Malas

What is a MALA ?

Traditionally a mala-which means “garland”-has 108 beads strung together and one “guru bead,” which is larger than the rest. The guru bead is used as a place marker for the fingers to feel for the end or the beginning of the necklace for meditation or mantra chanting. Sometimes there are special or different shaped beads placed after every 27th bead to make it easier to keep track of the mantra. You’ll often also find bracelets and decorative necklaces with 54 or 27 beads, half and a quarter of the 108 respectively. Nowadays, malas are made out of a variety of materials including wood, seeds, stones, pearls, and crystals.

The act of repeating a Mantra is a very powerful way of stilling our mind forever busy jumping from one thought to another.

When we engage in the practice of being present – without thoughts or regrets of the past nor anxiety of the future – we automatically experience peace, love and joy in the silence!

This is the process and goal of meditation and using mantras is a very effective way to achieve it and to raise your own vibrational frequency thereby attracting more abundance into your life… Your Mala is your spiritual tool.

THOUGHTS BECOME ACTIONS ! Repeat your wish (Mantra) to the universe (Divine Spirit) 108 times each day.

Simply move your fingers along each bead recounting your manifestation as you go.

WHY 108 ? There are :

108 energy lines converging from the heart chakra

108 letters in the sanskrit alphabet

108 Upanishads

108 points of the Sri Yantra & human body

108 feelings – 36 past, 36 present, 36 future

108 Indian Goddess names

108 styles of meditation

108 stages of the Soul

12 houses & 9 planets in astrology 12 x 9 = 108

1, 0, 8: 1 = God or higher truth, 0 is for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 for infinity or eternity.

The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth.

The distance of the Sun to Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.

The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diamter of the Moon.

In astrology, the metal silver is said to represent the Moon. The atomic weight of silver is 108 etc…

WHAT IS A MALA ?

What are the Benefits of Using Mala Beads ?

A common way to use the mala is to track a “japa,” or mantra meditation. The repetitive recitation of a single sound, such as “om,” a few words, such as “om mani padme hum,” or a longer mantra, such as the Gayatri Mantra, OR A WISH TO DIVINE SPIRIT OF SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO CREATE IN YOUR LIFE, can be calming and transformative. Whether you’re chanting out loud, whispering, or repeating a phrase silently, tracing the beads of the mala with your fingers can help you keep track of the japa. “Japa” translates to “muttering” in Sanskrit.

Similar to praying with rosary beads, meditating with a japa mala has been shown to help slow down respiration and encourage well-being. Repeating the mantra of your choosing redirects the mind from daily obsessions and introduces positive thought patterns. Similar devices have been used for generations in a variety of spiritual traditions including:

  • Hinduism
  • Buddhism
  • Jainism
  • Sikhism
  • Christianity
  • Islam

Meditation positively affects the brain and mood and many people report feeling relaxed, having better focused attention, and enhanced self-awareness.