1. Manasic-Chanting in the mind without any external sound.
2. Upamsu-Soft chanting that can only be heard by the sadhaka. Srila Prabhupada, who generally chanted japa this way, explains the benefits of upamsujapa: "At the present moment the mind is always disturbed, full of anxieties. You cannot concentrate. When you chant loudly, at least you hear "Krsna." Your mind is immediately turned to Krsna. Immediately you associate with Krsna, forcibly." (SPT 11/10/68)
3. Vacika-Loud chanting that all can hear, as in kirtana, is a hundred times more beneficial than uparhsu japa. The Caitanya-bhagavata tells how the caste brahmanas once challenged Haridasa to prove which scripture sanctioned his loud chanting. Haridasa Thakura replied, "Nowhere in the scriptures is loud chanting of the holy name condemned. In fact, the Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.34.17 says: yan-nama grhnann akhildn srotfn atmanam eva ca sadyah pundti kim bhuyas, 'O Acyuta, anyone who chants Your name purifies himself along with all who hear his chanting.' In Naradiya Purana, Prahlada Maharaja says, 'Compared to the person who is attached to chanting silently, the person who loudly chants the holy name of Hari is one hundred times better. A silent chanter liberates only himself, but one who chants loudly liberates himself and any other living entity who hears him.' " (ct>. ch. 17)
One may alternate between these three forms of chanting in order to improve concentration, maintain taste, and cultivate attraction in japa. For variety, try chanting four rounds of manasic-japa. With lips closed and tongue pressed against the palate (to prevent movement), one should "mentally pronounce" each word of the maha-mantra. To perform manasic japa successfully, which is not easy, one must focus all his attention on Krsna's holy names. By doing this one becomes aware of how inattentive he can be while chanting softly or loudly. For example, when one is chanting loudly he may be "grinding out" the holy names at a feverish pitch, but the mind and heart may be a million miles from Krsna. But loud chanting can be very beneficial, especially when the mind slips into monotony or the ghosts of desire surface from the depths. At times like this a brisk walk in the fresh air, and a few loud "roof top rounds" will help revive one's interest and attention in japa. All these forms of chanting please Krsna and purify the heart, provided they are done with sincerity and devotion. With practice a sadhaka can choose the chanting style that gives him the best results. Or one may follow Haridasa Thakura's example of chanting japa in all three ways (silent, soft, loud). In all devotional endeavors, however, a sadhaka should always seek the guidance and blessings of his preceptor.
Increasing Determination: The Vow of 1-4-16-64
In Kali-yuga, the mind is so lazy that it wants to quit without even trying. If one is not immediately successful in any attempt, his mind will balk, stammer and whimper, "Oh, I can't do it. It's too hard. I quit!" Working a steady job, maintaining a relationship, performing bhakti-sadhana, fasting on Ekadasi, and finishing one's rounds of harinama are Herculean tasks in this techno age of fast living and low thinking. Krsna teaches Arjuna that the mind can be strengthened by constant practice and detachment. An empowered mind serving the will of an enlightened master is a most helpful friend on the path of life and devotion. The determination to complete a task requires mental concentration, endeavor, surrender and the mercy of the Lord.Achieving success in determined acts nourishes determination and enthuses one to undertake more difficult duties. Determination, being a mental power, becomes stronger by practice. Though somewhat simplistic, the following suggestions will help increase one's powers of concentration and determination to chant the holy name.
The Vow of One-Chanting one mala (108 beads) of japa is a complete service offered for the pleasure of Radha-Krsna appearing in Their most merciful maha-mantra form. One should not stop in the middle of a round, hang the mala outside the bead bag, or mark it with an "alligator clip" to save it for later. Finish the round! Could you imagine a mangala arati where after offering the ghee lamp the pujari just walked off the altar leaving Radha-Syamasundara behind? Offering mangala arati is a complete service that takes twenty-five minutes. Similarly, chanting one mala oinama-japa is a complete service that takes about seven minutes. You cannot stop in the middle. It may seem impossible, but make a vow to chant one round with full concentration. Sit straight with eyes closed and simply hear the holy name. Practice tolerance-don't give in to the forceful pushings of the mind. Focus and concentrate! Don't follow the wayward thoughts. Nothing should move but the breath, tongue, lips and heart in gentle waves of affection. Don't scratch, fidget, slouch, wiggle, rotate, crack the neck, or speak to anyone. Seven minutes may seem like seven millenniums.
Nevertheless, focus full heart and attention on the transcendental sound vibration- Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.The Vow of Fom-Harinama-cintamani says, "Four rounds on the beads makes one granthi. Four granthis makes 16 rounds and sixteen granthis equals 64 rounds."Since the word granthi means knot, it can be said that a group of four rounds forms a type knot that binds the devotee more firmly to the lotus feet of Radha-Govinda.If one has successfully followed the vow of one, he can try to observe the vow four. Following the same rules as above, one vows to sit in one place without moving until completing four rounds of japa.The Vow of Sixteen-One will increase his powers of concentration and determination by successfully completing the above vows. Now make the vow of sixteen, which means to observe all the rules above while chanting sixteen rounds in one sitting. The Vow of Sixty-four-On any auspicious day like Ekadasi, Gaura Purnima or Radhastami one can make a vow to chant sixty-four rounds of Hare Krsna japa in order to please Sri Guru and Radha-Govinda. Take a vow to sit down four times during the day and finish four granthis as done in the vow of sixteen. But if you are a maha-yogi, then sit before Tulasi-devi and chant all sixty-four rounds without getting up.