Okay, so I started this whole japa mala thing, and let me tell you, it’s been quite a journey. I wanted to get into meditation and mindfulness, you know, all that good stuff. A friend told me about japa mala, and I thought, why not give it a shot?
First off, I had to get a mala. I went to this little shop downtown that sells all sorts of spiritual stuff. They had a bunch of different malas, but I picked one with these smooth, dark beads. I just liked how it felt in my hands, you know?
Once I had my mala, I needed to figure out how to actually use it. I watched a few videos online and read some articles. It seemed pretty straightforward: you hold the mala in one hand and move the beads one by one with your thumb and middle finger, repeating a mantra for each bead.
- Find a quiet spot
- Sit comfortably
- Hold the mala
- Repeat the mantra
- Move the beads
So, I found a quiet spot in my apartment, sat down on a cushion, and started. I chose a simple mantra, “Om,” because I didn’t want to overcomplicate things. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and began.
At first, my mind was all over the place. Thoughts about work, what I was going to eat for dinner, and all sorts of random stuff kept popping up. But I just kept going, repeating my mantra and moving the beads. It was tough, ngl. My thumb and fingers would get tired, but I did it.
Slowly but surely, I started to feel a bit more focused. The repetition of the mantra and the tactile sensation of the beads helped me stay in the present moment. It wasn’t like some magical transformation, but I definitely felt calmer and more centered.
I’ve been doing this japa mala practice every day for a few weeks now. It’s become a part of my morning routine. I wake up, make some coffee, and then sit down with my mala for about 15-20 minutes.
It’s not always easy, some days my mind is more restless than others, but I always feel better after I’m done. It’s like I’ve given myself a little mental break, and I’m more prepared to take on the day.
So yeah, that’s my japa mala experience so far. It’s been a simple but really positive addition to my life. I think I just needed some help with quieting my mind, and this has been a practical way to do it. If you’re thinking about trying it, I’d say go for it. Just grab a mala, find a mantra that resonates with you, and give it a go. You might be surprised at how much it can help.
