Meditation, Achieve calm through mantra recitation
A little necklace appeared in my life a few years ago. At the bend of an alley in Marseille, a town house hosts a Buddhist center in which I take my first steps in meditation. A few months later during a ceremony with monks ordained by the Dalai Lama in Reunion I received my first Mala.
What is a mala ?
The mala is a necklace of 108 beads used by Buddhists, Hindus and Yoga practitioners to meditate. The mala allows you to count the number of repetitions of a mantra.
The mantra is a sound structure which, repeated in Sanskrit, is of great power and its vibrations allow spiritual elevation.
When I follow the path of Dharma in the path of the Tibetan Buddhist, I use the mala daily. Dharma is the path taught by the Buddha. It manifests itself in two forms: the teachings recorded in writing and the realization of great masters through their practice. The Buddha through his teaching shows us the path to liberation from all forms of suffering. Thus, I repeat the universal mantra of peace and love: Om Mani Padme Hum.
How to use the mala necklace?
Shelling the beads of a mala is the best known form. A mala, similar to a rosary, is often used for mantra repetition or counting during Pranayama practice. By repeating the mantra, the mind remains alert. It serves to concentrate one's remaining energy in the present moment.
The mala has 108 grains which represent Buddha's passages on earth and an additional larger grain, the meru, illustrating his illuminatin, his liberation. This is also the signal indicating that with the mantra recited has been repeated 108 times, i.e. one mala.
The mala is held in the right hand. Fingers should not pass over the meru; when we reach it, we start backwards and continue to recite the mantra while moving the mala in the opposite direction.
The thumb and middle finger roll the grains and the index finger, which is represented as the finger of the ego, is never used. The rosary should not fall below the navel and should be wrapped in a clean cloth when not in use.
Meditation: the mala and the mantra
“Mantra yoga is an exact science: constantly thinking about the mantra protects and liberates from the cycle of births and deaths. A mantra is so named because it is accomplished through the mental process. The root “man” of the word mantra comes from the first syllable of this word which means “to think” and the “tra” comes from “train” which means “to protect” or “to free” from the slavery of the phenomenal world. A Mantra generates creative force and grants eternal Bliss. A constantly repeated Mantra awakens consciousness. » Swami Sivananda.
A meditation mantra is a mystical energy contained in a sound structure. I advise you to use the universal mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, widely used by many artists that you will find on YouTube. Or, set a mantra that works for you. The mantra repeated throughout the meditation increases your body and mind vibration. Each mantra is constructed from a combination of sounds from Sanskrit, the language of the Gods. Each mantra has a specific vibration. In the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, I have long used the mantra of Buddha Shakyamuni to develop peace and that of Tara Verde to chase away fears and develop my full power. By repeating the mantra, the mind no longer has room and all fears are dissolved to make way for love, joy and peace.
Using a mala necklace: how to use it for the first time?
Adopt a comfortable seated posture
Sit in a comfortable meditation posture, with your head, neck, and spine aligned. Close your eyes. The yoga posture must be maintained throughout the duration of the meditation. If there is discomfort in the back, take the time to adjust the posture using a yoga block or a meditation cushion, to allow a slight retroversion of the pelvis. This position allows you to maintain a straight back without much difficulty.Straight back
Relaxed shoulders
Focus your attention on one point, perhaps in the center of your chest, the heart chakra - anahata chakra, or the point between the eyebrows, the third eye chakra - ajna chakra. Anahata Chakra if you are more of an emotional or devotional nature or Ajna Chakra if you are more of an intellectual nature. Choose one of the two points and don't change it again. Eyes closed
Hands on knees
Calm, conscious breathing
Let the breath, your breathing settle.
Start by repeating the mantra internally silently. Feel it resonate in the chakra area. Sit quietly and continue to feel the vibration of this mantra within you. Inhale the mantra, exhale the mantra.
Hold the mala in your right hand, then repeat the mantra for each bead, 108 times.Once you return to the meru, the big pearl, you either stop there or start again for a mala. Once you're done, try to maintain the feeling of that inner space that meditation brought you. Let calmness permeate your everyday awareness for as long as possible. It is important not to control the breathing during the practice. It will simply be a matter of becoming aware of your breathing by focusing on the mantra OM. Then you can use the mantra of your choice.
When the practice is finished, it is advisable not to immediately plunge back into material activity. Stay seated for a moment to feel yourself better.
Ask yourself the question internally: “How do I feel right now?”
Bless you,
Nasthasia ♡