Lapis Lazuli Mala: What the 108 Beads Mean and How to Choose One

I've always been attracted to lapis lazuli stone. Fell in love as soon as I saw it and held it in my hands. Love the colors. Excited to open my third eye. Inner peace, calm, 3d eye activation. Staying grounded and trusting my intuition. Self doubt of intuitive hits. That is one side of a lapis lazuli mala. The other side is just the object. Long blue strand. Cool weight. Tassel. One larger bead you can find with your fingers. A mala is a counting tool before it is anything else. The hand moves one bead for one prayer, mantra, breath, or intention.

I've known I've been blessed my entire life. I have been learning about Buddhism the last several years. I continue to grow and learn. I do have ADD and am challenged to slow down and be calm. I'm turning 74 next month and extremely grateful for my health and wellbeing. I want to keep on going for decades ahead. No problems. Just divine connection and insights. Peace of mind in all area's of my life. Clarity of life purpose and direction. So I can connect with my higher self. Help clear third eye. Opening my third eye again. Through life and adulthood it slowly closed. I am on a journey to reconnect with my internal power. I am well on my way. I want something in the hand instead of one more idea to remember. Complete strand first. Meaning second. Practice after that.

Begin with the whole strand

Lay it out. Don't start on a close-up. A full mala is one continuous loop. Same-size beads on a cord. A guru bead, sometimes called the mother bead, sits apart. It can look like a 109th bead. You don't count it with the others. A tassel often hangs below.

I love this mala. Everything from the beautiful Lapis, the weight, and the craftsmanship. The heavy duty cord that runs through the beads feels as though it may outlast me. The beauty of this mala make it hard to put away. If I were to complain about anything it would be that some of the nazars painted on the marker beads are not well centered. But as this is hand crafted that is to be expected. Beautiful piece. Love it.

Pick it up. Let a few beads pass. Long enough to rest against the chest when you wear it. Enough room that your fingers can move one bead without fighting the cord. Love this necklace. It's pretty, feels good, helps me stay present. My hair gets caught on the necklace when I adjust it or take it off, but it's still a great necklace.

A spiritual object still has to live in an ordinary room. Survive ordinary hands. Some of us put it over the bed. Some of us wear it out. Some of us leave it in a treatment room and walk past it all day.

Why 108 beads?

A full round is 108. I count them with my fingers. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain - they all keep that number. I have been learning about Buddhism the last several years. I don't need a lecture to use the strand. 108 beads. Guru bead. Come back.

Memory issues. I have trouble remembering things from the past. Clarity, I would like to get rid of any brain fog. Sleep and clarity brain fog. My biggest problem is staying focused on my goals, such as financial stability and saving money. I also find it hard to focus on long term goals and deciding exactly what I want and making decisions because I fear I won’t like the outcome or it will t live up to my expectations. I hold the strand for that. One bead. One thought. The mind wanders. The bead is still there.

Wrist malas exist. 54. 27. I wanted the full 108. One complete round. No clock. The guru bead is the return. Start beside it. Move through the circle. Arrive back. I turn it and go again. I don't cross over that bead. Some strands have a marker halfway. Some have little painted eyes on those marker beads, not always centered, hand crafted. 108 steps. A place to come back.

What the hand actually does

I hold the strand. First bead beside the guru bead. Spiritual health send me some mantra for meditation. Assistance to open my third eye. I would like to have more access to my intuition. Keep healing myself to help heal others. Peace and contentment in the connections with my partner and my family. Inner peace. Clear direction. Help me trust my intuition. I already have words. One bead. Next bead. When the guru bead returns I stop. Or I turn the strand and go again. I have been wearing it and in a very subtle way noticed it's energy. Now today I found myself in a store and being given assistance. The guy after giving me Instructions decided to order an uber for me instead. That was so nice and I was so happy and grateful. Some days that is all.

What lapis lazuli adds

A mala supplies the form. Lapis supplies the material.

Natural lapis lazuli is deep blue. Lighter mineral areas. Pyrite flecks like small pieces of gold. I like lapis and chakras. Love the colors. Excited to open my third eye. Opening my third eye again. Through life and adulthood it slowly closed. I have gifts but I don't seem to be able to unlock them. Staying grounded and trusting my intuition. Self doubt of intuitive hits.

I would like inspiration inner strength and more abundance to create wealth and buy a new home for my family and some other real state to ensure a happy retirement with my wife. I am grateful and blessed. What I think would be most helpful in solving the everyday things and in helping others, especially my children and grandchildren, is to have financial blessings and wisdom in blessing others.

Some moments are horrible some moments are peaceful. I am content with the present moment. Please bless I get the ability to help those in need in whatever way I am capable of. May food and help be there when I need it. May I always be in one with my inner divinity. Thank You.

Blue stone. Full strand. Hand staying with it. That is the practice I can actually do.

How to choose a lapis lazuli mala

Start with the whole thing. Complete continuous strand. 108 main beads. Guru bead. Tassel or a clear finishing point. If every picture is a close-up, ask for the full view.

Then construction. Check the cord at the holes. Move a few beads. A long necklace takes more strain than a small bracelet. The guru bead should be obvious by touch, not only in a caption. Hand crafted means a painted marker might sit a little off-center. Hair can catch when you take it off. Weight should feel like it will stay with you.

Natural lapis varies. Deep blue beside lighter blue. White traces. Gold flecks. Look at the group, not one perfect bead enlarged on a screen.

Then ask where it will live. Over the bed. In a treatment room. Worn during the day. In a pouch. I have My Mala over my Bed such beautiful energy. I have an alternative healthcare business promoting self care and have placed the lapis lazuli in my treatment room. I gave the second one to a new grandma. No two rooms are carrying the same life.

Love it n now my friends wants one too. That is a later question. First question is whether the strand in your hands is complete, and whether you will actually use it.

Give it one honest use

I have My Mala over my Bed such beautiful energy. Or I wear it. Love this necklace. It's pretty, feels good, helps me stay present. My hair gets caught when I take it off. I still pick it up. I want more Clarity in my life and better focus. Staying grounded and trusting my intuition. Help clear third eye. Open my 3rd eye and bring peace to me emotionally. I am happy with what I am currently. One bead. One thought. Back to the guru bead. I continue to grow and learn. I am well on my way.

A quiet example of the standard

If you want one lived example of this 108-bead lapis practice - a full strand meant to be held, counted, and left in an ordinary room - I keep a quiet door open to the Lapis Lazuli Third Eye Mala. Same checks as above. Whole strand. Hand practice. Material. A place in the day where it will actually be used.

Gloria Cardenas

About Gloria Cardenas

Gloria Cardenas lives in South Tucson, in the stucco house she bought in 1988. She strings malas at a card table with a faded beach towel under the beads so they don't roll onto the linoleum. A sitting-group teacher in the late nineties made her count 108 without looking down. She still does it that way. She keeps one finished strand on a nail by the kettle.