A couple of years ago my brother-in-law was serving in the Army, helping a farm community southwest of Baghdad to reorganize their local government. In spending 2 years with the leaders of this community, not only did he become acquainted with their societal customs, but he also developed a deeper understanding of Islam. Around the holiday season, he shipped me an incredible set of 'misbaha' or 'tisbah' through the mail. These are prayer beads which have a similar use to Buddhist malas/juzu beads; rather than reciting mantras or the three refuges, muslims usually recite the name of 'Allah' 99 times (representing his 99 names). He said these beads, worn by the political and religious leaders of the area, left their hand only when eating. For them it was a constant meditation practice, an external form of hesychasm, so to speak.

Last week, I found these beads my brother-in-law shipped to me, and experimented with incorporating them into my sitting practice. The act of focusing on a particular object, noticing how each bead felt and how my fingers moved through them, helped maintain a mental composure I have yet to feel since starting this meditation challenge.

Has anyone tried using a meditation tool such as this to stay present? Maintaining a visual image in one's mind? Chanting a mantra? Baoding balls, even? I find that the cut-and-dry approach to sitting ironically is much too distracting for me right now; maybe I have to work up to this point. I am trying a strategy more appropriate to my visual and tactile learning style. So for now, Im sticking with my beads!

Image ©timtak