Meditation Challenge: Day #2

Meditation – Day 2 - Japa Meditation with Mala Beads

Last night I began rereading, “Eat, Pray, Love” (EPL) by Elizabeth Gilbert. In the introduction, Gilbert talks about Japa malas, or strings of beads. Gilbert explains that these beads have been used for centuries to assist devout Hindus and Buddhists in staying focused while meditating. Some people also believe that the number of beads - 108 - is “the most auspicious” as it is a perfect three-digit number which is also a multiple of 3.  As Gilbert points out, the number three is also about balance as witnessed in a three-legged stool or the Holy Trinity.

This seemed like as much of a sign as anything as my next type of meditation to try, so today is about doing a Japa meditation. The only problem is…I don’t own any Japa beads.

Rather than be discouraged or stopped by this fact, I found a beaded bracelet which I decided would be good enough to experiment with today. It has 15 or so black beads of varying sizes spaced far enough apart that I can tell when I move from one to another with my eyes closed. So, after my usual meditation which generally consists of me closing my eyes, getting quiet, and grounding myself through breath and intention, I went in for round two with a “Japa-like” or “Japa-lite” meditation. I chose the word “peace” and decided to go two rounds for a total of thirty breaths.

Breathing in as I rolled one of the black multi-faceted beads between my right thumb and middle finger, I focused my word “peace.” With the beads being different sizes, I found myself alternating between thinking of small and large things that bring me peace and gratitude, depending on the bead size. I also observed myself feeling clearer and calmer bead by bead.

Several insights I’d had during my first meditation resurfaced with more depth and I closed the session as I usually do by journalling about what was revealed. I also noticed that I felt more “at peace” – go figure – after the Japa meditation and think maybe I will do it again tomorrow but before my usual meditation instead of after.

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