As per the Vedas, Vaikhari Japa is silent chanting of mantras.
Whenever you feel that your awareness is slipping off the mantra, pronounce it out loud to allow you to return to the energy of the sounds. Here, the physical sound of the mantra becomes the focus of your attention. This is helpful especially if you are a beginner whose mind is easily distracted; the more exp to be a good way to begin chanting most mantras, since a beginner’s mind is easily distracted.
Manasika Japa: This is when you are “chanting” the mantra silently, only mentally. Such chanting requires a great level of attention to keep the mind focused on the mantra. As per the sages, such a japa is many times more effective than Upamsu Japa.
The above is an explanation of mantra chanting at a general level. Two points, however, must be kept in mind: One, don’t just pick up a mantra off the internet and start chanting it without knowing its meaning which must be explained by a respected Guru. Two, each mantra has a set of specific instructions for its chanting which includes time, posture, number of chants and much more. Of course, the ideal scenario is that you receive a mantra from a Guru, who will also give you directions on how to use it.
For example, my Guru initiated me with a Tantrik Mantra. I was taught by her to recite it mentally, not aloud. However, even now, I prefer to mouth it with the internal shape of my mouth, without actually parting my lips; I find that it helps my mind articulate the mantra precisely.
However, in Group Sadhana sessions, the same Guru also sometimes lets me and other disciples chant some other mantras loudly. This way, we get to hear and feel each other’s energy all joined together in prayer and worship.
Likewise, in Pujas or Yajnas, most mantras are chanted aloud, and participants are often encouraged to join in, also out loud. For example, Pujaris in several Mandirs often tell the devotees to chant certain mantras along with him, and exhorts us with “Louder! Louder!”
n most such cases, Pujaris & Pandits say for that kind of chanting, you must strike deep in your diaphragm with a resonant voice such that you are able to do the mantras properly.
It depends, of course, on the application as well as the specific mantras. Follow the instructions you receive from qualified teachers. Don’t just pick Mantras off the internet and start chanting.
