Keeping Count — A Short Guide to Using Audio Recording as a Practice Aid

[Kuka]

This may be useful for beginners, or for anyone who struggles with concentration during this kind of working.

I originally wrote this on the Italian forum, but I waited a few weeks before reposting it here because I wanted to see whether it would actually help me and to better understand how my approach improved over that time.

What helped me with mantra, rune, and similar repetitions was reducing the cognitive load. For me, the difficulty was never the practice itself, but having to pronounce unfamiliar sounds, visualize, focus, and keep count all at once.

Using recorded audio as a guide made a significant difference. You can either record the full sequence yourself or record one clean repetition and use Audacity or a similar program to copy and paste that fragment into a complete track. This creates a steady rhythmic base, rather than the inconsistency that can come from recording everything in one take or combining uneven samples.

This approach seems especially useful for workings that change affirmation or structure, such as planetary squares, because you can build the track in segments and repeat them as needed for each day, preparing the audio files in advance.

One practical detail: keep the playback volume low enough that you can still hear yourself clearly. This makes it easier to tell whether you are actually following the rhythm and pronunciation correctly.

I am also experimenting with a simple HTML mala bead counter, shown in the attached screenshot for reference, so that the click itself begins building an association with the mantra rather than relying on finger counting.

With this method, I have reached day 27 of a Wunjo working without failing, whereas before I could never sustain this kind of repetition for long.

I am still testing it, but so far it has made a real difference.

 

[Henu the Great]

This may be useful for beginners, or for anyone who struggles with concentration during this kind of working.

I originally wrote this on the Italian forum, but I waited a few weeks before reposting it here because I wanted to see whether it would actually help me and to better understand how my approach improved over that time.

What helped me with mantra, rune, and similar repetitions was reducing the cognitive load. For me, the difficulty was never the practice itself, but having to pronounce unfamiliar sounds, visualize, focus, and keep count all at once.

Using recorded audio as a guide made a significant difference. You can either record the full sequence yourself or record one clean repetition and use Audacity or a similar program to copy and paste that fragment into a complete track. This creates a steady rhythmic base, rather than the inconsistency that can come from recording everything in one take or combining uneven samples.

This approach seems especially useful for workings that change affirmation or structure, such as planetary squares, because you can build the track in segments and repeat them as needed for each day, preparing the audio files in advance.

One practical detail: keep the playback volume low enough that you can still hear yourself clearly. This makes it easier to tell whether you are actually following the rhythm and pronunciation correctly.

I am also experimenting with a simple HTML mala bead counter, shown in the attached screenshot for reference, so that the click itself begins building an association with the mantra rather than relying on finger counting.

With this method, I have reached day 27 of a Wunjo working without failing, whereas before I could never sustain this kind of repetition for long.

I am still testing it, but so far it has made a real difference.

Have you heard of Lilith's Guidance software? (https://ancient-forums.com/threads/...r-hall-of-osiris-integration-and-more.305606/) Previously, it used to be only the planetary square application for keeping track of progress, but it has expanded over time. That, and using mala beads, have been my go-to methods over the years. With mala beads, I either go for whatever distance, or when I need a specific count, I tie something on the beads after a specific number so that when I reach the desired repetitions, I feel it, and can stop the mantra. This way, I have never had any issues with this aspect and can always focus on the mantra itself. Very simple, very effective. And shoutout to Black Book, because other people's responsibility is another's enjoyment. Black Book has done a great deed.

 

[Kuka]

Thanks for telling me about your experience and advice as well.

The problem, as you said, could've been solved by physically tying something for a specific number, or by the Lilith's Guidance app — which I already know I still can't use it fully for now since I'm still Tier 1 on HoO which i count to donate more, not for what i could get.

But even with this "limitation," the problem isn't about physically stopping.

For me it was something where I could close my eyes and have my recorded voice stating a fixed number of repetitions like you stop at a target amount, or use the app.

I use that via audio, to maximize the scaffold while staying on course.

I'm trying to ingrain this rhythm with a counter, a virtual mala beads, so I won't need the audio or rely on those.

 

[Henu the Great]

The problem, as you said, could've been solved by physically tying something for a specific number, or by the Lilith's Guidance app — which I already know I still can't use it fully for now since I'm still Tier 1 on HoO which i count to donate more, not for what i could get.

You do not need to unlock features to use the planetary squares tracker, though. That has always been free.

But even with this "limitation," the problem isn't about physically stopping.

For me it was something where I could close my eyes and have my recorded voice stating a fixed number of repetitions like you stop at a target amount, or use the app.

I use that via audio, to maximize the scaffold while staying on course.

I'm trying to ingrain this rhythm with a counter, a virtual mala beads, so I won't need the audio or rely on those.

Yes, that is why I shared my method. In that way, you only need to feel when the amount is done, and then you are ready to proceed to the next step. No audio required.

 

[Kuka]

I see your point, very much probably i'm doing a messy version of something that could be done in a simpler and straight manner.
Thank you for sharing!

For now i feel safe to do this way, but once i feel more comfortable and surer to be doing the right thing i will definitvely use a counter or buy the mala that maybe it's better since it's something i can power over the time, as i read on the forum and ToZ.

Thank you again @Henu the Great !

May the Gods Bless you

 

[Kuka]

Hello all, i did complete the working i started with an audio recorded of myself, then i moved slowly to implement the digital counter again, along with as many 2 mins dots medidation as possible.

As of today i'm doing the Lakshmi's square and the Lord Ganesha mantra, they're at first difficult but i find myself to do a precise and clean number of repetition, as well i'm doing addiitonal training for visualization.

In fact brother Henu, you were right all along, cause simplicity beats complexity always.


Anyway i use the brother's @laurentum page for meditation, see his project is a hidden gem

Dot Meditation

A digital focus training environment built on ancient meditation principles. Progress from a single dot to complex geometric forms.

ramsesjson.github.io