Do you think I need a mala?

Well the good thing about a mala is that while you are sitting in meditation you can use the beads to count inhale and exhale...and if you become focused on a certain path then you will have mantras to recite.

The benefit to counting on a mala is that you are able to gauge the time that you have been sitting in meditation. Often times our mind wanders, we get frustrated or "fidgety" and wonder "Is it over yet?" :) But with a mala, you know how long it takes for you to do a "full round (108)"...so maybe it takes you 40 minutes to do 108 beads (counting your inhale and exhale).

In the taming of the mind and overcoming its ability to force you out of meditation...you can entertain it at times be knowing "how much longer you have". As you become better at your meditations and your ability to sit becomes longer...you can lengthen your inhales and exhales or begin reciting mantras.

One mantra that is commonly used is "OM MANI PADME HUNG" (pronounced Hoong)...direct translation "The jewel is in the lotus" meaning "The jewel is within."

Comments

[abacus]

I have twice tried (1) a mala and (2) a ring both to help me in my japa - the former to help me practice and the latter to keep my mind rested. Both made me very uncomfortable. Two horrible incidents befell me - with the first my son was taken away and the second the house was robbed. In retrospect who cares anymore as it was a long time ago but I know such things happen so am wondering do you performa and purification exercise for your malas ?

[Brian McIntyre]

When I first receive the beads to make these malas they often come on a cotton string that is easy to take apart. These malas are made with no thought or intention in them and simply put together to sell.

It is important to know the origin of the mala made because this persons intentions are important in the creation of what will be a tool for your practice.

I am not surprised that a mala can have an adverse effect as well.

In the malas that I make there is the purest of intentions in the making of them. I always play chanting music and often recite various chants while making the malas.
When I take malas apart I am the one that receives whatever that mala holds and in turn when being restrung they are too being cleansed and love and devotion are being restrung into them.
Blessings.