Mala FAQs

What is a mala?

A mala is a string of beads that is used in japa meditation to count the number of mantras, prayers, or intentions. Malas can also be used for gratitude meditation and counting breaths. Mala is a Sanskrit word meaning garland. The mala is an ancient tool that was created to help keep the mind focused and clear from thoughts.

 

What makes up a mala?

A full mala is made with 108 counting beads, along with a guru bead. The guru bead is usually slight larger than the counting breads, this bead provides the starting and ending points for counting the repetitions of the mantra or prayer. A tassel is also usually connected to the end of the guru bead to finish the mala with a final knot.

 

What is a guru bead?

The guru bead can be the same size as the counting beads, or it can be bigger to stand out. This bead is typically the same material as the other beads, but it can be different. The guru bead is often referred to as the teacher bead. This bead isn't meant to be counted or touched, but it serves as a reminder to take a moment to pause and reflect before continuing on to another round of japa. It is also said that the guru bead actually stores the energy from your previous practices. It can serve as a reminder of your intention for even practicing meditation in the first place.

 

What does the tassel represent on a mala?
The tassel on a mala is not only used for ornamental purposes, not only is it used to hold mala beads together, but it is also used to mark the end of the mala next to the guru bead. The tassel usually constructed using a piece of silk, wool or cotton.

 

Do mala beads have to have a tassel?
It generally depends. Traditionally, malas are constructed with a tassel at the end of the guru bead. There are several modern mala makers that do not use tassels but instead supplement a charm or pendant instead. Others create more of a "beaded jewelry" designs

 

What are malas made from?

Malas can be made out of many different materials. The most common types of beads used are made from wood, seeds, and smie-precious gemstones. Depending on the materials used, the properties of the beads will have certain energetic effects. Different religious traditions and spiritual practices have specific materials they use. In India, they mostly use rudraksha seeds, sandalwood, and tulsi. In Nepal and Tibet, most malas are constructed using bodhi seeds, lotus seeds, and bone. They can also be constructed using metal, clay, glass, or plastic. They can be strung with cotton, nylon or metal wire.

 

What size beads are used?

The counting beads in a mala usually range from 6mm to 10mm, 8mm being the most common. The larger beads are easier to count and use for japa meditation, but this will make the mala longer and heavier.

 

Do mala beads have to be round?
The beads that construct a mala can actually be any shape, but round beads are preferred because they are easier when using counting mantras.

 

Do mala beads have to be knotted?
Malas from India have knots; while malas from Nepal, Tibet, and China are not knotted. These are not counted during practice. They can also have a thin metal spacer bead or knots for decoration.

 

Do all malas have 108 beads?
The number 108 is very significant in India where malas originate from. There are 108 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Vedic mathematicians have measured the Sun’s diameter to be 108 times larger than the diameter of the Earth; when the distance between the Sun and Earth was measured, it was found to be 108 times the Sun’s diameter. There are 108 sacred texts of the Upanishads, 108 sacred holy sites in India, and 108 marma (acupressure-like) points on the body. Although most malas are made with 108 beads, they can be made using 18, 27, 54 or 81 beads.

 

How do I hold mala beads?
To use your mala, hold it in your right hand and drape it over your middle finger. Traditionally, the right hand is used because they consider the left hand impure. It's okay to use your left hand if that is you dominate hand. The first counter bead next to the guru bead represents the start of your meditation practice. Each counter bead should be held between your thumb and your middle finger. The thumb will pull the next counter bead over your middle finger after each mantra or breath. Your index finger should not touch your mala! The index finger represents your ego, which is considered to be the greatest obstacle on the path to enlightenment. When you reach the last counter bead, you can either end the meditation there or continue on by turning the mala around and going the opposite direction.

 

What if I miss a bead or touch the guru bead during japa?
If you skip over a bead during your japa meditation, you can recite an extra mantra for the current bead that you're on or you can finish your mantra practice by saying a few extra chants to make up for any that may have been skipped. If you touch the guru bead by accident, try to be more mindful and focus more energy on the japa practice itself. Its okay if you need to look at your mala occasionally look at your mala as you get close to the guru bead.

 

How do you activate a mala?
Activating a mala is pretty much just "giving it power". To activate your mala and the mantra you used (if you used one), you should practice your japa meditation for 40 continuous days. As with any spiritual tool, you want to form a relationship and bond with it.

 

5 Ways to Use Malas

These are the most common ways to use a mala. You may want to do a little bit of experimenting to find a practice that suits you and your intentions or goals. Combining these techniques can amplify the spiritual, healing and mental effects of using malas.

 

1. Japa Meditation or Mantra Meditation

This is a traditional practice used in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The following techniques will give you the best results for using your mala for chanting and meditation. You will need to choose a mantra for this practice. If you can't find a mantra, you can always use an affirmation. The whole point of this meditation is to combine chanting and using your mala.

Japa meditation is usually practiced while sitting down, but it can also be done standing up or while walking. The mantra can be repeated silently or out loud and it can be repeated as slowly or as fast as necessary to keep your mind focused. Meditating at least once per day for at least 10 minutes can have a profound impact on your life.

 

2. Breathing meditation practice

You can use malas along with classic yoga breathing meditations. This practice can assist you in slowing your breathing rate while calming and focusing your mind. For this particular meditation, you will hold and use your mala the same way you hold it for japa meditation.

 

For this breathing meditation, repeat these four distinct steps:

1. Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, guiding the breath into your lower belly.

2. Hold it for 1-2 seconds.

3. Slowly exhale out through your nose.

4. Pause for 1-2 seconds.

For each round of breaths, either count each breath with a bead on the mala, or you can use one bead to count the four steps of the breathing exercise. Try to focus your mind on how each of the four steps makes you feel as you touch each bead with your fingers. If a thought or distraction arises in your mind, let it go, don’t dwell on it or give it too much attention. Return your focus back to how the breathing feels and how the beads feel in your hand.

 

3. Gratitude contemplation practice

It has been known that the simple practice of gratitude encourages empathy and mental strength. It also helps improve sleep, self-esteem and physical health. To practice this gratitude technique, hold and use your mala in the same way you would for the japa technique. Start off by taking a few slow deep breaths, this will clear your mind. Then proceed by feeling or thinking about something you are grateful for. Each time you touch a new bead think of something that you are grateful for. Anything and everything are worth being grateful for, nothing is ever too small. Don't worry about repeating the same thoughts but do try to challenge yourself by thinking of as many different things as possible. Please note that the more you practice this technique, the easier this it will become. Whenever a thought or distraction arises, try to return your focus back to the feeling of gratitude, and your hand touching the mala bead.

 

4. Mind-body Healing

By wearing, using, touching or even just placing a mala on your body it will transmit whatever healing powers the materials have to offer. This technique is nice because you really don’t have to think about actually using the mala to benefit from the properties. Please keep in mind that when it is used with purpose and intention, the healing properties become stronger.

 

5. Fashion statement

Traditionally, meditation malas are not regarded as a fashion statement. Generally, wearing a mala specifically for fashion purposes is frowned upon by dedicated Buddhists and yogis. When wearing a mala in public it usually communicates to others that you are dedicated to a yoga or meditation practice. In more recent times it has become more acceptable to see people wearing mala necklaces outside of temples, monasteries or yoga studios. Wearing malas has become a boho/hippy fashion trend. Be clear on what your intention is before wearing a mala out in public so that it can become an extension of your path of mindfulness.

 

How to wear Malas?

There are two different ways to wear malas:

 

1. Wearing a mala as a necklace is the most common way. You can wear it with the guru bead down by your heart, or you can wear it the opposite way with the guru bead on the back of your neck.

 

2. You can wrap a necklace mala around your wrist a few times. A wrist mala is usually worn on the receiving wrist (non-dominant hand). Not all malas will work as a wrap, this will depend on the mala’s length. NOTE: That wrapping a mala is not recommended because it will put tension on the cord which could break or reduce the longevity of the mala.

 

Can I wear my mala right away?
Yes, you can wear your mala right away. Our malas are all cleansed and blessed before we ship them to you. Although we do recommend that they are cleansed upon your arrival.

 

How do I cleanse my mala?
The easiest way to cleanse your mala is to smudge it with smoke from an incense, white sage, or Palo Santo.

 

How do I bless my mala?
There are a few ways to bless your mala, depending on what you believe. You can bless mala by chanting a prayer or a Sanskrit mantra that is meaningful to you. Your mala can also be blessed by being smudged with smoke from burning incense or by being sprinkled with holy water. There is really no wrong way to do this—do whatever feels best to you.

 

Can you wear mala beads all the time?
No! Traditionally speaking, it is not recommended to wear your mala while sleeping, going to the bathroom, eating heavy foods (especially meat), during mensuration or during intercourse.

 

Can I get my mala wet?
Yes, your mala can get wet, but it is not recommended. Please keep in mind that exposure to water can damage the beads and/ or string, as well as fray the tassel. It is best to avoid getting your mala wet to ensure longevity. If it does get wet, quickly dry it off.

 

What does it mean when my mala breaks?
Eventually every mala will break, especially if you wear it frequently. When a mala breaks it is actually seen as a positive sign of progression along your yogic path. It would be a very good time to take this opportunity to reflect back on all of the blessings that the beads have brought you.

 

How do I store my mala beads?

First and foremost, please treat your mala with the utmost respect. When you are not using your beads, they should be stored in a clean space such as the bag or box they came in. You can also store them in a special or sacred space like a personal alter or around a statue of a specific deity. Please keep in mind that malas are viewed as sacred spiritual tools and they should not be left on dirty surfaces or the floor, this also ensures that your mala is kept clean.

 

What determines the cost of a mala?
Many factors determine the cost of a mala. The price of a mala can vary based on what type of material the mala is made of. The price of materials is based on where the materials were manufactured as well as the type and grade or quality of the materials. Some mala companies price their malas at a higher price because they design their products to be worn a "fashionable" jewelry.

 

Which mala is right for me?
There isn't really a correct answer to this question. It pretty much comes down to personal preference and what resonates with you. You can always look through the materials page where you will find a list of materials that we use along with a basic description of their properties. Please note that the list does not directly reflect our inventory. There are no medical claims for any of the materials. None of the information is intended to act as any sort of medical treatment nor as a substitute for any medical treatment. It is recommended to contact your physician for any treatment options.

 

How to choose a mala?

There are a few factors to consider before selecting the perfect mala for you to use and wear during your daily practices.

 

1. Intention and Goals

Mala beads are made from sacred materials which carry specific subtle energies. These properties can affect your body and mind while using and wearing your mala. It is important to align your intentions and goals with these energies. Before you shop for a new mala take a minute to think about your intentions for using and wearing the mala. If you aren't sure about what your larger goals are, then also take a little time to make a list of your spiritual and/or life goals. Once you establish your intentions and goals, then you can choose a mala. 

 

2. Attraction to Beads

There are several studies on how color and light effect our mental and emotional states. According to chakra therapy, reactions and attractions to specific colors may have something to do with the unique mental and emotional imbalances that we have. Both chakra and color therapy believe that wearing and using specific colors in your everyday life can actually have healing properties. Therefore, you should consider what energetic properties each color possesses.

 

What cultures and religions use mala beads?

Hinduism and Buddhism

The use of malas started in India around the 8th century B.C.E. The Sanskrit word 'japa' refers to the repetitive chanting of a mantra, while the word 'mala' means "garland". Although mala beads are used in many different cultures and religions, the name and bead count may vary.

Using japa malas for praying and meditating can be found in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. A japa mala traditionally contains 108 beads, this is based on it being a sacred number that represents the wholeness of the universe and existence. The number 108 reflects in many aspects of their spiritual practices. 

 

Christianity

Christian based religions use rosaries. The word rosary comes from the Latin word rosarium, which refers to a bed of roses or rose garden. Roses were a symbol of the Virgin Mary who is honored in many verses when praying on a rosary. A traditional rosary contains 59 beads attached to a crucifix. It's designed with five segments each containing ten beads, four larger beads mark the segments, three smaller beads along with two larger beads hold the pendant.

 

Islam

Traditional Islamic prayer beads have 99 beads divided into three segments and one elongated bead at the end. These prayer beads are called Misbaha or Subha, and they are used during dhikr which refers to reciting the 99 names of Allah. These prayer beads can also contain 33 beads.

Paganism

Many Pagan and Wiccan practitioners incorporate prayer beads into their rituals and meditations. The beads usually symbolize the elements (earth, air, fire and water) with markers for the 8 sabbaths and 13 lunar cycles. These prayer beads usually have a pagan related pendant on them.

 

Greek

Some Greek and Cypriot cultures use kompoloi, these are known as worry beads and are not used for spiritual purposes. These beads are worn as an amulet/ talisman to block bad luck and to reduce stress while increasing relaxation. This strand of beads usually contains a multiple of four beads plus one (17, 21, 29, etc.).

 

Beads have been used all throughout our history as talismans for protection and luck, they have been used as status symbols for wealth and authority, for spiritual and religious tools, and also used as a form currency for bartering. Although the use and meanings of beads has changed over time, they have been used to symbolize personal and cultural relationships, as well as physical, magical and supernatural power.