Spiritual exercises are constructive to this aspiration regardless of religious orientation. Borrowing from the rich history of the Buddhist tradition, Karma Calendar gleams parcels of inspiration from the Noble Eightfold Path, and suggests daily exercises as a natural tributary towards relief from suffering, and awakening. A 27-day guide in our journey to Nirvana- the Ultimate Expression of Peace! By completing these seemingly small tasks everyday, the practitioner can develop a better understanding of the roadblocks on our journey toward happiness, and of the profound changes that can benefit our lives and the world around us. Enjoy!! 
 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: 

Find the large central door over Buddha, open it, and take your first step! Inside is the lanyard onto which you will thread your daily treasures, with a guru bead used as closure button and a hanging Om pendant already attached {top picture}. A traditional wrist mala is 27 beads, so Karma Calendar extends over 27 days, equaling 27 tasks and their corresponding 27 treasures (beads). Consider that we must begin at the beginning, and start here.

DAY 1:

Find Day 1 and open the door. Inside is a task good for your Karma, and your first treasure, a bead. Each task is in one direction of the Noble Eightfold Path: Right View; Right Intentions; Right Speech; Right Action; Right Livelihood; Right Effort; Right Concentration; Right Mindfulness. When you have completed the task, accept the treasure. Slide the bead onto the open end of your lanyard. 

DAY 2-26: 

Every day, find the corresponding number on the calendar front and open the door. During the day strive to complete the indicated task with a pure heart and provident intention. After completing the task, place another bead on your lanyard. As the days and tasks go by, be sure not to let your beads come off the open end. There are 3 marking beads (placed at Day 9, Day 18, and Day 27) made from either turquoise or citrine, whose purpose is to assist the wearer in counting repetitions. Treat these day’s tasks and beads as all the others- If you put in Right Effort every day you will surely see Right (beautiful and amazing) Results {second picture}.

DAY 27: 

Celebrate closure today! After you complete your last task, contemplate what you have learned over the course of this journey, and also how letting go and moving on provides room for new experiences, and accept your final bead. As you prepare to tie a simple overhand knot to secure the 27 beads in place, keep in mind that some people like to leave up to one full bead-width of free space on their lanyard, so that the beads may slide back and forth while using the mala for counting. This is completely up to you, and another consideration should be the total length of the mala, which you can now determine by measuring up against your own wrist. With these considerations in mind, tie a fixed loop knot (e.g. a Bowline, Rosendahl or Zeppelin) making sure the “button” (the guru bead made of carnelian or amethyst) fits through the loop so you can use it to secure your mala {third picture}. Cut the tail end of the hemp and dab a little permanent glue over the knot to secure.

Enjoy wearing your new symbol of peaceful action and manifest love, as a daily reminder of the Karmic circles of life!

Om shanti, 

Namaste