The Mala Project.

In partnership with the artist, we will donate one mala for every mala purchased to our hospice, end-of-life, or terminal patients if they indicate a desire for one during our intake session.

A mala is a string of prayer beads commonly used in Buddhism and Hinduism, similar to the Christian rosary.  Besides being a beautiful accessory, it's used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating mantras or the name of a deity.  They typically contain 108 beads as this number holds special spiritual significance in many traditions.   For example, it's believed in Hinduism that humans have 108 earthly desires; similarly in Buddhism there are 108 illusions or mental states to overcome to achieve nirvana.  Likewise, in yoga, it is thought there are 108 sacred sites in the body.

The larger bead or tassel found on a mala - called a guru bead - marks the starting and ending point of your mantra recitation or meditation cycle.  The term "guru" in this context can be translated as "dispeller of darkness".   This bead is often used as a space of reflection, gratitude, and acknowledgment of your meditation practice or the spiritual teacher who guided you.  When your fingers reach the guru bead, instead of crossing over it, you can flip the mala around and continue in the opposite direction to respect the knowledge it represents. 

Each stone has a hand-tied knot in between, which allows the mala to lay nicely on a wrist or neck without bunching, prevents the stones from rubbing against each other/causing damage, and makes it easier to hold while counting.  Constructing a mala in this manner is a time-intensive process.

Each string contains 108 beads and is crafted from 8mm stones unless otherwise noted.  Guru beads are typically 1cm across or larger.

Shipping is included in the price for the lower 48 states.

The photos have not been enhanced.

6mm malas look like this, on male (coming soon) and female bodies:

8mm malas look like this:

10mm malas and half malas look like this:

The mala you buy is the one pictured and the one you will receive.  Another one will be created of equal beauty and stone rarity to give to a desiring hospice or terminal patient.