Prayer Malas Available at Organic Bug!

Prayer beads, commonly known as mala, a Sanskrit term for garland, are used to recite mantras and say prayers. Malas date back to Hinduism in approximately 500 BC. Historians believe they began in India and spread to China, Japan, the Middle East and then to Europe. Western cultures commonly use rosary prayer beads.

The mala beads are usually held in the right hand and your fingers move from bead to bead in rhythm with the breath or mantra being recited. A common mala has 108 beads. In Buddhism, one hundred of the beads are meant for mantra recitation while the eight that remain are dedicated to all sentient beings.

Malas are made from a variety of wood, seeds, plants and semi-precious stones.

Our traditional 108-bead Sandalwood Mala by Celedra is handmade using red sandalwood seed beads from the Far East. The mala has accents of delicate silver beads separating semi-precious beads of rose quartz and clear quartz, finishing with a blue stone set in a silver drop two-sided guru bead.

The 108-bead Ebony Mala is also handmade from ebony seed beads from the Far East. It has accents of delicate silver beads separating semi-precious beads of blue lace agate and clear quartz, finishing with a stone set in a silver drop two-sided guru bead.

The Amethyst and Rose Quartz Mala Mate symbolizes spiritual awareness and love. Mantra: I am the embodiment of grace and sovereignty.

The Jade, Garnet and Carnelian Mala Mate symbolizes prosperity, motivation and success. Mantra: My natural state is abundance and ease.

This mala is handmade using natural beads of turquoise and red sandalwood seeds from the Far East, finishing with a turquoise stone set in a silver drop two-sided guru bead.

View all the malas available at Organic Bug.

Organic Bug Artist Spotlight: Nancy Epstein from Ubuntu Jewelry

This month, I would like for you to meet Nancy Epstein- the artist behind the stunning and socially conscious Ubuntu Jewelry and one of the new brands we have added to the Organic Bug collection to spread the message of unity and compassion. Ubuntu Jewelry embodies the concept of making a social statement through fashion- and speaks to that part in each of us that yearns for acceptance and social change.

We were inspired by Nancy’s story of how she came to create the Ubuntu line.   She enjoyed a highly successful career for over 20 years as a specialty gift designer creating innovative giftware and fine jewelry for some of the worlds biggest retail companies.  However, she felt she had a “greater calling” and made the decision to leave her career behind so she could find ways to use her talents to make a positive change in our society.   From there Ubuntu was created and she has not looked back.

She chose the name Ubuntu because the African Bantu concept of Ubuntu means “no one

is whole without the other”. The idea of this philosophy, the embodiment of peace and harmony, inspired Nancy to combine symbols in her designs representing oneness and unity of the human spirit.

Taking her design initiative one step further, Nancy donates 10% of sales between two notable organizations. Religions for Peace is the largest international coalition of representatives from the world’s great religions dedicated to promoting peace. 1% For The Planet uses market forces to drive positive environmental change by inspiring companies to donate.

Ubuntu is the essence of being human. Ubuntu Jewelry is the essence of you.

About Ubuntu Jewelry Symbols

Hindu Aum (also spelled Om)~is a sacred sound that mystically embodies the essence the entire universe~the root of everything that exists.

Islam Star and Crescent~not necessarily recognized as a traditional Islam symbol, this symbol is not Muslim in origin. It was a polytheistic icon adopted during the spread of Islam, historically known as  the insignia
of the Ottoman Empire, not of Islam as a whole. Certainly the best known symbol used to represent Islam.

Jewish Star of David~or Shield of David is a relatively new Jewish symbol but is the universally recognized symbol of Jewry.

Christian Cross~the empty cross reminds Christians of the resurrection, a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice.

Female/Male Gender Equality~World bodies have defined gender equality as related to human rights, especially women’s rights, and economic development to level the playing field for girls and women by insuring that all children have equal opportunity to develop.

Taoist Yin Yang~a Chinese representation of two poles of cosmic energy and by their fluctuation they are believed to be the cause of the universe.

Buddhist Lotus Flower~its pattern of growth (rising up far above the muddy waters to bask in the sunlight) signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism through the waters of experience and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.

Find out more about Ubuntu and Nancy on her myspace and facebook pages.