Meditation is something we should all make time for each day. But, meditating can be very difficult in the beginning stages. Our minds tend to wander off. This can be frustrating and prevent us from practicing as much as we should be. The mala is a useful tool for focusing your mind. While meditating if your energy is too low, you may fall asleep. If your energy is too high your mind will wander. A mala provides the perfect rhythm for your meditation, so practice a few different times a day and see what is most comfortable for you. A mantra is a very important part of the meditation practice and also for your mala beads. You need to find a mantra...
When is the best time to meditate? I like to say, its up to you! Especially if you are just starting to get into the habit of meditating. Any free time you have during the day works just fine. When meditation becomes part of your daily routine, this is when you should start to think about when is the best time. I still believe that anytime that fits your daily routine is great, but some times of the day are thought to be more beneficial. The hour before sunrise is known as Brahma. This is the most auspicious time of the day to meditate and chant with your mala. Just before the sunrise, most people are still asleep and the...
Many people have mala beads that they have had for years. Many of these malas have been given to them by their Guru, blessed and have thousands and thousands of repetitions in that mala. But, what happens when that mala breaks? Most people feel sad and a great loss because their mala had become such a large part of their life. Some people feel that is it a bad omen to have their mala break, especially if they are using it during meditation. Having you mala break isn't a bad, it is actually a positive event. In Buddhism, they believe that when you mala breaks you have learned something, you've made progress and now its time to move on to...
Tassels on knotted malas require extra care. Please be mindful when wearing your mala. Dirty tassel- You can use a mild soap and give the tassel a quick wash. Lay the mala and tassel flat to air dry. Please make sure to keep ALL soaps and water away. Bent tassel- Lay the tassel on a flat surface, making sure the tassel strings are flat. Place a book on top of the tassel to flatten. If needed an iron or hair straightener only its a natural fiber. (not recommended)Uneven tassel- Using clean and very sharp scissors cut the long tassel strings to make flat and even. Frayed tassel- mild wax is a last resort. Burning is not an option, causes ends to be...
A lot of people ask us why malas have 108 beads and why we are the 108 mala project. Since Adam and I learned about malas in Shangrila on the boarder of Tibet, we take the modern Tibetan approach to malas and meditation. And here is the short story, Mantras should be said in sets of 100 during your meditation. There are 108 beads on your mala, so the extra 8 beads are just in case and to sure you got your 100 mantras counted! 108 is the most holy number in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. If you are interested in a little more history and information about the mala counting here are some facts for you. Buddhist malas have 108 beads, but counting the 3...
