"The Bamboo Mala Necklace"
hand-cut bamboo sticks, Jade gemstones, wood beads, Flourite gemstone
2015
The Backstory on Mala Beads
A mala is a strand of beads, traditionally used for counting during mantra meditations. Malas have been used since at least the 10th century as a meditation aid. They allow us to focus the mind on a single pointed task as we work through our meditations. A Mala can be a powerful tool in your quest for wellness and clearer understanding. Gemstones are used in malas through their meanings. Each attribute of a gemstone can help you choose an emotional or spiritual aspect that you want to work on through the meditation, and your Mala can become a focused object that you carry with you to help you in your spiritual journey. Wearing Mala beads as a necklace or a bracelet helps keep the affirmations or intentions with you throughout the day. A Mala can also become a beautiful feature of your sacred space, adding color, texture, and intention to your shrine. Finally, some people take their mala to yoga practice and coil it at the top of their mats or wear it during the practice. They believe this helps the mala absorb the energy of their physical practice and helps them carry their yoga practice with them when off the mat. Whichever way you choose to use your Mala, Mala beads can be representative object of your intentions and affirmations and are powerful for helping focus the mind on that which you most hope to develop through your yoga and meditation practice.
Adapted from Jaqueline Medalyne of www.saltspringsmalas.com
My Own Backstory
Yoga is such a breath of fresh air for me, and one cannot help but stop and recognize the mantras and solid traditions present in each practice. For so long I have been craving my own kind of beads, something apart of my soul revealing the Truth in which I speak and follow. Then the most magical thing happened - I was given a bunch of long bamboo shoots - originally used for fences - and I knew it was time to CREATE!
Using the dried bamboo fencing, I cut up each individual bead, I then filed, and sanded it to a smooth, round edge. After making about 50 - 60 bamboo beads, I added the dreamy gemstone of Jade and other wood components, as well as a lovely Flourite piece (which came home with me from my most recent trip to Europe, in Amsterdam!) .... and this beautiful piece was born.
Each bead is held in place with a single knot on either side and being that it took a collective of 5 or 6 hours to complete over the course of 2-3 weeks, I would make them again, no doubt. But I would love to see these becoming something a bit more personal than just cranking them out one by one... I would love to see my customers, you guys, my awesome fans and supporters, create and design their very own set of Mala beads. I think it would be pretty cool indeed, and much better than any store bought beads..
Putting this out into the Universe!!!!
I love you all for supporting my dreams, thank you for being here.
STONE ENERGIES & METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
JADE: IS THE STONE OF CALM IN THE MIDST OF STORM. ITS ACTION BALANCES NERVES AND SOOTHES CARDIAC RHYTHM. A PIECE OF JADE KEPT IN A POCKET OR ON A PENDANT TO STROKE FROM TIME TO TIME RECHARGES ENERGY, AND TRADITIONALLY GUARDS AGAINST ILLNESSES. JADE IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE "DREAM STONE". IT HELPS WITH THE RECALL AND UNDERSTANDING OF DREAMS. PROMOTING PEACE AND SERENITY, & INSPIRES WISDOM.
FLUORITE: IS ANOTHER GREAT STONE TO RELIEVE STRESS AND ANXIETY. IT HELPS ONE MEDITATE AND LEARN TO GO PAST THE "CHATTER" THAT OUR MINDS TEND TO GENERATE WHEN FIRST LEARNING TO MEDITATE. PURPLE AND GREEN MIXED STRENGTHENS AND HEALS THE THIRD EYE AND MYSTICAL INSIGHT, AND ON ALL OTHER LEVELS. FLUORITE IS A "CENTERING STONE", PROMOTING SPIRITUAL WHOLENESS, TRUTH, PROTECTION, LOVE, AND PEACE.
ADAPTED FROM THE NEW CRYSTAL BIBLE BY CASSANDRA EASON
24 inches long
SOLD
