Hints for better concentration in japa.
(from Purnacandra Prabhu, Krasnodar ev. 21/11/95)

1. Chant loudly.
2. Roll a bead on Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare and keep
it still on Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. (That's how Srila
Prabhupad did).
3. Stress first name of the mantra on the 1st bead, 2nd name on the
2nd, 3rd on the 3rd, ... 16th on the 16th - only for the first 16
mantras, in the hardest case of space-out, too mechanical and
difficult.
3a. Chant to a tune.
4. Meditate on the meaning of each name, as given by Gopal Guru
Goswami. First 4 names - sambandha (Sri Sri Radha-Madan-Mohanji),
second 4 names - abhideya (Sri Sri Radha-Govindaji), last 8 names -
prayojana (Sri Sri Radha-Gopinathji).
5. 
   (i)   chant near Tulasi;
   (ii)  chant in the holy place (temple);
   (iii) chant



(Rostov-n-D, ev. 19/11/95)

Gayatri. Do some pranayam (as I efficiently did for a few years)
and/or otherwise psyche yourself for meditation. Say acaman. Face
east. 1st class - sandhyas (sky is dark but stars are visible), 2nd
class - later, 3rd class - in the next prahar.

HKS, VP95
To chant nicely you just have to get your mind chanting.

HKS, Gayatri: It is helpful if one doesn't have sex desires when
chanting.

Bh. Petr: Hearing mantra means hearing God and not the mind (therefore
it's the hardest work).

S: Listen your mouth with your left ear.
   Turn to Persons.
   To transcend the modes we have to contemplate Sri Krsna, who's above
   them.