Dear Reader,

    Recently there has been a tremendous increase in distressing energy obstruction to all aspects of life, including spiritual practice. Frequent and regular prayer, repetition (chanting*) of The Lord’s Name and expression of gratitude unto The Lord, and conscious removal of one’s personality defects are the major weapons against distressing energies. In this context, the following points are noteworthy regarding collective chanting:

	It is for overcoming the effects of distressing energies and to gain energy to sustain one’s spiritual practice. It is especially recommended for seekers who are actively doing collective spiritual practice of spreading Spirituality, as they face more obstructions from distressing energies. Seekers who are mainly doing individual spiritual practice can focus on repeating (chanting) The Lord’s Name according to their religion (for seekers in the initial stages—refer to Issue 3, Clarification of Doubts section for details on what Name to repeat according to one’s religion) or by determining the which Name to repeat (chant) from Issue 124, Message to Seekers section (for seekers in advanced stages).
	In particular, these two Names were recommended based on the findings of the Sanatan’s Subtle Department. The subtle department scientifically studies distressing energies and their remedies under the guidance of H. H. Dr. Jayant Athavale. The divine principles of Lord Ganesh and Lord Krushna have been found to be necessary to overcome the distressing energy trouble faced by the Sanatan’s seekers doing collective spiritual practice.
	A divine principle or deity has no religion. A deity is a form of divine energy with specific attributes and particular functions in the Universe. Hence, The Name of a particular deity would be equally effective whether done by a Hindu or non-Hindu. This is akin to taking some medical prescription, say, some antibiotic, if prescribed properly, would be effective regardless of whether we like it or believe in it or not.
	Some of the benefits of collective chanting are as follows:  1. Provides energy to sustain one’s spiritual practice  2. Develops spiritual fighting spirit (Kshatravrutti)  3. Invokes marak (Destroyer of evil) aspect of God  4. Resolve (sankalpa) of Saints and Deities behind collective chanting  5. Cumulative effect of many seekers chanting together
	Actually, repeating (chanting) The Lord’s Name mentally, when done with focus and spiritual emotion, is 70% effective compared to doing so aloud, which is about 30% effective. However, since few seekers can repeat (chant) The Lord’s Name with intensity and spiritual emotion all the time, collective chanting has been recommended as a practical step between repetition (chanting) of The Lord’s Name aloud and intense mental repetition (chanting) of The Lord’s Name, since the cumulative effect of many seekers repeating (chanting) The Lord’s Name together is more than doing so individually.
	Detailed instructions on how to do collective chanting can be found here.
	At the same time, since some seekers, especially outside India are located cities and countries apart from each other, it may not always be possible to have collective chanting sessions. At such time, one can focus on doing individual chanting with as much quality and quantity as possible, and do chanting aloud of collective chants by chanting along with the tune of the chant with the spiritual emotion that one is chanting with seekers, in the presence of deities. (Latest tunes of chants can be downloaded here.) In such cases, collective chanting is done mainly to develop Kshatravrutti or fighting spirit against one’s obstacles, be it distressing energies, circumstances or one’s internal defects.

* Constant remembrance or repetition of The Lord's Name. Seekers in the initial stages of spiritual practice (less than one year) are advised to repeat The Name of the Lord as per their religion (refer to Issue 3, Clarification of Doubts section for details). Those seekers who have been doing regular spiritual practice for over one year are advised to determine The Name appropriate for them from the experiment given in Issue 124, Message to Seekers section.