Handmade Meditation Malas
Malas are traditionally rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism are used when doing chanting mediatations such as an Ohm meditation. Traditional Malas have 108 beads with the largest bead in center known as the guru bead. The guru is said to hold the energy of the meditations.
Besides being beautiful and energized with the gemstones’ unique properties, using a mala during meditation can help focus your mind and your breath as you move through your practice. The act of rolling the beads between your fingers is a physical reminder of the intention you set at the outset, and prompts you to return to your breathing and refocus your attention when your mind wanders—and it will wander.
Think of your mala beads as a tool that can help guide you into a deeper meditation practice. When you’re not actively meditating with your beads, wear them around your neck or wrist as a reminder of your intentions.
Do not let anyone touch or use your mala. Avoid showing your mala to other people and especially keep the guru bead hidden from view. Remove your mala when defecating, sleeping or having intercourse. Keep your mala beads clean and well maintained. Do not sleep or shower with your mala or have intercousre while wearing them.
How to use your Mala Beads
- Choose a spot and sit comfortably with your spine straight and your eyes closed. Take a few deep breaths to center and align yourself with your intention.
- If you have one, use a mantra for this practice, chanting aloud or silently.
- Hold your mala in your right hand, draped between your middle and index fingers. Starting at the guru bead, use your thumb to count each smaller bead, pulling it toward you as you recite your mantra. Do this 108 times, traveling around the mala, until you once again reach the guru bead.
- If you want to continue the meditation, instead of passing over the guru bead, simply reverse direction and begin again.
How to charge your mala
You can charge mala beads by leaving them lay out in sunlight or moonlight for a few hours. The energy of the sun and moon is said to clear the beads returning them to their own pure vibration.
How to activate your mala
In activating our mala beads, we’re unlocking the sacred energy inherent within these sacred objects. Without activation, the sacred energy lies dormant, just like kundalini energy does within our own energy bodies if we don’t unleash it. During activation, we’re also making mala beads unique to our Spirits—aligning them with our own personal energies and intentions.
There’s no right or wrong way to activate your mala beads. But, there are options. Typically, you’ll want to hold your beads in the right hand (It’s believed that your right hand gives energy, while the left hand receives energy) or place both hands around it with the hands at your heart center in prayer position, then envison and trust your higher self to take over the activation process. If there’s another way to hold your mala, one that resonates with you, then by all means do that.You can sleep with them under your pillow and wear them for 7 days to connect them with your energy.
Or you can activate them however you are spiritually lead.