Mala Beads

Mala Beads, also known as meditation beads or japa malas, are used in the practice of japa meditation to count mantras, prayers, or intentions.  Mala is the Sanskrit word meaning “garland”.  A full strand of mala beads consists of 108 individually knotted counting beads, a guru bead, and a tassel.

 Beads are an ancient tool utilized by many paths and faiths, to help keep the mind focused and clear from intruding thoughts.  The guru bead provides a starting and ending point for counting the beads, which correspond to repetitions of mantra.  When incorporated into daily life, japa meditation has the potential to transform everyday life from the mundane to the Divine, simultaneously paving the way towards inner peace.

In Bliss Divine by HH Swami Sivananda, he describes the profound nature of this practice in this way, “The repetition of a Mantra has a mysterious power of bringing about the manifestation of Divinity, just as the splitting of an atom manifests the tremendous forces latent within it.”

Beads used for the specific purpose of a meditation practice should be reserved for just that.  They should not be worn or displayed in public, except to be worn under the clothing, next to the skin.  Mala beads should be kept on the altar or within your spiritual space, in their own special bag or box.

This doesn’t mean one can’t enjoy wearing a mala out on the town – quite the contrary!  The simple solution is to keep your japa malas for your practice, and have your selection of malas to wear and enjoy, reaping the protective energies and healing benefits they can provide.