Archive for ‘Mantra, Malas & Meditation’

The moment the sky offers even a hint of sunshine, I hasten to my local park to revel in the luminescent bounty and to stretch my winter-weary limbs. Invariably, between the surrounding stillness and the rhythm of my breathing, I become aware that my inner voice is merrily chattering away. Loved ones, creative musings, grand visions and small miracles: a plethora of thoughts continually feature in the theater of my mind.

There was once a time when I chastised myself for this, disdaining the cacophony and likening it to the Tower of Babel. I would rein in and harness my itinerant thoughts, loyally returning to a primary precept of contemporary spiritual practice that encourages notions of stillness, being in the now, or quieting the mind.

But my unruly thoughts returned time and again. So, I stopped trying to influence them and something even more meaningful revealed itself: I discovered I could observe and witness the natural movement of my mind. What pure joy it is to be simultaneously attentive and unrestrained! When my intent is only to notice, my thoughts are nothing like babbling chaos, but more like burbling children romping in a sunlit field of daisies, and I am their proud mama.

This is something we often overlook on our spiritual path: inclusion.

Spiritual practice includes—everything.

Inclusion means:

I don’t have to endeavor to change anything; I include the thoughts or habits that I wish to be something else, as an experience of Self.

I do not have to actually “do” anything; I simply notice what I notice.

I don’t have to be other than who I am; I simply notice my impulses—and this cultivates a relationship of self-honesty.

Thich Nhat Hanh expressed this idea with four uncomplicated words:

I am that too.

I am that too is a powerful inclusion mantra, which you can silently invoke any time, for yourself or toward another. Begin with private discontents and work your way outward to other people and events. If you notice any discomfort, simply reaffirm: I am that too.

Inclusion allows self-honesty to flourish, and self-honesty leads to compassion. When you say these four words, and engage them with heartfelt intent, you can expect, at the very least, to experience a personal sense of peace and benevolence. I know I do.

Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth & prosperity

The word abundance comes from the Latin word for “overflowing” and indeed the word carries with it the energy of a boundless, rushing spring creek and the ultimate joy of a heart brimming with love and compassion. At its root the word refers to a state of prosperity in all aspects of life including our material, spiritual, and emotional situations and outlooks.

For many of us it is difficult to tap into this state of grace. Whether we are tired from working and parenting, or are in the throes of searching our souls, a state of mental, emotional and spiritual abundance soothes a worried heart and assures us that what is, is enough, and that with time, patience and intention, more of what we need and desire is surely forthcoming.

Abundance is also a powerfully magnetic state of mind that draws to us the tools, resources, opportunities and connections needed to actualize our intention. A simple and highly effective method for cultivating abundance is the use of affirmations. My favorite abundance affirmations are:

Abundance is flowing to me from expected and unexpected sources.

and

My natural state is abundance and joy.

I began using the first mantra during a particularly harrowing period of financial uncertainty. Within days I noticed a shift in how I felt. I began to expect good things to come my way. This opened the door to being able to see solutions when before there was only doubt and dead-ends. Even before more money started to come in I felt a sense of possibility and certainty that the tide had turned.

The second affirmation is chanted as a mantra and corresponds to my jade, garnet and carnelian mala.  The energy of those rich and regally hued stones align us with prosperity and success while supporting motivation to ensure we proactively seek our dreams and goals.

An affirmation or mantra soon becomes an anchor for our attention, a touchstone that we may return to as often as needed. The mantra triumphs over fearful, doubtful and ultimately destructive thoughts that keep us from experiencing abundance; and with consistent practice and intention, the seeds of a coming harvest are sown.

Being ungrounded is like trying to walk in shoes that are too big: feet sliding around trying to hold on and stay centered to keep moving. Being ungrounded feels fluttery and weak, with anxious electric sparks throughout my body. It’s the tension of held breath, willing myself to think/feel/be different. Ungrounded, I do not fully inhabit myself! And it’s very difficult to receive guidance, whether it is wisdom from within or simply being present for the spontaneous lessons the universe bestows in ordinary moments.

As someone with a persistently busy mind and a tendency toward anxiety, I have found that the practice of mantra recitation using a gemstone mala to be especially calming and rejuvenating. One of the mantras I use is I am grounded, guided, and confident. While gently rolling each bead of the mala in my fingers, I recite the mantra 108 times, or more until I feel my energy begin to center and flow a little more smoothly.

The mala I use with this particular mantra is made of Smoky Quartz and Garnet beads. The inherent properties of these two stones increase the power of my practice and I visualize the stones’ healing energy being drawn into me as I touch each bead, one by one.

Smoky Quartz is the stone for grounding and connection to the earth. Because it releases negative energies from the mind and body, more energy is available for joy as well as for endurance and creativity, especially in business and organization. As a busy entrepreneur, this quality is especially helpful to me. The grounding nature of  smoky quartz promotes presence and calmness in the moment.

Garnet is a stone of health and energy. Garnet is regarded as a stone of purity and truth and is a symbol of love and compassion. Garnet is also lucky stone for love and success and is known to increase self-esteem or alleviate depression by moving energy (chi) throughout the body and dissolving emotional blockages.

After 21 days of consistent practice I felt my feet more firmly on the ground and a steady breath easier to come by. It also seemed as if  life wasn’t quite so relentlessly on fast forward, and this allowed me to more carefully evaluate what was before me and make decisions from a grounded, guided, and confident perspective.

Garnet and Clear Quartz

Garnet is a stone of health and energy.  It is a stone for business success and it is said that if you put it under your pillow, it will cure depression.  It increases self-esteem and is a protection stone for journeys.

Clear quartz helps a person become clear about their dreams and desires and assists with spiritual development.

It is so rewarding to wear your mala and recite your mantra for 21 days, morning and night.  ‘They’ say we create our own reality with our thoughts and how true that experience is when we change our patterns of thinking.  Try it out – we would love to hear your experience!

Feminist Review’s Katherine P. Hutchinson wrote a lovely review of our Smoky Quartz and Garnet mala. Here’s an excerpt:

I am grounded, guided, and confident

Although there are many styles and lengths of malas, I am most intrigued by the semi-precious gemstone wrist-mala, also called Power Beads. More specifically, it is the Tara Mala with which I have made a connection. In my search for sources that offer such an item, I found that the purchase of a mala of any sort can be a tricky proposition. Be warned that all malas are not created equal. There are quite a few retailers offering inferior products?especially malas that are supposedly made with semi-precious stones.

One reputable source for this sacred jewelry is the online site Celedra. Their Tara Malas are designed and so named for the fully enlightened feminine goddess Tara, whom the Tibetans call Jetsun Drolma. She is also known as the Savioress who assists supplicants toward their awakening. In reverence, the Tara Mala has twenty-one beads to represent the twenty-one praises to Tara and, as with all malas, has the terminus guru bead, which is said to be the symbol of spiritual source. This sacred adornment is of high quality and superior craftsmanship. Any owner would be pleased to use and wear this mala.

Click here to read the entire review.

As unexpected blessings in life tend to, my involvement with Celedra and Touchstones of the Sacred seemed to blossom from out of nowhere and my gratitude for this endeavor in my life is profound.

a lovely day in my office

In addition to writing for Touchstones of the Sacred, I am also involved in marketing and sales aspects of Celedra LLC. Whenever I visit a retailer and open my sample kit of malas it feels like I am opening a treasure chest of sacred objects, which in fact I am! There is a palpable energy that the malas, both gemstone and wood emit. A gentle wash of awe and lightness seems to descend over myself and any store personnel as we handle each mala and discuss their magnetic beauty. Read more »

Spiritual Practice

At the heart of Celedra?s conscious lifestyle company are handmade malas, made of semi-precious gemstones and sterling silver. Malas and mantra have been used for thousands of years for spiritual practice. Each mala comes with a unique mantra that is based on the inherent energetic/healing properties found in the gemstones of each mala.

Rose Quartz Mala

Find the mala and the mantra that is just right for you at this time, then enjoy the many benefits of healing gemstones and transformative mantra.

We invite you to wear their mala and to recite its mantra up to 108 times each day for 21 days; during this time notice how this daily practice influences your life and share it with us via written or video testimonial. If you are interested in sharing your experience of this sacred, transformative practice as a guest blogger please contact matsya@celedra.com.