Thread by @mmpandit

Short thread Japa:
Ideally one should use a japa mala. Don’t cross Meru. Don’t use index finger. This is true as far as anusthanas go.
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For general practice of someone does not like counting, one can use a timer. ie: 7 mins is 108, so 21 mins is 3 malas. 63 mins is 9 malas, etc

At least one source gives:
“andmamadhyamakramya japam kuryyat tu manasam madhyama 
madhyama kramya japam kuryyadupamsukam tarjjanirh
tu samakramya japam naiva tu karayet”
Which finger to use is based on Tattwas
Some older Gurus say that using index also increases pride.

Index finger is Vayu tattwa, ring is Prithvi.
The japa using index is discouraged for various reasons.
1. Index finger is Vayu tattwa. Use in japa decreases grounding and can cause Vata to be affected.
2. Ring is Prithwi Tattwa and use promotes the base stable tattwa.

Middle finger which many use is fine, it is Antariksha (ethereal regions) which is staple of certain teachers and in certain parts of India.
Using Dig bandhan + other ancillaries, one proceeds for japa.

Mantras are self explanatory once one knows the Tattwas.
In fact each letter of a mantra has its Tattwa, each mantra has its predominant Tattwa. Thus the mantras change if a single syllable of the mantra is replaced.
This is one reason why so many mantrikas fail… wrong mantra