Using Mala Beads for Meditation

I was first introduced to meditation in yoga class. My yoga instructor would spend the last ten minutes of the class guiding us through a meditation exercise in order to clear our minds and center our bodies. I loved the way it felt and continued to make it a daily habit. It became almost an obsession--I wanted to learn everything there was to know about it so I could fully experience each session and truly learn to control my mind. I noticed that a few of the students in my yoga class would always bring a small bag with a string of beads and bring them out during meditation.

I later learned that these beads were called mala beads and served a very important purpose in the meditation process. To understand the purpose of mala beads in meditation, one must first understand the practice of meditation and why people do it. Meditation began as a means of taming the mind. Many religions believed the mind to be like a naughty, young child, wandering off constantly into a world of fantasies and distractions. In addition, if the mind wasn't constantly occupied, it would fall asleep. Meditation was designed to train the mind to focus just enough to stay awake while at the same time staying on the meditative path and avoiding distraction.

Mala beads, along with one's mantra and one's breath, aid in keeping the mind in check. They move in rhythm with each other so that the mind is kept alert and aware, but not distracted. They are a constant reminder to stay focused on the meditation, and when used regularly, become a sort of stimulus that conditions the mind into a meditative state. Some also believe that mala beads absorb the vibrations of the meditation, keeping the mind and body calm and quiet. There are 108 mala beads total, with one bead being the "summit" bead. This bead is also known as a "sumeru." You will often find a small tassel hanging near the sumeru. The beads can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, seeds, crystal, or even stone. You can even purchase inexpensive mala beads made of plastic, but serious meditators should always purchase something nice that will last. It is helpful to find a set of mala beads that has specific meaning to you.

Look for your favorite color or stone, or find a texture that speaks to you. Your mala beads should become as familiar to you as your favorite piece of clothing. Don't forget to purchase or make a bag for storing your mala beads. This bag should be big enough for your hand to rest in, since many people choose to use their mala beads discreetly while they are still inside the bag. There is a specific technique for using mala beads during meditation. The beads are hung gently from the middle finger, and the thumb is used to rotate the beads. Always begin with the bead immediately following the sumeru and rotate one bead with each breath.

The sumeru should never be passed over, so if you reach it again, turn your mala beads around and continue in the other direction. The hand holding the beads can rest on the knee, with the beads either dangling or kept inside the bag. As soon as I discovered mala beads, I rushed to my favorite shop that carried meditation supplies and found my own set. They were made of jade and strung on a red satin ribbon with a small tassel hanging down. The beads are very effective in helping me stay focused, and the more I use them, the more quickly I am able to clear my mind during meditation. If you are serious about practicing meditation, make sure to purchase your own set of mala beads.