Rudraksha Mala
The rudraksha mala can be in rosary or bracelet form and consists of dried fruit from the rudraksha tree. The health benefit of rudraksha mala beads is that it helps lower high blood pressure. The spiritual benefit of real rudraksha beads is that it holds all the divine energy as a result of practicing mantras on the mala.
There are many types of rudraksha beads, however, not all will hold the energy. The reason is because many rudraksha malas are mass produced to meet the demand of buyers and so the beads used are not necessarily "good beads". It will still work, but may not hold as much energy compared to rudraksha fruits that are ripened. Also, the smaller the rudraksha bead, the better.
How to Use a Mala for Mantra Meditation, Prayer & Healing
- Hold your mala in your right hand and start at the "3-beaded" point (in image above the third bead from the red thread).
- On each bead, recite a mantra (ie. AUM).
- Use your thumb to move from one bead to the next.
- On the last bead before the "3-beaded" point, recite your last (108th) mantra.
- If you plan to do another round of 108, flip the mala around and continue at the last bead you left off. (The last bead will be the first bead, for your second round).
- Suggestion: Hold the mala inside a mudra in your left hand and count each bead using your right hand. Ensure both left and right index fingers do not touch the mala (in the Meditation Postures Blog mudra picture, instead of my thumbs and index fingers touching, have YOUR middle finger and thumbs touching instead).
Do's for Using a Mala
- Keep your mala in a safe and clean environment (if you have children keep the mala hidden or high from the ground).
- Wear it around your neck and under your clothing, to keep it close to you. (Optional, not necessary.)
Don'ts for Using a Mala
- Do not use your index (pointing) finger during mantra recitation on the mala. Keep your index finger out and extended as this is the finger that receives the energy you create and brings it to you.
- Do not let anyone touch your mala (Most people by nature are negative, therefore you do not want them to zap the energy you created).
Easy Universal Mantras for your Mala
If you are given a mantra by an enlightened master or spiritual teacher, you may use your mala to count the mantra 108 times, also known as japa, mantra repetition meditation. If you do not have a personal mantra, you may use simple universal mantras to start with, such as:
Mantra 1: Aum (Creative, Destructive, and Sustaining Powers)
Mantra 2: Arhum (Awakens Kundalini)
Mantra 3: Aum Namo Siddhanaam (I Bow to the Liberated Souls)
Mantra 4: Aum Hrim Shrim Klim Arhum Hamsa (Removes Negativity and Poison) (Sound of "Hrim" rhymes with "Cream")
How to get a Rudraksha Mala
During Acharya Shree Yogeesh's 2009 trip to India, he was able to hand pick malas that were available in Haridwar (base of the Himalayas/Ganges River) that had the best rudraksha fruit to hold all the energy, that way retreaters who did not have access to malas can donate to the ashram and get one.
If you would like to donate $25 (includes shipping) to receive a rudraksha mala, start your mantra-meditation practice, and support the ashram, please click below.
If you do not wish to use paypal, please send a $25 donation including your shipping address and a note requesting the mala to:
Siddhayatan Spiritual Retreat
Attn: Mala Request
9985 E. Hwy 56
Windom, Texas, 75492
*Photo Courtesy: YogaBasics
