Meditation & Mala
Meditation & Mala · The Practice

Meditation & Mala

6 guides
Karma Carpets / Meditation & Mala

A mindful practice needs almost nothing — a place to sit, a way to count the breath, and a few objects that make the ritual easy to keep.

This is the meditation edit: mala beads explained and compared, gemstones chosen with intention, and the singing bowls, cushions and incense that turn a corner of a room into a space you'll actually return to.

The Best Mala Beads: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Editor's Pick

The Best Mala Beads: A Complete Buyer's Guide

The best mala beads for meditation and mantra practice — what to look for, why there are 108 beads, and the best sandalwood, rudraksha and gemstone malas to buy.

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1
Mala BeadsChoosing, using and understanding malas.
What Are Mala Beads and How Do You Use Them?1

What Are Mala Beads and How Do You Use Them?

What mala beads are and how to use them for meditation and mantra — a simple step-by-step metho…

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Mala Beads by Gemstone Meaning: Choose With Intention2

Mala Beads by Gemstone Meaning

A guide to mala beads by gemstone meaning — amethyst, rose quartz, black onyx, lapis and more —…

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2
The Meditation SpaceBowls, cushions and incense.
The Best Singing Bowls for Meditation and Sound Healing1

The Best Singing Bowls for Meditation and Sound Healing

The best Tibetan and crystal singing bowls for meditation, relaxation and sound healing — how t…

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The Best Meditation Cushions and Zafus2

The Best Meditation Cushions and Zafus

The best meditation cushions and zafus for a comfortable, sustainable sitting practice — buckwh…

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The Best Incense for Meditation and a Calm Space3

The Best Incense for Meditation and a Calm Space

The best incense for meditation and relaxation — sandalwood, palo santo, Nag Champa and Tibetan…

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Good to Know

Frequently Asked

How many beads are on a mala?
A traditional mala has 108 beads plus a larger guru bead that marks the start and finish of each round. Shorter wrist malas of 27 or 54 beads are simple fractions of the same count.
What do I need to start meditating?
Very little — a comfortable cushion or zafu to lift your hips, and optionally a mala to count the breath. A singing bowl and incense are lovely additions that help mark the start of a sitting.
Which mala material is best for beginners?
Sandalwood and rudraksha are ideal — affordable, grounding, durable and comfortable to hold. Both develop a beautiful patina over years of use.
What size singing bowl should I buy first?
A 4-to-6-inch hand-hammered Tibetan bowl is the most versatile starting point — easy to play, portable and rich in overtones.