Malas are more than just beautiful necklaces, they are powerful tools that you can add to your meditation and manifesting practice, and can also be worn as a reminder of your intentions.
Each mala necklace is composed of 108 beads on a string, that are generally hand knotted between each bead, with a guru bead indicating the beginning and the end of the mala, and depending on the local tradition, ending with either a tassel, or type of charm, hanging below the guru bead.
Malas are often utilized in meditation to help you concentrate on your intentions, and focus your attention on your meditation mantra, rather than be distracted with the noise in your head, or your surroundings. Although you can meditate and recite your intentions or mantras without a mala, people often use malas as a way to focus on your intention and the power behind your intention, without focusing on counting any repetitions, or having any exterior distractions get in the way. The power of attention and awareness is crucial to attracting and creating situations and outcomes that you desire.
The history of malas is extensive, and most strongly believed to lead back to the Buddhist community in India (Bhuddist Prayer Beads), where the necklaces were hand made and used with prayers. There are various other religions and regions in the world that have similar beads and necklaces (such as the Catholic Rosary), that are often also linked to prayers and meditations. The theories of the significance of 108 are endless, and varies from region to region as well as religion to religion. The meaning that resonates with me (as found in "The Magic Mala") is as follows:
1 signifies the Creator and higher truth,
0 signifies emptiness or the space between our thoughts and breaths,
8 signifies infinity, timelessness, and eternity.
I will let you do your own research to decide what the significance of 108 most resonates with you.
New to Mala Meditations? Check out this post to get you started.
What about Abundance Haven Malas?
Each Abundance Haven Mala is mindfully made with hand selected genuine gemstones, that are each believed to have their own healing properties. The necklace is strung with a dual layer of strong nylon for extra durability, and each necklace is hand knotted between each bead. Each necklace is cleansed during a full moon ceremony, and set with intention to assist you in manifesting your desires.
Recommendations
I highly suggest the amazing story "The Magic Mala" by Bob Olson, which is a great read, and is very inspirational. This book was originally recommended by my friend Hayley over at I Am Blessed Mala Beads (where I personally purchased my first FIVE Malas), and I couldn't put this book down! It touches on intention, using a mala, your mindset, and how you can attract what you focus on, good or bad.
You can buy “The Magic Mala” through my affiliate link here.
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Reach out if you want to chat about any of this! I am always happy to discuss Malas, how they have helped me, and why I love them so much.
xoxo
Ashley
]]>What is a mantra anyway?
A mantra is a statement, word, or sound that is repeated frequently as a way to focus your attention on your meditation and intentions. Often a mantra is positive affirmation that motivates you to be more conscious and aware of your intentions and desires.
Now let's try try to create a mantra that feels like it was made just for you! The most important thing is to find what is most in alignment with you and your energy, and what works best for you, so if this exercise does not work for you, don't sweat it! This can be a fairly quick exercise, however I do offer workshops that go further into depth with this exercise with you, if you are looking for more guidance.
Creating Your Mantra
My favourite way to create a mantra is to journal and brainstorm. I mean, this is my favourite way to start anything, but it is super effective for this purpose as well.
It helps to clear your head before this exercise. I might suggest going for a walk, sitting outside, or doing something you love before you begin.
I start off with picking the mala I would like to meditate with, holding it in my hands, closing my eyes, and taking several deep breaths. What comes to mind? What do I feel? I start to write down in my journal what immediately comes to mind while I hold my mala.
Now I take a minute to check in with myself and my body. How I am feeling? Am I stressed? Am I tired? Am I happy? Am I excited? Am I overwhelmed? Am I underwhelmed? How does my body feel? Do I have any aches? Am I relaxed? What do I need more of? What do I need less of? What would I like to attract in my life? What do I want to create in my life? I write it all down.
The next step may already be in mind from the last step; What are my desires, needs, how I want to feel, and what I might need to do to get there (check back often for intention setting and goal setting workshop events for some guidance with this). What would I like the intentions of my day, week, month, and/or year to be? Again, writing this all down.
Then I start to consider what the healing energies of my mala already are, from the natural healing properties of the gemstones it is made with, and I begin to write down notes about the healing abilities at my fingertips.
If you are drawing a blank on any of this, or would like to fully utilize the healing power of the beads your mala is made with, do some extra research on the gemstone/s your mala is made of if you are not aware of its properties, and begin to take notes of the healing abilities it possesses that you are drawn to.
Once I feel I have enough notes and am starting to see some trends, I start to pair down my thoughts to either a paragraph, or a sentence if my notes are already in alignment.
Let's work with an example for the next steps.
I am going to focus on an example that helps you get through a current situation, rather than an example of attracting or creating something new. There are further examples below for creating new outcomes and attracting new things in your life.
For the purposes of this example, say I am going through a tough time at work. I am stressed, overworked, overloaded, feeling helpless, not feeling like anyone understands, and feeling like I cannot get through the weeks events. My notes and thoughts will likely focus on this.
Also, I have a hematite necklace I would like to utilize, which is a very calming stone that is known for aiding in stress relief, and helping to ground you.
From my notes, I may get a rough paragraph something along these lines:
I am feeling weak and need strength. I need to relax. I want to be calm and not anxious and overwhelmed. I need to remove stress. I am capable of getting through this. This project is almost over. No one is helping me. I know how to execute this project. I have the knowledge to do this job. I am very capable of my job.
Now analyze your new paragraph. Look for areas that are things you need to release, and look for areas that you can affirm. From your notes, you want to create something clear and concise, that is always in a positive nature.
For example, your paragraph could be summarized to:
I release all judgements of myself and my abilities. I am stronger than my circumstances. I am confident that I have the power, knowledge, and ability to have a successful week. I release all stress, and welcome a calm and relaxing environment. I am at ease.
This is great because you are releasing all the feelings that are blocking you, and affirming that you are strong and powerful. This is your fully defined mantra.
Now, the only 'problem' is that this is FAR too long to repeat 108 times (Ha!). So let's pair it down even more.
If you plan to spend a longer time meditating, you could use:
I am strong, confident, successful, and at ease.
OR if you have a short amount of time, you could use:
I am STRONG. OR I am at ease.
(Whichever you feel is more necessary to focus on.)
Although you have summarized your mantra and intentions to be very short, you know that each time you say "I AM STRONG" that it has a much larger meaning and power behind it. Every time you say "I AM STRONG", you have the power of your full mantra behind it.
I like to keep my notebook beside me before I begin my mala meditation to read my fully defined mantra (out loud if the situation permits), and really focus on my intentions for a moment while I begin my breathing exercises. Then when I begin my mala meditation, I can use my newly defined mantra ("I am strong") throughout the remainder of my meditation so that it flows more smoothly and quickly.
Now begin meditating with your mala!
*This process is something that you can repeat as many times as you like / as is necessary. Your desires and intentions will likely continually evolve and change as time and circumstance do, as should your mantra. Often I will use a different mantra each day of the week, or at different times of the day. Find what works for you, and keep at it.
Customizing your mantra to manifest new outcomes and desires
You can customize this exercise, and your mantra, to focus on something current and situational as in the previous example, as well as for manifesting your desires and creating new outcomes.
The power of attention and awareness are crucial to attracting and creating situations and outcomes that you desire. What are your desires in life? What outcomes are you hoping for? What would you like to attract into your life? Would you like a career that is more in alignment with your passions? Would you like more time for your passions?
Use the same process that you did in the previous example, and focus on your desires, and what you would like to create or attract in your life.
Some examples of things you might desire, want to feel, or want to create:
NOW, turn these into positive affirmations that can be used as a mantra (or use as is). Here are some examples of positive affirmations that might come from some of the examples above:
Each of these is an example of a positive affirmation that you can use as a mantra. Each of these can also be paired down even further if you wish.
Again, if this exercise does not work for you, don't sweat it!
Every person has different energy, different desires, and different ways to be in alignment with their highest path. There is nothing wrong with trial and error. Feel free to reach out to me for some tips, or to book a one on one workshop with me. I offer one on one sessions as well as my workshop events.
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Let's dig a little deeper for a second; Why should I create a mantra?
In a world where being overworked, stressed, and exhausted appear to a status symbol of success, we often find ourselves living a life that has us not only tired and unhappy, but also 'too busy' to focus on manifesting our true desires and intentions in life.. which can leave us unfulfilled. We also often 'forget' about the most important aspects of our life and our deepest desires, such as our health and happiness, when we get 'too busy'.
I strongly believe that daily meditations (with or without a mala), can help us to return our awareness to the most important part of life, yourself.
To quote the book "The Magic Mala",
'[That was] how I got sick, not why I got sick. I allowed myself to sick because I had forgotten why I needed to be healthy.'
Take five minutes today to consider why you need to be healthy. Can you go to work unhealthy? Sure, but for how long? Can you be happy when you're unhealthy? Sure, some days. Can you attract the things you want in life while you're unhealthy? What about the people you want in your life?
Today, I challenge you to a 30 Day Mala Meditation Challenge. I know it changed my life, let's see if it can help to change yours!
As always, message me any time you want to chat about any of this. I love to chat about meditating and manifesting, and how my life changed when I started to spend less time being 'too busy' and more time being me.
xoxo
Ashley
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Whether your new mala is an addition to your current meditation practice, or a new way to introduce meditation into your daily routine, it can be a useful tool to help you work on manifesting your deepest desires.
Enclosed with each purchase of an Abundance Haven Mala, you will find more information about the gemstones your mala is made with. The healing properties of the gemstones your mala is made with is a great starting point to create a mantra made just for you and your mala, that will have the extra power of the gemstones natural healing abilities behind your mantra.
Check our our post about creating your own Mala Mantra here!
Here you will find some guidance to begin your first mala meditation. From this, you will be able to adjust to decide what works best for you.
2. Now close your eyes, pull your shoulders back, feel your feet on the ground and your bum in your seat, and take several deep breaths in and out slowly. Focusing on your breath, continue to breath in and out until you feel relaxed, centered, grounded, and ready with intention.
5. You will repeat Step 4 until you have repeated your mantra 108 times, which will have returned you to the beginning of your necklace, before your guru bead.
Optional. If you would like to keep meditating when you have returned to the guru bead, you may return to the previous bead and go back the other way until you reach the guru bead again at the very beginning.
Completing a mantra meditation with your mala will help you set the intention for your mala to be in alignment with your mantra, and now if you wear your mala, it will remain front of mind, and help to be a reminder of your intention and desires.
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It may go without saying, however, the power of attraction and attention is undeniable. This is where manifesting your desires comes in. Use a mantra that resonates with you, your desires, your wants, your needs. This could be situational, or to create a new situation or outcome. You might need a less stressful week, or you might want a more fulfilling career. Your meditation is for you, and you alone. Customize your meditation to aid in creating the life YOU want.
As always, message me any time you want to chat about any of this!
xoxo
Ashley
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It seems that on the daily I get asked what I'm doing for work these days.
I am going to answer that question now, even though I loathe it for many reasons, but that's a story for another day.
The short answer is, I'm not.
I decided I needed a lifestyle change, and it led me here, to creating this new business.
If you want to know why, and what led me to this new venture, here it goes:
About two and a half years ago I got quite unwell from having a very stressful, poor work/no life, lifestyle. Basically, it consisted of far too much work, well, only work really, and nothing much else. It wouldn't be uncommon for me to still be at the office at 10:00pm, and I can count at least a dozen times that I was there until midnight or later, after arriving sometime between 5:00am and 9:30am (mostly the latter, after being so tired from work, going home to work some more, and falling asleep with my laptop). I never had any time to focus on me. At all. Ever. For a very, very, long time. Unfortunately for me, by the time I realized how it was effecting me living my own life, and decided to start enjoying my life again, it had already hugely affected my health.
So, what was the tipping point?
I was sitting in a meeting, and someone was talking, probably to me, and I was staring right through them. I had no idea what they said, what was happening in the meeting, and honestly, I didn't even remember getting up that morning, or driving to work. I wasn't present, I was physically in the building, but I didn't even remember getting there. Then someone really was talking to me, and I just started tearing up, because I felt completely helpless, and just so confused – which was a feeling I hadn't ever felt in my career. I worked very hard to not have to ever feel that way, until a point where it was all too much for one person to even possibly be capable of – because if anyone could, it would have been me. Later that week when I realized I wasn't feeling any better, I went to the doctor. I was suddenly embodying a zombie; I could barely even get out of bed, I was sleeping endlessly, and when I did get up, I was dazed, useless, and went back to bed. I had ridiculously low iron to the point of complete confusion (Who knew that low iron did that?! I sure didn't.), topped with stress, stomach ulcers, strep throat, mono, chest pain, and the list goes on. My doctor suspected it was a result of stress from work, and asked me two simple questions, "Does your work make you happy?" and "Have you considered not going back?". I knew the answer to the first question was a no, and I wondered if it ever really made me happy, or if I was just working towards the carrots that were being dangled, and the lifestyle I was being told was at my fingertips..
I was off work on doctor’s orders for over a month when I finally made the tough decision that no, I was not going to return to a lifestyle that I knew would never change, which is quite unfortunate, as I poured everything I had into it for a very long time. Unfortunately, it turned out that I was doing it all for nothing, and all I was left with were empty promises, not being able to get out of bed for several months, all while burning through all of my savings. To top it off, all the people who said they would be there for me, simply weren't. All of the people that I was there for when they needed me, were, in my eyes, abandoning me.
Now let me tell you something else;
This whole situation was undoubtedly the best thing to ever happen to me.
For the first time in many years, I finally started living for ME, and you better believe that these last two years or so have been the best years on record!
I recently read an article that summed up the work culture I was living pretty simply in just this quote, "We’re living in a bizarre world in which it’s perfectly reasonable – and often encouraged – to place caring about work as a higher priority than our own mental well-being, or actually being a person rather than a worker."
These experiences have solidified for me, that I will not ever put caring about work, and building someone else's business, above my own well-being, ever again. I have vowed not to ever prioritize making other people have the ability to be happy, healthy, and wealthy, over myself, while making myself very unbelievably unwell in the process, ever again. Ever.
I no longer tolerate anything that puts my own mental or physical health in jeopardy, and am consistently checking in with myself to make sure it stays that way.
Since then, I have traveled endlessly; Starting with 5 weeks in Bali intended for healing, living on a tropical island paradise for a year and a half, travelling to Europe for 5 weeks, doing a cross Canada road trip for 6 weeks, trips to Mexico, New York (x 5!), Miami – and so much more. I met all of the most amazing people, have had the most epic days and nights, and have never felt SO alive (when I'm not napping – I do still love my naps!).
I know, get on with it, what led me to THIS though, the lifestyle, the Malas?
While I was off work, before I made my decision that I wasn't going back to that lifestyle, I started looking at all sorts of alternative healing options and alternative medicines, because quite frankly – I needed to get better. This consisted of daily/then weekly blood tests, doctors, vitamins, monitoring my iron levels, loooooots of meditation, using crystals, and seeing spiritual healers (who are now great friends!). I've spent a large majority of the last two and a half years focusing on internal work, growing, healing, meditation, and manifesting the things I've always wanted – if you've seen photos and posts of my journey along the way, it is working out tremendously!
I've always been into crystals, and was often convincing my friends or family to go to metaphysical shops to check out crystals, tarot cards, and oracle cards (Did you know I read Oracle cards and Tarot cards?! Stay tuned for more on this!), however I never really got into meditation until I met my friend Sarazen, who explained more about meditation, violet flames, guides, and so much more. I am so grateful for her knowledge and friendship, as it helped me tremendously to get through some tough sh*t.
Once I started working on myself, focusing on my meditation practice, and living a different lifestyle, I started attracting more people like me, and was no longer inclined to spend time or energy with people who were no longer growing, or those not on the same page as me.
Then the weirdest thing happened as things started to shift for me.
I'm a big believer in everyone being brought into your life for a purpose, and this solidified it. I was searching on Facebook for who knows what, and came across a page that had a lovely Tarot Tuesday at the time (which is totally my jam!), and I was super drawn to it. Like a lot. Then it dawned on me, I KNOW THIS LOVELY LADY! But how? Then I realized. I pulled out my pictures from Mexico, a trip I took over 10 years ago, and there it was, a photo of me and my found again friend Hayley, in Mexico! I wasn't sure why we were reconnecting, but it was clear to me that neither of us were the people we used to be, at all. Either way, I continued to follow Hayley's social media, and I messaged her to see if she remembered me. This found again friendship led me to a change in my new daily meditation routine, with the addition of Mala Necklaces!
I've always known about malas through my love of crystals, but in the last couple years I learned more about malas through loads of research, lots of blogs and social media pages, and an amazing book Hayley recommended in one of her blogs called The Magic Mala (I highly suggest you read this book!). I started doing my daily meditation and manifesting with my malas, and it felt RIGHT. It just clicked. I started with one that I would meditate with and wear every day, and then it became addicting – I bought myself five in one year (all from Hayley)!
All of my malas are made with different gemstones with different healing purposes, and set with different intentions. I use different mantras with each of them, and I looove them! I love malas so much that I *needed* to start making them for myself, because I started to picture ones I wanted, and dream about them, and now I just can't stop! Malas can be so healing and energizing to use, wear, and make. I'm loving every single minute of this new venture.
So, back to the point, almost every day I have someone asking what I'm doing these days for work? To put it simply, I'm not.
I'm working on myself, personal growth, healing, and now I'm helping others to do the same. I wouldn't consider this 'work', I consider it my passion.
I needed more healing and creativity in my life, and less 'working for the man', so I'm just enjoying that for a while. Having said that, if you're looking to get into meditation, looking to attend a workshop or retreat, or are in the market for a new mala – I might just have something that resonates with you.
That's it, for now ;).
Reach out to me, for any reason, I'm here!
Chat soon,
xoxo
Ashley
hi@abundancehaven.com
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