Why Mala?

If you do decide to try to with mediate with Mala, here is a good place to start.
- Find your mantra (some examples below).
- Sit straight, with your feet planted firmly to the earth.
- Keep your back straight and strong.
- Keep your eyes closed (this may take practice at first).
- Hold your Mala in your right hand. Let it rest on the second and third fingers (ring and middle). You want to try to avoid using your index finger as this finger represents ego. Let that sh!t go!
- Starting at the Guru Bead, use the thumb to bring down each bead toward your heart while chanting the chosen mantra in your mind. When you return to the Guru, chant your mantra aloud to fulfill your practice.
I am loved. I am healthy. I am strong.
May all beings be happy, peaceful and free from suffering.
Om.
Om Mani Padme Hum
*Next to OM, om mani padme hum is one of the most commonly chanted mantras in yoga. This special yogic chant is Sanskrit, and it’s pronounced OHM-MAH-NEE-PAHD-MAY-HUM. It’s comprised of four words, and those four melodic words are all the words on many of those colorful Tibetan prayer flags.
Om mani padme hum is an ancient Buddhist mantra. In English, this rhythmic chant literally translates to “Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus.” This might not make much sense to new yogis or even to well-practiced yogis, but the mantra’s essence is powerful and pure.
As the Dalai Lama said, its meaning is “great and vast” because all the teachings of Buddha are wrapped up in this one phrase.
Let’s Break Down Om Mani Padme Hum
There are a lot of different meanings and different opinions on what each syllable means. Generally, each syllable represents one of the six goals of Buddhist existence and helps heal or purify and bring forth the positive qualities associated with that goal.
Let’s take a look at the meaning of each word in the mantra:
Ni = represents patience and purifies want or desire
Pad = represents diligence and purifies ignorance and judgment
Me = represents concentration and purifies attachment
Hum = the unity of all; represents wisdom and purifies hatred