The Significance of a Mala Meditation
Meditating using the tool of a ‘Mala’ to repeat a Mantra, is a powerful practice. ‘Mantra’ is a word or sound repeated not only to aid in focus and concentration. The Mantra takes attention away from the incessantly thinking mind, but is also a powerful sonic vibration, which resonates through the physical and subtle body. When chanting a Mantra, it also resonates through the atmosphere of the space you are in, and in a wider sense reverberates through the Universe, to benefit all beings.
The word ‘Mālā’ (माला) in Sanskrit means garland. You might be familiar with the Yoga asana ‘Malasana’ or garland pose. Malas or Meditation beads are similar to a rosary, and are a simple tool to use in your meditation practice. There are many types of Malas, from the very simple ones made of yarn, seeds or wood (commonly sandalwood in India), to more elaborate Malas made with semi-precious and precious stones. A Traditional Mala has 108 beads plus a Guru Bead, but you can also find pocket malas with 27 beads and a Guru Bead.
There is a significance to the number 108 in the various Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In the Vedantic Hindu Tradition, there are 108 Upanishads or sacred texts which enable the enquirer or Sadhaka (Spiritual Seeker) to investigate the nature of the Soul (Atman). There are said to be 108 ‘Marma’ points in the subtle body according to Ayurveda, Ancient Indian system of Medicine. Marma points could be described as intersections of Prana (vital force). There are said to be 108 Shakti Pithas (sacred sites of The Goddess) throughout India. Curiously, it has also been said that mathematically speaking, the distance between the earth and the Sun is roughly 108 times the Sun’s diameter.
The design of the Mala is based around a seated meditation practice. In many Yogic Traditions, the optimal position for meditation is to be seated in such a way that the natural curvature of the spine is supported. The Human body, which includes the subtle body, is intelligently designed to allow a smooth flow of Prana (vital force / life force energy of aliveness and animation) through our being. The subtle body ‘contains’ vital intersections of energy known as the Chakras, and ‘nadis’ (channels) which distribute Prana throughout our being. Traditionally, one closes their eyes or finds a soft gaze, in order to bring the attention inward, away from the distractions of the outside world and instead focusing our awareness on the inner-self, the Atman (Soul) and Awareness itself (consciousness). The 108 beads (or 27 X 4 if you have a pocket Mala), allow the Meditation practitioner to chant a Mantra 108 times, creating a powerful energy. The Guru Bead is there to let the practitioner know that the 108 round is complete.
There are various Mantras that can be chanted with a Mala. One of the simplest and yet very powerful Mantra is ‘OM’. OM is the sacred seed sound (the Beej mantra, the audible / sonic expression of the ground of all consciousness. OM is known as the primordial seed of the Universe, it is considered to be the root from which all other Mantras derive. OM contains all. OM is something that we can use for single pointed focus meditation dhyana, and is something to be deeply contemplated, and very importantly something to be felt as a reverberation in the body, reminding us of our connection to all that is. Chanting OM can help to reveal to us the reality of the Atman or soul; this leads to knowing the existence of the Divine within.
If you lean more towards the esoteric like I do, all Traditional Mantras are alive. The nature of the Sanskrit language is such that there is great significance to each of the vibrational qualities of the phonemes. In many Yogic traditions it is said that all language originates from The Goddess Saraswati. If you are chanting a Traditional Mantra, it is useful to feel its vibration to know that it is alive; according to various Tantras, it is the sonic form of The Goddess and must be approached with reverence and love. If there is a part of you that resonates with Mantra, The Goddess, Sound, drumming and music, your subtle body may become activated.
On a recent trip to England, while visiting with my Dad, I was given one of my Mother’s Malas. It is a very simple mala made of Yarn, and I have so many memories of my Mum meditating with the Mala. There is one memory that sticks out in my mind. My family home was always very busy and often chaotic! This is quite common in a large Indian family. I always preferred a quiet atmosphere. One weekend my Dad and Brother had gone up to Birmingham in the Midlands of England to attend a wedding. My sisters were away. It was just me and Mum at home.
Mum woke me up with the smoke of incense and a splash of Amrit (holy water) which had been bought over from The Golden Temple in India. Part of Mum’s regular Spiritual ritual was to bathe, and then cleanse and bless the house with incense and holy water. I joined her downstairs where for once there was pin-drop silence. On her altar, she had prepared and lit a ghee filled oil lamp and placed the incense next to the images of The Goddesses Lakshmi, Durgha as well as images of the Sikh Gurus and the Golden Temple at Amritsar.
She sat in her favorite chair, covering her head respectfully with her Chunni (head-scarf), she had her Mother’s Gutka (prayer book) beside her, Mala in hand, and began chanting her Mantra. One of the first Mantras I learned from her was ‘Waheguru’ the Sikh Mantra which translates as ‘Wondrous Guru’ or can be used as the word for ‘God’ or ‘The Infinite Being’. She then went on to read the prayers from the Gutka; her Mother had taught her these rituals, and she was teaching me the rituals through practice. I remember making some nice strong Indian Tea with fresh ginger for my Mum when she finished her ritual prayers. She always preferred a small glass mug to take her tea.
Now when I practice my Mala meditation, especially if I am using Mum’s simple Mala, I can feel her sweet presence and her power with me. I feel blessed to continue the traditions of my ancestors with love, grace and honor.
OM ॐ