How to Use a Mala

In Tibetan Buddhism, there are considered to be six classes of beings, that take birth. Some of these beings are perceptible to an ordinary person, some are not. They are: Gods, Jealous Gods, Humans, Animals, Ghosts and Hungry Ghosts, and being who have unfortunately taken birth what the Buddhist’s consider an impermanent “hell”. These beings have taken birth due to the karma of believing in a permanent “self.” Until attaining enlightenment, we are stuck in an endless cycle of birth and death, creating for the most part, the “8 worldly concerns,” namely: pleasure and pain, loss and gain, praise and blame, and finally, disgrace and fame (these are easily remembered as they do rhyme!) Being caught up in this cycle of both having things work out for us, or not creates more suffering, attachment and karma with each day. The recitation of sacred syllables called mantra like the Mani Mantra is belived to have the power to liberate all classes of beings. Sitting meditation is the most expedient method to break these patterns, and open the mind and heart.

Once you have chosen your mantra, you may want to use pieces or single sounds from it during your practice. An example of this would be, when using the mantra, "Om" (Aum) as your chosen mantra, to exhale with a long "ah" sound during a standing forward fold or any other slow, simple, movement into an asana. Repeating this sound during asana practice readies the mind and the breath for a seated mantra practice following your asana work.