Skip to main content

Mala Practice

A Beginner's Guide to Mala Practice​

Mala practice is one of the most tangible ways to bring the mantra into the hands and the breath. Whether your mala has the traditional 108 beads or a smaller variation like 18, the practice is the same: a quiet repetition, bead by bead, with the body present and the mind resting on the sound.

If you are new to the mala, take it gently. This page walks through everything you need to know, step by step.

What Is a Mala?​

A mala is a string of beads used to count repetitions of a sacred phrase or mantra during meditation or prayer. Each bead represents one recitation, helping you stay focused and grounded in your practice.

While the most common mala has 108 beads, there are many valid variations - such as 54, 27, or 18 beads. These smaller malas are often used for convenience or travel, and they still support full mantra cycles through repeated rounds.

The mala is not a tool for hurry. It is a tool for staying.

Understanding the Numbers​

  • 108 beads: Considered a complete cycle. You recite your chosen mantra once per bead, moving through the entire mala from start to finish.
  • 18 beads: A smaller mala that represents a divisor of 108. To complete a full cycle, you repeat the mala 6 times (18 x 6 = 108).
  • Other variations: 27 beads (4 cycles), 54 beads (2 cycles), and so on.

Many practitioners go beyond a single cycle - reciting 1080 mantras or more - depending on their intention, their commitment, and the specific practice they are following.

The number matters less than the steadiness of the repetition.

Step-by-Step Guide​

1. Hold the Mala​

Gently hold the mala in your left hand, keeping it in front of your heart, about a palm's width away. This placement honors the connection between your mantra and your heart center.

2. Find the Guru Bead​

Locate the large bead at the end of the string - called the guru bead, meru, or Buddha bead. This bead marks the start and end of your cycle and is not counted.

3. Start Counting​

Begin with the bead next to the guru bead. Use your thumb to pull each bead toward you as you recite your chosen mantra.

4. Recite Your Mantra​

For each bead, say your mantra once. For example: oṃ tāre tuttāre ture svāhā (Āryatārā mantra)

5. Continue the Cycle​

Move bead by bead until you reach the guru bead again.

6. Reverse Direction​

Do not cross over the guru bead. Instead, flip the mala (turn it around in your hand) and begin again in the opposite direction.

Using a Smaller Mala (e.g., 18 Beads)​

If your mala has fewer than 108 beads, you can still complete a full cycle by repeating rounds:

  • After finishing one round (e.g., 18 beads), flip the mala and begin again.
  • Repeat this process until you reach your desired total (e.g., 6 rounds for 108, or 60 rounds for 1080).
  • You can track your rounds mentally, with a counter, or simply by intention.

The term "flip" here refers to turning the mala around in your hand so you continue in the opposite direction without crossing the guru bead.

Closing the Practice​

  • After completing your final round, pause at the guru bead.
  • Take a moment to reflect, offer gratitude, or dedicate the merit of your practice.
  • You may choose to wear your mala on your wrist or neck as a reminder of your intention.

The closing is not a perfunctory gesture. It is a small ceremony of gratitude for the time you have given.

Tips for Beginners​

  • Be patient: It is okay to feel awkward at first - mala practice becomes natural over time.
  • Stay focused: If your mind wanders, gently return to the mantra and the feel of the beads.
  • Personalize your rhythm: You can match your recitation to your breath or find a pace that feels meditative.

The mala will do part of the work for you. The beads keep count so the mind can stay with the practice.