Meditation Beads

Background

The first prayer bead originated with the Hindu faith in the eighth century BCE. Next came the Buddhist beads around 500 BCE. Muslim explorers and traders most likely brought the Buddhist prayer bead tradition to Islam at a much later date. It is likely that the Greek worry beads (kompoloi) were inspired from the Islamic prayer stands.

St Dominic in the twelfth century CE is said to be the official inventor of the rosary. The word rosary is derived from the Latin word, "rosarium" or rose garden. The rose garden in medieval times was a place for prayers. Prior to this time, rosaries had been used for talismanic purposes; for example, coral was thought to purify blood and prevent illness in children. Those who could not read were assigned prayers to memorize and repeat on rosaries. It is also said that Catholic monks started using prayer beads as far back as the third century when they dropped pebbles into sacks to count the recitation of their daily prayers.

MEDITATE

• To reflect upon, ponder contemplate.
• To plan or intend in the mind.
• To focus one's thoughts on.
• To engage in contemplation.

Symbolism of Pomegranate Meditation and Worry Beads

Pomegranates have a leather hard, red outer skin and on the inside, contain hundreds of ruby red seeds (called arils). The color red has long been a symbol of fertility, abundance, and life force, as is the pomegranate itself. Pomegranates are mentioned in the bible, written about in mythology and religion, and appear as artifacts as far back as the Temple of Solomon.

In the Hebrew tradition, the number 613 refers to the number of seeds said to be in a pomegranate, one seed for each mitzvot (good deed), or commandment, in the Torah. The number 613 is also significant as it is the numeric value of the word Torah (Tav = 400, Vav = 6, Resh = 200, Heh = 5), plus 2 for the two mitzvot whose existence precedes the Torah: "I am the L-rd, your G-d and You shall have no other gods before Me."

The color red and the number 613 is repeated in both the Pomegranate Meditation and the Pomegranate Worry/Meditation beads. You are invited to create your own reflective prayers or meditations that feel right to you as you respond to touching these beautiful ruby red glass beads!

I have provided the color, the numbers, and the beads; you will supply the meaning, the power, and the experience!

Find the Beads HERE

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