A Japa mala or mala is a string of prayer beads commonly used by Hindus, Buddhists and some Sikhs for the spiritual practice known in Sanskrit as japa (the meditative repetition of a mantra or name of a divine power). It is usually made from 108 beads, plus one more 109th bead which represents God, and you are not allowed to touch it. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity.
This practice is are intended for spiritual growth and self-realization. Its goal is moksha, nirvana, bhakti, or simple personal communion with a divine power in a similar way to prayer.
After long use of a mantra that is intended to foster self-realization or intimacy with a divine power, an individual may reach a state of ajapajapam. In ajapajapam, the mantra “repeats itself” in the mind.
It’s said in India that this meditation is very very powerful, and if you count while mentally repeating your goal, for example, “house, house, house, house, …”, you can get whatever you want. Just do this meditation for 10 minutes every morning at least one year. And remember, that your goal should be very specific and you should see the clear picture of it in your mind. In example with the house, you should imaging the house clearly, you should know its color, how many rooms, how many floors, a garden, its location, all the small details.
