Morning Rounds: Opening Up the World of Bhakti Through Japa Meditation

Hari Prasada Das (Upbuild)
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Spirituality

In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice. Like a doctor making rounds to support healing, Morning Rounds is about tending to the soul. Through the chanting of the Holy Names, we gradually quiet the mind, soften the pull of the ego, and reconnect with our deeper spiritual nature. Drawn from our weekly japa meditation gatherings at Upbuild, these reflections offer a few minutes of inspiration to support your meditation and begin your day with greater clarity, humility, and joy. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna describes japa, the chanting of the Holy Names, as the highest form of sacrifice. This timeless practice has the power to transform our consciousness through the simple act of returning, again and again, to the sound of the Holy Names. Whether you are new to chanting or have an established practice, these reflections are an invitation to deepen your relationship with the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Through consistent practice and the support of community, we begin to experience a deepening sense of joy and connection that arises simply from hearing and chanting these sacred names.

  1. 2d ago

    35 - Submissive Aural Reception 6: Bhakti Comes from the Bhakta

    Receptivity is exactly what transforms our consciousness from material to spiritual, especially through hearing about Krishna's devotees. Hari illustrates how Krishna prefers His devotees to receive credit and recognition over Himself. By absorbing the teachings and lives of devotees, we align ourselves with the power of bhakti.  Quotes "If we want to catch the flow of devotion, then we have to put ourselves in a humble position.""A devotee is all-powerful; they can do anything because they have contact with the most powerful person.""If we want the power of bhakti, which is the most powerful force, then we need to go to [Krishna’s] devotee." Join the live version of this program Tuesday mornings: https://www.upbuild.com/morning-rounds Learn the skills necessary to support others in becoming their best self in our six-month coaching training: https://www.upbuild.com/coaching-training/ Upbuild's other podcasts:  Upbuilding the Self: https://www.upbuild.com/podcast Upbuild Enneagram Library: https://www.upbuild.com/enneagram-podcastSubscribe to the Upbuild newsletter at the bottom of our https://www.upbuild.com/ _____ Our heartfelt thanks to Jahnavi Harrison for graciously allowing us to feature her recording, "Divine Maha Mantra," in our intro and outro. Learn more about her divine music: https://www.jahnavimusic.com/.  ______ In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice.

  2. 5d ago

    34 - Submissive Aural Reception 5: Saturating Our Life with Those Who Are Dear to Krishna

    Hari dives further into the spiritual reality of how Krishna loves His devotees even more than His own self. So, by surrounding ourselves with the stories and teachings of these beloved devotees, we cultivate an ever-deepening engagement with Krishna that fuels our practice. Our yearning for connection to Krishna is always nourished through sincere and heartfelt hearing. Quotes "The more we saturate our consciousness with Krishna through this transcendental sound, the more we will really be able to engage with the person who is the name.""Devotees are dearer to Him than His own life.""Let us really have that hunger and seek out as much saturation of hearing from Krishna’s devotees as possible." Join the live version of this program Tuesday mornings: https://www.upbuild.com/morning-rounds Learn the skills necessary to support others in becoming their best self in our six-month coaching training: https://www.upbuild.com/coaching-training/ Upbuild's other podcasts:  Upbuilding the Self: https://www.upbuild.com/podcast Upbuild Enneagram Library: https://www.upbuild.com/enneagram-podcastSubscribe to the Upbuild newsletter at the bottom of our https://www.upbuild.com/ _____ Our heartfelt thanks to Jahnavi Harrison for graciously allowing us to feature her recording, "Divine Maha Mantra," in our intro and outro. Learn more about her divine music: https://www.jahnavimusic.com/.  ______ In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice.

  3. Oct 15

    33 - Submissive Aural Reception 4: Hearing About Krsna Means Hearing About His Devotees

    Hearing about Krishna's devotees is vital for our understanding and development of divine love. He speaks about the unique relationship Krishna has with His devotees, demonstrating how their connection is so profound that Krishna considers them His very heart. Embracing the stories and lives of these great souls inspires us to cultivate our own genuine devotion to Krishna. The act of hearing about Krishna's devotees, and doing so ongoingly, nurtures our spiritual journey to enrich our chanting like nothing else. Quotes "Hearing about Krishna means hearing about Krishna's devotees.""Krishna never wants to be alone... He's always with all of His devotees.""We want to learn from the great souls how they've become so devoted to Krishna.""If we're hearing about Krishna's devotees, Krishna runs to the person who's hearing about His devotees." Join the live version of this program Tuesday mornings: https://www.upbuild.com/morning-rounds Learn the skills necessary to support others in becoming their best self in our six-month coaching training: https://www.upbuild.com/coaching-training/ Upbuild's other podcasts:  Upbuilding the Self: https://www.upbuild.com/podcast Upbuild Enneagram Library: https://www.upbuild.com/enneagram-podcastSubscribe to the Upbuild newsletter at the bottom of our https://www.upbuild.com/ _____ Our heartfelt thanks to Jahnavi Harrison for graciously allowing us to feature her recording, "Divine Maha Mantra," in our intro and outro. Learn more about her divine music: https://www.jahnavimusic.com/.  ______ In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice.

  4. Oct 12

    32 - Submissive Aural Reception 3: Do You Like to Hear?

    Reflecting on the life of his guru’s guru, Srila Prabhupada, Hari highlights how attentiveness and a desire to hear will drive one's spiritual journey. Ultimately, we see that our capacity to receive sound vibrations without blockage most impacts our progress on the path of self-realization. Quotes "When we become humble, there's no blockage.""What makes one person spiritually advanced while another struggles is really about how submissive we are and how much we are receiving.""All we have to do is fill our lives with transcendental sound whenever we have a moment." Join the live version of this program Tuesday mornings: https://www.upbuild.com/morning-rounds Learn the skills necessary to support others in becoming their best self in our six-month coaching training: https://www.upbuild.com/coaching-training/ Upbuild's other podcasts:  Upbuilding the Self: https://www.upbuild.com/podcast Upbuild Enneagram Library: https://www.upbuild.com/enneagram-podcastSubscribe to the Upbuild newsletter at the bottom of our https://www.upbuild.com/ _____ Our heartfelt thanks to Jahnavi Harrison for graciously allowing us to feature her recording, "Divine Maha Mantra," in our intro and outro. Learn more about her divine music: https://www.jahnavimusic.com/.  ______ In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice.

  5. Oct 8

    31 - Submissive Aural Reception 2: The Key to Spiritual Advancement

    Hari shares how humbling oneself to transcendental sound vibrations – both the Holy Names and spiritual discussions – awakens the soul's true nature. He sheds light on the stark differences in spiritual progress among individuals, attributing this to each person's receptivity to these powerful vibrations. We look at how figures like Srila Prabhupada impart transcendental messages that, when received with humility, lead to profound spiritual insights and connections. Ultimately, it is through this open reception that hearts and minds are transformed. Quotes "Submissive aural reception means that I'm humbling myself to the sound vibration.""The soul does not know anything of this world; it can only speak or hear transcendentally.”"Somebody who is in tune with that vibration makes incredible spiritual advancement." Join the live version of this program Tuesday mornings: https://www.upbuild.com/morning-rounds Learn the skills necessary to support others in becoming their best self in our six-month coaching training: https://www.upbuild.com/coaching-training/ Upbuild's other podcasts:  Upbuilding the Self: https://www.upbuild.com/podcast Upbuild Enneagram Library: https://www.upbuild.com/enneagram-podcastSubscribe to the Upbuild newsletter at the bottom of our https://www.upbuild.com/ _____ Our heartfelt thanks to Jahnavi Harrison for graciously allowing us to feature her recording, "Divine Maha Mantra," in our intro and outro. Learn more about her divine music: https://www.jahnavimusic.com/.  ______ In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice.

  6. Oct 5

    30 - Submissive Aural Reception 1: A Humble Approach to Hearing

    Submissive aural reception plays a crucial role in deepening our connection with Krishna as we engage in chanting. Hari drives home the importance of clearing our consciousness to make space for the Holy Names, emphasizing that this process should focus on receptivity. He discusses how attentiveness in hearing enhances our chanting experience, highlighting the need for both quantity and quality of hearing. By adopting a humble and open approach, we create a welcoming environment for Krishna to speak to us, allowing transcendental sound vibration to penetrate our heart and transform our practice. Quotes "We don’t want to fill our minds with things that are unrelated to Krishna because then it crowds our consciousness.""The clearing is necessary, but it is for the purpose of filling that space with something positive.""When we're chanting the Holy Names, we can't be chanting and not hearing and expect to have the result." Join the live version of this program Tuesday mornings: https://www.upbuild.com/morning-rounds Learn the skills necessary to support others in becoming their best self in our six-month coaching training: https://www.upbuild.com/coaching-training/ Upbuild's other podcasts:  Upbuilding the Self: https://www.upbuild.com/podcast Upbuild Enneagram Library: https://www.upbuild.com/enneagram-podcastSubscribe to the Upbuild newsletter at the bottom of our https://www.upbuild.com/ _____ Our heartfelt thanks to Jahnavi Harrison for graciously allowing us to feature her recording, "Divine Maha Mantra," in our intro and outro. Learn more about her divine music: https://www.jahnavimusic.com/.  ______ In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice.

  7. Oct 1

    29 - The Culture of Hearing

    Hearing occupies a central role in deepening our relationship with Krishna and the practice of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. Hari explores the challenges of directing our consciousness toward Krishna amidst distractions, emphasizing the need to clear our minds to make space for the sacred sound vibrations. He shares how active listening and sincere engagement with spiritual texts leads to a profound internalization of Krishna's teachings. By immersing ourselves in the culture of hearing, we create a bridge that allows our souls to truly connect with Krishna through chanting. Quotes "The soul actually must run to Krishna, and it must run to Krishna especially as soon as we hear His name.""When we're hearing or when we're reading, it's hearing the codified spiritual sound vibration and putting it internally in us.”"Hearing can't be just passive; it has to be present and eager.""If we inundate ourselves with hearing, then chanting is natural." Join the live version of this program Tuesday mornings: https://www.upbuild.com/morning-rounds Learn the skills necessary to support others in becoming their best self in our six-month coaching training: https://www.upbuild.com/coaching-training/ Upbuild's other podcasts:  Upbuilding the Self: https://www.upbuild.com/podcast Upbuild Enneagram Library: https://www.upbuild.com/enneagram-podcastSubscribe to the Upbuild newsletter at the bottom of our https://www.upbuild.com/ _____ Our heartfelt thanks to Jahnavi Harrison for graciously allowing us to feature her recording, "Divine Maha Mantra," in our intro and outro. Learn more about her divine music: https://www.jahnavimusic.com/.  ______ In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice.

  8. Sep 28

    28 - The Consciousness of Speech 2: Criticizing Others

    Hari continues to clarify the effects of prajalpa –  our idle talk that distracts us from Krishna and lowers our consciousness. He examines the implications of what’s also called gramya katha, or village gossip, and how such discussions distance us from our relationship with Krishna. He draws a clear distinction between constructive and destructive speech, emphasizing the importance of kindness, especially towards fellow Bhakti practitioners. Through the lens of jiva aparadha – offense to any living entity, Hari reflects on the responsibility we have to protect the dignity of others and cultivate a soul-centered consciousness. We must strive to uplift our speech to create an atmosphere of love and respect that directly pours into our chanting and spiritual practice. Quotes "We have to see that everybody is trying to come back to Krishna.”"It's intolerable to [Krishna and His dear devotees when you negatively] speak about a pure devotee; you're staining their reputation and hurting Krishna's heart.""[As Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu advises]: From the same mouth that drinks poison, drink nectar. Focus on what is uplifting.""As we chant, let's cleanse our minds of critical thoughts and honor the dearness of everyone to God." Join the live version of this program Tuesday mornings: https://www.upbuild.com/morning-rounds Learn the skills necessary to support others in becoming their best self in our six-month coaching training: https://www.upbuild.com/coaching-training/ Upbuild's other podcasts:  Upbuilding the Self: https://www.upbuild.com/podcast Upbuild Enneagram Library: https://www.upbuild.com/enneagram-podcastSubscribe to the Upbuild newsletter at the bottom of our https://www.upbuild.com/ _____ Our heartfelt thanks to Jahnavi Harrison for graciously allowing us to feature her recording, "Divine Maha Mantra," in our intro and outro. Learn more about her divine music: https://www.jahnavimusic.com/.  ______ In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice.

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In short, Morning Rounds is: How to make the most of our most important practice. Like a doctor making rounds to support healing, Morning Rounds is about tending to the soul. Through the chanting of the Holy Names, we gradually quiet the mind, soften the pull of the ego, and reconnect with our deeper spiritual nature. Drawn from our weekly japa meditation gatherings at Upbuild, these reflections offer a few minutes of inspiration to support your meditation and begin your day with greater clarity, humility, and joy. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna describes japa, the chanting of the Holy Names, as the highest form of sacrifice. This timeless practice has the power to transform our consciousness through the simple act of returning, again and again, to the sound of the Holy Names. Whether you are new to chanting or have an established practice, these reflections are an invitation to deepen your relationship with the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Through consistent practice and the support of community, we begin to experience a deepening sense of joy and connection that arises simply from hearing and chanting these sacred names.

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