Mala

A mala, (a Sanskrit word meaning garland) is a set of beads, traditionally used to focus awareness during meditation. Malas can be made of a variety of materials including wood, seeds or crystals. A typical mala is made of 109 beads including a single sumeru or guru bead. In some types of meditation, mala beads are used as tool to count the number of repetitions a mantra is recited. A round of chanting begins with the bead next to the sumeru and is completed when one reaches the guru bead.

It is believed that using or wearing a mala during mediation empowers it with restful, centered awareness. Wearing the mala throughout the day carries the energy of meditation into activity. Mala beads are commonly made of sandalwood, lotus seed, tulsi (Holy basil) or semi-precious stones, such as carnelian and amethyst. To see what many of us at the Chopra Center wear, and to get your own, click here
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