What is Mala Bead Meditation? – Understanding the basics of this ancient practice.
The roots and origin of the japa mala date back to 4th century BCE. Mala has been long used as a method of counting to aid in the meditative state. It can be found throughout many different cultures and religions from Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainsim, and Hinduism. The modern day rosary is actually based upon the mala too.
In sanskrit, japa means to count. Mala means necklace or garland. It quite literally means "counting necklace". The general idea with the mala is to count one bead at a time, holding each bead with your thumb and pointer finger. The goal is to center your focus solely on the counting, allowing the mind to dissipate in thought. It is a great option for beginners who are new to meditation and struggle to calm their mind enough to get into a meditative state.
Choosing the Right Mala for Your Practice – Materials, energies, and meanings.
Materials can play a large role in the energy of your mala. Often times, malas are left unknotted or strung with non-durable materials, leaving much to be desired. When seeking your mala, look for one that is made from real woods, stones, or even bone. Ideally, it will be hand knotted by someone who understands fully that each knot captures an energy, an intention. If you are someone sensitive to subtle energies, you can likely feel when a mala has been knotted with prayer.
Better yet, seek out customized mala meditation beads based upon your intentions for your spiritual growth or meditation practice. This could involve getting the materials to create your own mala, or finding a local artist who can make one for you. Be mindful of the materials you bring in. Work with crystals or other beads that hold meaning for you, aligning with your intention for the mala and spiritual journey at large.
Not sure where to start? Explore reiki infused custom mala options here.
How to Use a Mala for Meditation – Step-by-step guide for beginners.
There are two primary ways to use mala beads for your daily meditation practice:
Counting 108 beads: Focus your attention fully on the energy between your thumb and index finger as your count one bead at a time in both hands. Take your time, as there is no need to rush your mala bead meditation practice. The idea is that by focusing your attention on "1" thing (the counting), it can help bring you to the "zero" or no-mind, meditative state where you may realize that all "8" (infinity) exists.
Chanting into 108 beads: If you are not familiar with the sanskrit langauge, it is considered to be a root language, a language that has existed for thousands of years on this planet. Chanting these root sounds can actually help to hold you in a higher state of resonance utilizing sound. Some simple sanskrit mantras to begin chanting into each bead would be om; sat nam; so hum; om mani padme hum; or om namo guru dev namo, to name only a few.
There are so many benefits to a daily mala bead meditation practice. I hope this guide has inspired you to begin your new practice today and every day!
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