# How to Practise Japa Meditation: A Complete Beginner Guide > A gentle step-by-step guide to japa meditation: choosing a mantra, using a mala, the three ways to chant, and what to do when your mind wanders. - **Published:** 2026-10-09 - **Author:** Mahakatha - **Category:** meditation-wellness - **Canonical URL:** https://mahakatha.com/blog/how-to-practise-japa-meditation/ Japa is one of the oldest and simplest forms of meditation in India. You choose a mantra, and you repeat it, gently, again and again, often counting on a string of beads. That's all. No special posture, no equipment you can't do without, no years of training. And yet people have practised it for centuries, in caves and temples and kitchens, because something happens when the mind is given one sound to rest on. This guide walks you through japa step by step, the way you might learn it from a patient friend: what it is, how to begin, how to use a mala, and what to do when your mind wanders (it will). ## What is japa? Japa (जप) means repeating a mantra, quietly and with attention. The repetitions are usually counted, most often in rounds of 108. The word comes from the Sanskrit root jap, "to utter in a low voice". It's a little different from simply chanting. When you chant a stotra, you move through many verses. In japa, you stay with one mantra, often a short one, and let it repeat. The repetition is the practice. ## Three ways to do japa Traditional texts describe three ways to repeat a mantra: - **Vachika (aloud).** You say the mantra in a voice others could hear. This is the easiest place to begin, because the sound holds your attention. - **Upamshu (whispered).** Your lips move and there is a soft sound, but only you can hear it. - **Manasika (in the mind).** No sound at all; the mantra repeats silently inside. Many traditions describe the silent way as the deepest, but there's no rush to get there. Most people start aloud, move to a whisper as the mantra becomes familiar, and let it go silent on its own over time. You can read more in [Should you chant a mantra silently or aloud?](https://mahakatha.com/blog/chant-mantra-silently-or-aloud/) ## Step 1: Choose your mantra Choose one mantra and stay with it for a while. A short one is easiest for japa. Some good places to start: - [Om Namah Shivaya](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/shiva/om-namah-shivaya/) - [Om Namo Narayanaya](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/vishnu/om-namo-narayanaya-mantra/) - [Om Gan Ganapataye Namo Namaha](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/om-gan-ganpataye/) - [Hare Krishna Hare Rama](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/krishna/hare-krishna-hare-rama/) - [Ram Naam Japa](https://mahakatha.com/japa/ram-naam-japa/): the name of Rama - [So Hum](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/universal/so-hum-mantra/), if you'd like a mantra that moves with the breath Not sure? Our guide to [choosing your first Sanskrit mantra](https://mahakatha.com/blog/sanskrit-mantras-for-beginners/) can help. Listen to the recording a few times before you begin, so the sounds feel natural. ## Step 2: Choose a time and a place Pick a time you can keep most days. Early morning is a favourite, when the house is quiet and the mind hasn't filled up yet. Evening works well too. Choose one spot, even a corner of a room, and come back to it. Over time, just sitting there begins to settle you. ## Step 3: Sit and settle Sit on a cushion, the floor or a chair. Keep your back upright but not stiff, and let your hands rest. Close your eyes, or let your gaze rest softly on the floor in front of you. Take a few slow breaths. If you like, quietly set an intention for your practice: "I'm doing this to steady my mind" or "I offer this to Shiva." This small moment is sometimes called sankalp, a resolve. ## Step 4: Use a mala (or your fingers) A mala is a string of 108 beads, plus one larger bead called the meru or guru bead. It simply helps you count, so your mind can stay with the mantra instead of the numbers. If you're curious about the different kinds, from rudraksha to sandalwood, see our guide to [the best mala beads for meditation](https://mahakatha.com/blog/best-mala-beads-for-meditation/). Here's the traditional way to use one: 1. Hold the mala in your right hand, draped over your middle finger (or ring finger, in some traditions). 1. Start at the bead next to the meru bead. 1. Say the mantra once, then use your thumb to draw the next bead towards you. 1. Keep going, one mantra per bead, all the way round. 1. When you reach the meru bead again, you've completed one round of 108. Many traditions say not to cross the meru. Instead, turn the mala around and go back the other way for the next round. Many traditions also suggest not using the index finger to move the beads. Some people keep their mala in a small cloth bag while they chant. These are customs of respect. Follow what your teacher or family does. No mala? Count on your finger joints, or use our free [japa counter](https://mahakatha.com/tools/japa-counter/) on your phone. ## Step 5: Repeat, and let the mind wander back Now, simply repeat. One mantra, one bead. Keep a steady, gentle pace. Not too fast, not dragging. Your mind will wander. It will make shopping lists, replay conversations, wonder if you're doing it right. This is not failure. It's what minds do. The practice is noticing, and gently coming back to the mantra. Each return is the practice working, not a sign that it isn't. A tip that helps many people: let the mantra ride on the breath. Or listen closely to the sound of each repetition, as if you were hearing it for the first time. ## Step 6: Close gently When you finish your round, don't jump straight up. Sit quietly for a minute or two. Notice how you feel, without judging it. If you set an intention at the start, you might offer the practice back with a short thank you. ## How many times, and for how long? The traditional count is 108, one full round of the mala. Depending on the mantra and your pace, a round takes about 5 to 15 minutes. If 108 feels like too much at first, start with 27 or 54, a quarter or half of a round. What helps most is doing a little every day. Ten steady minutes daily usually does more than one long session a week. Some people take on a longer commitment, like one round a day for 40 days, or several rounds daily for a festival. Begin small, and let it grow on its own. ## Common questions ### Why 108? There are many explanations, and no single agreed one. It's a number held sacred across Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions. Some point to 108 Upanishads in one traditional list, or to 108 names of many deities. Whatever the reason, it gives a practice a clear beginning and end. ### Can I do japa without a mala? Yes. A mala helps you count, but it isn't required. You can count on your fingers, use a counter, or set a timer and simply repeat until it rings. ### Can I listen to a recording while doing japa? Yes, especially when you're starting out. Chanting along with a recording helps you learn the pronunciation and keeps a steady rhythm. Over time you may find you prefer silence. ### Can I do japa while walking or doing chores? Many people repeat a mantra quietly through the day: while walking, cooking or waiting. It's a lovely habit. Keep a seated practice too, though, when you can give the mantra your full attention. ### Is it okay to change mantras? You can, but it helps to stay with one for at least a few weeks. Going deep with one mantra tends to be more settling than switching often. ### Does japa have to be religious? Japa comes from Hindu, Buddhist and Jain devotional practice, and many people do it as an act of devotion. Others use a mantra like So Hum simply as a meditation on the breath. Approach it with respect for where it comes from, and let it meet you where you are. ## An honest word Japa isn't a quick fix. Many people find that a regular practice helps them feel calmer and more settled, partly because slow, steady repetition slows the breath and gives the mind one place to rest. Others value it most as devotion. It doesn't replace rest, medical care or support from people around you. Let it be what it is: a small daily return to something steady. ## A last thought Japa asks very little of you: a few quiet minutes, one mantra, and the willingness to come back each time you drift. Begin with one round today. Tomorrow, do it again. ## Related mantras - [Om Namah Shivaya Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/shiva/om-namah-shivaya/) - [Om Namo Narayanaya Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/vishnu/om-namo-narayanaya-mantra/) - [Om Gan Ganpataye Namo Namaha](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/om-gan-ganpataye/) - [Hare Krishna Hare Rama Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/krishna/hare-krishna-hare-rama/) - [So Hum Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/universal/so-hum-mantra/) --- Source: https://mahakatha.com/blog/how-to-practise-japa-meditation/ — Mahakatha, https://mahakatha.com