How to choose your first string of mala beads

Three strings of palo santo mala beads resting on a wooden trunk

Selecting your first string of mala beads is a personal journey of reflection and mindfulness.
Traditionally used in Buddhist and Hindu practices, mala beads are tools for focus, repetition, and meditation, serving as tactile reminders to pause and reconnect.

What are Mala Beads?

A traditional mala consists of 108 beads, a number valued in many Eastern philosophies for its balance and completeness. Passing each bead through your fingers helps you stay centered and maintain rhythm while reciting words or affirmations.

Mala beads can be made from many natural materials, each carrying its own texture, color, and story.
Our Palo Santo mala beads are known for their smooth surface and gentle natural aroma, which many find supportive for calm concentration during mindful practice.

Grounding Palo Santo Mala Beads draped loosely around a woman’s neck

Choosing the Right Mala Beads

1. Consider the Material
Think about what material resonates most with your sense of comfort and style — the organic warmth of wood, the cool touch of stone, or the lightness of seeds. Each creates a different tactile experience.

2. Reflect on Your Purpose
Why are you drawn to mala beads? Perhaps to develop focus, invite calm, or create a moment of quiet during a busy day. Choose beads that complement how you intend to use them.

3. Authenticity Matters
Source mala beads from makers who value craftsmanship and sustainable materials. Authentic Palo Santo malas ensure the integrity of the wood’s origin and its distinctive scent.

4. Size and Wearability

Consider whether you’ll wear your mala or keep it nearby during quiet moments. Some prefer a full necklace, while others choose a bracelet for convenience. Our Palo Santo malas are adjustable to suit both.

Intention Palo Santo Mala Beads softly wrapped around a woman’s wrist, displaying the engraved triangle and crescent moon centerpiece bead and the warm tone of the Palo Santo wood.

5. Making Your Own Mala
Creating your own mala can be a meaningful project. Selecting each bead and stringing them yourself allows for a deeper personal connection to the finished piece.

Using Mala Beads

To begin, hold your mala gently and move one bead at a time between your fingers while repeating a word, phrase, or breath pattern.
This steady rhythm helps anchor the mind and develop focus. Over time, your mala becomes a familiar companion that reflects your personal journey toward mindfulness and calm.

A woman gently holding the Growth Palo Santo mala in her hands, showing the natural tone of the Palo Santo wood.