[presto_player id=28141]

Your Chanting Sadhana

This course is designed to help those beginning their practice of bhakti yoga to learn about the core elements of a sadhana (daily practice) centered around the chanting of the maha-mantra. It is particularly meant for those who have completed our Mantra Meditation Wisdom and Practice course or who already have some grounding in the foundational concepts of bhakti yoga.
Enroll now
Free
Start Learning
What's inside
check_box
The basic concepts of bhakti yoga sadhana
check_box
Incorporating japa at the core of your sadhana
check_box
Comprehensive answers to FAQs about japa
check_box
How to conduct kirtan anywhere, with anyone
check_box
The basics of creating an altar for your sacred space
check_box
Bringing bhakti into your kitchen
check_box
Extending your sadhana into your daily life
Convenient
Learn at your own pace
Support
Personal guidance
Guidance
Experienced teachers
Outcome
Solid spiritual foundation

What Students Say:

format_quote
  • I was ready for the next stage in my bhakti/ Hare Krishna mantra meditation. I finished the mantra meditation course already some weeks before and already felt so much benefit from that! The sadhana course opened my mind to the way in which bhakti can be incorporated into many aspects of daily life. Not just some mantras in the morning or before bed, but actually living and breathing bhakti yoga. In this way, I have been able to mold my life around bhakti principals. This course spiritualized my entire life, from eating to speaking and even the way I view my work and priorities. If you are already comfortable with bhakti, then dive into this course and spiritualize your entire existence!
    Cruz Doyal

Pancharatna - Author of the course

Pancharatna Das began his practice of mantra meditation and bhakti yoga in 1970 as a monk in an ISKCON ashram in Toronto, Canada. He went on to serve in ISKCON New York in various capacities before moving to Sri Mayapur, India, in 1976 to help with the development of an international spiritual community. He met his wife Atitaguna Dasi in Mayapur and was married there in 1980, raising four children with her. He currently directs ISKCON Online and the Chantnow.com project and is the author of the current courses offered on Chantnow.com.
groups
Stay inspired and motivated with a community of peers
live_help
Get all your questions answered, no matter how big or small
library_books
Read together, meditate together
self_improvement
Get meditation tips from fellow seekers
verified
Expert mentorship and guidance for continued spiritual growth

Get feedback from a supportive community

What You'll Learn
Lesson 1
Introductory Video Session
To help you with this course you will be connected with one of our mentors. Your mentor will be emailing you to setup a convenient time to orient you to the course through a live video session. In this session we will cover:

Personal Introductions
The course objectives
How to navigate the course
The course schedule

We will also answer any questions you might have.
Lesson 2
Beginning Your Chanting Sadhana
This first lesson is designed to continue from your first meeting with your mentor, orienting you to the structure and goals of the course.

It begins with a video recorded at the time the original videos were done. You’ll see that it does not exactly match the lessons as we have added some material since this was recorded.
Lesson 3
Basics of Sadhana
The Sanskrit word, sadhana, refers to the spiritually supportive practices we undertake in order to advance in spiritual life. Sadhana is what we do, on a daily basis, to facilitate the purification and gradual elevation of our consciousness. It is the practical, regulated part of spiritual life which calls for consistency and discipline.
Lesson 4
Japa – The Core of Your Sadhana
In this lesson, you’ll get some valuable advice from seasoned japa chanters. They’ll share the best ways to prepare yourself (and your mind) for japa meditation, and how to approach the mantra with reverence and humility. They’ll let you know what difficulties you’re likely to experience, and how to overcome them. You will also get some valuable insight into the goal of maha-mantra meditation.
Lesson 5
Frequently Asked Questions About Japa
Mahatma Das, master teacher of bhakti-yoga for over 50 years, brings you answers to frequently asked questions about chanting, or japa meditation.
Mahatma covers general questions, how-to’s and a range of “what do I do if” issues.
Lesson 6
DIY Kirtan Anywhere
Along with your chanting meditation we hope you’ve been able to take part in kirtans. We introduced you to this in the mantra meditation course. But you may be wondering how you could get your own kirtan going, even if you’re not a musician and don’t have a traditional kirtan instruments.
Lesson 7
An Alter for Your Sacred Space
An altar is a sacred space used predominantly for the performance of puja, or the practice of making loving offerings to someone who is dear to you. In this lesson, you’ll be introduced to the art of puja. Puja can be as simple or elaborate as your heart desires. What is offered is not as important as the feeling or mood in which it is offered. Puja is a sweet and nurturing way to connect with spiritual teachers, and with the Divine Couple themselves – Radha and Krishna.
Lesson 8
Bringing Bhakti Into Your Kitchen
Cooking is a big part of daily sadhana. We all need to eat a few times a day, which means we’re bound to spend at least some time in the kitchen. Since the idea of sadhana is to spiritualize your whole life, cooking and offering food to Krishna is an easy and very satisfying way to increase your sadhana without much adjustment to your daily routine. It also addresses the knotty issues of the karmic dimension of eating.
Lesson 9
Extending Sadhana Into Your Daily Life
Bhakti yoga is synonymous with devotional service. In this lesson you are reminded that service simply means to develop our loving relationship with our source, Krishna. Practically any activity can be dove-tailed in bhakti. What is important is our intention – the state of our heart.
Lesson 10
Going Forward
The final lesson in this series addresses what may be termed ‘sustainability’ – how to achieve long-term success on this path. We highlight four key elements
Confidence
Association
Patience
Enthusiasm

In the Additional Material section these are explained with reference to Bhagavad-gita.
Your Chanting Sadhana
This course is designed to help those beginning their practice of bhakti yoga to learn about the core elements of a sadhana (daily practice) centered around the chanting of the maha-mantra. It is particularly meant for those who have completed our Mantra Meditation Wisdom and Practice course or who already have some grounding in the foundational concepts of bhakti yoga.
Enroll now
Free
Start Learning
What's inside
check_box
The basic concepts of bhakti yoga sadhana
check_box
Incorporating japa at the core of your sadhana
check_box
Comprehensive answers to FAQs about japa
check_box
How to conduct kirtan anywhere, with anyone
check_box
The basics of creating an altar for your sacred space
check_box
Bringing bhakti into your kitchen
check_box
Extending your sadhana into your daily life
Enroll now
$108
Free
Start Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chant now?
Chantnow.com is a dedicated team of monks, professionals, and volunteers with decades of experience in mantra-meditation, which is the heart of bhakti-yoga or devotional service. We live the lifestyle and personally practice what we share in our classes as per our individual capacities. Our teachings are based on the ancient wisdom texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, as presented by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, also known as the Hare Krishna movement, and form the spiritual foundation of the meditation training offered in our classes.
What is the maha mantra?
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

The literal meaning of maha-mantra is “The Great Chant of Deliverance.” While there are many mantras like ‘OM’ etc., the maha-mantra is the most powerful mantra in existence, also known as the Hare Krishna mantra. It has been a core practice of the ancient Bhakti Yoga tradition for thousands of years. Regular chanting of this mantra under proper guidance relieves one from stress, anxiety, and depression and instantly puts the practitioner in touch with a higher transcendental reality. Whether you are looking to improve your mental well-being, have greater focus and clarity, or have a genuine spiritual experience, meditating on this mantra will help you achieve your goals quickly.
Is chanting a form of meditation?
Yes! In fact, it is the best and easiest technique for meditation because it uses the transformative power of sound, allowing the restless wandering mind to concentrate on it easily and not get easily distracted by mental chatter, which is the number one source of distraction for beginners. Chanting on beads is especially beneficial, as it engages the sense of touch and speech and auditory functions in the meditation process.
What is bhakti yoga?
Bhakti is derived from the Sanskrit word bhaj, which means – loving service. Bhakti-yoga means to connect to the Supreme by means of loving devotional service. The path of bhakti-yoga is developed through a variety of activities. These include mantra meditation or the chanting of the names Hare Krishna. The chanting is done either individually or in the community by chanting mantras accompanied by music (kirtan). The study of sacred texts such as the Bhagavad-gita, associating with like-minded spiritual aspirants, eating sanctified vegetarian food, and living in a way that upholds the principles of truthfulness, mercy, austerity, and cleanliness, are all core practices for a life of followers of bhakti.
Who is Srila Prabhupada?
Srila Prabhupada is the founder acharya (spiritual head) of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Srila Prabhupada not only brought bhakti yoga and the Hare Krishna maha-mantra to the western world but also circled the globe 14 times on lecture tours, bringing the teachings of Lord Krishna to thousands of people on six continents.
Are all the courses, live sessions, and mentorship offered by Chant Now for free?
This project is run by practicing Bhakti Yogis voluntarily as part of our ‘Seva’ or service to humanity. While all our services are for free, some of our more advanced courses are donation-based, with the proceeds utilized for the maintenance and upkeep of the project/website.
How do I connect to a mentor?
Sign up for our community using this link and write to the mentors directly. Our mentors are spread across time zones and offer their time voluntarily. You can generally expect a reply within 24 hours.
Are all your content/classes online, or do you meet in real life?
We have centers all across the world. Get in touch with us using the contact form on our home page using this link, and our team will help you locate your nearest center.
Can I donate to support this project?
We are glad you asked! If you have benefitted from Chant Now's courses, resources, and mentors and would like to support the project, please donate using this link. Apart from donating money, you can also be involved in other ways by contributing your time, skills, and expertise and just spreading the word to your family and friends. Connect with us using this link to find out how.

Browser Related Articles

What is mantra meditation and its benefits?

You are not alone in your endeavor for peace and harmony in a beautiful world clouded with darkness and confusion.

Actually, we want to congratulate you. Well done. You...
Read more

Be a Rebel With a Cause – Chant Hare Krishna

I considered myself to be quite the rebel in my teens and early twenties, and I was proud of that label.

I thought I was so cool – smoking cigarettes behind the art building at the strict, all-girls school I...
Read more

What I learned about Religion and spirituality-As a Practising Monk

The French Catholic writer Charles Péguy said, “Everything begins in mysticism and ends in politics.”

I’ve always harboured the greatest mistrust and suspicion...
Read more
chevron-down