Are you practicing this? What is the intention?
Aside from meditation there is no better way to bring peace, bliss and protection and love in our life and those around you then to bring the presence of the great ones to us more consciously and in all circumstances. They are here only for our benefit. We can always have a reason or excuse for not finding time for meditation but never for not thinking of God and our greater Self. All we have to do is practice Japa or give a moment to the thought of who our actions are dedicated to and who is the real ‘doer’ behind all our actions. It is for that higher being we are serving, becoming and ultimately being.
I have had moments of liove, protection, miracles, spiritual awakening and bliss by years of directing my thoughts on Japa and concentration on a affirmation or mantra given to me by a Master and by serving their works. Without this practice we are constantly dragged back into the turmoil of the world when we are not meditating. Sometimes even in meditation, the mind is so restless we have no other recourse then to practice japa even while laying down or sitting somewhere waiting for someone or something.
There is nothing more important then being around others who constantly remind us of our thoughts and our spiritual practice. That is why I take the time to read everything you and others have to say. It is by japa and service to others that are minds are always dragged back to our true purpose here on earth.
By practicing japa we get a taste of what meditation is all about and having that experience we long for it even more and look forward to the moment we can practice meditation. Of course the benefits of Japa and meditation are stronger when practicing with devotion and attention but Amma replied once to a question once about practicing absentmindedly; ‘If we are in a dark room and do not know where the light switch is still there is the possibility we may stumble across it.’ In the same way it it is better to practice meditation and Japa haphazardly then not at all.