When I was in Yoga teacher training, I thought it would be cool to pick up a Mala necklace. Yeah, I’m calling it a necklace. A string of beads in a circle, we wear around our neck. Necklace. Anyways, I figured why not; you know? I already have the bracelets, so why not the necklace. I had no idea what it was about.
Then, I learned that there were specifically 108 beads or stones on the string, just like the Catholic rosary. At first, I didn’t give it much thought. Whatever. Still, to this day, I haven’t worn it. I don’t feel right with it. I’m not sure I’m that guy. I put it on, look in the mirror and … nope, not today.
Then I’m thinking, if I’m ever going to wear this thing, I should know something about it. And if you already know this stuff; cool, but as I dug into it, I found it fascinating. Maybe you will too.
For instance, this number connects the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth. In fact, the average distance between the Sun and the Earth is the diameter of 108 Suns. And … the average distance between the Moon and the Earth is the diameter of 108 Moons. The diameter of the Earth, multiplied by 108 is the diameter of the Sun. But, 108 isn’t just related to our solar system: there are 27 constellations in our galaxy, and each one of them has 4 directions. 27 x 4 = 108. 108 covers the whole galaxy. Maybe the Universe.
And speaking of the Universe, it is one (Uni). It is a great void (represented by zero). And it is everything (infinity). So, one, zero, and the numerical symbol for infinity; eight.
One thing. Nothing. Everything. 108.
Vedic mathematicians viewed 108 as a number of wholeness of existence. Add the numbers together and we get nine, which is divisible by three threes and three represents wholeness, completeness, and perfection. Three is the number of time (past, present, and future).
The Sanskrit alphabet is over 4,000 years old and it had 54 letters. Each letter has a Shiva (masculine) and Shakti (feminine) energy. 54 x 2 = 108.
Stonehenge is over 5,000 years old and its diameter is 108 feet. In fact, the Mayan High Temple of Lamanai was 108 feet tall, which is the same exact height of the funerary Tikal temple in Guatemala. And … many Buddhist temples have 108 steps.
We knew the significance of 108 thousands of years ago, all over the world, throughout different cultures and belief systems. How? Maybe that’s an episode for “Ancient Aliens”, I don’t know.
Thinking of all of this is a bit scary, right? The sun, the moon, the earth, the universe. Stonehenge and temples! I’m starting to sweat, just thinking about it.
By the way, did you know the human body’s vital organs begin to fail from overheating when our core temperature reaches 108 degrees?
Photo by Chelsea Shapouri on Unsplash
