Another incredible gift to share and treasure on your evolution of spiritual growth, abundance, and awakening. The ancient art of the mysterious Mala Beads and why we use 108 beads.

Let's begin with the origin of the auspicious number 108. According to Marma Adi and Ayurveda, there are 108 pressure points in the body, where consciousness and flesh intersect to give life to the living being. In the Sanskrit alphabet, there are 54 letters. Each letter has a masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) energy 54 X 2 = 108. In yoga, the number 108 refers to spiritual completion. It is why Japa malas are composed of 108 beads, why pranayama is often completed in cycles of 108, and why sun salutations are often performed in nine rounds of the 12 postures (totaling 108).

Mala beads encourage a calmer mind, body, and soul. Mala necklaces are strands of 109 beads—typically stones, crystals, sandalwood, or rudraksha beads that carry certain energy—traditionally used during Japa meditation, where a mantra is quietly repeated 108 times. It is best to either make your malas by hand and/ or purchase malas and offer them as a gift. The 109th bead is the Guru bead, known as the teacher where you start and end.

Use this quick guide below that I use, to make your own malas and offer them to a special friend, loved one, or spiritual guide, mentor, or teacher.

How to Assemble a Mala

STEP 1
Gather your materials: stringing material, beads, guru bead, scissors, tassel, and any extra charms, pendants, or embellishments you want to include.
STEP 2
Cut a 5-foot length of cord for a traditional 108 bead mala using 6mm or 8mm size beads. If using larger beads or incorporating spacer beads between the mala beads, give yourself more cord to work with.
STEP 3
Tie off one end of the cord, leaving a 5- to 8-inch tail that will later be used as the tassel or a connection point for your other adornments.
STEP 4
String your beads in the order you desire, knotting between each or adding your spacer beads. A bead knotting tool such as The Bead Knotter™ would help make quick work of knots. View the ''Secrets to Using a Bead Knotting Tool'' how-to video for tips and tricks.
STEP 5
Using the two ends of your cord, tie a simple knot to complete the circle. It's recommended to use a dab of G-S Hypo Cement® to ensure the knot is secure.
STEP 6
Add your guru bead. If using a T-drilled bead, this can be tricky. Reference the ''Fire Mountain Fix: T-Drilled Beads'' how-to video for a tip on getting this crucial mala component strung.
STEP 7
Attach your tassel or additional embellishments by threading both cords ends through the loops or stringing holes. You can use existing tassels or make your own with the Beadalon® tassel maker. This how-to video ''How to Create Tassels Using the Beadalon® Tassel Maker'' shows the steps.
STEP 8
Snip off any extraneous cording.
STEP 9
Start meditating!

JBYF Uses https://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/jewelry-making-articles/k610 as an informative guide to making our own malas. I used the above how-to from Firemountain Gems to gift you how I make mine. Please enjoy this process and get as creative as you wish.

Feel free to share this and any JBYF blog or podcast with those you feel need support in the months and years to come.

With all my love -

Christina Andrini

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