HOW TO MEDITATE WITH A MALA

What is a Mala? How to use it ?

The Mala is a kind of rosary. Mala means “garland”

The full translation could be “meditation garland”

The name Mala comes from Sanskrit. This is the language in which Buddhist and Hindu religious texts were written. The origin of Mala goes back a thousand years.

Traditional Mala bracelets are made of 108 beads but there is also a short version. You can wear your Mala outside of your meditation sessions, like a piece of jewelry.

Wear it as a lucky bracelet or necklace.

It has become a very trendy fashion accessory for you women but also for you men. You will easily find all styles.

The Mala is used to count or count the number of mantras you recite. It can also be simply protective and lucky.

Anyone can wear a Mala, whether they are meditating or not.

What is a Mala made of?

A traditional Mala is made up of 108 beads. In traditional practice, you will recite your mantras 108 times. Your Mala lets you know exactly where you are with your recitation.

The beads in your Mala are mostly made from natural materials such as semi-precious stones, sandalwood, glass, or bone. In the middle of the Mala you will often find an amulet in the shape of a Buddha or a lotus flower, for example. This is the starting and ending point of your session, also known as the Guru pearl.

You can wear your traditional Mala around your neck or wrap it around your wrist several times, but you can wear the short version of your Mala directly on your wrist.

Ideally, you have the long 108 bead version to use for your meditation. You can wear the shorter Mala bracelets as good luck jewelry and protectors throughout your day.

How to meditate with your Mala?

Sit down and close your eyes. Let go of your thoughts without stopping on them and take a deep breath.

Hold your Mala with your right hand. The larger pearl or amulet is the starting point for your meditation session, but you should not touch it.

Place your thumb on the next bead. Stretch your index finger, it should not touch the Mala. The index finger represents the ego and therefore it is preferable that it is not in contact with your Mala.

You will use your thumb to seed the beads one by one, over the mantras you recite. A pearl = a mantra. You will also use your thumb to push back the bead when you are done with your mantra.

This will allow you to always know where you are.

You can recite your mantras out loud or in your head. Use whatever method you are most comfortable with.

When you have seeded the 108 beads and you get to the guru bead, you can go the other way if you want. The number of recitations must always be a multiple of 108.

Your mind will certainly wander during meditation. This is perfectly normal. Do not dwell on your thoughts and use your Mala and mantras to refocus yourself.