Yoga Meditation Prayer Mala

A mala is a great tool to help enhance your mediations.  The use of a mala can help focus your meditation while adding the unique properties of the mala to improve the power of your meditation.

 What is Anatomy of a Mala ?
A mala is a string of beads used for prayer.  Malas are made on the principle of the sacred number 108, so they will have either 108 beads or a divisible of that number: 54 or 27 beads.  They are usually strung on silk thread with knots between each bead to maintain consistent space between each bead.  They also have a Guru bead with a tassel hanging from it.  The tassel is considered the symbol of a thousand lotus petals.

Why use the Mala?

Meditation can be quite a tricky practice because the mind is like a naughty child. By its very nature, the mind tends to wander off during the meditation practice. If ones energy is low at the time of meditation, falling asleep can result. If the energy is too high, fantasy and distraction become the barriers. At such times, the mala provides the much needed anchor.The mala beads are moved in rhythm with the breath and the mantra, so that both-sleep as well as excessive mental distraction-are prevented by this action upon the beads.

How to Use?
The mala is traditionally held in the right hand and used in two ways -
In one method, the mala is hanging between the thumb and the ring (third) finger. The middle (second) finger is used to rotate the mala by one bead towards oneself with each repetition of the mantra.

In the other method, the mala is hanging on the middle finger, with the thumb used to rotate the mala just as explained - one bead at a time.

Either way, the index finger is never used to touch the mala.

The different fingers used in mala meditation:

There are accupressure points on each of the fingers that work on different parts of the psyche and the brain. When the beads press the meridian points in the finger, you can work on a specific result.  The meridian point you are trying to activate is located on the side of each finger, in the center point between the tip of the finger and the upper knuckle.
The properties of the meridian points for each finger are as follows:
- Index Finger (Jupiter Finger): Wisdom. Knowledge. Prosperity
- Middle Finger (Saturn Finger): Patience.
-  Ring Finger (Sun Finger): Health. Vitality. Strengthen the Nervous System.
- Little Finger (Mercury Finger): Communication. Intelligence.

Types of Malas:
Malas are made from a variety of types of beads.  Integrating gemstone therapy into your meditation helps to enhance its results.  There are many online resources with information about the healing properties of different types of gemstones.  When choosing a mala, it is important to choose stones that focus on the results you are looking for in your meditation.
Here is a website that has a lot of information.

www.mogulinteriordesigns.com


Tulsi Mala

Tulsi often referred to as the "sacred basil" is the most sacred of the woods used in Indian worship - the only wood that is considered to be divinity itself. Likewise, the malas made of tulsi wood are considered very suitable for meditation.
Tulsi clears the aura. It helps to balance vata and kapha doshas. Saying the mantra on Tulsi increases the spiritual power of the prayer, increases devotion and spiritual growth. It protects and aids in the pursuit of Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of devotion.

Superior Grade Tulsi Mala Smooth well rounded full Tulsi Beads Well knotted for strength and convenience.

Crystal Mala

Crystal is a wonderful healing energizer. It stimulates the brain by acting upon the pituitary and pineal glands. It balances all the energy Chakras while reciting 'mantras' during meditation. Also believed to be good for cellulite or cysts. Crystal protects and heals by neutralizing negative influences

Sandalwood Mala

Fast becoming extinct, sandalwood is naturally fragrant and exceedingly smooth. Sandalwood has traditionally been regarded as one of the purest substances and is valued for its cooling properties and its medicinal value too. It is believed to Promote Tranquility as an aid to meditation.

Turning the sandalwood beads while chanting is supposed to have therapeutic properties that enhance calmness and a positive frame of mind.


Rudraksh Mala

 Rudraksh, the sacred seed which literally means the eye of lord Shiva, has a brownish red, wrinkled appearance. Rudraksh beads are generally used with Shiva mantra. However, they are effective with any mantra said with devotion, for they open the Heart Chakra. Rudraksh is believed to help Lower Blood Pressure and Create Stability within the entire system.

Black Agate Mala

This Black Agate combination with crystal Mala should be used to pacify the malefic effects of Planet Saturn or to strengthen this planet in ones Horoscope. This mala can be worn by persons having their zodiac signs as Capricornus (Makar Rashi) and Aquarius ( Kumbha Rashi ) with wonderful results. The cosmic energies we receive from the universe contains wavelengths of different energies coming from different celestial bodies. When we repeat a Mantra we are creating a path for a particular frequency and its vibrations to establish a connection with the cosmic energy and drag it into our body and surroundings. This energizes the specific chakra and leads to fulfillment of desires as needed.

Rose Wood Mala

Rosewood is deep ruddy brown color, richly streaked with black resinous layers that take a fine polish. Rosewood is believed to be good for the skin, improving the circulation and strengthening an individual's aura while repelling the negative energy.

9-planet" astrological (Navgraha) Mala

This is made of 9 semi-precious stones, each stone representing a planet of our solar system. It has tremendous astrological significance. Wearing this mala helps to appease any malefic tendencies in the astrology chart.






White Pearl Moti Mala
Pearls symbolize purity, love and happiness and are said to attune all 7 chakras and bring a soft, healing energy during meditation. The pearl is also said to improve self-esteem and help people to clearly see themselves.

Moonga (Coral) Mala

Moonga (Coral) is useful in diseases related with blood impurity. Coral is used during Sadhana or Worship of Lord Ganesh, Hanuman, Lakshmi and Mars Planet. Coral is also useful for the patients who are anemic. Ancient legends tell us that people once believed that Mars was composed of red coral due to it's striations and colorings. Coral symbolizes joy and happiness, it enables the wearer to enjoy life. Coral is said to quiet the emotions and to bring peace to within the self, it facilitates intuition, imagination and visualization. Coral helps one to both understand and use the qualities of the mystic. It can bring one into communication with the Ancient Ones of the world and expedite and accelerate the transfer of knowledge.


Ebony Mala

Ebony has long been the favourite wood among royalty in India. It has a heavy, almost black colour, jutting from the heartwood of the tree which is well known for its extreme durablility.




Moonstone Mala

Moonstone is associated with the heart chakra. It can help calm responses and avoid overreaction; enhances feminine energies, sensitivity, intuition, and psychic abilities. Moonstone is a stone of protection, especially during childbirth, pregnancy, and travel at sea. It is also associated with love of all kinds. Physically it aids the pituitary gland and digestive system, obesity, water retention, hormonal problems, menstrual problems.