Meditation beads are important for those who participate in mantra meditations. These beads, named Mala beads, are counted with each repetition of a mantra, or with each completion of a breathing exercise. The beads are of religious significance to the Hindu, as they’re believed to be the first people to employ the Mala, where the beads are commonly referred to as the Japa Mala. Japa, or the repetition of a mantra or name of a diety, is a fundamental part of the Hindu meditation practices. Mala have 108 beads normally built from Rudraksha seeds. The Rudraksha seed holds religious significance, as the typical bead has five faces, which is symbolic to the number of faces of Shiva.