I have a very close Teacher, that I study with almost daily and I would like to share a few things I’ve been told during my training. First thing I was told is, “ A Teacher does not teach the student nor do they tell them what to do”...instead... “A Teacher is a Guide to help the Student find the way to do it on their own”...also...”A good teacher needs to be patient enough to allow the knowledge to be explained at least 6 different ways”. In Yoga there’s a magical number of 108. This number has many meanings, but my favorite is, “it takes a human 108 times to actually do a good habit in order to change from the one that is not wanted”. I don’t know who actually stated that, but I have heard it numerous of times through out the Yoga Community and it just has stuck with me. In Yoga there is a 108 Mala Practice that uses that magical number of 108. What I like about the 108 Mala Practice is, that the student becomes the teacher as well as the student through the guidance of just doing the practice. The magic of the number 108 within the practice is a personal understanding or not.
The 108 Mala Practice is traditionally done with a Japa Mala Beads ( prayer counting beads) and in Sinskrit “Japa” means “Spiritual Discipline” and I’ve even seen it to mean “Recitation” (remember in Sinskrit dictionary, the words meaning changed with the growth of Society). Not all Yogi’s or practitioners use or 108 beads, some use 16, 27, 54 . Then there are the 21 or 28 bead count and this is a tad bit different type of practice. Here is a link to go to if you wish to know more… Humanity Healing University Click Here and Yoga Journal Click Here
I would like to stick with the number 108 at this time. Why? Only because it feels right to talk about it. We all talk about the Matrix or Fabric of Space, but do we really understand its presence? I am in no way shape or form an expert about the Matrix or Fabric of Space, but I am curious about it. The most important question regarding this mysterious theory for me is in the geometry of it. Is it nothing more then a discipline to keep balance within the chaos? You know a Creator’s boundaries?
In my previous blogs, I talked about all the different “Yoga Styles” that are out there to find your “Yoke” or “Yoga”. The next question I have is, is there a boundary in Yoga to keep a balance within all the different styles of them? A boundary to keep them all in check and balanced? If there is, what would it be? Now, I am not saying it’s a magical number of 108 by no means. But, what if the number and way to do the practice is a basic stepping stone approach that needs to be in place to keep balance within the process of being or doing the “Yoke” or “Yoga”?
We all know rules are meant to be broken, but when does there come a fine line that gets crossed and we are lost from the original point or intention? My personal answer would be, what Iyengar states in his book “Light on Pranayama” and that would be “ “That we began to realize our own potential and through this came civilization. Within that we created words like God (Purusa) and Nature (Prakrti) Religion (dharma). Because, it is difficult to define these concepts out right, so we learned to define them personally.” So I am guessing if we don’t have a personal connection with it, it is a boundary that has been crossed. Then, it is OUR choice to cross the boundary or remain put.
In the 108 Japa Mala Practice there is a Mantra to speak. This Mantra is yours to either create or select from those who have created before you. For me, the number 108 and the instructions is the geometry and basic of the practice. What ever Mantra you choose and the way you do it, is your “Style of Yoga” that feels good to you personally. The only thing that can be taught is the number and the original intention of that number. (the geometry) What comes out of it after that, is your “Style”.
So, lets begin with the Basics understanding of the 108 Mala Practice. 108 Mala Practice is a repetitious counting with Japa Mala beads, along with voicing a Mantra. First you chose an intention. What do you wish to change or achieve? Then pick a Mantra that feels right. Next, you begin the action of the practice. Place your index finger and thumb on the first bead, then you voice out your Mantra of Choice. The voicing can be internal or external there is no rule only “Style”. The way you wish to do it and the words you choose, is your personal “Style”. You will repeat this process on each bead 108 times. Within this action you create a “Spiritual Discipline” to achieve the intention in a way you wish to achieve it.
Beads are typically made from all kinds of things, dried herbs, rocks, wood..etc. They have several different names, prayer beads, worry beads or rosary beads. Here is a link to find some really cool beads….Japa Mala Beads Click Here
Here is a good one to start with. Gayatri Mantra Click Here
If you would like to find a Mantra to use until you have created your own. Here is a link. Astrogyan Click Here
Namaste
Indu
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