How to use a mala for meditation
Meditation can be done in many ways. One of these ways is meditation with the use of a mala. Often the mala is used in combination with a selected mantra (repeating word, sound, or sentence) that is repeated. A mantra can be as ‘simple’ as the word ‘love’.
To count your mantras with your Rudraksha mala, hold the mala in your right hand between the thumb and middle finger (not your pointing finger, this represents the ego). You start with the bead next to the ‘Guru bead’, after saying the mantra you put your thumb on the next mala bead until you reach the Guru bead again. This is the time for reflection and to turn the mala. Continue in the opposite direction, which means that you don’t pass the guru bead. You repeat it till you’re done.
Additionally, if you unconsciously reaching for your mala necklace or mala bracelet, in everyday life, the mala is a reminder to return to your breath, to raise awareness. If you lean forward and the mala necklace dangles in front of you, it gives a new soft awakening.
Care of malas
Rudraksha are considered sacred and deserve respect and caring treatment. Wash the mala beads every now and then with water and natural soap to remove dirt and dust and rub them with natural oil. They will turn darker in time in a natural way. This is the desired effect, since the natural (body) oils penetrate the Rudraksha. Wear the beads on your skin as closely as possible.
When you are not wearing your mala, keep the Rudraksha mala in the pouch and put it in a special, clean and preferably sacred space. Hold the mala from the ground and, especially during longer periods of inactivity, use insence as energetic cleaning.
