Do you know the Meditation Malas? Here’s how to use them!

Malas are not only beautiful natural jewels, they are also important means of bringing you inner peace and enlightenment.
Traditionally, Malas have been used for meditation and prayer in different cultures and religions.
But don’t be intimidated: No matter whether you are an expert meditator or not, anyone can wear one of these beautiful necklaces! In fact, people are often attracted to Malas due to their properties, such as calming the mind, bringing balance or establishing a deep state of inner peace for those who wear them.

Malas in the Eastern tradition

Traditionally, there are 108 seeds in a Mala, a symbolic and sacred number in several traditions.  Sometimes Mala may be composed of Rudraksha seeds, different types of wooden beads and also gems and precious stones, or precious seeds with specific beneficial properties, useful in reinforcing the practice of japa meditation.
You can wear a traditional Mala, either as a necklace or rolled around your wrist; alternatively, you can hang it in your home, either for protection or in the room where you practice yoga and meditate.

If you are interested in learning more about this subject, you can read The Seeds of Rusraksha: Legends, Benefits and Customs.

How do you use Mala to meditate?

If you choose to meditate with your Mala you can decide on a Mantra. To count the number of repetitions of the Mantra, hold your Mala in your hand and slide each bead between your thumb and middle finger (the index finger is considered to represent the ego and is therefore not recommended for sliding the Mala seeds).
Once you slide all the Mala seeds to the end you will reach the Guru seed, the only one with a larger diameter than the others, usually placed near the cotton tassel. This will indicate that you have reached the end of the 108 repetitions and provides a moment of reflection during meditation.
You may reflect on your meditation practice, honour your teachers or simply be grateful for allowing yourself this moment of introspection and calm.
At this point, do not go past the Guru seed but turn the Mala around to change direction and continue the repetitions.

What Mantras should you use for meditation?

A Mantra is a word, sound or phrase that is repeated in order to help you maintain concentration during meditation.

When using a Mantra to meditate, it is believed that intentions and positive actions fill the mind and succeed in eliminating negativity.

A Mantra can be a simple word like “love” or a word that represents qualities that you are trying to develop within yourself, such as “acceptance”, “strength” or “lightness”.
You can also meditate on statements such as “I am complete”, “I am strong” or “I am divine”. It has been proven that using positive affirmations helps to re-tune your brain to express these positive qualities!

If you want to use a Sanskrit Mantra, the phrase Ohm shanti, shanti, shanti is wonderful to begin with because it represents the peace that surrounds us all.

Many people who practice are lucky enough to have been initiated into a Mantra by a teacher or guru. In any case, even if you haven’t, you can always choose and use a Mantra that is meaningful to you and symbolizes what you want to cultivate in yourself.

A Mantra to begin meditating with the Mala

 

When choosing a Mantra, always consider the deep motivations that lead you to meditate – whether you are searching for more positivity, better health, happiness, love, or simply greater inner balance.

Here are some “modern” Mantras with which you can meditate according to your needs:

 

  • Resistance/Strength: “All this will pass”.
  • Love: “I am made of love”
  • Staying in the present: “Here and now”.
  • Allowing the Universe to guide you: “I am open to receive the gifts of the Universe”.
  • Happiness: “I choose joy”.
  • Surrender: “I open my heart and let go”
  • Self-esteem: “I am capable of wonderful things”.

Strenght Mala YogicYantra, handmade with Rudraksha Seeds and Lava Stone

And some ancient Sanskrit Mantras:

 

  • Om Namah Shivaya  (I honour the divinity within me)
  • Shradda (Faith)
  • Bhakti (Devotion)
  • Prajna (Wisdom)
  • Santosa (Joy)
  • Ananda (Bliss)
  • Moksha (Liberation)
  • Prasada (Grace – Clarity)

Sahasrara Mat Yogicyantra, 100% BIO, Cork and Natural Rubber

How do you activate your Mala?

Wearing a Mala every day will help protect you, guide you through life and constantly remind you of the divinity within you. Activating the Mala is a wonderful way to connect the necklace with your energy and intentions.
Here is a small ceremony that you can perform to charge your new Mala with your good intentions and energy. If possible, it would be better to perform this on a Monday – the day dedicated to the god Shiva.

  • Create a calm and peaceful area and light a candle or your favourite incense. If you like, you can spray your Mala with a little clean water.

  • Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and breathe deeply and calmly.

  • With a clear and calm mind, load your Mala with an intention, moving the seeds between your fingers gently.

  • Visualize yourself in a state of peace of mind and inner calm.

  • A traditional mantra to activate a Mala and charge its Rudraksha seeds with energy is “Ohm Hrim Namah Shivaya Ohm”.

  • Stay seated for a few more minutes to strengthen the energetic bond.

 

If you want to start meditating using a Mala, don’t rush: Take your time and create a dedicated space. At first your mind will struggle to stay focused, but the practice of bringing attention back to the repetition of a Mantra and counting the seeds of the Mala is very helpful.

 

Original Malas only

All YogicYantra Malas are 100% hand-knotted by Balinese craftsmen with authentic Rudraksha seeds and natural stones. They are inspired by the Hindu tradition and perfect for starting the practice of meditation with Mantras.

Find out which Mala best represents your personality and wear it as a symbol of compassion – or simply as a beautiful natural jewel.

FIND YOUR OWN MALA