What is a mala?

A mala is a necklace (or sometimes bracelet) typically made up of 108 beads of various healing gemstones or sacred woods and seeds, and one larger “guru” bead. In Sanskrit, the word mala means garland. Also commonly referred to as a japa mala, the word japa means repetition. Many different cultures throughout history have used some type of prayer beads, rosary beads or worry beads to aid in their spiritual practices. Interestingly, when the Roman Empire was trading with India, they mistook the word japa for jap, the Latin word for “rose”. Thus when prayer beads came to be used in Rome, they were called rosarium, or rosary in English. There are various explanations for the significance of the number 108. Some say there are 108 stages on the journey of the human soul. It is also said that each number represents a different meaning such as:

1= God, the Universe, or your own highest truth.

0= Emptiness and humility in spiritual practice.

8= Infinity and timelessness.

“Guru” or 109th bead= Gratitude or our connection with the divine.

Malas are traditionally used in prayer and meditation. They can also be used for reflection, cleansing the chakra system, crystal healing or simply as a beautiful way to stay connected to our What is a Prismala?

What is a Prismala?

Like a prism refracts light from different angles, we too are multidimensional beings. We absorb and reflect the energy of our health and experiences. We live in a modern world that is full of distractions and dis-ease. It can be overwhelming to know where to begin on any new chapter of our journey, challenging to keep momentum and focus even if we do have direction, or simply to have the support needed to sustain our energy. This is my intention for Prismala, to be your modern version of a traditional mala, designed especially for your personal journey and intentions. Something tangible, to support you and your goals.

How do you use a Prismala?

There are a variety of ways in which to use a mala. It can be overwhelming to feel like you need to follow the rules or use it the “right” way. I don’t subscribe to the idea of things being right or wrong. I believe that we all possess an intuition to do the best we can with the information and tools that we have at any given time, and an awareness of this is healing in itself. While a mala is traditionally used for keeping track of your repetitions when repeating your mantra during meditation, its important to know that just being mindful of your intentions can be highly effective, even if you aren’t using your mala in accordance with traditional beliefs. Meditation can be intimidating and feel unattainable to those who have difficulty quieting the mind. The easiest way to allow stillness is to imagine letting your thoughts slip away as they enter, and let go instead of lingering. Incorporating a mala during this practice can be a helpful way to distract the mind by giving it something tangible to hold on to and create a focal point. The following directions can guide you on how to use your mala for meditation should you choose to do so.

1. Choose a spot and sit comfortably with your spine straight and your eyes closed. Take a few deep breaths to center and align yourself with your intention.

2. If you have one, use a mantra for this practice, chanting aloud or silently.

3. Hold your mala in your right hand, draped between your middle and index fingers. Starting at the guru bead, use your thumb to count each smaller bead, pulling it towards you as you recite your mantra. Do this for each bead, 108 times, traveling round the mala until you once again reach the guru bead.
   

How do I care for my Prismala?

As we know, everything that is a part of the living earth emits and transmits vibrational frequencies. Your mala beads therefore not only interact with you, but you (and the environment) interact with your mala; it picks up on your energy, and that of the environment which will alter your mala beads unique bio electromagnetic field. For this reason it is helpful to clear and recharge your mala beads from time to time. To do this you may simply run it under cold water or put it in the sunlight for a few hours. If you have a singing bowl or chimes this can also be an effective way to clear them with sound. To charge or reprogram your mala beads the easiest way is to set them out under the moonlight overnight. You may wish to recite your mantra when you are cleansing or before you recharge to set a new intention. The bottom line is to do what feels right to you and enjoy the healing of your beads, there is no wrong way to appreciate their energy.