Everything about the Japa Mala

Since ancient times Japa Mala are being used in Hinduism since the middle of the first millennium B.C., and is widely used by those who want to meditate, repeat a mantra or motivating phrase.

A Japa Mala, also known as Hindu rosary, rosary is mainly used by Hindus and Buddhists reciting mantras.

As to its etymology, we find that Yapa means repeating prayers, and poor results as a necklace or garland. Then a Japa Mala is "a collar to repeat prayers."

This consists of a string of prayer beads used by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and some for spiritual practice known in Sanskrit as japa.

Usually it is made of 108 beads, although other numbers are also used. Malas are used to keep count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity.

A Japa Mala is used to improve concentration in meditation using mantras. It must take into account that to achieve effectiveness must use the correct phrase that corresponds to the title and the phrase must accompany the Japa Mala.

There are many religions that use Japa Mala. In Christianity a rosary, whose purpose is to recite the 10 Hail Marys focused on prayer itself, and there are a number of groups of 10 to complete the Rosary is used.

Hinduism, which owns the Japa Mala, is the oldest religion that uses this type of elements, along with Buddhism. The number of repetitions is different, but the reason is always the same.

Japa Mala are called by the purpose for which they are created, that is, to pray at low or inwardly in Sanskrit dicejapa voice. Mala means Garland.

This name, we may seem odd, it is even more in Spanish, because usually the words finished in are feminine, yet Japa Mala is a masculine term.

In addition, Japa Mala pronounced "japa mala", like all jotas Sanskrit, appearing in numerous positions.

As already mentioned above Japa Mala is a collar having 108 round beads, usually of wood, which together form a circle, ending with an elongated account that represents the Abode of the Gods.

They are 108 beads, because the number is considered a perfect digit three-digit multiple of three, whose sum is equal to 9, which is three times three. And three, is the number that represents the perfect balance between body, mind and spirit, fusion is the goal of the practice of Yoga.

In addition to helping you keep track of mantras to meditate and pray. Many times we need to focus and concentrate the mind to meditate. Follow mantras account with Japa Mala accounts can be a good way to do it.

Beads Mala seen in other cultures and religions, and are also known as prayer beads, rosary beads and worry beads. More than two thirds of the world population use some form of prayer beads as part of their spiritual practice. The use of beads in prayer seems to have originated around the eighth century B.C.E. In India.

Bad grain are typically made of different materials, and the properties of the beads are said to have specific energy effects. The different spiritual practices and religious traditions have historically used accounts of a specific material.

And the use depends on the culture, some Hindu traditions hold that the right way is to use a bad right hand, thumb waving a heel side, and the bad draped over the middle finger. The index finger represents the ego, the greatest impediment to self-realization, so it is considered the best when singing avoid a bad one.

In northeastern India, in particular those of the Shakta traditions in West Bengal and Assam, bad is often draping on the ring finger of the right hand, with beads moved by the middle finger with your thumb and avoiding the use of the index finger. However, the cover bad on the middle finger and thumb to move using the accounts is also acceptable in these regions.

IMPORTANT:
Do not confuse this with the traditional Hindu rosary Christian rosary we all know, since the former has a 6000 year history, while the second, only 1500.

Phrases that accompany the Japa Mala

And it is usually recommended a series of mantras repeated aloud or internally voice during your meditation practice.

The phrase used has a high emotional impact because it is typical of the person who chooses. They have a special meaning, making the Japa Mala in a more powerful tool.

You can think what you want to change in your life can be a bad thing you need to transform into good, or something positive to want to improve.

After the election you can imagine how condensed into a few words. It is important to do well because the interest you put it affects the emotional impact of phrases.

As there are 108 beads on a Japa Mala, you would spend much time repeating the mantra if this is very long. Better reduce it and if you want to spend more time with Japa Mala, das twice laps. It is also true that there are some who have 27 or 21, instead of the 108, but still, the more concrete the mantra, the better.

What gets a Japa Mala?

There are two main materials to make a Japa Mala: wood and Rudraksha beads.

The wood is widely used because it is traditional. That is, as Japa Mala are almost 3000 years old. At that time they carved wood, instead of choosing stones as material.

Rudraksha beads are also traditional to make a Japa Mala because the tree, Elaeocarpus ganitrus or Rudraksha is said to have been created from the tears of Shiva (Rudra is Shiva and Aksha means tears), which fell when meditating.

Despite being these the main, there are other materials to make a Japa Mala: now you can see some whose accounts, the beads are minerals of various kinds. They look like this especially because some people choose to do their own Japa Mala, and usually buy the accounts that are used for other necklaces.

How to Use a Mala?

Once you've prepared everything you need to get started, you're quiet / or in a quiet room, you're located in a position that is easy to maintain, etc., it is time to use the Japa Mala.

How to use a Japa Mala? Really easy. Begins the account, stone or piece of wood, which is the largest, and every time you repeat this mantra or motivating phrase, advance to the next.

Mantra Meditation exercise:

1. We assume the posture and elected mudra. We close our eyes and focus our attention on the breath, without modifying it yet.
2. With a relaxed breathing rate, we concentrate on our body. Without moving, we drawing attention throughout its length: arms, hands, legs, feet, neck, chest, waist, head and mouth, leaving unexplored area.
3. Gradually, we spacing each inhalation of its corresponding exhalation. Let feeling the body relaxes thanks to this, how the incoming air travels to every corner of our body.
4. Inhale and, with our inner voice, utter the mantra. We feel that along with the air that enters our body and goes all the mantra expands inside.
5. waited patiently mantra that echoes the journey as far as possible until exhausted, feeling, enjoying every vibration.
6. When silence is again full, we repeat the mantra. With each repetition, echo and impact of the mantra will grow; pauses between one repetition and another become progressively longer time.
7. We repeat the mantra until its echo reaches every corner of the body, until they leave untouched area.
8. We repeat the mantra again, waiting for impact at all inside.
9. We return to focus our attention on the breath, watching, without modification.
10. We now care for our bodies, even without moving, visiting every corner.
11. Open your eyes slowly and maintain posture and mudra for a few moments in silence.
12. With open eyes, we repeat our inner voice the mantra. We let an impact on all our interior. We joined.

There are numerous explanations why there are 108 accounts, with the 108th special religious significance bearing in a series of Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

Constellations 27 x 4 Padas (parts) = 108

12 Zodiac Casas x 9 = 108 planets

Upanishads or the writings of the Vedas = 108

Therefore, when we recite or count number 108, we are actually remembering the whole universe. This reminds us of the fact that the universal being is omnipresent, it is the innate nature of being.