YOUR ZEN
Breathe, focus, grow
Embracing the power of quiet observation
Meditation is a practice using techniques intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. The techniques are not intended to teach you to change or silence your thoughts--nor are they intended to keep your mind from wandering--but rather to pay attention to the present moment and observe your thoughts in order to observe what is happening within your own mind and your own self with an accepting, nonjudgmental disposition.
Over time, what changes as a result of practicing meditation isn’t necessarily the speed or frequency of the thoughts that play out in our minds, but rather our relationship with those thoughts. We come to the realization that our minds will generate content with or without our blessing or participation, and that the true purpose of meditation is not to alter or shut out our thoughts, but rather to awaken the self that is aware of it, opening the doorway to spiritual transformation.
Because various forms of meditation exist, beginners may feel unsure as to which meditation form to practice; however, scientifically speaking, research has shown that there is no one definitive “most effective method”; meaning there is no right or wrong or “best” form of meditation. Simply choose whichever form of meditation you feel most comfortable with, and practice it on a regular basis.
What is a mala?
A mala, which is Sanskrit for garland, is a string of beads—typically 108 beads, in addition to one guru bead—which is used as a meditation tool while chanting, reciting or silently repeating a mantra. They are intended to help the wearer focus their mind, and are often used to recite mantras in sets of 108 repetitions. When not used specifically for meditation, malas can help wearers carry a sense of peace, calm, mindfulness and focus with them throughout the day, and serve as reminders of intentions the wearer is focusing on.
Malas are made from various types of materials, including wood, seeds, precious metals, or gemstones, and are traditionally composed of 108 beads hand knotted on silk or cotton cord, with a guru bead, and a tassel or spiritual charm.
What is the significance of the tassel and Guru bead?
Though there are other explanations for the significance of a mala’s symbolic meaning, in traditional Buddhist culture tassels are symbolic of lotus blossoms, which represent and promote enlightenment.
The Guru Bead is the bead that the ends of a hand knotted garland of beads pass through in order to bind the tassel and complete the creation of a mala bead necklace. Also known as the “Meru Bead” which translates to “Mountain Bead”, the Guru Bead in your mala is the 109th bead, and is said to symbolize the Guru from who the student has received a mantra being used or recited, and to which the student may pay homage to in appreciation of the student-guru relationship.
What is the significance of the 108 mala beads?
Malas help keep count of mantra recitation; allowing you to stay focused, calm and relaxed while repeating a mantra 108 times. Though the significance of the 108 beads in a mala differs across many different cultures and disciplines, traditional Tibetan Buddhism holds that a 108-bead mantra repetition represents the 108 worldly sins in Buddhist doctrine.
In addition, the number 108 is considered to be sacred in many Eastern religions, representing the universe as one thing (1), nothing (0) and everything (8, or infinity ∞). The numbers 9 and 12 also have spiritual significance in many Eastern religions, with 9 times 12 equaling 108. In addition, the numbers 3 and 6 are significant in relation to mala beads, with Buddhist malas coming in three forms: 108, 54 and 27 beads. On a traditional Buddhist mala, the three beads above the guru bead represent the Three Refuges: Homage to the Buddha, Homage to the Dharma and Homage to the Sangha. Traditional 108-bead malas are divided into six groups of 18 beads, with a divider between each bead, while 54-bead malas have six groups of nine beads. Each dividing bead represents a point of pause for silent meditation.
What is the significance of the gemstones?
Malas are made using a wide variety of materials, many of which are gemstones. Gemstones have been used for centuries for healing and to reflect energy from the earth. Each gemstone also has a particular meaning and healing properties, and wearers can choose their mala beads based on what they’re seeking from their meditation. Amethyst, for example, promotes spirituality and helps the wearer stay centered, spiritual and serene, while Aquamarine (meaning “sea water”) is believed to be a calming stone that promotes courage and helps the wearer stay powerful, grounded and mindful.
What type of materials are used to make malas?
All of our mala bead jewelry is handcrafted using only the highest-quality materials, such as sustainable wood beads, authentic rudraksha beads, and natural gemstones. We use nickel-free precious metals such as sterling silver, gold vermeil, and gold for our wire chain malas, charms, and spacer or Guru beads. For the tassel and cords, we use only high-quality professional silk or polyester cord, because of its durability, drape, and wide array of colors.
How do you use a mala for meditation?
If this is your first time using a mala, start by finding a comfortable place to sit, and hold your mala in one hand. Start with the guru bead (the large bead at the bottom). Hold it between your thumb and middle finger, then start moving your fingers along each bead, pulling each bead towards you while repeating your mantra aloud or silently. The index finger represents ego, so try not to use your index finger as you make your way along the beads of your mala.
Once you feel at ease using this technique, we can begin to add focus on your breathing to your practice. With each bead that you pass, take a deep breath…….inhale and exhale. Then move to the next bead. Deep inhale and exhale.
Once you have the breathing down, you can layer in the use of a mantra. A mantra—Sanskrit for sacred sound, syllable, is a word or group of words to be repeated during meditation to help create focus for attaining self-realization and self-transformation.
On each bead, along with your breath, try silently repeating your mantra to yourself.
For example, we could choose to use an affirmation based mantra, which is an “I Am statement”
On each bead, inhale “I Am” and exhale a word that embodies how you want to feel in that moment. It can be abundant, strong, patient, intuitive, etc. For example Inhale “I Am” and exhale your “word” on each bead.
Now try closing your eyes as you continue to meditate, repeating your mantra, and feeling for the guru bead, which signifies you have reached 108 and the completion of a full meditation cycle.
If you want to keep meditating, traditionally it is advised to turn back in the direction from which you came rather than continuing over the guru bead, so simply flip the mala around 180 degrees, and then continue in the same direction to continue your meditation practice.
Remember that your mind is bound to wander--when it does, remind yourself that this is normal, and shouldn’t concern you. Accept that the mind is just doing what comes naturally to it, and continue with your meditation practice by paying attention to the present moment and observing your thoughts without judgement in order to observe what is happening within your own mind and your own self. With continued daily practice, knowledge, enlightenment, and a sense of calm connectedness will begin to grow within you--transforming you in profound ways.
Namaste
