I
just finished reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book really touched me and now happens to be on my top ten books of all times list. I've talked to some people who didn't like this book or who couldn't relate to it. I think that if you are in the right time of your life and all the stars align; are open-minded; and spiritually focused I don't know how you would not like this book. Liz's journey in the pursuit of pleasure, spirituality, and a balance between the two after a nasty divorce is full of insight. She really learned to pay great attention to the things that really matter.
In honor of the New Year and all the resolutions that follow, I thought I would start off on the right foot. I decided to create more spiritually focused jewelry items. I created a lovely family birthstone rosary for my mother for Christmas. I even had it blessed by a local priest to make it even more special for her. It includes all the birthstones of those in my immediate family.
Next, I decided to create a few malas (Liz Gilbert focused Eat Pray Love around the premise of the mala). Quoting from the book, "the traditional japa mala is strung with 108 beads. Amid the more esoteric circles of Eastern philosophers, the number 108 is held to be the most auspicious, a perfect three-digit multiple of three, it's components adding up to nine, which is three threes. And three, of course, is the number representing supreme balance, as anyone who has studied the Holy Trinity or a simple barstool can plainly see."
A Japa mala is a set of beads commonly use by Hindus and Buddhists, usually made from 108 beads, though other numbers, usually divisible by nine, are also used. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra. This practice is known in Sanskrit as japa. Malas are typically made with 19, 21, 27, 54, or 108 beads.
I decided to make some mala necklaces that could be used for meditation, fashion, or both. These necklaces are both half malas (containing 54 beads total; 27 on each side).
This mala is made using carved Bayong wooden rounds and Green Adventurine. Green Adventurine is the stone of luck and chance. It is said to increase
perception and creative insight. It is a heart chakra stone.
This mala also using carved Bayong wooden rounds along with Tiger's Eye. Tiger's Eye is a grounding stone and helps wearers remain patient and focused with deliberate actions. If you need to make changes in your life, this stone is for you. A resin Buddha is also attached as a pendant.
My wish for you in the New Year is that you find much pleasure, peace and balance and you are fulfilled in all aspects of your life.
Namaste'