How Malas are beneficial to meditation.
Story by: Ella Adler Sacred Spaces Editor
Strolling the rows of vendors at an art market in downtown Grand Junction, you are likely to find many booths full of jewelry. Some of this jewelry is solely made for accessorization. Other jewelry being sold at the market serves more of a purpose.
Turtle Herbals is a Grand Junction local company. One-half of their vendor booth is full of natural salves and soaps, the other half is occupied by strings of beads. At first glance, these strings seem like long necklaces. After speaking with the owner of the business, you find out the true purpose of these beaded ornaments.
Malas are handmade strings made of 108 beads. The beads are typically spherical in shape and are made out of many different minerals. Mala is the Sanskrit word for garland. According to Seattle Yoga News, Malas were first created in India roughly 3000 years ago. They have spiritual significance in Hinduism, Buddhism, and yoga.
“The number 108 means a different thing to each religion that uses the mala,” says the owner.
In India, the number 108 is significant for many reasons. First, there are 108 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. The number also is significant in the mathematical and scientific discoveries of Vedic scholars. The sun’s diameter compared to Earth’s diameter and the distance between the two solar bodies both have a relationship s the number 108.
For those who involve malas in their yoga practice, the number relates to the 108 sacred texts of the Upanishads (Hindu sacred treatises), 108 holy sites in India, and 108 acupressure points in the body.
Many other specific branches of yoga have found connections with this number as well. For example, in tantric yoga, there are 108 energy lines that course through a body, each connecting at the heart chakra.
According to the original purpose of their creation, Malas are to be used in meditation.
Ella Vaillancourt has been practicing yoga in her free time for several months. Recently, she made her own mala
“It has made meditation more attainable,” Vaillancourt says.
In order to mediate with a mala, you hold the beaded string in your hand. Place one finger on the bead near the tassel at the top of the strand. Complete one cycle of breaths or repeating mantras for every bead that you trace with your finger.
“The repetition and intentional breathing help calm me down. Even without the spiritual side of things, it really does help me mediate,” says Jana Coop, a practicing yogi.
Being calm and centered with yourself can have many benefits. Malas can be helpful in bringing peace to a stressful day without any spiritual attachment, even with their spiritual beginnings.
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