Forcing yourself to finish japa rounds
Yesterday I remembered how when I was on vacation, I would force myself to finish my rounds while everyone had a nap in the middle of the day, after having gone swimming. I was so exhausted every day and had to fight the urge to fall asleep each time. But the time when everyone was resting was the only time I could give to japa (my family did not practice HK).
Same thing when I didn't manage to finish all my rounds prior on regular days and had to stay up till 11pm or later just to finish them. Then wake up at 4am the next morning to start the new set of rounds. Back then I matched my morning routine to my temple's, so two home aratis and chanting, reading, cooking. All before going to uni at 8.
Now I laugh about it, but back then japa was really the one thing that bothered me the most. And it was the first thing I eventually dropped, out of all the rules and regulations. But still I stuck it out and chanted while being on my computer out of guilt of not finishing my rounds. Oh boy😅
Anyone else who can relate?