About Malas
Mala is sanskrit for “garland”
Malas are used in Mantra Yoga, also known as Japa (sanskrit for “repeating”) meditation. It is the practice of reciting mantras or affirmations, often with the use of mala beads. Japa malas are prayer beads used for mantra, intention, and prayer practice.
Malas are used to help keep count while reciting, chanting or mentally repeating a mantra or intention. They also offer a tactile reminder to be present, and they help to calm the “monkey mind” during meditation.
Traditional malas consist of 108 beads. A mala also contains an additional larger bead, called a guru (sanskrit for “teacher”) bead, or meru (sanskrit for “mountain”) bead, which is at the head or center of the mala. Some traditions use a specific style of meru bead with a tassel hanging from it, or it may be a certain gemstone that signifies a specific intention and purpose of the mala beads. Smaller malas are commonly still connected to 108 if they are made with 27 or 54 beads. They are usually worn on the wrist.
Each tradition has their own way of putting their malas together. They can be made of either wood, seeds, pearls, or semi-precious/precious stones. Rudraksha seeds, and Tulsi beads are common, especially in the hindu and buddhist traditions. The material used to make up a set of mala beads sets the intention the beads will be used for. It is common for japa mala practitioners to have more than one set.
Marker Beads
Some malas have marker beads (or charms). These and the guru bead are in addition to the 108 beads. Mala marker beads are optional accent beads placed at intervals on a mala necklace to help practitioners track progress during meditation and mantra chanting. They act as visual or tactile cues to help the user stay focused and can be used to create a rhythm for prayers or breaths. Placing a marker bead after every 27th bead, for example, divides the traditional 108 beads into four sets, making it easier to keep track. Move over your marker bead without a repetition.
Purpose of marker beads:
The Significance of 108 Beads
The number 108 has a spiritual significance and is considered sacred in the Hindu religion.
The “1” stands for God, the universe, or your own truth.
The “0” stands for the emptiness and humility in your spiritual practice and the “8” stands for the infinity and timelessness.
The number 108 is said to be a number which holds mystical energies, as discovered by Vedic sages. Renowned mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence. This number also connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth. The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters. Also, sun’s diameter is 108 times that of the diameter of the earth, while the sun to earth distance is 108 times the sun’s diameter. Often 108 sun salutations are practiced for special occasions, summer solstice, autumn equinox etc. The traditional and most commonly cited number of Upanishads (sacred texts) is 108, as well as 108 marma points (sacred places on the body).
Mala beads are a spiritual tool that dates back to 8th century India. There are ancient sandstone sculptures of people praying with beads to Lord Shiva. Malas have made their way into many of the world’s traditions of prayer, meditation, and reflection. Most of the main religions of the world, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity, have adopted similar practices.
Malas can be worn as jewelry, and can serve as a reminder throughout the day to come back to your intention or purpose.
Because of the intentions behind malas, they absorb energy. It can be good to clear them every couple of months, or if someone other than you touches them. Occasionally malas will break from use and the energy that they have absorbed. Save your beads, they can be restrung. Contact your mala maker, and they will assist you in the process.
“Twenty years ago, one of my malas had absorbed a lot for me during a transitional time of my life. Shortly after I found out I had cancer, my mala broke. I felt very connected to my mala. Before I sent my mala off to be restrung, as advised from where I bought them, I sat with my mala, actually thanked it, and told it that it would be coming back to me. This is still one of my favorite malas.” - Colleen
Malas are used in Mantra Yoga, also known as Japa (sanskrit for “repeating”) meditation. It is the practice of reciting mantras or affirmations, often with the use of mala beads. Japa malas are prayer beads used for mantra, intention, and prayer practice.
Malas are used to help keep count while reciting, chanting or mentally repeating a mantra or intention. They also offer a tactile reminder to be present, and they help to calm the “monkey mind” during meditation.
Traditional malas consist of 108 beads. A mala also contains an additional larger bead, called a guru (sanskrit for “teacher”) bead, or meru (sanskrit for “mountain”) bead, which is at the head or center of the mala. Some traditions use a specific style of meru bead with a tassel hanging from it, or it may be a certain gemstone that signifies a specific intention and purpose of the mala beads. Smaller malas are commonly still connected to 108 if they are made with 27 or 54 beads. They are usually worn on the wrist.
Each tradition has their own way of putting their malas together. They can be made of either wood, seeds, pearls, or semi-precious/precious stones. Rudraksha seeds, and Tulsi beads are common, especially in the hindu and buddhist traditions. The material used to make up a set of mala beads sets the intention the beads will be used for. It is common for japa mala practitioners to have more than one set.
Marker Beads
Some malas have marker beads (or charms). These and the guru bead are in addition to the 108 beads. Mala marker beads are optional accent beads placed at intervals on a mala necklace to help practitioners track progress during meditation and mantra chanting. They act as visual or tactile cues to help the user stay focused and can be used to create a rhythm for prayers or breaths. Placing a marker bead after every 27th bead, for example, divides the traditional 108 beads into four sets, making it easier to keep track. Move over your marker bead without a repetition.
Purpose of marker beads:
- Aid focus: They help you stay grounded by providing a way to check your progress without having to count every single bead.
- Establish rhythm: Marker beads can help create a steady pace for your practice, whether you are chanting mantras or focusing on your breath.
- Guide your practice: They can guide you through specific practices, like keeping track of prostrations or completing a specific number of repetitions.
- Signal progress: Placing a charm or distinct bead after the halfway point (bead #54) is common for marking the midpoint of a session.
The Significance of 108 Beads
The number 108 has a spiritual significance and is considered sacred in the Hindu religion.
The “1” stands for God, the universe, or your own truth.
The “0” stands for the emptiness and humility in your spiritual practice and the “8” stands for the infinity and timelessness.
The number 108 is said to be a number which holds mystical energies, as discovered by Vedic sages. Renowned mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence. This number also connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth. The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters. Also, sun’s diameter is 108 times that of the diameter of the earth, while the sun to earth distance is 108 times the sun’s diameter. Often 108 sun salutations are practiced for special occasions, summer solstice, autumn equinox etc. The traditional and most commonly cited number of Upanishads (sacred texts) is 108, as well as 108 marma points (sacred places on the body).
Mala beads are a spiritual tool that dates back to 8th century India. There are ancient sandstone sculptures of people praying with beads to Lord Shiva. Malas have made their way into many of the world’s traditions of prayer, meditation, and reflection. Most of the main religions of the world, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity, have adopted similar practices.
Malas can be worn as jewelry, and can serve as a reminder throughout the day to come back to your intention or purpose.
Because of the intentions behind malas, they absorb energy. It can be good to clear them every couple of months, or if someone other than you touches them. Occasionally malas will break from use and the energy that they have absorbed. Save your beads, they can be restrung. Contact your mala maker, and they will assist you in the process.
“Twenty years ago, one of my malas had absorbed a lot for me during a transitional time of my life. Shortly after I found out I had cancer, my mala broke. I felt very connected to my mala. Before I sent my mala off to be restrung, as advised from where I bought them, I sat with my mala, actually thanked it, and told it that it would be coming back to me. This is still one of my favorite malas.” - Colleen
