The mind is certainly elusive and at times a challenge to focus during meditation. Here’s a beautiful technique that can help rein it in: the use of japa mala beads.
In brief, a japa mala is a string of beads traditionally used in Hinduism and Buddhism to keep count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating mantras while meditating. The Sanskrit word mala means “garland,” and japa “the practice of reciting mantras.”
Generally, malas have 19, 21, 27, 54, or 108 beads. The number 108 is considered significant in both Hinduism and Buddhism (for various reasons that could lend to a whole blog!). To find out more now, take a trip to Wikipedia. The numbers by which 108 are divisible are also auspicious, as are various prime numbers.
The beaded garlands can be made out of wood, crystal, glass, coral, seeds, and even bone. While certain materials are used for general purposes, such as those from the bodhi tree, others are only intended for specific practices. Every japa mala has a head bead, which is generally larger and/or has one to three smaller beads attached, as well at the knot that holds the mala together. This is called the “guru,” or teacher bead.
Today, we’ll explore how to use a japa mala for basic meditation. If you do not have mala beads, you can find them at some yoga and meditation centers, as well as on the Internet.
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