Audrey, I use a mala of 108 beads. With each beat of whichever mantra I use, I tell off a bead. I go 'round as many times as there are beats in the mantra, so that I wind up doing 108 repetitions of the complete mantra. For example, with the mantra: "KWAN SE-um BO-SAL," I go 'round four times; with "KWAN SE-um BO-SAL, A-va-LO-ki-TESH-va-RA," I go 'round eight times; and with "NA-MU a-MI-DA BU-TSU," I go 'round six times.
Try working out a similar system with your favorite mantra(s). Of course, as you tell the beads, do your best to focus your full attention on the tactile feel of the beads, the kenesthetic sensation of moving the beads, and the sound/thought of your mantra. Good luck. Dana ----- Original Message ----- From: "audreydc1983" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, January 28, 2011 8:00 PM Subject: [Zen] Mala Beads > Has anyone here used Mala beads? I feel that anything that could help my > mind to focus is worth a try. I, like many Americans, was taught to > multitask, and I have a hard time sitting. How are they used? I'm finding > scant information out there on the interwebs, so I figured that I would > delve into the wealth of knowledge and life experiences represented by the > forum. :) > > ~Audrey > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are > reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > __________ NOD32 5828 (20110128) Information __________ > > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. > http://www.eset.com > > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
