A bracelet that is both an accessory and a meditation aid. Its 21 natural sandalwood beads, strung on an elastic cord, slip neatly onto the wrist and release the wood's warm, creamy scent with every movement.
About sandalwood
Sandalwood comes from the fragrant heartwood of the Santalum trees and is known for being silky-smooth with a warm, woody-creamy aroma. It is one of the classic materials of the Eastern incense and prayer tradition. Tradition has long regarded it as one of the purest of substances and as an aid to meditation and stillness; many hold that turning the beads while repeating mantras deepens a sense of calm and serene focus.
What is a mala?
A mala is originally a Hindu and Buddhist tool for prayer and meditation, used to count the repetition of mantras. A mantra is a sequence of words — often Sanskrit — traditionally repeated 108 times; as it is repeated, the attention rests on the meaning and vibration of the words, thoughts settle and the body relaxes. This 21-bead bracelet is the smaller sibling of the full mala: easy to wear and a gentle daily reminder of moments of pause. Today many people simply wear it as jewellery, too.
Wearing and good to know
The elastic cord slips over a range of wrist sizes (the bead loop is around 6 cm across). As a natural wood, each piece is unique, and the grain and tone may vary a little. The sandalwood scent may soften over time; kept in a dry place and protected from excess moisture, it holds its character for a long while.