Eleanor Wiley and Maggie Oman Shannon have really tuned in to a couple of perfect ways to get centered - making and using prayer beads!

Some topics covered in the book are the history and symbolism of prayer beads, and making individualistic creations for your own practice and others in different needs - such as healing and peace.

A String and a Prayer includes lots of details on amulets and materials to use, such as bone, clay, feathers, mirrors, nuts, seeds, glass, gold and silver, and semi-precious stones, amongst others. Also, the symbolism of particular numbers of beads is discussed.

I have found that the act of stringing beads and concentrating on a short mantra or prayer with each bead absorbs me in quiet reflection - meditation in action.

And the final chapter of prayers gathered from around the globe to use with your prayer beads is the perfect ending to the book.

Here is an uplifting prayer ascribed to Mohammed from the prayers included in the volume -

"O God, give me, I pray Thee,
light on my right hand
and light on my left hand
and light above me
and light beneath me.
Lord, increase light within me
and give me light
and illuminate me."

Do you like to keep your hands busy and productive? I do, and I found making strings of prayer bead to be a rewarding pastime.

Recommended!

Details - 160 page paperback; 7 by 6.3 inches; published by Red Wheel/Weiser (September 1, 2002) ISBN: 1590030109

To order from Amazon.com go to

A String and a Prayer - How to Make and Use Prayer Beads

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