What is a Mala?
Although in recent years Malas have become beautiful fashion accessories, malas are in fact prayer rosaries used originally in Hinduism, Buddhism and by Yogis. Today Malas can be used by any person in any religion (or non-religion) as they are not only thought to link you to a higher entity (God or the Universe), they also promote calmness. The word "mala" literally means "meditation garland" in Sanskrit. A mala is a strand of 109 beads; 108 round beads plus 1 "Guru" bead. They are typically worn as necklaces and used for counting mantras during "Japa Meditation" or "Mantra Meditation". Shorter malas, worn as bracelets can have 18, 27 or 54 beads. The mala is used so that one can think about the meaning of the mantra as it is chanted rather than thinking about counting the repetitions.
Our malas are all made of authentic Rudruksha seeds from India and semi-precious stones which are thought to have healing properties. They are all hand-strung on silk and made with love and good intentions. Our guru stone is made of either a symbolic essential oil diffuser pendant or a healing crystal/semi-precious gemstone.
How do you Use a Mala?
The first thing you need to do is know which mantra you would like to use for your mala beads. Click here for a list of mantras you may like to use.
1. Find a comfortable place to sit. You can sit in the traditional cross-legged (lotus) position on the floor, or in a chair if you are more comfortable that way. If you would prefer to sit on the floor but find it uncomfortable you may prop yourself up by sitting on a pillow or bolster.
2. Roll your shoulders back and keep your back straight.
3.Take a few deep breaths, breathing in and out through your nose. Let your thoughts come to you, do not try to push them away. Sit like this for a few moments until you feel ready to move to the next step.
4. Now focus all of your attention onto your breath. Let your breath come naturally, do not force it.
5. Hold your Mala in your hand between your ring finger (or middle finger) and thumb. Start at the bead beside the guru. Never use your index finger because it is thought to be an aggressive finger.
6. Begin to chant your mantra, you may chant your mantra out loud or in your head, whichever you prefer. As you chant, roll the bead you are holding between your fingers.
7. When you have finished your full mantra, move to the next bead. Proceed 108 times until you have reached the Guru on the other side. Be sure to never cross the Guru Stone.
8. If you choose you may go back 108 times to the bead you started at, but this is not necessary.
Happy Meditating!
Why 108?
Malas have been around for over 3000 years; it is unknown for sure why they contain 108 beads, however, we do know that 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism, Buddhism and yoga. Here are a few possible reasons why:
1. It is believed that 1 stands for God, the Universe or your own highest truth; 0 stands for emptiness and humility in spiritual practice; and 8 stands for infinity and timelessness.
2. The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters. Also the diameter of the sun is 108 times the diameter of the earth.
3. Mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of wholeness of existence.
4. According to yogic tradition, there are 108 pithas, or sacred sites, throughout India. And there are also 108 Upanishads (texts of wisdom from ancient sages) and 108 marma points, or sacred places of the body.
5. There are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra.
6. In traditional Buddhist thought there are said to be 108 afflictions or kleshas. Kleshas are mental states that cloud the mind and manifest in unwholesome actions. Kleshas include states of mind such as anxiety, fear, anger, jealousy, desire, depression etc. Using a mala and then wearing it can help to focus the wearer's intentions and assist them in avoiding kleshas, bringing themselves the ultimate peace.
7. In some schools of Buddhism it is believed that there are 108 feelings. This number is reached by multiplying the senses smell, touch, taste, hearing, sight and consciousness by whether they are painful, pleasant or neutral and then again by whether these are internally generated or externally occurring and then finally by past, present and future. The total of this comes to 108, 6 x 3 x 2 x 3 = 108
8. There are said to be 108 Indian Goddesses.
9. In astrology there are 12 houses and 9 planets and 12 times 9 equals 108.