The Blue Monk Mala

🪷The Blue Monk Mala 🪷

Materials: Natural gemstones (lapis lazuli & white jade ) hand-knotted with 100% pure blue silk, with an excellent quality carved white jade Buddha  focal bead and solid 14k gold spacer beads.

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this stunning 108 gemstone mala is inspired by the quiet yet deep feelings of “blue” I associate with deep introspection, study and meditation. Peaceful, yet profound. Calm and centered yet infinite and inspiring. It is the timeless tranquility of transcending and transforming via spiritual contemplation. 

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What are malas?

Malas, also called mantra beads, meditation beads, or Buddhist prayer beads, are spiritual tools used to count intentions, prayers, mantras, or breaths during periods of focused meditation. They consist of 108 beads, not including the meru or “mountain” bead (also referred to as the “guru bead”) at the end.

This last bead is usually the largest and signifies the beginning and end of the counting process and meditative session. Focusing on the Meru bead before and after meditation is a way to pay respect to the personal teachers or gurus we have been blessed with throughout our life, but it also helps us stay grounded. It reminds us to remain humble as we seek out our innate connection to the True Teacher to which we are all connected: the divine, creative, universal, energy of life itself.

Why 108 beads?

The mala consists of 108 beads, not including the Meru Bead and/or any decorative spacer beads, which are simply used to aid in the counting process. These 108 beads can be stylistically broken up in many different patterns according to preference or adherence to a specific tradition, but typically there will always be 108 main beads in total. This is because 108 is a sacred number in many traditions, and it was because of this renowned sacred number that I also made 108 cards, corresponding Sigils, and affirmations in The Nameless One (A Tarot & Oracle Deck).

This number 108 is sacred for many reasons, here are just a few:

• The diameter of the Sun is about 108 times the diameter of the Earth
• The distance from the Sun to the Earth is about 108 times the diameter of the sun
• The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is about 108 times the diameter of the Moon.
• In astrology, there are 12 signs and 9 planets. 12 x 9 =108
• In some Yogic traditions, there are said to be108 pressure points in the human body, as well as 108 names of the goddess, and 108 energy lines throughout the body that become one as they connect at the heart
• In numerology, the number 1 represents the Self, The Ego, as well as the singular universal energy that connects all of life/ creation, and Higher Truths,  while 0 represents potential, the cosmic void, the beginning /end of all things, as well as spiritual completeness or emptiness, while 8represents infinity, eternity, and universal abundance.

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Xia Hunt Malas

My "Xian malas" are in a new style that I have designed myself after years of personal experimentation. They retain the traditional 108 beads but are broken up into three parts or segments of 8, 18, and 28 beads on each side of the Meru bead. They are as follows:

The 8 Base beads

These 8 beads are on each side of the Meru Bead (16 in total) represent abundance, manifestation, spiritual attainment, and infinite potential. In this case, the 8 Base beads are 8mm in size using the best quality lapis lazuli

 spiritual properties of Lapis Lazuli 

Lapis lazuli is perhaps one of the oldest gemstones used for spiritual and metaphysical purpose. It is related to ancient wisdom, and the pursuit of deep spiritual learning, as well as psychic protection. It enhances intuition, brings tranquility, and grants one courage and protection. Said to be a sound of awakening, it opens the third eye and stimulates the pursuit of enlightenment. It is said to be of great aid in dream work and in facilitating psychic and spiritual abilities of all kinds. It releases stress and possess profound serenity and provides a key for accessing ancestral wisdom.

The 18 Central beads

These 18 Central beads (18 on each side of the Meru bead, for 36 in total).

These are sometimes set in between a decorative spacer segment, in this case, solid 14k gold.

gold is connected to the sun energy, and is said to amplify wealth, success, luck, conciseness, and represent enlightenment, or the enlightened mind. It is valued for its resistance against corrosion, and so used in magical practices for its sympathetic ability to prevent corruption.

The Central beads represent an increase in vitality and prosperity--especially in the areas of life the corresponding gemstones resonate with. The number 18 is a sacred number, especially in Jewish traditions, where it is said to be linked with life and lifeforce.

In this case, the Central beads are made of a white Jade

Metaphysical properties of White Jade:

White Jade is another ancient gemstone said to impart serenity and clarity. I particularly enjoy white Jade for its ability to work with all the other energies around it, and insuring that they be used in pursuit of one’s highest good. White jade is a stone of balanceas well as luck, and insures that relevant information is pulled forward, while useless noise is held back.

The 28 Higher Beads

These 28 Higher beads (56 total) connect at the back and form a seamless transition, representing completion, elevated thought, realignment, and greater understanding. For this reason, I tend to use the same type of beads for the Base beads as for the Higher beads--as this symbolizes a true, unified, and elevated understanding or integration of the energies used in the beginning. In this case, these beads are again made up of lapis. 

The Meru Bead

As discussed above, the meru or “mountain” bead (also referred to as the “guru bead” or “focal bead”) is at the end, the largest bead in the mala, not counted among the 108 beads, and signifies the beginning and end of the counting process and meditative session.

Focusing on the Meru bead before and after meditation is a way to pay respect to the personal teachers or gurus we have been blessed with throughout our life, but it also helps us stay grounded. It reminds us to remain humble as we seek out our innate and intimate connection to the True Teacher to which we are all eternal students: the divine, creative, universal, energy of life itself.

In this mala, I have used an excellent carved Buddha made of white jade as the Meru bead.

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All the malas here at Xia Hunt Studios I have made by hand, using personally selected, top quality, all-natural gemstones, which were imbued with intention during the knotting process. The thread is 100% natural genuine silk. They come in a beautiful pouch, with a handwritten thank you to show my appreciation for your support. Please know that these malas are made with love, attention, and intention. They are made to last.

Rest assured knowing that if for any reason your mala breaks or is damaged, you can send it back to me and I will repair it for you free of charge. You handle the shipping, and I will handle the rest. ( This includes replacing any damaged gemstones and reknotting the mala using new silk if needed.)

Blessed be,

- Xia