Smarana

(“remembering”) One of the standard
religious practices mentioned in lists
of religiously meritorious actions.
Smarana is most often associated with
deities but is also mentioned in conjunction with sacred sites (tirthas), one’s
spiritual teacher (guru), or even particular acts of worship. This practice
involves thinking constantly upon the
deity, person, place, or object, and in the
case of a deity this often involves mental
recitation of the deity’s name. The primary emphasis in this practice is to create habitual behavioral patterns that,
over the long term, will have beneficial
effects on one’s character.