| Come, let us harvest the abundant thoughts of our ever-restless minds, and burn them as a sacrifice upon the altar of our yearning hearts. -Inspired by the words of 19th century Russian writer, Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov |
| How to Pray Using Different Types of Prayer Beads © LoriAnn V. Paul, www.heartstoheaven.com, 2006 Please give us the courtesy of contacting us before downloading and using any of the following information. Thank you. prayerbeads@heartstoheaven.com |
| How to Pray with Catholic Rosary Beads |
The Rosary: how to pray this most profound Christian prayer
© LoriAnn V. Paul, www.heartstoheaven.com, 2006
a. First, holding the crucifix at the bottom of your rosary between the index finger and thumb of
your right hand, make the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
b. Next comes the Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only
Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day He
arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the
Father Almighty; from whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy
Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.
c. Hold the first large bead at the bottom of your Rosary (just above the crucifix) in between the
index finger and thumb of your right hand and pray the Lord’s Prayer or Our Father as follows: Our
Father, Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
d. As your fingers move to the next smaller bead, pray the Hail Mary as follows:
Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.
When your fingers move-on to the next small bead, pray the Hail Mary once again, and for a third
time when your fingers move on to next small bead.
e. When you come to the next bigger “Our Father” bead, pray the Glory Be:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, it is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Then, say the name of the First Mystery you will be praying on that particular day of the week as
follows. (Sunday: The Glorious Mysteries (however, during Christmas season substitute The
Joyful Mysteries and during Lent substitute the Sorrowful Mysteries), Monday: The Joyful
Mysteries, Tuesday: The Sorrowful Mysteries, Wednesday: The Glorious Mysteries, Thursday: The
Luminous Mysteries, Friday: The Sorrowful Mysteries, Saturday: the Joyful Mysteries) (find each of
the mysteries listed below)
PLEASE NOTE: Meditate upon the particular mystery corresponding with each “Our Father” bead
(and continue meditating upon that mystery as you proceed through the ten “Hail Mary” beads
composing each decade in between the “Our Father” beads).
f. Next, still holding onto that same bigger bead, pray the Our Father as follows: Our Father, Who
art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
g. You will notice that there is a sequence of ten smaller beads, which follow next on your Rosary.
This is called a decade. Holding the first of the ten beads in between your thumb and index
finger, pray the Hail Mary as you continue meditating upon the mystery:
Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.
Pray another Hail Mary as your fingers move on to the second bead in this decade and so on until
you have progressed through all ten beads and reach the next larger “Our Father” bead.
h. When your fingers reach this bigger bead, pray the Glory Be first, then add the Oh My Jesus
prayer as follows:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, it is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Oh My Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the
fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy Mercy.
i. Then, announce the second mystery you will be praying on that particular day of the week.
j. Still holding onto that same bigger bead, pray the Our Father as follows: Our Father, Who art in
heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against us, and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
k. Repeat steps g-j as you proceed through the remaining mysteries.
l. When you have reached the tenth “Hail Mary” bead of the last decade of your rosary, and you
have finished praying the Hail Mary for the final time, then pray the Hail Holy Queen as follows:
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope, to thee do we cry poor
banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley
of tears; turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our
exile, show unto us the Blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin
Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Oh God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection has purchased
for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech thee, that, by meditating upon these
mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain
and obtain what they promise through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
(Then, finish praying the Rosary by making the sign of the cross) In the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
1. The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17)
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Jesus came to Galilee) (Mark 1:14-15, Mark 2:3;
13, Luke 7:47-48, John 20:21-23)
4. Jesus’ Transfiguration (on Mount Tabor) (Luke 9:35)
5. The Institution of the Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20, John 13:1)
The Joyful Mysteries (Saturdays and Mondays, EXCEPTION: also on Sundays during the
Christmas season)
1. The Annunciation (of Jesus’ impending arrival to Mary by the angel Gabriel) (Luke 1:26-38)
2. The Visitation (Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth) (Luke 1:39-56)
3. The Nativity (in Bethlehem) (Luke 2:1-20)
4. The Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22-39)
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:42-52)
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Fridays and Tuesdays, EXCEPTION: also on Sundays during Lent)
1. The Agony in the Garden (of Gethsemani) (Luke 22:39-44) (Matthew 26:36 & 39)
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Barabbas released) (Matthew 27:25-26)
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:28-31)
4. The Carrying of the Cross (to Golgotha, the place of the skull) (John 19:17-18, Luke 23:26-32,
Mt. 27:31)
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (Matthew 27:33-50, Luke 23:33-46)
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays, except during Lent and the Christmas
season)
1. The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-7, Matthew16:4-6)
2. The Ascension into Heaven (Luke 24:50-51, Matthew 16:19)
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2-4)
4. The Assumption of Mary (Judith 13:18, 15:9)
5. The Coronation of Mary (Revelations 12:1)
Praying with a wrist rosary is a lovely alternative to using a full length rosary, as one can also
wear it throughout her busy day as a constant reminder of her faith and the importance of prayer.
Information for this guide was drawn from the following sources:
“My Daily Rosary”, © 2003, by Barton-Cotton, Inc., Baltimore, MD
www.rosaryfamily.com, Rosary Family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ellicott City, MD
© LoriAnn V. Paul, www.heartstoheaven.com, 2006
a. First, holding the crucifix at the bottom of your rosary between the index finger and thumb of
your right hand, make the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
b. Next comes the Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only
Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day He
arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the
Father Almighty; from whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy
Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.
c. Hold the first large bead at the bottom of your Rosary (just above the crucifix) in between the
index finger and thumb of your right hand and pray the Lord’s Prayer or Our Father as follows: Our
Father, Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
d. As your fingers move to the next smaller bead, pray the Hail Mary as follows:
Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.
When your fingers move-on to the next small bead, pray the Hail Mary once again, and for a third
time when your fingers move on to next small bead.
e. When you come to the next bigger “Our Father” bead, pray the Glory Be:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, it is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Then, say the name of the First Mystery you will be praying on that particular day of the week as
follows. (Sunday: The Glorious Mysteries (however, during Christmas season substitute The
Joyful Mysteries and during Lent substitute the Sorrowful Mysteries), Monday: The Joyful
Mysteries, Tuesday: The Sorrowful Mysteries, Wednesday: The Glorious Mysteries, Thursday: The
Luminous Mysteries, Friday: The Sorrowful Mysteries, Saturday: the Joyful Mysteries) (find each of
the mysteries listed below)
PLEASE NOTE: Meditate upon the particular mystery corresponding with each “Our Father” bead
(and continue meditating upon that mystery as you proceed through the ten “Hail Mary” beads
composing each decade in between the “Our Father” beads).
f. Next, still holding onto that same bigger bead, pray the Our Father as follows: Our Father, Who
art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
g. You will notice that there is a sequence of ten smaller beads, which follow next on your Rosary.
This is called a decade. Holding the first of the ten beads in between your thumb and index
finger, pray the Hail Mary as you continue meditating upon the mystery:
Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.
Pray another Hail Mary as your fingers move on to the second bead in this decade and so on until
you have progressed through all ten beads and reach the next larger “Our Father” bead.
h. When your fingers reach this bigger bead, pray the Glory Be first, then add the Oh My Jesus
prayer as follows:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, it is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Oh My Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the
fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy Mercy.
i. Then, announce the second mystery you will be praying on that particular day of the week.
j. Still holding onto that same bigger bead, pray the Our Father as follows: Our Father, Who art in
heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against us, and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
k. Repeat steps g-j as you proceed through the remaining mysteries.
l. When you have reached the tenth “Hail Mary” bead of the last decade of your rosary, and you
have finished praying the Hail Mary for the final time, then pray the Hail Holy Queen as follows:
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope, to thee do we cry poor
banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley
of tears; turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our
exile, show unto us the Blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin
Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Oh God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection has purchased
for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech thee, that, by meditating upon these
mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain
and obtain what they promise through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
(Then, finish praying the Rosary by making the sign of the cross) In the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
1. The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17)
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Jesus came to Galilee) (Mark 1:14-15, Mark 2:3;
13, Luke 7:47-48, John 20:21-23)
4. Jesus’ Transfiguration (on Mount Tabor) (Luke 9:35)
5. The Institution of the Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20, John 13:1)
The Joyful Mysteries (Saturdays and Mondays, EXCEPTION: also on Sundays during the
Christmas season)
1. The Annunciation (of Jesus’ impending arrival to Mary by the angel Gabriel) (Luke 1:26-38)
2. The Visitation (Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth) (Luke 1:39-56)
3. The Nativity (in Bethlehem) (Luke 2:1-20)
4. The Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22-39)
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:42-52)
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Fridays and Tuesdays, EXCEPTION: also on Sundays during Lent)
1. The Agony in the Garden (of Gethsemani) (Luke 22:39-44) (Matthew 26:36 & 39)
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Barabbas released) (Matthew 27:25-26)
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:28-31)
4. The Carrying of the Cross (to Golgotha, the place of the skull) (John 19:17-18, Luke 23:26-32,
Mt. 27:31)
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (Matthew 27:33-50, Luke 23:33-46)
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays, except during Lent and the Christmas
season)
1. The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-7, Matthew16:4-6)
2. The Ascension into Heaven (Luke 24:50-51, Matthew 16:19)
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2-4)
4. The Assumption of Mary (Judith 13:18, 15:9)
5. The Coronation of Mary (Revelations 12:1)
Praying with a wrist rosary is a lovely alternative to using a full length rosary, as one can also
wear it throughout her busy day as a constant reminder of her faith and the importance of prayer.
Information for this guide was drawn from the following sources:
“My Daily Rosary”, © 2003, by Barton-Cotton, Inc., Baltimore, MD
www.rosaryfamily.com, Rosary Family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ellicott City, MD
| How to Pray With Muslim Prayer Beads: Thikr, Dhikr, Zikr, Tasbih, Tespihi, Subha, Misbaha |
© LoriAnn V. Paul, www.heartstoheaven.com, 2006
Tasbih is the term used for the Sufi Rosary or string of prayer beads itself, and is also the word
used to describe the practice of invoking the sacred names of God or Allah using one’s Rosary. If
prayer beads are not available for some reason, one can certainly use his or her fingers to count
the prayers.
In Sufi orders of Islam, “wazifa” is the term used to describe something akin to the “mantra”,
which is a powerful, sacred word commonly used in many spiritual traditions as a means to
center the mind upon the metaphysical rather than remaining fixated upon things of a secular
nature. Most wazifas find their origin in what is commonly referred to in formal Islam as “The 99
Most Beautiful Names of God”, listed below in English.
Thikr (in Arabic), Dhikr or Zikr (the term used in non-Arabic speaking countries or Persia) is the
Islamic practice of remembering the unity of all things, such as repeating wazifas and the tawhid.
There are special variations of Zikr, depending upon the unique practices of each particular
Islamic order. For example, some may be sung aloud, while others are practiced silently in the
mind of the spiritual practitioner, and there are many good examples of such a tawhid or
proclamation of unity.
If a strand of beads is to be used in prayer, they are held in the right hand. There are typically 99
beads strung together on each Islamic Rosary, one bead symbolizing each of “The 99 Most
Beautiful Names of God”, with a spacer bead separating the Rosary into segments of 33 beads
each (although, there are some prayer beads strung with 33 or 66 beads). At the very bottom,
where both ends are tied together, there is often a horn shaped bead symbolizing the greatest
name of God or Allah, representing the unfathomably mysterious attributes of God, ever-elusive
to the limited human psyche. The true 100th name of God is purportedly known only by the
camels. When praying with Muslim prayer beads, the name “Allah” is chanted when one’s fingers
arrive at the 100th bead.
Another way of praying with prayer beads is to repeat the following phrases 33 times each:
“Subhan Allah” (which translates into English as “Allah is Sublime”), “Al-Hamdulillah” (“All Praise
Goes to Allah”) and “Allahu Akbar” (which means “Allah is the Greatest”). After doing so, a Muslim
might say the following prayer or tawhid as described above, “Laa ilaha illa Allah. Wahdhu. La
Shirika lahu. Lahu al-mulk, wa lahu al-hamd, wa hua ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer” (this translates
into English as “There is no God but Allah. He is One. He has no partner. To Him is the dominion
and all praise, and He has power over all things”).
Allah - The Greatest Name, Pure Unfathomable Mystery
The 99 Most Beautiful Names of God
1. The All-Compassionate
2. The All-Merciful
3. The Absolute Ruler
4. The Pure One
5. The Source of Peace
6. The Inspirer of Faith
7. The Guardian
8. The Victorious
9. The Compeller
10. The Greatest
11. The Creator
12. The Maker of Order
13. The Shaper of Beauty
14. The Forgiving
15. The Subduer
16. The Giver of All
17. The Sustainer
18. The Opener
19. The Knower of All
20. The Constrictor
21. The Reliever
22. The Abaser
23. The Exalter
24. The Bestower of Honors
25. The Humiliator
26. The Hearer of All
27. The Seer of All
28. The Judge
29. The Just
30. The Subtle One
31. The All-Aware
32. The Forebearing
33. The Magnificent
34. The Forgiver and Hider of Faults
35. The Rewarder of Thankfulness
36. The Highest
37. The Greatest
38. The Preserver
39. The Nourisher
40. The Accounter
41. The Mighty
42. The Generous
43. The Watchful One
44. The Responder to Prayer
45. The All-Comprehending
46. The Perfectly Wise
47. The Loving One
48. The Majestic One
49. The Resurrector
50. The Witness
51. The Truth
52. The Trustee
53. The Possessor of All Strength
54. The Forceful One
55. The Governor
56. The Praised One
57. The Appraiser
58. The Originator
59. The Restorer
60. The Giver of Life
61. The Taker of Life
62. The Ever Living One
63. The Self-Existing One
64. The Finder
65. The Glorious
66. The Only One
67. The One
68. The Satisfier of All Needs
69. The All Powerful
70. The Creator of All Power
71. The Expediter
72. The Delayer
73. The First
74. The Last
75. The Manifest One
76. The Hidden One
77. The Protecting Friend
78. The Supreme One
79. The Doer of Good
80. The Guide to Repentance
81. The Avenger
82. The Forgiver
83. The Clement
84. The Owner of All
85. The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
86. The Equitable One
87. The Gatherer
88. The Rich One
89. The Enricher
90. The Preventer of Harm
91. The Creator of The Harmful
92. The Creator of Good
93. The Light
94. The Guide
95. The Originator
96. The Everlasting One
97. The Inheritor of All
98. The Righteous Teacher
99. The Patient One
Information for this guide was drawn from the following sources:
Talim-Ul-Islam, Darul Kitab, © by Zaki Enterprises, M.T. Holly, NJ
“Asma al-Husna, The Most Beautiful Names of Allah”, www.sufism.org/society/asma
Tasbih is the term used for the Sufi Rosary or string of prayer beads itself, and is also the word
used to describe the practice of invoking the sacred names of God or Allah using one’s Rosary. If
prayer beads are not available for some reason, one can certainly use his or her fingers to count
the prayers.
In Sufi orders of Islam, “wazifa” is the term used to describe something akin to the “mantra”,
which is a powerful, sacred word commonly used in many spiritual traditions as a means to
center the mind upon the metaphysical rather than remaining fixated upon things of a secular
nature. Most wazifas find their origin in what is commonly referred to in formal Islam as “The 99
Most Beautiful Names of God”, listed below in English.
Thikr (in Arabic), Dhikr or Zikr (the term used in non-Arabic speaking countries or Persia) is the
Islamic practice of remembering the unity of all things, such as repeating wazifas and the tawhid.
There are special variations of Zikr, depending upon the unique practices of each particular
Islamic order. For example, some may be sung aloud, while others are practiced silently in the
mind of the spiritual practitioner, and there are many good examples of such a tawhid or
proclamation of unity.
If a strand of beads is to be used in prayer, they are held in the right hand. There are typically 99
beads strung together on each Islamic Rosary, one bead symbolizing each of “The 99 Most
Beautiful Names of God”, with a spacer bead separating the Rosary into segments of 33 beads
each (although, there are some prayer beads strung with 33 or 66 beads). At the very bottom,
where both ends are tied together, there is often a horn shaped bead symbolizing the greatest
name of God or Allah, representing the unfathomably mysterious attributes of God, ever-elusive
to the limited human psyche. The true 100th name of God is purportedly known only by the
camels. When praying with Muslim prayer beads, the name “Allah” is chanted when one’s fingers
arrive at the 100th bead.
Another way of praying with prayer beads is to repeat the following phrases 33 times each:
“Subhan Allah” (which translates into English as “Allah is Sublime”), “Al-Hamdulillah” (“All Praise
Goes to Allah”) and “Allahu Akbar” (which means “Allah is the Greatest”). After doing so, a Muslim
might say the following prayer or tawhid as described above, “Laa ilaha illa Allah. Wahdhu. La
Shirika lahu. Lahu al-mulk, wa lahu al-hamd, wa hua ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer” (this translates
into English as “There is no God but Allah. He is One. He has no partner. To Him is the dominion
and all praise, and He has power over all things”).
Allah - The Greatest Name, Pure Unfathomable Mystery
The 99 Most Beautiful Names of God
1. The All-Compassionate
2. The All-Merciful
3. The Absolute Ruler
4. The Pure One
5. The Source of Peace
6. The Inspirer of Faith
7. The Guardian
8. The Victorious
9. The Compeller
10. The Greatest
11. The Creator
12. The Maker of Order
13. The Shaper of Beauty
14. The Forgiving
15. The Subduer
16. The Giver of All
17. The Sustainer
18. The Opener
19. The Knower of All
20. The Constrictor
21. The Reliever
22. The Abaser
23. The Exalter
24. The Bestower of Honors
25. The Humiliator
26. The Hearer of All
27. The Seer of All
28. The Judge
29. The Just
30. The Subtle One
31. The All-Aware
32. The Forebearing
33. The Magnificent
34. The Forgiver and Hider of Faults
35. The Rewarder of Thankfulness
36. The Highest
37. The Greatest
38. The Preserver
39. The Nourisher
40. The Accounter
41. The Mighty
42. The Generous
43. The Watchful One
44. The Responder to Prayer
45. The All-Comprehending
46. The Perfectly Wise
47. The Loving One
48. The Majestic One
49. The Resurrector
50. The Witness
51. The Truth
52. The Trustee
53. The Possessor of All Strength
54. The Forceful One
55. The Governor
56. The Praised One
57. The Appraiser
58. The Originator
59. The Restorer
60. The Giver of Life
61. The Taker of Life
62. The Ever Living One
63. The Self-Existing One
64. The Finder
65. The Glorious
66. The Only One
67. The One
68. The Satisfier of All Needs
69. The All Powerful
70. The Creator of All Power
71. The Expediter
72. The Delayer
73. The First
74. The Last
75. The Manifest One
76. The Hidden One
77. The Protecting Friend
78. The Supreme One
79. The Doer of Good
80. The Guide to Repentance
81. The Avenger
82. The Forgiver
83. The Clement
84. The Owner of All
85. The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
86. The Equitable One
87. The Gatherer
88. The Rich One
89. The Enricher
90. The Preventer of Harm
91. The Creator of The Harmful
92. The Creator of Good
93. The Light
94. The Guide
95. The Originator
96. The Everlasting One
97. The Inheritor of All
98. The Righteous Teacher
99. The Patient One
Information for this guide was drawn from the following sources:
Talim-Ul-Islam, Darul Kitab, © by Zaki Enterprises, M.T. Holly, NJ
“Asma al-Husna, The Most Beautiful Names of Allah”, www.sufism.org/society/asma
| How to Pray with Angel Prayer Beads |
| © LoriAnn V. Paul, www.heartstoheaven.com, 2006 What is an angel? Most people believe in angels, regardless of culture and religious tradition. So, what exactly is an angel? According to many spiritual traditions, an angel is believed to be pure Spirit, an immortal servant and powerful messenger of God, with intelligence far surpassing that of any human being. It is purported that angels have existed since the birth of the Universe and will continue to do so into infinity with the primary purpose of serving, worshiping and adoring God. It is also commonly believed that from birth, each human being is blessed with at least one guardian angel, who is assigned the tremendous task of protecting and guiding that individual from cradle to grave. According to tradition, angels are the “liaisons”, if you will, between God and man. Muslims believe that Allah or God created many angels of light, who are neither female nor male, and who do not have free will and thus never disobey His will or commit sins. They are called malaika, and each person has not only one, but two guardian angels, who watch over that individual, taking a running inventory of all deeds done in his or her lifetime. There are four Archangels mentioned in the Qur’ an, who are chosen by God and are the closest to Him. Israfil, the angel of music, who will be in charge of waking the dead on Judgment Day, was created by God first. Then, about 5,000 years later, Michael or Mika'il came into existence. Gabriel or Jibra'il came into being approximately 500 years after that, and he is responsible for imparting the Qur’ an to the Prophet Muhammad. Izra’il, who is the angel of death and possibly another manifestation of Raphael, was the last Archangel created by God. Jinn are celestial beings, some of whom decided not to follow Allah. All jinn are not evil, however, and Muslims refer to the devil as Iblis or Shaitan, who is without a doubt the most notorious of all jinn. According to Christian tradition, Lucifer or Satan is believed to be a fallen angel. Out of his immeasurable love for God, he refused to humble himself and serve man, even though he was commanded to do so by God Himself, thus being cast into the eternal flames of hell. Christians believe that angels will have the important task of harkening the second coming of Jesus Christ. According to Christian tradition, there are nine choirs of angels, which are divided into three groups. The first group is composed of cherubim, seraphim and thrones. The virtues, dominations, and powers constitute the second group, and lastly, come the Archangels, angels and principalities. Following are the names of the Archangels, who are the closest to God: Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raguel, Michael, Sariel and Remiel. There are also angels in Judaism, and they are called malachim. The names of the great angels in Judaism are Gabriel and Michael, as in Christianity and Islam, as well as Uriel and Raphael, as in Christianity. In Judaism, angels are considered to be the messengers of God, and yet it is He alone, who remains in charge of what happens here in this world. The angels simply and obediently carry out what they are commanded to do by God. Deva is the term used by Buddhists to describe a particular type of supernatural, angelic being. Sometimes, the name dharma protector or dharmapala may be used to describe such a being. A deva may be a manifestation of a bodhisattva, which is a being who has dedicated herself/himself to being reborn into the world countless times for the purpose of assisting all sentient beings in attaining perfect enlightenment. Chenrezig (Tibetan) and Kuan Yin (Chinese) are good examples of such bodhisattvas. However, it is interesting to note that the particular devas vary depending upon each Buddhist tradition. The term deva also exists in Hinduism, however it has a somewhat different connotation. A deva is a mini god, who plays the role of guardian of human beings in this world. Asuras are fallen devas or evil spirits, who have free will, as do human beings. Thus, they have the opportunity to improve their chances of being reborn into the higher astral plane as devas by doing good deeds. There are also other types of spiritual beings in Hinduism such as angiris, lipika, and apsaras. Regardless of culture and religious tradition, most human beings seem to have faith in the existence of angels. There are many people around the world, who have reported seeing the number sequence 1111, which adds up to 4, repeatedly on their digital alarm clocks and microwave ovens, on their cell phones, at the gas pump, on license plates and mailboxes, etc. Anywhere and everywhere these individuals look, this number sequence seems to appear! Furthermore, it seems that the more one notices this sign, the more it seems to reappear. This sign is now commonly recognized as the number of the angels, indicating that angels, otherwise known as “Midwayers”, are present around us helping us to manifest our intentions and dreams. The appearance of 1111 is an indication that the angels would like for us to seek their assistance in manifesting the primary purpose for our existence in this life, particularly if it involves offering service to the world for the greater good. If an individual is given this sign, it is an indication that she/he is on the right path, and whenever this number sequence shows up, it would be an appropriate time to give thanks to the angels for their attempt at communication and validation. Recognizing and appreciating this sign is a simple way to experience the mysterious and transcendant in ordinary, everyday life. I have created unique “Angel Prayer Beads” to give thanks to the angels, consisting of 11 x 11 = 121 beads, separated into 11 segments of 11 beads each. People can use these prayer beads to center themselves and develop a deeper connection with their angels and spirit guides. My greatest hope is that people will use this unique tool for prayer and meditation in order to gain greater clarity and understanding of their mission in this life. Information for this guide was drawn from the following sources: Talim-Ul-Islam, Darul Kitab, © by Zaki Enterprises, M.T. Holly, NJ “The Catechism on Angels Good and Bad”, with excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, © 1994 www.1111angels.com www.beliefnet.com/story/104/story_10424_1.html www.beliefnet.com/story/104/story_10424_2.html www.beliefnet.com/story/104/story_10424_3.html www.irfi.org/articles/articles_1_50/muslim_belief_in_angels.htm |
| How to Pray with Buddhist and Hindu Mala Beads |
| © LoriAnn V. Paul, www.heartstoheaven.com, 2006 A mantra is a sound, syllable or sequence of syllables that convey a meaning to the mind, while also carrying an energetic vibration to both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems of the person chanting the mantra, as well as that of anyone present hearing it being chanted. Mantras were discovered, rather than created, by yogis and Vedic seers, called Rishis, over 6,000 years ago while in deep transcendental states of consciousness during meditation called samadhi. Some examples of mantras are Om (Aum), Shanti, peace, God, love, and so on... A mantra is actually a form of consciousness itself, and the primary purpose of chanting a mantra repeatedly with a rhythmic pattern, with or without the use of prayer beads, silently or out loud, is to concentrate intention and thought while entering into altered states of consciousness. It is interesting to note that the beat cycle, or rhythmic pattern within the melody of the chanting of a mantra, can directly alter the breathing as well as the heartbeat of both the person chanting and others who may be listening to the chanting. For example, fast paced chanting can speed-up one’ s heartbeat, mental functioning and breathing; likewise, slow chanting may induce very deep states of relaxation. A spiritual seeker may receive a mantra from his teacher or Guru if he has one, or a person may come out of a deep state of meditation or wake-up in the morning from a dream state with a mantra “in her head”. A mantra may be in Sanskrit or English or any other language for that matter. Here in the West, some spiritual seekers select their own mantras from books, which they may have read, or while surfing the internet. Without a doubt, we have inherited an invaluable wealth of sacred Sanskrit mantras from the journeying of the earliest spiritual seekers in ancient India. Japa is the practice of repeating a mantra either with or without the use of prayer beads, which are in essence a tool for counting mantras, prayers, incantations or devotions. It is a spiritual practice employed by all world religions as a means of learning to control the mind. Silent japa is purportedly more powerful than repeating a mantra out loud, and Japa both stimulates and balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain, thus invoking a deeper sense of inner peace and higher states of consciousness. The first use of beads for the purpose of prayer can be traced back to Hinduism in India, specifically to the cult of Siva in the eighth century BC. There are sandstone sculptures depicting Hindu holy men holding beads for prayer, which date from 185BC. In essence, Hinduism is divided into two segments: the Vishnus and the Sivas. The Vishnus use wooden mala beads from the holy basil or tulsi tree, and each strand incorporates 108 beads. The Sivas pray with mala beads, constructed with anywhere from 32 to 108 seeds of the rudraksha tree found only in Java. There are many different sects of the Hindu religion, and some of the spiritual practices vary greatly from region to region. While praying, a Hindu holds his/her mala beads in the right hand, and there is a certain etiquette for praying with a mala as prescribed by tradition. Specifically, the beads are not to be touched by either the pinky or index fingers, which are held up and out of the way while praying. The thumb is used to manipulate the beads, sliding them across the fingertips of the ring and middle fingers with each repetition of the mantra. Where both ends of the strand of mala beads are fastened together, there is an extra, larger 109th bead, which is called a Guru bead or sumeru, the purpose of which is to honor the teacher of the spiritual seeker. At the very bottom of the mala, there is an end cap or smaller bead, from which will usually hang a tassel. Out of respect for the teacher, the Guru bead must never be crossed or passed-over while praying with the mala. Thus, the person must start praying with the first bead next to the Guru bead, and finish with the last bead before the Guru bead. If that person intends to do the mala more than once, when she reaches the Guru bead, she must turn the mala around, so that the last bead that she has just finished praying with now becomes the first bead for the next cycle of prayers. There are smaller malas or wrist malas that are strung with varying numbers of beads, which should be divisible into 108; 27 is a very common number for smaller malas. However, I have seen wrist malas strung with 21 beads, which may fit a person’s wrist more comfortably although 108 is not perfectly divisible by 21. For thousands of years, mala beads have been created from a wide variety of materials, running the gamut from precious and semi-precious gemstones to pearls, shells and silver, with each material affecting one’s body chemistry in a different way as all natural materials have different compositions and properties. Buddhist mala beads are also strung with 108 beads, which are symbolic of the impurities that must be worked through and ultimately eradicated by a spiritual seeker on his/her way towards the ultimate goal of enlightenment. In many cases, mala beads, which may be worn and used by lay people, are strung with 30 or 40 beads. As in the case of Hindu mala beads, there is an extra Guru bead and end cap at the bottom of a strand of Buddhist prayer beads, where a tassel is attached (the length of which will vary depending upon the specific Buddhist tradition of the aspirant). However, most Buddhists pray while holding the mala in the left hand, and each bead will pass between the thumb and index finger with each repetition of a mantra. In Tibetan Buddhism, wrist malas are particularly useful while doing prostrations as the full-length mala beads tend to get in the way and the beads may crack or break if they inadvertently hit the floor, which they inevitably do. The most common materials, which have been used to create Buddhist mala beads throughout the ages, are wood and seeds from the Bodhi tree, which is sacred to Buddhists as Shakyamuni Buddha, known at the time of his enlightenment about 2,500 years ago as Gautama, attained enlightenment while sitting beneath the Bodhi tree. With the spread of Buddhism from India throughout different regions such as Japan, Tibet, China and Korea, people started using other types of natural materials to create mala beads such as bone and semi- precious stones like turquoise, blue lapis, amber, etc. Many Tibetan Buddhist practices involve the repetition of between 100,000 and 111,000 mantras, which must be meticulously counted with the assistance of three different tools, in order to avoid having to keep track of them with a pen and paper. Almost every Tibetan Buddhist has mala counters attached to his strand of mala beads in order to assist him in keeping track of the number of times he has prayed around his mala. Mala counters come in pairs, and many people attach them at the 27th bead on either side of the Guru bead. They are composed of thick threads, which have 10 metal (sometimes silver) rings or beads that help a practitioner to keep track of prayers; a dorje (or vajra in Sanskrit) dangles from the end of one counter, while a bell dangles from the end of the other. The dorje symbolizes the male principle in the Universe as well as methods or actions, which will lead a person towards enlightenment. The bell is symbolic of the female aspect of the Universe as well as wisdom. The two aspects come together to create a mystical union, driving one towards enlightenment. In tantric rituals, the vajra (or dorje) is held in the right hand, while the bell is held in the left. While one mala counter is used to tally hundreds of rounds of prayer, the other one is for counting thousands, and there is a third tool called a bum, which is a little metal device, shaped like a clip, which slips easily between the beads on the mala. It is used to keep track of each 10,000 times around a mala. There are countless ways to pray with mala beads (also commonly known as power beads), and it is important to have some understanding of the spiritual traditions out of which these powerful practices have evolved. Here in the West, people are free to adapt these practices to fit into their lifestyles in any way they feel would be most useful to them. Information for this guide was drawn from the following sources: “History of Prayer Beads”, © IBRAG, www.beadshows.com/ibs/articles/prayer.html “Prayer Beads: A Cultural Experience”, anthromuseum.missouri. edu/minigalleries/prayerbeads/intro.shtml Tools for Tantra, Harish Johari, © 1986, by Destiny Books, Rochester, VT www.khandro.net/prayer_toc.htm www.wikipedia.org |
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| Copyright © 2010 by LoriAnn V. Paul. All Rights Reserved. |