Mala Beads & Meditation
Beads & Meditation
Meditation positively affects the brain and mood and practitioners report feeling relaxed, having better-focused attention, and enhanced self-awareness. Consider the pose Malasana, commonly cued as “Yogi Squat.” The yogi squats and brings the hands to the heart, representing a single bead on the mala necklace, the yogi is small, individual, and unique. Just like each of the beads that are intimately connected to all the others through the string of the mala, the yogi is intimately connected to all other beings...
This is the reminder of this pose: though individually we are special, together we are stronger!
Meditation With Japa Mala
Similar to praying with rosary beads, meditating with a Japa mala has been shown to help slow respiration and encourage well-being. Repeating the mantra of your choosing redirects the mind from daily obsessions and introduces positive thought patterns. Similar devices have been used for generations in a variety of spiritual traditions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam.
The following is an example of how a japa mala may be used while reciting mantras:
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Find a comfortable seat.
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Hold the mala in one hand and let it dangle easily.
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Touch the guru bead with your opposite hand.
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As you move your fingers to the next bead, breathe in and breathe out.
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Each bead gets its own inhale and exhale.
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Continue until you feel the guru bead again.
Japa Mala As A Tool For Meditation
B E N E FI T S O F U S I N G
M A L A B E A D S
1. Japa meditation reduces stress and calms the mind
The combination of deep breathing, sacred sound, and the slow steady rhythm of a Japa meditation practice has inherent and synergistic calming properties. This practice creates entrainment of the mind to induce specific brainwave states. Japa meditation is the easiest and most effective way to activate the slower brainwave states of Alpha (focus and learning), Theta (creativity and intuition), and Delta (healing and calming).
2. Your heart loves meditation
Advanced yogis have been known to slow their heartbeats down to unbelievable rates and studies on meditation have shown it to reduce blood pressure and heart rate, and the risk of heart disease and stroke. In short, meditation has a powerful and profound effect on your physical heart.
3. Meditation improves concentration and focus
The technique of meditation is simple, but the practice is difficult due to the amount of focus and concentration required. Just like how exercising a muscle makes it stronger, meditation likewise strengthens your mind. Japa is the best meditation for the mind as it utilizes multiple points of focus: the breath, the mantra, and the touch and movement of the mala beads.
4. Meditation reduces negative thoughts and improves mood
Research shows that the vast majority of our thoughts are negative. Worst, the repetition of negative thought patterns in our minds strengthens them and increases feelings of sadness, anger, grief, and loneliness. Mantra meditation’s repetition of positive and sacred Sanskrit syllables replaces negative thinking and creates new positive patterns in our minds.
5. Mantra meditation cultivates positive emotions
Research studies have shown that meditators have higher levels of kindness, compassion, and empathy than non-meditators. Amazingly, the areas of the brain associated with these positive emotions have shown to increase in gray matter density with as little as 8-weeks of meditation practice.
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6. Mantras increase shakti, grit, and resilience
With continued practice, Japa meditation cultivates a deep inner strength and inner power that may surprise you. Mantras contain and activate shakti energy, but it is only through the repetition of these potent mantras that this energy can build up over time to be perceived. Committing to a 40-day practice of Japa meditation will further increase your inner-strength, life-force energy, and resilience.
HOW TO MEDITATE WITH CRYSTALS
Meditation is extremely beneficial for every part of our being—our mind, our body and our spirit. It helps us to relax, clears our mind and releases negative energy and unwanted thoughts. Using crystals for meditation is a powerful way to deepen your meditation, as well as achieve a specific outcome during your meditation. On a spiritual level, meditating with crystals can help to raise your consciousness and awareness, deepening your intuition and bringing insight.
After you have chosen your crystal, you are ready for your meditation.
There is no right or wrong way to meditate—just as there is no right or wrong crystal to use!
And while everyone’s meditation preferences are unique, there are a very popular ways to meditate using crystals. Some of the best ways to utilize your crystals during your meditation are to 1) hold them in your hands while meditating or 2) lay them on your body, ideally so that they touch your skin. If you are new to meditating with crystals, here is a simple daily meditation with crystals to use to help you get started:
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First, find a quiet space where you feel comfortable and relaxed.
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Sit quietly with the healing stones or crystals that you wish to use nearby.
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Close your eyes and quiet your mind, focusing your attention on your breathing
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Pick up the crystals or stones and hold them comfortably in your hands.
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Imagine your awareness spiraling down into the stone, feeling the energy of your crystal.
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Breathe in the highest white light, and let the crystal’s energy fill your mind and permeate your senses.
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Visualize your intention. Your crystals and stones are listening.
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Relax your mind and your body. Sit with your crystals as long as you need.
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When you are finished, and feel completely relaxed and at peace, complete the grounding process by seeing all aspects of your awareness spiraling back out of the crystal and into your body. Feel yourself connect with the Earth and your body.
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Open your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
