A mala is a strand of 108 beads used to count prayers, mantras or chants. The large bead at the end is called the Guru or Meru bead.  It represents the inner teacher or Guru, and should not be crossed over in doing the round of beads. 108 is a number of significance in many spiritual traditions, one of which has to do with the heart chakra.

The chakras are the intersections of energy lines within the body, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging into the heart chakra.  One of them, the Sushumna, leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-Realization.  Malas are used as part of a spiritual practice in many traditions, including Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and Christian.

There are many forms of meditation available as tools for quieting the mind, becoming more centered, and connecting with your Source.  Japa meditation is repeating sacred syllables or mantras.  Often when we sit to meditate, our minds are so busy and scattered that it is hard to come to a quiet centered place. By opening our meditation with a round of Japa with Mala beads, we help to give the mind a focus on something other than its own thoughts.  The sacred names and syllables of Sanskrit resonate throughout the mindspace and clear the way for a quiet mind. When the chanting stops, our minds have "gotten out of our way"  and we can sit in the silence that follows.  Japa is like a doorway into meditation, and a powerful practice in itself, as the vibrations of Sanskrit activate the Chakras and other energy centers within the body as a form of sound healing. The subject is so vast and deep, I encourage you to read the many fine books available to truly grasp the beauty this form of practice can bring into your life. 

When you first receive your Mala beads, they need to be attuned to your energy.  Regardless of the Mantra you want to use as your Japa practice, the first round youcan say on your Mala is "Hrim".  Hold the Mala at the level of your heart and visualize your heart opening to your Mala and to your upcoming practice.  Hrim is the seed sound of the Heart Chakra.  This method was taught to me by the teacher Thomas Ashley-Farrand. 

To use the beads, hold the strand in your right hand. Hold the 1st bead next to the Guru bead between your thumb and middle finger. Move the beads away from you if your mantra has to do with burning karma; move the beads toward you if you are inviting a certain energy (like the abundance of Lakshmi). 

Say your mantra over the first bead, move your fingers to the next bead, and say your mantra again. Continue this for all 108 beads. When you get to the Guru bead, turn the strand around and continue back the other way. You can say your mantra out loud or silently in your mind. It's a powerful practice to say one round out loud and the second round silently. You will find that the vibration of the mantra still resonates as if you were still saying it audibly. The nature of Sanskrit, the language of most Hindu/Yogic mantras, is based on the vibrations of the chakra system, so to repeat them out loud can help clear blockages throughout the body.

Traditionally, the mala you use for your mantra is kept in a special place, and not used for adornment.  A separate Mala can be worn as a necklace or wrapped around your wrist for a bracelet.  The idea behind this is that the Mala you use for japa (chanting) helps burn off negative karmas (actions), and you wouldn't want to wear a Mala holding that energy!  Many people wear an ornamental Mala made of the gemstone or seed whose energy they would like to add to their life, and as a reminder of their mantra practice.

After much use and many chants, a Mala may break. This symbolizes that a certain karma has been burned off. It's recommended that you don't use that Mala again for chanting, but to keep it in a sacred place as a symbol of your growth. You can get it re-strung so the beads don't fall off.

Before you use your mala for mantra or prayer, it is good to set an intention to your practice. This can also relate to the mantra you have chosen to work with. One common way to set a daily practice with your mantra is to do a 40 day discipline.

Say a round on your Mala twice a day, morning and evening, for 40 days, using one chosen mantra and your intention.

An example of a mantra fitting an intention uses the mantra “OM Gum Ganapataye Namaha”, which translates into “Hail the remover of Obstacles, symbolized by Ganesh”.

If you were looking at a difficult situation in your life that seemed to be “blocked” and your feel unable to find a way past it, to set your intention on removing (or recognizing!) your obstacles, and doing the Ganesh chant for 40 days can bring clarity to the situation, and even change the energy surrounding it.

Here are some simple and effective Mantras to help you start your Japa Mala practice.

OM Gum Ganapataye Namaha-Salutations to Ganesh, the Remover of Obstacles

Om Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Namaha-Salutations to Lakshmi, Bringer of Abundance in Wealth and Family

Om Hum Hanumate Vijayam-Salutations to Hanuman, the embodyment of conscious prana (breath, vitality)

Om Nama Shivaya-May the elements of this creation abide in me in full manifestation

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya-Om is the name of the Self that is ever in unity with all creation. Reveal your truth to me.

Om Tare Tuttare Tuve Svaha-Salutations to the Mother of all who guards, protects, and fulfills all needs.

Om Dum Durgayei Namaha-Salutations to Durga, she who protects the seeker of truth

Om Shanti Om-Om Dynamic Peace, Om

Om Satyei Namaha-Salutations to Truth

Om Mani Padme Hum-All Hail the Jewel in the Lotus (which is the Heart)