What is a Mala?

Mala is a beautiful and spiritual piece of jewelry made commonly of 108 beads and a guru bead. It reminds you of what’s important in life, your intentions, your mindful path to wellness, and your oneness with the Universe. You can hang it on your neck as a necklace or wear it as a bracelet. You may also keep one that is solely intended for meditation. The most potent Mala is the one made from gemstones, sacred seeds like Rudraksha, or both. The Mala originated in India 3,000 years ago.

The Mala is a useful tool for meditation, and the beads help you focus on your intentions. A “Mala” becomes a “Japa Mala” when you use it for mantra chanting. “Mala” means “garland” in Sanskrit. “Japa” means recitation of mantras. Aside from Sanskrit mantras, you can also use your personal mantra or affirmations such as “I am loved,” “I am successful,” or “I will receive blessings” when using the Mala.

The process of making a Mala is as important as the materials used. The person who makes the Mala must do so with love, attention, and care. It should be made with the right intention and respect.

When you receive your Mala from The Mala Tree, it is already infused with good energy. You can further enhance its power by setting your intention when you first put it on. You can also charge it under the light of the moon or sun.

The most important thing to remember is that a Mala is not just a piece of jewelry. It is also a powerful tool that can help you in your journey to self-discovery and enlightenment. Use it with respect and love, and it will surely bring you good energy and blessings.

Meditation is often a quiet and personal experience, but it can be challenging to keep your mind focused on one thing. That’s where mala beads come in! The comfort of holding a Mala is therapeutic. These strings of meditation-themed jewelry act as an easy way for you to count mantras or meditate so that nothing distracts from the process at hand. The Mala has been around since ancient times. It acts like an anchor, guiding your hands from its simple movement during meditation practice while also being used for counting mantras or acting as tactile guidance in silence time itself.

It acts as both an aid and reminder throughout these silent moments – visually guiding one’s hands away from distractions while stimulating calming responses through gentle touch that slows down heart rate rather than speeding it up like sitting still without any guidance might do.

High-quality Mala Beads have overhand knots between all the beads. The act of constructing a mala is an act of meditation as well. This process protects the beads and makes the Mala stronger.

Bask in the sacred energies of our hand-knotted Mala necklaces and Wrist Mala. We devote discipline, art, and love in each piece that we create.

Featured Mantra: “Om”

The “Om” Sanskrit Mantra is a sacred sound that is known as the universal sound of the universe. The mantra has been around for centuries and is still being used by people today.

Om is not a religious word. It is a spiritual sound that can be used by anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs. The power of Om comes from its ability to create vibration. This vibration can have a positive effect on your mind, body, and spirit. When you chant Om, you connect with the universal energy that surrounds us all. 

The “Om” Sanskrit Mantra is said to bring inner peace, calm the mind, and provide clarity and focus. It is also said to be beneficial for overall health and well-being. The mantra can be chanted aloud or repeated silently in the mind. Chanting the mantra aloud can be done with a group or alone. Repeating the mantra silently in the mind can be done anytime and anywhere.

The Benefits of Chanting the “Om” Sanskrit Mantra

Some of the benefits of chanting the “Om” Sanskrit Mantra include:

  • Reducing stress and anxiety: The “Om” Sanskrit Mantra has a calming effect on the mind and body. It helps to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
  • Improving sleep: The “Om” Sanskrit Mantra can help to improve sleep quality. It is a good idea to chant the mantra before going to bed.
  • Increasing focus and concentration: The “Om” Sanskrit Mantra can help to increase focus and concentration. When chanting the mantra, it is important to focus on the breath and allow all other thoughts to fade away. 
  • Enhancing relaxation: The “Om” Sanskrit Mantra can help to enhance relaxation. When chanting the mantra, it is important to focus on the breath and allow all other thoughts to fade away. 

How to Use Om

There are many ways to incorporate Om into your life. One way is to chant it during meditation. Sit with your spine straight, close your eyes, and relax your body. Focus your attention on your breath and begin to inhale and exhale deeply.

You can also use Om as a tool for manifestation. When you make a wish or set an intention, repeat it out loud along with the chant of Om three times. Doing this will help to send your Intentions out into the universe and will increase their power. 

The Om Symbol can also be used as an accessory and home decor. Some mala beads also use Om as their guru or center bead. Wearing or displaying Om is auspicious as it is said to invoke the blessings of the divine.

How to Chant “Om” 

Chanting “Om” is easy—all you need to do is repeat the sound “Om” out loud or silently to yourself. You can chant “Om” anytime, anywhere. If you’re new to chanting, start by repeating the sound for three minutes a day. Slowly increase the amount of time you spend chanting as you become more comfortable with it. 

When you chant “Om,” focus on the sound and let all other thoughts pass through your mind without clinging to them. Breathe deeply and evenly as you chant. There’s no need to force the breath—simply let it flow naturally. Be sure to practice proper breath control so that you don’t get lightheaded or dizzy while chanting. If you want, you can place your hands in a mudra (hand gesture) while chanting “Om.” The most common mudra for “Om” is called Gyana Mudra, which involves touching your index finger to your thumb—but any mudra will do. Experiment until you find one that feels comfortable for you. 

The “Om” Sanskrit Mantra is a sacred sound that has been around for centuries. It is still being used by people today because of its many benefits, which include reducing stress and anxiety levels, improving sleep quality, increasing focus and concentration, and enhancing relaxation, peace, balance, and abundance.

Om is a powerful and sacred sound that can be used to improve your life in many ways. By incorporating it into your meditation practice or using it as a tool for manifestation, you can experience the benefits of this sacred mantra.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga

The 8 Limbs of Yoga are a set of guidelines that help you live a good life. They teach you how to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. The 8 Limbs of Yoga come from the Yoga Sutras, which is a book that was written by the sage Patanjali.

1. Yama: The Five “Restraints”

The first limb of yoga is yama, which can be translated as the five “restraints.” These restraints are designed to help us live more harmoniously with both ourselves and those around us. The yamas are:

  • a) Ahimsa: Nonviolence or non-harming. This yama asks us to be mindful of the ways in which our actions affect others, and to try to always act with compassion.
  • b) Satya: Truthfulness. This yama calls on us to speak our truth, and to live our lives in alignment with our values.
  • c) Asteya: Non-stealing. This yama asks us to be mindful of how we use the resources of the earth, and to take only what we need.
  • d) Brahmacharya: moderation or restraint. This yama calls on us to be mindful of our use of energy, and to use it in a way that is in alignment with our highest purpose.
  • e) Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness or non-greed. This yama asks us to let go of attachment to material possessions, and to live in a way that is simple and humble.

What It Teaches Us: This first limb deals with your ethical standards and sense of integrity.

2. Niyama: The Five “Observances”

The second limb of yoga is niyama, which can be translated as the five “observances.” These observances are designed to help us live more harmoniously with ourselves. The niyamas are:

  • a) Saucha: Purity or cleanliness. This niyama asks us to keep our bodies and minds pure, and to live in a way that is in alignment with our highest values.
  • b) Santosha: Contentment. This niyama asks us to find contentment in what we have, and to be grateful for the blessings in our lives.
  • c) Tapas: Austerity or self-discipline. This niyama asks us to be disciplined in our practice, and to use our yoga practice as a tool for self-transformation.
  • d) Svadhyaya: Self-knowledge or introspection. This niyama asks us to turn inward and to get to know ourselves on a deeper level.
  • e) Ishvara Pranidhana: Full Surrender to the Divine or Letting go. This niyama asks us to surrender our egos, and to let go of the need to control.

What It Teaches Us: The second limb is all about taking care of yourself both physically and mentally.

3. Asana: The Physical Practice

The third limb of yoga is asana, which can be translated as the physical practice. Asana is the practice of holding the body in a variety of static postures, and is designed to increase strength, flexibility, and stability.

What It Teaches Us: This third limb is all about your physical posture. It includes things like proper alignment and breathing.

4. Pranayama: The Breath Practice

The fourth limb of yoga is pranayama, which can be translated as breath practice. Pranayama is the practice of controlling the breath and is designed to increase our lung capacity and to calm the mind.

What It Teaches Us: The fourth limb is about controlling your breath. This helps you to control your thoughts and emotions.

5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the Senses

The fifth limb of yoga is pratyahara, which can be translated as the withdrawal of the senses. Pratyahara is the practice of turning our attention inward and is designed to help us focus the mind and to find inner peace.

What It Teaches Us: The fifth limb is about turning your senses inward. This helps you to focus on your own thoughts and feelings, rather than getting distracted by the things around you.

6. Dharana: Concentration

The sixth limb of yoga is dharana, which can be translated as concentration. Dharana is the practice of single-pointed focus and is designed to help us still the mind and develop our concentration.

What It Teaches Us: The sixth limb is about concentration. This helps you to focus your mind on one thing at a time.

7. Dhyana: Meditation

The seventh limb of yoga is dhyana, which can be translated as meditation. Dhyana is the practice of deep contemplation and is designed to help us connect with our innermost selves.

What It Teaches Us: The seventh limb is about meditation. This is when you let go of all thoughts and just focus on the present moment.

8. Samadhi: Enlightenment or Union with the Divine

The eighth and final limb of yoga is samadhi, which can be translated as union with the Divine. Samadhi is the practice of self-transcendence, and is designed to help us experience the highest state of consciousness.

What It Teaches Us: The eighth and final limb is about enlightenment. This is when you reach a state of complete peace and understanding.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga are a journey toward self-awareness and enlightenment. They ask us to take a look at ourselves from a variety of different angles and to work on improving our physical and mental well-being. The ultimate goal is to reach a state of union with the Divine, but even if we don’t achieve that lofty goal, we can still learn a lot about ourselves along the way. What have you learned about yourself through your yoga practice? Let us know in the comments below!