Japa is the mental, quiet, or written repetition of a chosen or given Mantra for the sake of emotional harmony, karmic resolution, dosha balance, inner peace, as personal practice (sadhana).

I see a lot of misunderstandings and ignorance around the Japa Mala.

Examples:

• It is NOT called Mala Beads! Mala means string of beads and Japa Mala means a string of beads especially for Japa. So, calling your Japa Mala as Mala Beads is like saying Asana Pose or Chai Tea.
• Japa Mala is not worn with the tassel in front of the body. Tassel (in Japa mala) represents the subtle nervous system and the 109th bead, known as Guru bead holds the energy of entire subtle body, mantra Japa and the energy of the beads like a laser beam. It should be worn with tassel at the back touching the nape of neck, keeping it secretive, personal, and touching the marma point in neck. (More on this in Ayurveda Training)
• Avoid wearing the Japa Mala around the wrist. Japa is a very personal practice, it is a sadhana, not a show off or a jewelry.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing Jewelry Malas with tassel in front or wrapping them around wrist.

It is worth contemplating- the what, why, why not of what we do. This awareness is Yoga!

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WAYS TO PRACTICE + LEARN MORE ABOUT MANTRAS

1. Listen to the Mantra Album on iTunes or Amazon Music
2. Practice the 108 Japa of Gayatri Mantra and MahaMritunjaya Mantra with me.

Essential Ayurveda for Yoga Professionals, Starting Aug 23, 2023

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