After just arriving at one of my client’s home ready for a long night shift I got into a conversation surrounding coal. For this particular client it is the only source of heating for her and her son so the need for the correct type of coal needed for the fire is important.

The problem simply was that the coal was in it self too small this has the effect of clogging up the fire and stifling the flame or at worst going out completely.

So I found myself sifting through several buckets of coal in order to get the correct size needed, not quite what I went through three years of university training for but necessary to meet the basic needs of my client.

Now it got me thinking about Japa, it’s not that we just do our rounds but that attention is paid as to how we do them. Quick cursory Japa I must get them over is alright but long term will be of no benefit, neither that which is broken up by either thoughts or to go off to do some task or other (unless of course it’s service) a bit like the small coal it will cause problems even put out the flame of devotional life.

To take the time to make things most favourable for attentive japa is essential, making time when there will be minimal distractions in an environment conducive and close by the deities. This reminded me of the good large coal that produces the large roaring fire of devotional life needed to sustain us.

Saying that most people now have gas fires may be that’s were the clicker’s come in?