Get an Insight of Prayer Malas or Worry Beads before Your Buy

A mala is an arrangement of beads that is used during prayers or meditation. It helps spiritually to protect and heal people during their journey through life. 

What’s the history and significance of mala?

It is also called prayer malas or prayer beads and its origin dates back to thousands of years in India. Its roots have spread in Hinduism, Buddhism, and yoga tradition. Islam and Christianity also use beads to pray spiritually. Bead word is derived from the noun ‘bede’, which in old English means ‘prayer’. 

The mala beads were designed from rudraksha seeds, which is the fruit of a sacred Bodhi tree. Today, you can find malas made from a variety of materials like stones, crystals, and wood. Some people get confused when they go shopping for prayer beads. It is also used for mindfulness-based practices like meditation in yoga, and therefore many people wonder why mala a religious symbol is used for other purposes.

They are usually used for meditation and prayer such as keeping count while chanting or mentally reciting the mantra repeatedly. The purpose of the mala was to keep the practitioner stay mentally calm and get focused. 

Different varieties of malas

It is available in a variety of sizes, colors, and materials. Materials include crystals, stones, gemstones, wood, and seeds. Each material has an inbuilt energy of a different kind. Energy is derivative from the stone vibrations or relevant chakra colors. For example, Amethyst stone promotes healing and peace. If you wear amethyst mala, the stone’s energy paired with the intention of wearing it will prompt the wearer to feel peaceful. 

In the past, malas had 108 beads because the figure is thought to be auspicious and holy. 

1- For God

0- For emptiness & humility

8- Infinity & timelessness

The malas with 108 beads have a tassel and a guru. Guru bead represents ‘Oneness’, while a tassel signifies consciousness. There are other malas with 21 and/or 7 beads intended for shorter meditations. 

108 beads mala can be worn in several ways

A long necklace

The most obvious and simple way to wear a mala is around your neck. In this way, you feel close and connected to it. The tassel of the mala will sit on your torso.

A short necklace

Wrap the mala twice and ensure to have the tassel sit on your chest.

Around your wrist

Wrap the mala with 108 beads multiple times around your wrist. It means the energy of the beads will always be with you.

Wrap bracelet

Loosely wrap it around your wrist four times and pull the guru blob between forefinger and thumb to form a loop. 

Mala choosing tips

When you look through the variety of prayer beads, pay attention to what interests you, is it a texture, vibration, color, etc. Trust your attraction because energy doesn’t lie.

Get familiar with the beads you get attracted to by feel, touch, and embrace them. For example, if you get lured towards sodality, allow the alchemy between you and the sodality mala!