DIY Mala bead bracelet

I am really stressed of late due to my job and looking for ways to calm down. When I was looking at the Do not worry beads that I have made a while back, I realised that I had made a mala bead bracelet as well. Mala beads are traditional prayer beads used in Hinduism and Buddhism called japamala. The primary function of this necklace, or mala, is to help you chant – japa. Mala bead necklaces are typically made up of 108 beads, whereas a mala bead bracelet could have nine or eighteen beads (multiples of nine) plus a guru bead.

According to Clark Strand, the word ‘Rosary” is a wrong translation of the term Japamala as rose beads. This could have been based on the popularity of rosewood japamalas. The beads are usually strung together with a tassel at the end and are tool to help with meditation and mantra chanting. The beads are held in the hand, and the practitioner moves their fingers along each bead as they recite a mantra or intention. When the practitioner reaches the end of the strand, they can turn the beads around and start again in the opposite direction.

What are Mala beads made of ?

Mala beads can be made from a wide variety of materials, including:

1. Wood: sandalwood, rosewood, and ebony.
2. Gemstones: amethyst, rose quartz, and jade.
3. Seeds: rudraksha, tulsi
4. Metal: Gold and silver beads

The choice of material can depend on personal preference or the properties of the material. For example, sandalwood is believed to promote calmness and relaxation, while amethyst is said to promote spiritual awareness and intuition. Rose quartz beads are often used for love and compassion. You can also use any smooth round bead like a glass bead to make a japamala.

Some traditional mala beads have a consistent colour scheme throughout, while others may alternate between two or more colours. The colours of the beads can also have symbolic meanings in some traditions. For example, red is often associated with energy and passion, while green is associated with growth and healing. Again, the choice of colour can depend on personal preference or the intended purpose of the meditation practice.

DIY Mala bead bracelet

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a knotted mala bead bracelet:

Materials:

• 8mm beads (108 beads for a traditional mala, or a smaller number for a bracelet). I have used glass beads here. Use any round smooth beads.
• Nylon cord (or silk, cotton, or hemp cord)
• Scissors
• Tape
• Glue (optional)

Method

1. Cut a piece of cord that is about 3 times the length of the finished bracelet you want. For example, if you want a 7-inch bracelet, cut a piece of cord that is about 21 inches long.
2. Fold the cord in half and tie a knot at the end, leaving a small loop. This will be where you attach the tassel or charm later.
3. Tape the loop to a flat surface to hold it in place while you work.
4. String a bead onto one of the cords, and slide it up to the knot.
5. Tie a knot right above the bead, using both cords. Make the knot tight enough so the bead stays in place, but not so tight that it can’t move.
6. Repeat steps 4-5, adding beads and knots one at a time, until you have strung all the beads you want.
7. Tie a knot at the end of the last bead, leaving a small loop. This will be where you attach the other end of the bracelet later.
8. Trim the excess cord, leaving about 1 inch of tail on each end.
9. If desired, dab a small amount of glue onto each knot to secure it in place.
10. Attach the tassel or charm to the loop at one end of the bracelet, and tie the other end of the cord to the loop at the other end of the bracelet.
11. Your knotted mala bead bracelet is now ready to use!

Note: The knots in a mala bead bracelet or necklace can serve as markers for counting the beads during meditation, just like in a traditional mala. You can use the bracelet to repeat your chosen mantra or intention, moving from one knot to the next with each repetition.

How to use Mala Beads

You do not need beads to meditate – I rarely use them for this purpose. But holding beads in your hands can be meditative. Here is a basic guide on how to use mala beads during meditation:

1. Choose a quiet and comfortable place to sit and meditate.
2. Hold the mala in your right hand and drape it over your middle finger.
3. Start at the bead next to the guru bead (the larger bead at the end of the mala), which represents the beginning and end of the cycle of 108 beads.
4. Use your thumb to move to the next bead as you recite your chosen mantra or intention. You can repeat the mantra once or multiple times before moving to the next bead. You can also use the beads to count your breaths.
5. When you reach the guru bead again, you have completed one full cycle of 108 beads. You can stop here or continue with another cycle.
6. To continue with another cycle, turn the mala around and continue in the opposite direction.
7. Do not cross over the guru bead, but instead reverse direction and start counting again from the bead next to the guru bead.
8. When you have completed your meditation, hold the guru bead with your thumb and middle finger and give thanks for the practice.

It’s important to remember that the most important aspect of mala meditation is the intention behind it. Choose a mantra or intention that is meaningful to you, and use the mala beads to deepen your focus and awareness during meditation.

I am not sure if I will ever get back to meditating the way I did last decade. However, finding these pictures and writing this post has made me consider it. I am back to working with beads again to reduce my stress. Do you ever meditate to relieve stress?

I hope you found it interesting