Mala beads have been used for centuries in countries like India, but they are now gaining increased popularity in other countries, especially the United States. Mala beads are now available as bracelets and necklaces, and Mala bead necklaces are especially popular with those who not only want to enhance their meditation and prayer life but also use them as an accessory or jewelry.
You can also see Mala beads adorning the altars of those who are devoted to meditation, and you can see them on top of Yoga mats as well. But the beauty of Mala beads comes not only from the fact that they are attractive and can be used as jewelry – their main attraction comes from their significance to the life of the user depending on where the user got their Mala, their intention in choosing the Mala, and how much power and energy the Mala gives them. If you are keen on acquiring Mala beads for your own positive vibe and energy, here’s what you need to know about them: what they are, their benefits to meditation and to your life, and more.
What it is
Mala beads are traditionally comprised of 108 beads with one central bead made from a gemstone. Gemstones have healing properties as well, and many believe that each gemstone releases its own unique energy and vibration. Your choice in gemstones can vary depending on what your preference or intention is; for instance, you can opt for Mala beads with a central gemstone of Opalite, Quartz (rose, smokey, or clear), Amethyst, Rhodonite, Jade, Black Onyx, and more. Other materials are used to create the Mala, and these can include sacred materials such as rosewood, sandalwood, whitewood, and Rudraksha (special seeds which have their own spiritual significance as well).
Nowadays, you can choose different variations in the number of beads your Mala has; you can opt for necklaces or bracelets with 27 beads or 54 beads, which are a quarter and half of the traditional 108-bead Mala, respectively.
How you can use it
You can use Mala beads to track your meditation and prayer, which makes them similar in function to rosary beads. While saying your mantra, which could be as simple as ‘om’ or a more complex personal mantra, you can touch the beads with your fingers and mark each bead as you go along. The tracking of each bead with the use of your fingers enables you to have better concentration and focus. When you repeat your mantra using Mala beads, you can also achieve better breathing, allowing you to calm down and benefit from clearer, more positive thought. And when you have better meditation, this can help you become more relaxed and help you attain better concentration and self-awareness overall.
Of course, you can use Malas for other purposes as well. For instance, what can you give someone who already has it all? A Mala necklace is a brilliant choice. Mala necklaces can have special meanings – and you can choose one based on their significance and effect, such as creativity, abundance, adventure, breakthrough, confidence, protection, grounding, enlightenment, and joy, among others. You can also give a Mala necklace or bracelet to yourself to provide you with a sense of achievement or to serve as a symbol of your desire or intention.
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