It's just another way of saying "mantra based meditation." Choose a mantra (traditionally a name of God), repeat with unattached concentration. It's very helpful to focus on hearing (inactive/uninvolved) the mantra versus saying the mantra (active/involved). It's a distinction that you may have trouble with at first, but slowly with practice it will come to you.
Sure, of course. Can I ask what your reason/goal/intention for meditating is? Find a quiet place, with a comfortable seat (sitting in a chair, or cross legged, etc. it doesn't really matter) with a straight back. It's helpful to have the knees below the hips to decrease any tendency to slouch. The most important thing about posture is just to have a straight back, and that you're comfortable sitting there for 20-30 minutes. (I'd say if you're new to meditating and under 20 years old, then meditate for 20 minutes, if you're over 20years old, then go for 30). The basic practice of meditation is to sit comfortably and listen/observe a single thought (in this case the thought is a mantra). At first you may have trouble actually listening to the mantra and it will appear as though you're saying it, but don't worry, just forge ahead without any expectations. So you just repeat the mantra over and over for 30 minutes. When your mind drifts off to other thoughts, just gently drift back to the mantra when you realize you drifted. Go into each meditation with an attitude of acceptance, and without expectation. Distractions come up, the mind wanders, and that's normal and natural. Just observe it without judging it, accept it completely, and go back to the mantra. Try and get rid of any preconceived notions about what meditation is or is not supposed to be. Just focus on the hearing the mantra. There's a fine line between trying to control the mind and focusing intently. If you find that you're eyes are scrunching up, or that your fists are clenched, you're probably trying too hard. Just relax, and let the mantra flow like clouds floating by in the sky. Gradually your attention will get better, and the mantra will become clearer. So you sit, you detach from the outside world, and you begin repeating/listening to your mind saying the mantra. When a thought other than the mantra comes up, you go back to the mantra. Remember, don't think of meditation as a goal, it's only a means; it's only a tool. Whatever happens in the meditation, happens exactly as it should. If you really want to make spiritual progress, it's invaluable to also be mindful when not meditating. Again, this starts out a little difficult, but gradually becomes 2nd nature. As far as a mantra, I'd suggest listening to your heart. I don't know what your spiritual/religious background is, but go with what you're inclined to go with. If you feel a nice emotion for Jesus in your heart, use a Christian mantra. If you see a picture of Shiva and you immediately feel drawn to it, then choose a mantra based on Shiva. Really, it matter exceptionally little what the mantra actually is. There are thousands of thousands of traditional mantras that you can find by googling "Shiva mantra," or "Brahma mantra," etc. My one recommendation on choosing a mantra would be to use one that is no more than three words. After that it's too much. "Remember, on this path there is no failure, and effort never goes to waste."--Krishna. Feel free to post or PM me with any questions about anything, or if something comes up.
You might like to listen to this two part podcast, which focuses predominately on the use of Mantra in Traditional South Indian Tantra. Interestingly the statement is made that this form of Tantra, from Kerala, is more "pure" than the forms from North Indian and Bengal, as they've had a lot of other outisde cultural influence on their cultures throughout India's tumultuous history, which is perhaps more or less true depending on your perspective. I found it a very good listen.
Uh, ajapa japa means non repitition repition. Such techniques might use breath as focus. Why ask here. ?
To my understanding ajapa japa means reciting without reciting. Similar to "doing without doing" or similar translations of wei wu wei from the Dao De Jing. It may specifically refer to the spontaneous repetitions that occur after one is reciting a mantra for an extended period of time, when the mantra starts to constantly repeat itself, spontaneously, with no conscious thought or effort needed from yourself. It could also mean mental repetition as opposed to vocal repetition. But that is a guess on my part. http://www.yogamag.net/archives/2005/dapr05/orjap.shtml
Well, since you ask here I won't be smug. Mantra meditation and japa are what I do and have done. Silent mental japa is usually called manasjapasomething. The brain washes clean after so many years, and even the knowledge itself washes away. So all japa comes to nothing eventually. Thus repetition is a means of reminding oneself of what one is reciting. Having come to Dzogchen now as Buddhist I have some short sadhanas which are mainly japa of Tibetan Buddhist Ishtadevata, of which deity I will keep that council to myself. None of which itself has necessarily to do with Dzogchen I just got lucky to get a good short -programme- of mental gymnastics which acheives some sort of good synchronistic feeling which has somehow worked for me somewhere in the areas of the brain which normally do not have much use. Like for instance, in these short sadhanas the mind works more with meaninglessness and uncertainty than spefic meaning and certainty. thus ones mind finds a pivot from which to self expand even though no such pivot has an existance. Thus the previous wisdom of the lineage I always say is most important. Respecting or feeling ones lineage anyways. Is what one is doing as the technique and how the mind is being made to function so it is very important to have good lineage so one can relax with that. I would thus research lineages as if one looks one can even walk right up to Patanjali's own lineage which still remains if one can look. So start there, by looking. Not trying to be smug. As for technique just I hope for you that the Mother Divine Kundalini Shakti take you back into herself. Or if that makes you space out as silent mental meditation does me when I do too much then spoken japa is a good medium ground for gently reminding oneself what one is about. Yes? The irony here being something about japaajap and mind/no mind. Of what could such a thing be? Would it have a form? People ask this and we get I Chings and Tarots and Mandalas and so on, so to what degree of self recognition does it behoove one to self-apply? Peace.
