So you are interested in working with a Mala, But have no idea what this super long special necklace really is, or how to use it, right?
That’s okay! I got you, let's break it down.
First let's look at the brief history of the 108bead Mala Necklace:
Mala Necklaces have been around for over 3000 years with roots in Buddhism, Hinduism, and yoga. The term ‘Mala’ is a Sanskrit word for “meditation garland”. The word Bead comes from the Anglo-Saxon term “bebe” meaning “prayer” or “to pray”. The tassel is a representation of the lotus flower, a symbol of the higher consciousness. However, the significance of 108 beads differs between practices but is still known as a sacred number.
In Hinduism, the 108 represents units of the distance between our body and the source God within us. When chanting a mantra 108 times each chant represents a spiritual journey from our material body towards the highest spiritual self. Each mantra chant brings you one unit closer to God source within us.
In yogic practice, there are 108 sacred life force points in the body (the meridian system). When yogis complete a sequence of 108 Sun Salutations, this tradition is meant to welcome change like the change of season, or during a time to bring peace and harmony into life.
In Buddhism, there are 108 human passions that impede enlightenment, 36 related to the past, 36 to the present, 36 to the future.
The number 108 can even find meaning within astrology. There are 12 houses and 9 planets in Astrology when multiplied it is equal to 108. Also connecting the Sun, Moon, and Earth with the average distance of the Sun and Moon to Earth is 108 times their diameters.
No matter your practice it’s quite clear that a Mala is a very spiritual and an excellent tool in finding a deeper connection with oneself, God, or the universe.
“Okay great, but how the heck do I use this?!?”
Modern-day practice with a Mala is not nearly as strict as traditional ways. In fact, I believe that if you feel called to your Mala no matter if it's while you are sitting on the couch, out drinking coffee or walking your dog, PICK IT UP.
Some of the ways you can incorporate a Mala today are practicing with a mantra or chant, start at your Guru bead and move one bead at a time repeating the mantra with every bead. Mantras I use a lot are:
“I am worthy”
“I am enough just the way I am”
Worn throughout the day as a reminder to be mindful of a personal mantra and to provide energetic support or grounding through the crystal beads.
Malas are also great to use during your yoga practice, meditation or manifestation. I use mine when I am trying to manifest big things and add a mantra like “This is my life's calling” or “I am meant to do big things”.
If you are working with a mantra or chant maybe make note of the bead you struggled to say or believe in your mantra, and then look up the 108 human passions. Is there a connection? Do you need to do some more energy work within that?
The more time you spend with your Mala the more you understand each other's energy and more support your Mala will offer you.
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