Instruments: Master and Disciple)

Question: Will you please explain the difference between mantra and japa?

Sri Chinmoy: Japa is the repetition of a mantra. AUM is a mantra; it is not japa. If you repeat AUM twice, thrice or hundreds of times, this repetition is japa. A mantra can be one syllable, many syllables or even a few sentences. When we repeat the mantra, it becomes japa. (Source: Prayer-World, Mantra-World, Japa-World)

I know that some of you repeat AUM and 'Supreme' at home. It is wonderful that you practice this, but please practice it aloud, not silently. Let the sound of the mantra vibrate even in your physical ears and permeate your entire body. (Source: Prayer-World, Mantra-World, Japa-World)

If you want a mantra,
Then "Supreme"
Is by far the best mantra.
– Sri Chinmoy