What is Mala and why is always 108 beads ?

What is Mala ?

Mala, Sanskrit words for “Garland of meditaiton“, is a strain of 108 beads necklace worn/used by yogis, for meditation practice. It could be made out of seeds, stones or crystals. There are 108 piece of beads in tied as a necklace and at the summit of the beads, there is a bigger bead usually tied with ta tassel, call the “guru bead” or “sumeru” It was believe that male was created about 3000 years ago helping the spiritual seeker or yogis keep their mind focus during the meditation. It is also like the rosary used by the Christians. One does not have to be religious to wear a mala. Mala is use during meditation when the practitioner repeat their mantra ( reputation of words ) or reaffirmation in Japa meditation . Some yogis used mala to practice the 5th , 6th and 7th limbs of yoga - Pratyahara ( drawing inwards ) , Dharana ( concentration ) and Dhyana ( meditation ) Why 108 ? 108 is sacred in yoga. The 108 beads turns around the guru bead representing the planets Turing around the sun. In the yogic tradition , there are 108 of Upanishads ( ancient text ) , 108 of marmal points ( sacred points of the body ) and 108 of Peethas ( sacred places in India )

It was believed that the number of 108 is connected to the universe : where average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters according to the

Other explanation of the number 108 :

Heart chakra ( Anahatha ) - there are 108 energy lines cover to and from the heart chakra, the vital energy support the “seat of the self” in Yoga teaching Pranayama - said to practice meditation with only 108 breath a day, you are close to enlightenment Sanskrit words - there are 54 masculine and 54 feminine alphabets in Sanskrit

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How to use it /wear it?

When you use it for meditation, use it with your thumb and middle/ring finger, not the index finger as it represents Ego. Every time you repeat your mantra, push one bead behind, starting from the beads after the guru bead You can either wear it on the neck or wrap around your wrist. Some Mala that made our of crystal or semi precious stone will have different effect to the chakras ( Energy center )