When chanting “Amituofo”

and a wandering arises,

which remains in the front of your mind

and which recedes to the back?

Initially, wandering thoughts will continually derail our chanting. As our chanting becomes established, wandering thoughts will arise less often and retreat more quickly. As we chant with patience and diligence, wandering thoughts will slowly cease. Since few of us have reached this last level, it will be helpful to determine if we’re at least progressing. As a wandering thought arises, observe which recedes. “Amituofo”? Or the wandering thought? Next, determine how soon we notice what just happened. A few seconds? A minute? Longer? Good thoughts or bad, it seems they arise from nowhere. One moment “Amituofo” is at the front of our mind, and the next, wandering thoughts have taken over and “Amituofo” is gone. Identify what just happened, then quickly return to the safety—and joy—of “Amituofo.”