108 Beads for Meditating

Mala necklaces and bracelets are knotted strands of 108 beads used for manta chanting and meditation. Their recorded history dates back to the spiritual practices of Hinduism in ancient India, roughly 3,000 years ago. The Sanskrit word “mala” translates to garland, and the Anglo- Saxon word “bede”, or bead, means “prayer”. While first used in India, mala beads have spread across cultures and countries, religions and spiritualities. The Christian adaptation is the rosary, Islam has the misbaha or tasbih beads, and Sikhism has simarna beads, all with the similar spiritual purpose of mantra chanting. Necklaces have 108 beads and 1 guru bead, and bracelets have 18, 21, or 27 beads.

Symbolism of 108 Beads

The number 108 has many significant spiritual connections to Hinduism. The number itself represents completeness and universal wholeness. 108 is the universe’s spiritual foundation, representing the deep connection between the self and the cosmos. It is the basis of creation, that we are all one and the same with the universe and each other. Mantras are chanted 108 times because it is believed that each chant represents the spiritual journey from our physical form towards the God source within us. Each bead represents a single repetition of a manta, ensuring rhythmic concentration, spiritual discipline, and peaceful meditation. In Buddhism, the number 108 represents the perceived 108 human passions or feelings that impede self enlightenment, 36 of the past, 36 of the present, and 36 of the future. Modern use of the mala, while also rooted in the traditions, is also all about reminders of intentions, encouraging self awareness and encouragement, and bridging the mind and the spirit through the chanting of personal or religious mantras. The guru bead, or the slightly larger bead that ties the whole mala together, symbolizes the teacher, divine energy, or one’s higher self. It signifies the beginning and end of a meditative cycle. The tassel represents enlightenment and unity, where all threads converge. Many malas end with a talisman or charm, depending on the user's intention or preference.

Choosing Beads

The first malas were made of rudraksha seeds, believed in Hinduism to be the tears of Lord Shiva, symbolizing divine protection. Buddhists made their malas out of sandalwood and bodhi seeds, representing purity and mindfulness. Different materials hold different symbolic meanings. While amethyst promotes spiritual awareness, rose quartz fosters love and compassion. If making a mala, it is important to consider the metaphysical properties of the beads based on your intentions for the mala. It is also important to consider if you are making the mala for religious reasons where the traditional material is important, or if you are making it more as a reminder of personal intentions. The material you choose is deeply personal, and can connect you physically to your spiritual self.

How to Make a Mala

The first step is choosing the proper stone, wood, or metal. The most common and comfortable size is 8mm, or 6mm at the smallest. Then, you will need to decide if you want to hand knot your mala, or string them with wire. Each method offers a different tactile experience. Hand knotting is traditional, where there is a knot between each bead, allowing the user to maneuver the beads without them moving. When strung on a wire, the beads move freely. End your mala with a guru bead and tassel or talisman. The guru bead can be a traditional one consisting of a larger round bead with 3 holes followed by a smaller cone shaped tower bead, or just a larger bead that you feel is aesthetic with your other beads, or holds metaphysical significance. Lastly, attach your tassel in whatever color you like, or a talisman that is meaningful. The making of a mala necklace or bracelet can be a meditative experience in itself. Traditionally, makers would chant mantras while hand knotting to imbue the mala with intention and spiritual energy. Making your own can be an opportunity to sit quietly and contemplate your mantra, or an opportunity to be intentionally mindless by being mindful of rest. The beauty of malas is they are not just a religious tool, but a deeply personal expression of your connection to your mind, body, and spirit.

Whether you want to use a mala for religious or personal reasons, they are a beautiful physical manifestation of spiritual intention, mindfullness, and meditation. It is a fun exercise to self reflect and research which material resonates with you the most while on your spiritual journey, and can make the connection to your intention that much stronger.

Resources

● https://www.goldenlotusmala.com/pages/history-of-mala-beads?srsltid=AfmBOopN6cjkaw4ZCB-ijegIqYkMM75dQ37JbQjkW644MMlsxWpzAII

● https://www.goldenlotusmala.com/pages/how-to-choose-mala-beads

● https://omshivoham.com/blogs/blog/a-history-of-mala-beads?srsltid=AfmBOopZzL97KZ9Qj84RgVy96h_WJvof9kRVNv4Xb939pC48s5WpZpph

Creating a Meditation Routine

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.” — Buddha

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and meditation can help shift your focus from physical to mental. A lot of people think they wouldn’t be ‘good’ enough or that their mind is too busy to meditate, but this is exactly why we meditate. It’s similar to if someone were to say they ‘aren’t flexible enough for yoga’. One of the reasons we practice yoga asana is to become physically flexible. There is never a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ meditation session, “there is only awareness and non-awareness or distraction and non-distraction” (Headspace).

Meditation can be intimidating at first, and there are many stereotypes and myths that come with the practice. Like, meditators sitting perfectly cross-legged with a stick-straight back and incense burning in the background…all while experiencing an “empty” mind immediately. The truth is, meditation is a life-time journey with insight gained over time and there isn’t a one-size fits all option. As a beginner, it is normal to feel sleepy, bored, fearful, anxious, frustrated, or resistant. Because the mind is used to being busy, meditation is a skill developed over years of practice that takes perseverance, discipline, and time.

Although there are undeniable benefits to starting your day off with meditation, it can be done at any time of day — it just depends on what works for the individual. Mornings are usually more quiet and your mind hasn’t been saturated with your list of to-dos or anything that is going on in the world. Allowing yourself this space in the morning ensures that other activities and tasks throughout your day will not interfere with your meditation practice.

So, how can you start your meditation practice?

1. Start small and find the time — meditate for short periods of time and take it day-by-day. It is more important to sit down for a shorter period of time a few times a week vs. jumping straight into an hour-long practice daily. Start with 3-5 minutes and begin adding more time as you get more comfortable.

2. Link your meditation practice with an automatic activity — wake up, go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, wash your face, then meditate. Use the time you would be scrolling on your phone in bed to set your day up for a clearer, calmer, and more compassionate mind.

3. Guided meditation — guided meditations are helpful for establishing confidence through the use of visualizations, body scans, mantras, and breathing, mindfulness-based, or relaxation techniques.

4. Create a sacred space — in theory, one should be able to meditate in any environment. When you first begin your practice, having a separate space that is inviting and peaceful can help establish a relationship with your practice.

5. Find a position that works for you — some meditators practice on a bolster or pillow, some use blankets, some sit on a chair with their back supported. Avoid laying down or meditating in bed as this can cause drowsiness.

6. Same time, same place — if possible, create consistency in your practice by meditating at the same time and in the same location each time.

7. Distractions are normal — it’s common to think that absolute silence is required for a ‘successful’ meditation practice. Settle into your surroundings and observe your senses by allowing the distractions to come and go, without judgement or resistance.

8. Practice mindfulness post meditation — carry the skills acquired and learned in your sessions into your day-to-day life. How can you be more mindful when driving, brushing your teeth, or taking a shower?

Meditation takes practice and it can only be mastered by, first, building a habit.

“When we experience moments of peace on a more regular basis, we start to feel a shift in our life and mind".” — Andy Puddicombe

References:

“8 Steps to Establish a Daily Meditation Practice.” Retrieved from https://chopra.com/articles/8-steps-to-establish-a-daily-meditation-practice

“Meditation for Beginners.” Retrieved from https://www.headspace.com/meditation/meditation-for-beginners

“Morning Meditation.” Retrieved from https://www.headspace.com/meditation/morning-meditation

Starting a New Habit

When you hear the word new, which emotions come up? Excitement, anxiety, hesitation, or even fear? New jobs, new experiences, and new opportunities force us into uncharted territory, which can be exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Many of us get comfortable in our routines, and the thought of switching things up or doing something we have no experience with brings up lots of worries and feelings of uncertainty. While there is nothing wrong with sticking to what we know and our usual routines, we might be missing out on growth opportunities if we don’t step into the unknown and push ourselves to try new things.

What is something you’ve always wanted to add to your life? Maybe it’s playing an instrument, biking to work, taking evening walks, practicing a sport, pursuing a hobby, etc. Starting new habits is definitely daunting, but what if your goal was simply to do the new task for 30 days? As Matt Cutts explains in his TedTalk, 30 days is just about the amount of time needed to add or subtract a habit. 

By challenging yourself to intentionally doing something for 30 days straight, you will probably notice two key changes. First, you will likely become more aware of the present moment as you bring your attention daily to this new task. Also, you will start to experience a sense of mastery. The more we do things that are challenging and new, the more we gain confidence and feel capable of accomplishing things we never thought we could. By starting a new habit and sticking with it, we feel empowered and proud of our accomplishment. 

If you’re feeling stuck in a rut and looking for a way to get energized, make a list of habits you’d like to add to your life. Pick one to start with, and challenge yourself to working on this habit a little bit each day, for 30 days. Let us know how it goes!