Tibetan Mala Beads

A Mala is a string of beads used to count mantras (Sanskrit prayers) in sets of 108 repetitions. A mantra is a word or series of words chanted aloud or silently to invoke spiritual qualities. Chanting is used as a spiritual tool in virtually every cultural and religious tradition. In the yogic tradition a mantra is a Sanskrit word that has special powers to transform consciousness, promote healing or fulfill desires of connection to cosmic consciousness (high self). Malas, when used with the recitation of the right mantra to focus our intention, can profoundly shift our energetic vibration. Learn how to use Mala Beads to explore our unlimited potential to manifest peace, love, abundance, and health.

Genuine Rosewood Tibetan Mala beads (pictured at right) are available for purchase at the Shala for $25. These malas are hand picked and brought back from Tibet!

How to Use (Tibetan method)

You can walk consciously (meditation state) or Sitting in a comfortable position, with straight spine, and the eyes can slide closed, the mantra is repeated silently or aloud. All thoughts are released from the mind with our focus continuously directed toward the mantra. The breath should be very slow, deliberate, and deep.

Hold your mala in your left hand and use your thumb to "count" each mantra by touching the bead during the recitation and then lightly rolling your thumb counter-clockwise over the bead on completion and moving to the next bead. The mala is draped over the fingers of the left hand, and held in front of the heart. The practice begins at the Guru bead and continues around the loop until the Guru bead is reached again. The Guru bead is never counted or passed over, so when we reach the Guru bead we reverse our direction on the mala and proceed around again the other way. When you have completed your japa mala 'rounds', place the mala around your neck. Do not let your mala touch the ground. If your mala is so long that it reaches the ground while seated, cup the hanging mala in your right hand to keep it from touching the ground. Keep your mala dry. If you are working hard and begin to sweat, take your mala off and place it in your pocket. Do not sleep in your mala, keep it on your dresser or on your home altar. You may wear the mala around your neck or on your left wrist.

When the mala becomes charged it can be worn to transmit the energy of the mantra as well as the energetic qualities of the mala. When you use a new mantra with a mala, this energy becomes replaced, so it is recommended to use a new mala with each mantra if possible.

Choosing a Mantra

A mantra is given to you by your teacher. When selecting a mantra for yourself, be clear on what your intention is, and use your intuition over your intellect. You may want to try out each mantra for a few repetitions to see how it feels to you and choose the one that resonates.

Tibetan Mantra

"Om Mani Padme Hum" May the Lotus Light Awaken in Me or the Jewel in the Lotus Awaken in Me.

At Bonnie's Yoga Shala; after Bonnie's 2009 & 2011 travels and Awakening in Tibet, she was only alound to pronounce it as "OM Mani Bidme Hom"; Thus, that is how she teaches it, as directed by her Tibetan teachers.