MANTRAM AND JAPAM

"In the beginning was the Word," according to the Gospel of St. John, and "the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  This is not unlike the verse in the Rig-Veda, "In the beginning was Brahman, with whom was the Word, and the Word was truly the supreme Brahman."

In its various forms and modifications, the Word, philosophically, may be traced down from the ancient Hindu scriptures, to the teachings of Plato and the Stoics, to Philo of Alexandria, and again to John, the author of the Fourth Gospel.

In Hinduism, the Word takes the form of a mantram or mantra, which is given to a disciple by his teacher at initiation.  This consists of one or more holy names which the disciple is to repeat and meditate upon throughout the rest of his life.

The mantram is considered private and sacred, for it is the essence of the teacher's instructions to that particular disciple.  At the same time, it is the seed within which spiritual wisdom passes from one generation to another.  The disciple must never tell his mantram to any other person.

The act of repeating the mantram is called japam or japa.  The disciple can make japam aloud if he is alone, or silently if he is among other people.  Most spiritual aspirants make a certain fixed amount of japam every day.  Many use a rosary, moving one bead with each repetition of the mantram, thus eliminating the distraction of having to count. 

The making of japam is not confined to Hinduism.  Catholicism teaches it, as does the Greek Orthodox Church, among others.