Welcome to the World of Malas!
Mala Beads aren’t just beautiful pieces of jewelry — they are also wonderful mediums for peace and enlightenment.
Traditionally, Mala Beads have been used in prayer and meditation, but don’t let that intimidate you. You don’t have to be religious or have any spiritual practice to use a Mala. We believe you can simply wear them as a reminder of an intention you’ve set, or if you are seeking a calmer mind, body and spirit.
Anyone can wear Mala Beads, whether you meditate or not. Often, people are drawn to the necklaces for their believed healing qualities of calming the mind and providing inner peace.
You can wear a Mala around your wrist or neck, hang them at your altar, or meditate with them.
If you choose to meditate on your Mala, you will most likely use a mantra. A Mantra is a word, sound, or phrase repeated to aid in your concentration. It can be as simple as the word ‘Love,’ something you are thankful for, or a Sanskrit phrase such as ‘Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti’ which represents all encompassing peace.
To count your Mantras, hold your Mala in your right hand and turn each bead with your thumb and middle finger. (The index finger is believed to represent ‘ego’ and is not recommended to turn the beads.)
Counting all the way around your Mala, you will eventually reach the Guru bead — the larger bead that dangles from the Mala. This signals a time for reflection. You can reflect on your meditation practice, give thanks to your mantra, honour your Guru — or show yourself a moment of gratitude for slowing down to meditate. Never continue over the Guru bead. Instead, if you choose continue a second round, turn around and continue in the opposite direction.
It’s widely believed that when one uses a Mala for meditation and makes it all the way around, they will have found enlightenment.
If you choose to meditate on your Mala, be patient and kind to yourself. Your mind will surely wander. The practice of bringing your attention back to your mantra and your beads is the practice of mindfulness. Do so with kindness and without judgement. Meditation is a practice, as is self love.
Handmade with love, worn with intention. Our Malas have 108 beads made out of sacred Rudraksha Seeds, Sandalwood or Rosewood, various gemstones & one Guru healing gemstone or a tassel. The 109th bead, or Guru, symbolizes gratitude and our connection to the divine.
Our signature gemstone Gurus are selected for their unique energies, healing properties and colours to support and strengthen your intention. Choose a Mala to symbolize the strength of your intention and attract the energy you need to live from less habit and more intention.
What are Rudraksha Seeds?
Rudraksha Seeds grow on trees inside of what looks like a blueberry. Ours are sustainably harvested in South East Asia. The seeds are believed to embody peace and love.
Why do we use Gemstones?
The gemstones we use are believed to offer different healing qualities. For example, Rose Quartz is believed to open the heart chakra, Lava is thought to encourage strength and clarity, and Amazonite is associated with helping us follow our dreams.
- What are you drawn to? We often tell people, the Mala that you’re drawn to first is the one you’re meant to have. It truly can be that simple. Don’t resist the ease, embrace it. Allow yourself to surrender and be lead by your heart. If you wear a lot of pink, and you are drawn to the pink Rose Quartz stone, allow that to happen. If you love blue and find yourself in love with an Amazonite mala, embrace it. Once you find yourself eyeing a particular Mala, get curious. Read the intention and meaning. We bet it will be exactly what you are needing in that moment.
- What are you trying to manifest? All of our Mala beads carry their own intention. When searching for your perfect beads, we recommend you ask “What is my intention? What am I trying to manifest? Am I looking to cultivate more love in my life? More abundance? More strength?”. Each gemstone carries a different intention and healing quality.
- Will you be meditating or manifesting? (Or both) Will you use the beads for meditation? Or do you simply want a daily reminder of your intentions? Our Malas are suitable for both. If you are looking specifically for meditation, that’s wonderful! All of our necklaces are spaced with small glass beads, helping you to practice Japa Meditation (where you turn each bead in your fingers and repeat your mantra).
Why 108?
The number 108 is significant for so many reasons.
Some believe there are 108 stages on the journey of the human soul, while others associate the possibility of enlightenment with taking only 108 breaths a day, while in deep meditation.
No matter who you ask, the answer will most likely be different each time.
The truth is — the significance of 108 beads on your Mala is open to interpretation. Which we love.
As Mala Beads were traditionally created to be used as a tool in meditation, we like to associate it with the ideals of meditation.
However — we believe Mala Beads are also beautiful mediums to set intentions, manifest, and generally feel good. You don’t have to meditate on the beads, although that’s what they are made for in a practical sense.
Our Malas are spaced with a glass bead between each seed, wood bead and gemstone, or knotted, allowing one to chant their mantra — a sound or string of words — and keep track of where they are.
Our Mala necklaces all reflect the number 108. Almost all of our Malas have 108 beads, or 54 or 27.
Some more popular explanations behind the significance of the number 108 include:
Chakras
One of our favourite explanations for having 108 beads on a Mala is related to the Chakras (the seven primary energy centers in our body).
It has been said there there are 108 energy lines connecting to the heart, with one of them believed to be the path to self realization.
Mantras
When using your Mala Beads in meditation and chanting your Mantra, some have said that you are complete once you have done it 100 times. The 8 extra beads are to account for errors. Or even more beautiful, they are meant to be an offering to your guru.
Letters
Many choose to recite their mantra in Sanskrit, the ancient script of India. Within the Sanksrit alphabet there are 54 letters. Each letter has a feminine and masculine version — totaling 108.
