Weekly Japa Circle

Rasika prabhu asked me to say more about the Japa Circle that the devotees have here in Columbus, Ohio. Narottama prabhu suggested the idea last year.
It's a weekly meeting of some of us, when we get together, exchange realizations about Japa, talk about problems with Japa, read or hear some inspiring teaching, pastime, or lecture that is directly related to Japa.
We talk like this during two or three 15 or 20 minute breaks. The rest of the time we're all just doing Japa. The total meeting time is about 3.5 hours, but some devotees join in after the first break.

We found that in most congregations, activity groups do everything but Japa, which is arguably the core of our practice. Devotees get together to jam out in a kirtan, hear pastimes, discuss philosophy, honour prasad, etc. But rarely to just talk about and do Japa. So we decided that the Japa group was the need of the hour; at least that's how some of us felt.

Meeting and talking about this one important activity automatically raises its priority as really felt in our minds. Beccause we're social animals, making Japa a frequent topic of discussion gives it greater importance and raises its profile. Then during the rest of the week we focus more on it, because it's something we can talk about, even if its just talking about the problems.
It also induces the mind to start thinkinng of everything in terms of Japa and the Ten Offences. Most of us agreed that all the philosophy, suggestions for practice, etc. has something to do with the Ten Offences.

To make this group "serious", Narottama prabhu came up with a list of rules for conditional membership (ahem). Here they are below, in case any other communities want to take it up.
We decided to keep our group male only (the ladies soon enough started their own Japa circle).

The Japa Circle met weekly throughout the winter and early spring, but then it has become less regular, since during this season there are lots of other activities on weekends.
At such times, blogs such as Rasika prabhu's help, because again it gives people a place to read and talk about one thing -- Japa. The Japa Circle meetings will again pick up, probably after Janmastami.

Below is the "constitution" for the Japa Circle. Hope it helps.
-------------------------------------------------------------

The principle behind the rules is to foster a mood of intense application of the Japa process in a "team of equals" atmosphere based the instruction:

"One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant that a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly."

1. If you cannot attend a Club Meeting let the Coordinator know ahead of time.
2. Usually the meeting is divided into 2 or 3 sessions by 15 minute breaks. Be on time for whatever session you decide to attend.
3. No talking during Japa.
4. No small children.
5. No females.
6. No sleeping.
7. Enunciate the Maha-mantra (no silent Japa for extended lengths of time.)
8. Chanting should not be so loud that it disturbs others.
9. You may excuse yourself from a session for a short time in order to go to the bathroom, drink water, get fresh air, etc.
10. During the discussion period, discussion should be relevant to Japa, not argumentative, and conducted in a way that provides others with enough time to contribute their realizations.
11. Cell phones should be off or on vibrate.
12. Ideally chant while seated. If one needs to stand or pace, it should be done in way that doesn’t distract others.
13. Only Members or approved Guests can come to the meeting. To become an approved Guest one needs an approval from one of the Coordinators. The approving Coordinator is responsible for making sure that the prospective Guest agrees to the rules.
14. Usually a Guest should be at least chanting 4 rounds a day.

All important decisions of the Club are based on simple majority voting by the Coordinators.
Coordinators:
Secretary: (ie. the guy who makes sure someone is Coordinating that week’s meeting)