New World Library recently contacted me to see if I would review the book Mala of the Heart for TheVeganAsana. Always happy to read something new, I agreed.
Utilizing the idea of 108 beads on a mala (which itself comes from the significance of that number in a variety of domains), this book contains 108 poems or excerpts from poems that speak to issues of awakening, enlightenment, and peace. The poems are organized to correlate with the seven chakras of the body.
Most poetry featured in this text is from the period prior to the 20th century. Rumi’s poetry is featured most prominently; work by Lalla and Hafiz shows up quite a bit, and a variety of other poets also appear.
If you have many books of similar poetry, this work might not do much for you. But, if you don’t, it’s a good starting point, and it would be a lovely small text to carry to teach yoga classes, read before a meditation sit, or tuck into your travel bag for a trip.
Have you read any books that you have carried into your meditation practice lately? Do share!
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