A whole new dimension to my meditation practice!

I’m very excited about my new mala beads. I have been trying to be better with my meditation practice and dedicating more time to meditating and I decided it was time to invest in mala beads. Wow, there are a lot of choices out there, but I’m a firm believer to go with your gut reaction and what your heart is drawn to first. So upon searching for my own mala beads, this was the first one I saw and loved. I continued to browse for quite some time… but I came back to these. When I opened the package, I couldn’t have been more happy with my choice.

They came in the mail, and I wasn’t home that day and was meeting my husband out for dinner. He brought the package with him to give to me. Granted, he had no idea what my package contained. I opened it over dinner, and I was in love. I told him, “I can’t wait to go home and meditate.” Really!?! Did I just say that? Yes, I did.

I have had several meditations sessions now with my new beads, and wow! First, I can sit much longer than before and completely be immersed in my meditation and not even realize how much time is passing by because I am so present in the moment of my meditation. Second, when I close my meditation I have a feeling of lightness and joy.

Third, I love the fact that not only does it enhance my meditation, I can wear this piece, in fashion, and every time I look at it, I remember my mantra and it induces a calm state in that manner as well.

This past week has been the first time I have ever used mala beads, and from what I have learned, they are generally used with mantras. Mala beads have 108 beads on them and the practitioner uses the beads to keep track of reciting their mantras 108 times. The definition of mantra is (originally in Hinduism and Buddhism) a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation. Today people use that word more freely, meaning that’s it’s more of a person slogan. Why 108 beads and repetition of the mantra you ask? 108 is a sacred number in Hinduism and Buddhism. The mala beads are very similar to the Catholic rosary.

Side note, when I use to practice massage therapy I was trained and offered Thai Yoga Massage to my clients. If this is a new modality to you, it is very similar to Shiatsu, which for some reason, more people know that modality. In Thai Yoga, the practitioner used soft tissue manipulation techniques and assisted yoga postures, breathing and meditation focusing on working the nadis, or energy meridians, of the body to help the body enter a deep state of relaxation. Or as us practitioners like to call it, ‘Lazy Man’s Yoga.’

Nadis travel through our bodies and correspond to organs, chakras and elements of the body. According to the teachings there are over 72,000 nadis. I also remember learning that there are 108 nadis that extend from the the heart alone. In yoga, 108 refers to spiritual completion. Oh, the sacredness of 108. There is so much more on this topic that is quite amazing. If you are intrigued to learn more, I encourage you to do some research. It’s beyond cool!

My New Year’s Word that I am dedicating 2019 to is ‘Connection.’ Not only to connect with many beautiful souls to share our journey but to connect to my soul’s purpose. I found the most perfect mantra I feel resonates with this deeply. What I have chosen to use is ‘Om Gum Shreem Maha Lakshmiyei Namaha.’ Without going into the meaning of each of these Sanskrit words, I translate this loosely as connecting to the universal energy, removing all obstacles that stand in the way, to move into a state of abundance while increasing positive energy to connect to soul’s purpose to it’s greatest means.

What are some of your personal mantras you are currency using? I would love to hear what they are!

Zenfully Yours,
Jyll