Mala Beads Natural Wood, Red Tassel

• Handcrafted in India
• Genuine Mala Beads
• Natural wood with red tassel

Japa meditation uses mantras and mala meditation beads. Mantras are a word or phrase you say either internally or out loud during your meditation practice, and malas are a way to count those mantras. Traditionally, they have 108 beads plus one guru bead (the one that dangles off the end of the necklace).

If you normally have trouble concentrating during meditation, a mantra and malas provide both a mental and physical way to stay grounded in the moment. The use of beads incorporates the sense of touch with meditation and makes use of our inherent desire to fidget with something.

How to Use Mala Beads for Japa Meditation:

1. Find a place (on a cushion, chair, or the floor) where you can sit tall and comfortably. Hold the mala draped between your middle and index fingers on the right hand. Hold the mala between your middle finger and thumb.
2. Select your mantra. Don’t over-think it: sit down to meditate, and let it come to you. Ask yourself “what do I need right now, what am I feeling?'” and often a word, quality, or feeling will pop up. You could start with an affirmation-based mantra: “I am_____”. Choose a third word (strong, supported or calm etc). Alternatively, you can search the web for mantra ideas, such as these.
3. To use the mala, starting from the guru bead, turn each bead in between your middle finger and thumb and repeat your mantra (either out loud or in your head) once on each bead. When you reach the guru bead again, you have finished. If you wish to keep meditating, reverse the direction on your mala, doing another 108 repetitions in the other direction until you reach the guru bead once again.

Don’t worry if your mind wanders; when you catch yourself straying, simply bring your attention back. As you continue to do japa meditation, you’ll notice that your mind begins to focus on the mantras. Other thoughts or worries will eventually fade away.