Initiation necessary for doing japa?

Namaste friends,

I have recently read that one ought not to do japa yoga without first having been initiated by a guru in the specific mantra to be chanted. What do you all make of this? I ask because I have been including japa in my morning sadhana and would like to continue but I do not yet have a personal guru. How much leeway is there for me to simply follow my heart?

Many thanks in advance,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gurio

Namaste friends,

I have recently read that one ought not to do japa yoga without first having been initiated by a guru in the specific mantra to be chanted. What do you all make of this? I ask because I have been including japa in my morning sadhana and would like to continue but I do not yet have a personal guru. How much leeway is there for me to simply follow my heart?

Many thanks in advance,

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Namaste...

You can do nama (name) japa without initiation. It is simply repeating a deity's name. There are many you can use, whichever deity you are devoted to. Here are just a few:

http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Nama_Mantras
http://www.rudraksham.com/sagunamantra2

Namaste,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jainarayan

Namaste...

You can do nama (name) japa without initiation. It is simply repeating a deity's name. There are many you can use, whichever deity you are devoted to. Here are just a few:

http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Nama_Mantras
http://www.rudraksham.com/sagunamantra2

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Ditto !

OM

Namaste Jainarayan and Devotee,

Thank you for your prompt and helpful replies. I am much encouraged!

Peace and blessings to you both,