Unblock Your Chakras and Deepen Your Meditation with Mala Beads: A Beginner’s Guide
Embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awareness with mala beads. These beautiful prayer beads, traditionally used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other mindfulness practices, offer a powerful tool to enhance your meditation, promote chakra healing, and cultivate inner peace.
In this comprehensive guide, Teresa Mayville, a Doctor of Metaphysics specializing in Gemstone Healing, Tarot, and Spirit Guides, will unveil the rich symbolism of mala beads and guide you through their practical use.
In this guide, you'll learn the following:
Mala Beads Meaning and Symbolism
Mala beads, also known as japa malas, traditionally consist of 108 beads crafted from various materials like wood, seed, or gemstones. Each mala possesses unique symbolism and serves as a tangible representation of your intentions.
Mala Beads Meaning by Color and Chakra Connection
The colors of your mala beads correspond to specific chakras, energy centers within your body. Each chakra governs various aspects of your well-being, and using malas crafted with gemstones aligned to these chakras can promote balance and healing for those aspects.
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): Violet and clear gemstones, such as amethyst and clear quartz, promote spiritual connection, enlightenment, and higher consciousness.
- Brow Chakra (Ajna): Indigo and blue gemstones like lapis lazuli stimulate intuition, insight, and wisdom.
- Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): Blue gemstones like aquamarine and turquoise encourage clear communication, self-expression, and truth.
- Heart Chakra (Anahata): Green and pink gemstones like malachite and rose quartz foster love, compassion, and healthy relationships.
- Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Yellow and gold gemstones like citrine enhance self-esteem, personal power, and self-discipline.
- Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Orange gemstones like carnelian support creativity, sexuality, and emotional well-being.
- Root Chakra (Muladhara): Red and black gemstones, such as garnet and black onyx, promote feelings of safety, security, and connection to the earth.
How to Use Mala Beads for Mantra Meditation
Malas are powerful tools for mantra meditation, a practice that involves repeating a particular word or phrase to achieve a state of focus and inner peace. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using your mala for mantra meditation:
- Hold your mala with reverence. Traditionally, the mala is held in your receiving hand (left hand for right-handed individuals and vice versa for left-handed individuals).
- Set your intention. Before you begin, take a moment to contemplate your purpose for using the mala.
- Gently recite your mantra. Hold the bead next to the larger guru bead and speak your mantra silently, audibly, or in a whisper. Move one bead at a time between your thumb and middle or ring finger (try to avoid using your pointer finger) as you speak, and repeat.
- Respect the guru bead. When you reach the guru bead again, avoid crossing it. This symbolizes honoring your journey and intentions.
- Complete your practice. After finishing your desired number of repetitions, hold your mala at your Heart Chakra and express gratitude for your practice.
Why 108 Beads?
The number 108 holds immense significance in mala tradition. It represents various aspects of the Universe, our Solar System, and the human body. It also has connections to sacred geometry and numerology.
While 108 repetitions are traditional, feel free to start with fewer repetitions that feel comfortable for you. You can use a quarter mala (27 beads), half mala (54 beads), or three-quarter mala (81 beads) until you build your practice.
Final Thoughts
Mala beads offer a beautiful and meaningful way to deepen your meditation practice, promote chakra healing, and cultivate inner peace. Incorporating malas into your spiritual routine allows you to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and mindful living.
Browse meaningful malas handcrafted by me just for you and your intentions.
Mala Blessings, Love, and Light,
Teresa Mayvville, MscD
Teresa Mayville, MscD, is a Doctor of Metaphysics specializing in Gemstone Healing, Tarot, and Spirit Guides. She has guided individuals on their journeys of self-discovery and energetic healing for over twenty years. Visit Malaology.com and YouTube for more information on mantra meditation and other energetic practices, and explore her books on Amazon.
Citations:
- Chakra System and Chakras:
- “The Chakra System.” The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: NCCIH.
- Chakroff, Arthur. The Definitive Guide to Chakras and Kundalini: Awakening the Divine Energy Within. Llewellyn Publications, 2017.
- Mantra Meditation
- Wallace, Benjamin Alan. The Tibetan Book of Meditation: Revised and Expanded Edition. Wisdom Publications, 2017.
- Mindfulness & Psychotherapy. Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley: [invalid URL removed]. Accessed March 14, 2024.
- Mala Beads
- Boord, Penelope. The Mythology and Symbolism of Indian Buddhist Art. Thames & Hudson, 1997.
- Smalley, Phillip. Beads and Power: Ornaments, Ritual, and Social Order in Siaya, Western Kenya. Oxford University Press, 2010.