It may sound obvious, but it doesn't go without saying - make a clean space in which to work.. Put a jewlery pad or some soft work area on a well lighted table and seat yourself in a comfortable chair, at just the right height. Place the elements for the mala on the work surface so that you can work with them comfortably.

Before beginning to build the mala consider each element of the mala as it lies on the pad. Take a moment to appreciate each group and their arrangement on the pad.

You may want to lay out the pattern of the mala before you begin to string. Then as you string the beads onto the fish line, cat's tail or silk thread, pay attention to each individual bead appreciating the subtle differences in each. Pay attention to the pattern of the mala and the pulsing rhythm made by the alternate large and small beads.

Take your time. There's no hurry. As the mala is strung a mantra or prayer may be used to focus the attention. Watching the hands as the mala is built is also an excellent way of focusing the attention.

When all the beads have been strung and it's time for the tassle, just run the string through the upper loop of the tassle. Carefully cut away the "hanging loop" of the tassle.

Double back up through the metal bead next to the tassle and through the next three beads. Here is where a knot will be tied.

Place the mala so that the string at the beginning of the mala lies under the string where the double stringing ends. Tie three knots here, alternating sides by turning the mala over. The knot will rest at the top of the bead at the end of the double stringing. If silk thread has been used, cut the thread close to the knot and place a small amount of "crazy glue" on the knot.

Be careful that it is only a small amount of glue so that it does not glue the surrounding beads to the thread. If fish line or cat's tail has been used, gluing isn't necessary. Also glue the wrapping around the tassle.

Gluing the wrapping keeps it from slipping off during use. Let the glue dry for a few minutes. The mala is complete and ready for charging. This can be done immediately or the mala can be stored in its soft bag or pouch or a special mala box until time for charging.

To charge the mala hold the mala in your cupped hand until it and your hand begin to become one or there is a sense of aliveness about the mala. This is an important step in the making of the mala as it will be the place to which you will return when you use the mala, or if the mala is made for someone else it is the place they can experience when they use the mala.

When the mala has been charged it can be used as a healing instrument by pointing the tassle toward the area in need of healing and allowing the energy to flow from the mala into that area. It can also be used to rebalance the aura by sweeping the tassle over the energy field in need of rebalancing.

To use the mala as a meditation device, arrange the mala on the work surface so that it lies with the tassle pointing toward you. Contemplate the mala. Pay attention to each bead, the rhythm and pulse of the pattern; the feel of the wholeness made from the parts. Sit with the mala as long as you like.

After a while of sitting with the mala take the it in your hand. Again, pay attention to each bead, the rhythm and pulse of the pattern; the feel of the wholeness made from the parts - but this time from the sense of touch rather than of sight.

Let each bead slide over your fingers observing it as it passes. Each bead a universe - a world to itself and yet connected to the whole. Round and round it goes, always the same. Representing the blinking on and off of the universe.

A shorter, more mobile meditation can also be done anytime during the day.

Carry the mala with you in its protective pouch. At various times throughout the day take the mala in your hand and move the beads through your fingers one by one, repeating a mantra or prayer or simply placing your attention on the universe of each bead as you pull it into existence and then let it pass as another universe takes its place.

Round and round. Always the same.