What does "chanting japa" actually mean? Dhyanachandra Gosvami gave a precise formula. First — mano-madhye sthito mantraḥ: place the mantra in the middle of the mind, letting nothing else compete with it. Then — mantra-madhye sthitaṁ manaḥ: place the mind inside the mantra. You cannot fit a big box into a small one — but the mind fits inside the Name. Finally, join them so no gap remains between the sound of the Name and your mind. This is japa. Not "finishing your rounds," but this union.