EVERYONE SHOULD WEAR A RUDRAKSHA BRACELET

In this age of fast paced technology we need to revert back to traditions which will help us slow down and take a breath.

Are you feeling anxious? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

Are you stressed? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

Always tired? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

Body aching and stiff? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

Can’t find love? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

Struggling to lose weight? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

Struggling to concentrate? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

Constantly on the go? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

Never enough time for yourself? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

High blood pressure? Wear a rudraksha bracelet

Is your life being affected by negative energy? Wear a rudraksha bracelet.

Seems to be good to be true? It is true, read on to find out how.

What is rudraksha?

The word, rudraksha (also called as rudraksh), is derived from the Sanskrit roots rudra, which is another name for the Hindu god, Shiva, and aksha, which means “eyes.” This can be translated to mean “Rudra’s teardrops.” Legend says that Shiva shed a tear when he opened his eyes after a long meditation and this tear evolved into a rudaksha tree. It is strongly believed that wearing rudraksha beads provides the guardianship of Shiva and works as a shield against negative energies.

There are different types of rudraksha seeds, varying in the number of grooves (faces) on the surface. The most common and reportedly the safest type is the one with five faces, also called a panchmukhi rudraksha. These can be worn by everyone and it is believed that they can soothe the nerves, improve watchfulness and lower blood pressure.

Wearing a rudraksha bracelet has no connections with any religion unless you want it to be but it is very supportive in maintaining physical and mental balance.

For spiritual seekers, it supports to enhance one’s spiritual growth. Its curative properties have been utilised worldwide for a number of physical, mental and psychosomatic illnesses.

You can buy many types from plain unadulterated rudraksha to a gold necklace with one bead. You can buy small beads to really large ones. You can buy a whole bracelet with each one covered in gold. You can even buy solid gold, sculpted in the shape of rudraksha. Some are more jewellery than spiritual.

How can a rudraksha bracelet help me?

If you google this question, you will find 100’s of answers. Many of these will lean towards religion.

Many articles will state that the beads release positive vibrations.

There are many types of rudraksha from single-faced to 21 and they all have a different purpose. It’s stated that some sizes should not be worn by children, some should not be worn by adults and so on.

Some state that you need to use a certain type of string to bind them and that when not wearing them they should be only stored in boxes made of certain materials.

You will so many variations of conditioning (washing) them using different oils, ghee (clarified butter), milk, scents etc.

You will read that the amount of beads on a bracelet or mala (necklace) can vary, with some saying it is important and others saying it is not.

You will find variations on how to hold them. Some will state that men should hold in right hand and women in the left.

While using the rudraksha, you will read to keep your eyes closed, whereas others will say keep them open.

Some will believe that by just wearing the beads will give one clarity of thought, mind and body and lead you to a higher consciousness. How they can reduce blood pressure, keep you calm and improve overall health.

You will read that it can cleanse your aura and protect you against negative energies.

So what is fact and what is fiction?

None of them and all of them is the answer.

I’m going to tell you, not what I believe, but what I’ve experienced and I don’t even want you to believe me, BUT…

I do want you to try what I do and see what your experience is. Everything I share with you is exactly what I do, nothing more, nothing less. It has given me so much in all areas of my life and to the point where any moment I feel a little lost, confused, weak, tired etc, I only have to grasp my rudraksha bracelet and I feel instant relief.

I’ll keep this blog simple but can go more in depth if you would like to know more. I will explain it all to you and always explain the reason why.

My experiences with rudraksha, when I bought my first one, where I was when I bought my first one etc.

A spiritual journey

I’ve often questioned many things with religion but always felt that I am a spiritual person in that I feel connected to my own spirit and instead of seeking answers outwardly I found solace inside of myself.

Some spaces like temples, churches, gurdwaras etc put me in a place of calm. As do an open field, the sea, a mountain, the sun etc.

I had always seen my father pray using mala (string of beads). I’d seen rosary beads, sandalwood beads, jade beads and rudraksha beads (although at the time, they were all just beads to me). Holding them always felt calming. I remember my father treasuring them, and keeping them in a small bag. They were definitely out of bounds.

Meditation has played a big part of my life for a long time. Maybe it was inbuilt from the rhythmic prayer chanting that my parents used to do and that I remember ever since being a young child. Often I would wake up to sounds to the tinkle of small bell and hearing my parents chanting “Hare Krishna, Hare Rama” (Hindu prayer).

I would find this so comforting even though I did not understand the religious aspect of it.

Some years after my father had passed away, I found his sandalwood beads at home. I did some research and read that the number 108 was considered by many as very significant.

The magic of 108

Astronomer, mathematician, and physicist Galileo Galilei made an interesting statement. He said that the universe is written “in mathematical language”. He maintained that the mysteries of creation itself could be solved through numbers and mathematical equations. Mystics of all traditions around the world, found that numbers offered more than scientific insight—they offered a secret language for awakening, a key to our own intuition and higher aspects of our being. Many found the number 108 to be such a key.

The number 108 has always been a highly revered number for thousands of years, coveted by many spiritual traditions and ascribed special significance in meditation and prayer.  It is considered to be the most auspicious number of all.

108 seems to be a mysterious number that connects the ancient world to the modern world and also connects the physical realm to the metaphysical realm. The number 108 is sacred in mathematics, geometry, astrology, numerology and in many world religions and spiritual traditions.

There are many reasons for its significance and you research these with some factual and some mystical. Try and remember this when choosing your rudraksha bracelet as it can be the difference between one that has been thought through for purpose and one that has just been put together for sale.

Why rudraksha and not other material?

When I was visiting an Ashram in India I noticed that many people were meditating and using these beads.

Now, this is only my experience, but it’s true. At that time, I was going through a very difficult period in my life and as soon as picked up a rudraksha, I felt this incredible sense of calm. I hadn’t done anything but just held them. I cannot tell you what it was, but only what I felt. I’m sure you have felt something at some time of your life and unable to explain it. Just because you can’t explain it, doesn’t mean it’s not true. It’s all connected.

I bought it without even having to think about it.

There were 108 beads and 1 extra bead which I call a ‘counter’ bead. This bead tells me when I have finished the 108 cycle without having to open my eyes.

I started breathing cycles using these beads and found it gave me a target of breaths to do. Initially it was as simple as breathing in and out and that was one bead.

Although the mala were, in my opinion, quite expensive (approx £50 each), I bought a number of these for family and friends as good luck items. I told them about the meditation, which they didn’t all do, but at the least for them to hang in their cars or places where they could see and maybe handle briefly to gain good energy.

Unfortunately after a couple of years, the mala broke. I couldn’t even use other peoples mala, that I had given away, as I believe everything holds energy.

I saw many mala made from various materials but every time I held them, I personally would not get the same sensation. I even ordered some rudraksha online and they looked very plastic but I couldn’t say for sure they were, but they didn’t feel the same. I ordered some bracelets but the elasticated string snapped after a month or so.

A few years ago I returned to India and visited a small temple. I was so happy to see mala, bracelets and even single large rudraksha. The gentleman was so knowledgeable about them and explained many things to me. The main points being that to make a rudraksha stronger and before wearing that you need to condition them. That a bracelet should have a certain number of beads on them. How to tell if it’s the right material and not fake.

The items were a fraction of the cost as they were made by the temple and usually only bought by locals. I bought a few.

A day or so later, I saw a natural healing shop with lots of rudraksha in the window. I popped in and the ‘natural doctor’ read my palm, and told me all the things going wrong in my life etc and how items in his shop would solve it all. I mentioned rudraksha and he show me a variety, all of which were probably 20 times more expensive. I asked him to show me a bracelet. When I counted the beads and told him that the number of beads were incorrect, he was taken aback and told me it didn’t matter. I knew it did.

As soon as I got back to the UK, I conditioned the bracelet and have worn it every day, for nearly 2 years. It has bought me a lot of peace and wellbeing. Recently at a very busy, hot wedding, while the majority of people were getting bored or flustered, I took off my bracelet and discreetly started my breathing sequence. Among the mayhem, I was at peace. What I didn’t realise was that a few people saw me holding the beads and then later on asked me about it. I knew many people  seek a little calm in their lives.

I know that wearing the bracelet will help you and if you follow some very simple techniques, that you too can quieten your mind and bring some peace into your life. The result of this calm will help all the areas that I mentioned at the beginning.

Who can wear Rudraksha?

Anyone, irrespective of gender, cultural, ethnic, geographical or religious background can wear Rudraksha. They are intended for persons at any stage in life irrespective of mental and physical condition. It can be worn by children, students, the elderly and ill for many benefits.

Can I share my Rudraksha with someone else?

No, you should not share your Rudraksha with anyone else, since the Rudraksha adapts to the wearer and takes on their energy, good or bad.

How many beads should there be?

Traditionally, the number of beads is 108 plus the counter. The mala must have 108 beads as that equates to one perfect round. A bracelet must have 27 beads plus the counter. If you do 4 rounds of this, that totals 108. If you already have a bracelet, count how many beads. If it doesn’t have 27 then it's not fit for the purpose.

How to condition a new Rudraksha?

To condition new Rudraksha beads, immerse them in mustard oil for 24 hours. Wash it with water and wipe the beads with a clean cloth. Do not wash them with soap or any cleaning material. This will keep them shiny and strong. Due to this conditioning, the colour of the Rudraksha may be altered and it is perfectly normal as these are natural beads. It is also normal that some colour of the thread may also come out during the conditioning. Conditioning should be done every six months.

Look at this image of my bracelet which is almost 2 years old. It is darker and more shiny than the new, unconditioned one next to it.

When can I wear Rudraksha?

Rudraksha can be worn all the time. You can even wear it when you sleep or shower.

Are there any obvious ways to spot fake Rudraksha?

One way is to drop it in water. Rudraksha should sink as the density of it is heavier than water. If it floats, it’s not real. Look at all the beads, are they all identical? If so, it is fake as each bead is as individual as there are unique snowflakes.

How should I use my bracelet for best effect?

It’s not just the bracelet but what you do with it. It’s a constant reminder to remain calm and take a breath. To be in the present.

In the morning, after a short burst of exercise, I sit or lie down and hold the beads in any hand that is comfortable with any fingers, although for me, thats my right hand and thumb and middle finger.

I take a deep breath and then breath out and thats one bead. I continue to do this till Ive reached the counter bead. I then repeat this for 4 more rounds and know that I have completed 108 breaths. The longer I do it, the more I have got accustomed to being aware of my breath and being in the present. Initially it was a few breaths and my mind wonders, then it comes back. That’s fine, just complete the 108.

Sometimes I may be in a rush, and although 108 breaths takes less than 15 minutes, I’ll do one round and do the others later in the day. On one occasion, Ive done 4 separate rounds of 27. Still 108 done. It will soon become a habit and you will look forward to your time with the rudraksha.

You can use your breath or any mantra of your belief or liking. I’ve done 108 AUMS, I’ve done 108 Hare Krishna, Hare Rama, I’ve done many variations. Some take longer and more concentration. You do what suits you but you can always contact me for suggestions for your specific need.

What does all this do?

Simply, it’s a means of taking you away from the chaos called life. It's a way to help you be present, in the moment. By focusing on the breath or the mantra, your mind is not wondering.

Most people spend most of their lives worrying about the future and what might happen or living with the ghosts of the past. Time spent with future worries or past regrets stop you living. Stop you appreciating all the wonder of the present moment.

Once you practice with your rudraksha for a period of time, you will feel the rudraksha come alive and be your energy. You cannot give up after a few days or weeks or you will never feel it come alive. Even a mother has to wait patiently for 9 months before seeing her incredible creation. Everything in the new baby is made of the mother. From her nutrition, her mindset, her physicality. Your rudraksha will take on everything from you, just give it time.

Where do I get these?

I would love to tell you that I can supply these but at present but I can’t.

I have about 6 which a friend brought back from India from the same temple and I am trying to get somebody to ship me out more as I know these will help people to transcend to a calmer life.

Unfortunately, I cannot personally vouch for any others. I did suggest to a friend to buy from a place, which I thought looked suitable, but unfortunately, after only a few weeks the string broke. I won’t recommend or supply any rudraksha, unless I personally know they will be right.

If you would like one of the ones that I have, please email me and I can let you know details. I can supply them as they are or I can condition them for you.

You can also contact me, if you would like me to let you know if I do manage to get a supply.

Check out www.kirit.uk for everything else I do and believe in from fitness to mindset development.

Email me at kirit.thakore@gmail.com

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