Chanting is an important practice in all Buddhist traditions, and is often done before commencing meditation. Focusing on recollecting and chanting the words in time has a calming and collecting affect upon the mind, so that meditators often find that the mind becomes peaceful more easily after a session. It is often done as a devotional practice, giving rise to the joyful quality of faith or as a contemplation leading the mind to peace. I was motivated to produce this resource in order to help practitioners remember their faith and meditation practice – that is, to encourage people, who often live in bustling cities, to turn inwards and find a peaceful refuge within. The chanting presented here was recorded in a studio, with music added later by a friend. Although not quite as polished a production as we might have liked, I do hope that some of you will discover what a precious supplement chanting can be to the practice of meditation. (Ajahn Achalo)
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