Wear and count mantras with this Picture Jasper 108-Bead Mala necklace from EdenAtDusk.

Jasper is known as the “supreme nurturer”, sustaining and supporting during times of stress, bringing tranquility and wholeness, and Picture Jasper is said to be the Earth Mother speaking to her children. It brings to the surface hidden feelings of guilt, envy, hatred and love and thoughts that are normally pushed aside, whether from the present or past lives. Once the repression is released, they are seen as lessons along the way. It instills a sense of proportion and harmony. It brings comfort and alleviates fear. 

Mala beads can be worn and/or used for meditation. A mala is a string of 108 beads with one bead as the summit bead called a ‘sumeru’ or ‘guru bead’. When used for meditation a mala can aid in focusing by helping to keep the mind from wondering and helping to keep one from falling asleep. A Japa Mala is a mala that is used for counting mantras. It is important that if a mala is used to count mantras, the mantra be remembered with sincerity, devotion, feeling and full attention. There are many, many reasons (some say there are 108 different reasons) as to why there are 108 beads. Here are a few of my favorite:

In traditional Buddhist thought, people are said to have 108 afflictions or klesas. There are six senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and consciousness) multiplied by three reactions (positive, negative, or indifference) making 18 "feelings." Each of these feelings can be either "attached to pleasure or detached from pleasure" making 36 "passions", each of which may be manifested in the past, present, or future. All the combinations of all these things makes a total of 108, which are represented by the beads in the ojuzu. 

• There are said to be 108 earthly desires in mortals. 


• There are said to be 108 lies that humans tell.


• There are said to be 108 human delusions or forms of ignorance.


• The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth.


• The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.


• The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon.


• Some say there are 108 styles of meditation.

EdenAtDusk's Sunny Bugayong says she enjoys "creating things and am proud of every hand-made piece. Weaving jewelry, knotting and twisting beads is very therapeutic to me while being fun at the same time."

EdenAtDusk: Individually Knotted Gemstone Mala Beads

Details:

Materials: brown string, picture jasper
Size: 39" Mala Necklace with 108-8mm Picture Jasper Beads and finished with a Picture Jasper guru bead.