108 MALA BEADS
We recommend the use Mala Beads during meditation to make the practice more tangible and to help relieve stress. Other benefits include manifestations, healing, protection, and building spirituality. Mala Beads have been used for centuries by ancient traditions like Buddhism and Hinduism during prayer and meditation. It’s believed that when worn and used during prayer and meditation that your intentions are manifested. The number 108 is a spiritual number holding meaning meanings.
SOME BELIEVE THAT
1: STAND FOR GOD OR HIGHER TRUTH
0: STANDS FOR EMPTINESS OR COMPLETENESS IN SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
8: STANDS FOR INFINITY OR ETERNITY
The Thread: Represents the Cosmic Creative Force that supports or sustains every part and every being in the universe.
The Knots: Though life is challenging, these knots remind us that all aspects of life are connected and supported in the universal sutra of life.
The Guru (or Meru) Bead: “Guru” means teacher, and “Meru” means mountain in Sanskrit. The guru or meru bead is often the 109th bead that is connected to the tassel, and it represents the state of transcendental consciousness or awareness, the central goal of meditation practice.
The Tassel: It represents our connection to the Divine (whatever that means to you) and the interconnectedness of all beings.
HOW TO USE YOUR BEADS FOR MEDITATION, CHANTING, AND RECITING MANTRAS
You could hold the beads in the right or the left hand; it varies in different traditions. Use your thumb to advance the beads; the rest of the beads are resting on the middle finger. The first finger represents the ego, which is one of the biggest obstacles to self-realization.
So, the first finger is avoided when holding the beads.
Complete one full breath (inhale and exhale)one bead at a time. Move your fingers to the next bead, breathing in and out and/or reciting a mantra once per bead.
The repetitive movement of your fingers across the beads helps ground you. Touching each bead as you say a mantra enables you to keep track of how many times you’ve repeated the mantra. Instagram Demo Video w/Libby