Prayer Beads
Prayer beads unite body, mind and spirit. Used by most faith traditions, prayer beads allow the seeker to both focus and relax, which is key to meditation. They’re also known as Rosaries or Prayer Ropes, and different religions use varying groupings and numbers of beads.
The prayer beads I use have 97 beads: 13 large beads divide 84 smaller beads into 12 sets of 7 (i.e., three lunar months) with an extra bead and a medallion at the end.
You can also use a prayer rope with four large beads that divide 28 smaller beads into 4 sets of 7 (one lunar month) with an extra bead and a medallion at the end. These smaller prayer ropes are more common, and are often “prayed around” three times during a meditation, though this is optional.
My meditation is a reflection of my current spiritual focus, and influenced by many traditions. I work my way around the rope, beginning at the medallion, the Tree of Life.
I begin by touching the medallion and taking a centering breath. Then I touch the next (extra bead) and say the Opening/Closing Mantra:
All is connected,
All is Sacred:
Be in Love,
Be at Peace,
Be with Joy,
Do no harm,
Heal the World.
On all large divider beads, I say:
I am safe,
I am loved,
I am home.
On the seven small beads between the large divider beads, I say:
bead 1: I am right here,
bead 2: I am right now:
bead 3: With open heart,
bead 4: With open mind,
bead 5: With open arms;
bead 6: Held and holding,
bead 7: We are all one.
When I have worked my way around the rope, I exit as I entered, repeating the Opening/Closing Mantra and ending with centering breath while touching the medallion.
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For many years, I followed (and still embrace as one part of a much larger view) a Celtic mystical path, which combined pagan and Christian mythology and imagery. If you are on such a path, here is a Celtic meditation practice I adapted and used:
- Touch the icon and make the sign of the cross or other appropriate gesture or prayer.
- Touch the next (extra) bead and say a personal creed (such as the Apostle’s Creed,) a litany or a prayer.
- On each large dividing bead, say:
- Be the heart of God dwelling within me,
- Be the foot of the Christ dancing before me,
- Be the showers of the Spirit pouring upon me
- Richly and abundantly.
- On each of seven small beads, say:
- With love and open arms,
- I embrace the Mother who made me,
- I embrace the Brother who saved me,
- I embrace the Spirit who guides me.
- All praise be to the One on High,
- I bow before the Sacred Three,
- The Ever One, the Trinity.
Repeat this around the rope. Finally, touch the extra bead and recite the Lord’s Prayer (click here for my version) or another litany or prayer. End by touching the icon while making the sign of the cross or other appropriate gesture or prayer.
Ariyawen 