| Want a mind that's clear and calm like water, but | | | | protective, while a sandalwood mala brings calm |
| prepared to deal with anything? Mala meditation | | | | and tranquillity - and smells wonderful, too. |
| helps you to achieve this state. When I first | | | | Tips For Mala Meditation |
| started to meditate, I found it almost impossible | | | | * You can say your mantra aloud, or silently to |
| to calm my mind. "Monkey mind" never stopped | | | | yourself. Keep up a steady pace as you work |
| jumping around. | | | | your way around the mala - don't rush. If your |
| Then a teacher suggested that mala meditation | | | | mind wanders from the mantra, bring it gently |
| would help. A mala is string of beads, and you | | | | back; |
| repeat a mantra as you count each bead. For | | | | * You can spend as much time as you please in |
| example, your mantra might be "Om", so as you | | | | mala meditation. Start off with five or ten |
| pass the beads through your fingers, you say Om | | | | minutes. Even just a single round of counting your |
| at each bead. Malas have 108 beads, with an | | | | mala will focus and relax you - great if you're |
| additional large Meru bead, which lets you know | | | | going for a job interview or are giving a |
| when you've reached the end of your count. | | | | presentation; |
| When you get to the Meru, you reverse the | | | | * Keep your mala in a safe place. Some people |
| mala, and keep counting your mantra again. | | | | choose to wear their mala, so that it's always |
| Malas Can Be Simple, Or Beautiful | | | | handy, and they can take time out for stressful |
| Malas are available in many different forms. | | | | situations; |
| Semi-precious stones are popular, because stones | | | | * End your yoga practice with a few moments of |
| are said to have specific effects. A rock crystal | | | | mala meditation - then get up ready to take on |
| mala, for example, is said to be healing and | | | | the world. |