How to Use Mala Beads to Open Your Chakras
Mala beads are meditation tools that can be used to carry the mind from activity to stillness. When they are used with mantras during meditation, you can balance chakras. Mala bead necklaces are easy to use, affordable, and can be a physical reminder of positive intentions. In this post learn what mala beads are, how using mala beads can balance chakras, what are good mantras to use when meditating with mala beads, how to pick a chakra to focus on, how to your use mala beads to open your chakras, and tips for using and caring for your mala beads. If you don’t know where to start, this post will be perfect for you.
What are mala beads?
Mala beads are strings of beads that can be used during meditation to keep the mind focused when repeating mantras. They are also known as prayer beads, Japamala, seik badi, ojuzu counting beads, or onenju thought beads. Mala bead necklaces typically consist of a string of 108 beads even though smaller versions can be found that are worn on the wrist. The beads in a mala necklace can be made of wood, seeds, bone, stone, or crystal.
How can using mala beads open chakras?
Chakras are spinning wheels of energy in the body that affect physical, mental, and emotional health. When meditating with mala beads, the chakras can be opened by using mantras that correspond to the chakra elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether. When the mantras are repeated as one moves through the beads, the mind gets calmer, and the energy flow increases through the chakra energy centers.
What is a good mantra for meditating with mala beads?
I’ve listed some mantras below that are designed to invoke the elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether into the chakras. The first thing you need to do to open a chakra while meditating with your mala beads is to pick the chakra you want to open. If you're not sure which of your chakras is blocked, take my Chakra Quiz to find out. Based on your results, pick a mantra to use for your meditation from the list below.
"LAM" Root Chakra
"VAM" Sacral Chakra
"RAM" Solar Chakra
"YAM" Heart Chakra
"HAM" Throat Chakra
"OM" Brow Chakra
"OM" Crown Chakra
How to use mala beads to open the chakras
Once you’ve picked your chakra and an element mantra, pick up your mala bead necklace and find the master bead (also called the guru bead). It is typically the largest bead on the necklace and sometimes has a tassel or charm attached. It’s the bead that is used to signify the start and end of a meditation session. The tassel or charm on a mala necklace can be very personal and represent a connection to one’s highest truth. My mala bead necklace was made in Nepal. It has been stained with tea and has a handmade Ganesh charm attached that I bought at a meditation retreat.
To begin your meditation, grasp the first bead after the master bead and say your mantra. Then, slowly, slide the first bead through your fingers and grasp the second bead. Say your mantra. Slowly slide the second bead through your fingers, grasp the third bead and say your mantra. Continue repeating your mantra and sliding through the beads until you get all the way around the 108 beads. Want the full instructions? Click here.
Other tips for using mala beads:
Mala bead necklaces are sacred and need to be treated with care so here are some additional tips for using them during meditation:
Keep your mala beads clean - if they get dirty, soak them in pure water and use a gentle brush to scrub the beads then, leave them to dry completely. If your mala bead necklace is made of wood, you can also rub it with some coconut oil to refurbish the wood.
Keep your mala beads in a special place when not in use such as a bag or box.
When learning to use your mala beads, it is a good idea to know how long it takes you to go through the 108 beads. This will help you in the future when trying to meditate.
If you go through your 108 mala beads and want to do a second round, turn BACK when you get to the master bead and go in the opposite direction. I use my opposite hand as well to guide the beads to create balance in my body.
To prevent your arms from getting tired while using your malas for meditation, rest your hands on your lap while sliding through the beads.
That's it! Mala beads can be easy to use for opening chakras. You’ve learned what mala beads are, how mala beads can balance chakras, what are good mantras for meditating with mala beads, how to pick a chakra to focus on, how to use mala beads to open chakras, and tips for using and caring for your mala beads.
Hi there!
I'm Della Reside, I'm an expert in Chakras & Cellular Consciousness, a nerd when it comes to details, and, my obsession is teaching others how to raise their self-awareness (in easy, practical ways) to fulfill their biggest dreams!