Japam is a continuous chanting of a selective Mantra.

There are three ways of chanting any Mantra.

1)The first one is chant loudly. This method may be used for some time till one attains the required concentration.

2) Moving the lips slightly and making a small unclear sound of the words in the Mantra (Naada). This gives pleasure to the mind as practice goes on.

3) The final one and the best one is chanting the Mantra mentally.

One may choose any of the above methods. In the intial stages its better to choose first or second to increase concentration. Later we can do the last one.

But among these, Chanting Mantra Mentally without moving lips is more effective. We can recite any mantra within our heart without lips moving even while reading a newspaper, even while watching a tv and even while having food and even while
sleeping.

1)The karmic cloud(canopy of black cloud in the Vigyanamaya Kosha) is still there and needs to be burnt.

2) Each mantra has a power to activate the energy centres of nerves and the continuous chanting of the mantra activates the kundalini shakthi.

3) Mantras have vibrations and energy when we recite them they activate the chakras in our body and energiseour souls.

While doing Chanting with Japamala, we should not cross the Mani bead or Meru (A single bead hanging like Pendent of the mala).

Means if we do no. of rounds repeatedly - for the first round we do from 1st bead to 108 bead in the anticlockwise direction. Then in the second round we can move that 108 bead , up in clock wise direction to avoid discontinuity in chanting or move the japamala position so that we can move that 108 bead in anticlock wise direction. But we should not cross the Mani bead after completing the first round.

Further is to be kept in mind that the mala having mixed beads (Containing different types of beads) shall not be used for counting, however it can be used for wearing it around neck.

In the intial stages we need japamala it increases the concentration and the counting gives us self satisfaction so that we can do more and more. But later we don't need japamala and counting - just recite the mantra without counting and moving lips. One could experience a bliss that could be enjoyed and experienced only by the enlightened souls.