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by Bhakta Omer
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To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what a clicker looks like. To be even more honest, I am not pure of sin and am far from being worthy of casting the first stone. I am the kind of devotee who doesn't shave his head and sometimes does some of his rounds on the bus with one hand covering his mouth so no one will think he is talking to himself or something.
Sometimes I count my rounds on my fingers (placing the thumb 3 times on each part of the finger, 9 on each finger, 36 times on all four fingers times 3 is 108). But as far as I know, the whole purpose is not just to chant, but to chant with no offenses. Personally, I've noticed that I chant more effectively using a Tulasi mala in a nice beadbag. I've also discovered, believe it or not, that I'm chanting better while wearing a dhoti.
But some of us just have to chant in a rush sometimes. No, it's not the ideal way and I don't recommend it. Here is a nice Zen story I once heard that might be related to the subject:
Two Buddhist monks were living in a monastery. They practiced their meditation every day and did everything as they should except for one little thing: they enjoyed an occasional smoke. One day they decided to gain the courage to ask their master if it would be appropriate to smoke during their meditation. Later that day, after meeting the master separately, the two monks met each other. It appeared that after asking the master, one of the monks got the answer "Yes" and the other one "No."
"What exactly did you ask him?" said one of them.
The other answered, "I simply asked, 'Master, would it be appropriate if I smoke while meditating?' He said, 'No. It would not be appropriate.'"
"Ho! I see!" said the first. "I asked him, 'Would it be appropriate to meditate while smoking?'"
Yours,
Bhakta Omer
omer@harekrishnatemple.com
© CHAKRA 17 February 2002
