JAPA MALA

Meditating with a japamala has been shown in medical studies to “induce favourable psychological and possibly physiological effects.” It “caused striking, powerful, and synchronous increases in existing cardiovascular rhythms when recited six times a minute. Baroreflex sensitivity also increased significantly, from 9.5 (SD 4.6) to 11.5 (4.9) ms/mm Hg, P<0.05.” These are known indicators of good heart health.

Many traditional mantra practices prescribe certain numbers of repetitions, most commonly 108. So a mala of 108 beads (or other appropriate numbers) can be used to keep count.

On a spiritual energetic level, traditionally the beads of a mala are made of certain substances, like Rudraksha, Tulasi, sandalwood, quartz crystal, lotus seeds, etc., that resonate well with certain mantras, and hold and accumulate the spiritual energy generated during japa practice, yielding increasing subtle benefit with subsequent uses.