Congratulations on the purchase of your 108-bead Intention Mala

Your 108-bead mala is a traditional tool used in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions for meditating on a positive phrase or “mantra".

Health Benefits

Meditating on a positive phrase can help you redirect your thoughts away from your fears, which can lead to feeling stressed and instead help you focus on what you desire in life. Focusing on things that bring you joy is generally more relaxing to your nervous system therefore helps to lower your stress levels.

Intentional Design Steeped in Meaning

The number 108 is so significant, that even today 108 is the number for Emergency Services in India. More traditionally, it is considered the number of the wholeness of existence. 

For astronomy junkies, this number also connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth: The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters. 

Math enthusiasts note that the number 108 has an elegant divisibility, producing endless patterns. For example 1+0+8 = 9. Nine divides into 108 exactly 12 times. 1+2 = 3 which divides into 108 exactly 36 times and 3+6 = 9 which starts the whole pattern over again. Cool right?! I have considered many of these ancient patterns in all of the styles of Intention Bracelets and of course the 108-bead malas. 

You’ll notice that there are 3 gemstone beads on either side of the element symbol (3 divides into 108 exactly 36 times. 3+6=9…you get it) and that the single gemstone bead on either side of the mala is the 27th bead counting from the bead with the element engraving. The number 2+7 = 9 and 27 divides into 108 exactly 4 times.

Ancient Healing

The design of Intention Bacelets and the108-bead Intention malas also includes the principles of an ancient healing tradition called Ayurveda. According to this tradition, there are 108 main spots or “marma points” on the body. 

The gemstone accents on the 108-bead males are placed so that they land approximately at three of the 108 marma points. When you use your Intention Bracelet or the 108-bead Intention mala as a meditation tool you are literally embodying your intention into these 108 spots. 

The wood beads are sandalwood, which has a natural aroma which can be extracted as an essential oil. The oil has long been revered in Ayurveda for its ability to calm the nervous system. Ayurveda is based on the principle that everything in the universe, including us, is made up of the five basic elements of earth, water, fire, air and space. All of the elements have their own qualities, for example earth is heavy and air is light. 

The symbols on your Intention Bracelet or 108-bead mala represent one of the five elements. You can use this symbolism to connect with the qualities that you need for support, for example the stable qualities of earth, the transformative powers of fire or the limitless potential of space.

When you purchase an Intention mala you have access to the same resources that come with the Intention Bracelets including online videos to support your yoga and meditation practice, guidance on how to create your own powerful intentions, suggested intentions corresponding to the qualities of the element and gemstone you chose and more.

Enjoy your Intention Mala.

Namaste!