Customer Reviews

Bead One, Pray Too: A Guide to Making and Using Prayer Beads

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read a lot of books on different forms of religion, as well as meditation and prayer. And I have had an interest in malas and other types of prayer beads. So when I saw that my boss had ordered this book for our library, I was psyched. I couldn't wait to dip into it.

And wow, am I glad I did. Not only is the format friendly and well-planned, with plenty of beautiful color photos and quotes, but it is also quietly non-judgmental and refreshingly open to a variety of influences. I really enjoyed that the author didn't just spend a lot of time telling about how she liked to bead without covering other important "stuff." It's nice to have a researched history, for example, that covers different faith traditions. And a section on prayers that are particularly tailored to the Anglican rosary, which is her main focus throughout, although she touches on others as well. I was especially glad to see a nice list of websites that carried other pertinent information and lovely, lovely beads to shop. In short, I was glad she covered all the bases.

I don't own this book yet, but I have a feeling it won't be long before I do... it's just too good to pass up. And I definitely look forward to recommending it to my patrons at my library.

In her most ambitious, personal, and gorgeous book yet, Kimberly Winston presents an engaging survey of the world's traditions with prayer beads, and invites us to try these tools ourselves as a way of deepening our own relationships with God.
I love Winston's writing. She has a warm, conversational way of imparting information. She educates without preaching. She offers options; she makes suggestions. There is a powerful undercurrent of kindness and affection throughout this book, as if we are all her good friends and she wants us to be happy. "Try this," she seems to be saying, "and let me know what happens."
I think I'll be referring to this book often. There's the accumulated information about various prayer traditions. There are the many prayers to help you get started. There is a practical section on making prayer beads that includes a thoughtful exploration of giving prayer beads. Perhaps best of all, there are sidebar quotes and verses on prayer that are surprising and inspiring.
A copy of this book would make a lovely gift for anyone who likes beading, is exploring spirituality, or loves prayer.

This is a beautiful book! Every page resonates prayer and calm. I have enjoyed touching the pictures, reviewing the quotes, and considering the bead making options and history. Each word and picture is a gift! Ms. Winston's book is not about art or prescribed structure. It is about opening yourself up to a mystery bigger than yourself and feeling the presence of the divine. What a rich evocative book!

This is NOT a PRETTY beading book with lots of pictures and inspiriations for design. What it definitely IS, is a book with ALL the meaning and explanation behind prayer beads and their use in and out of various religions.

It is the ULTIMATE guide for creating specific prayer beads for particular uses and gives not only the DIRECTIONS for how many beads are used, etc., but WHY they are designed that way through history. I had wanted to know more about creating prayer beads of different types (other than a typical rosary) and this book gives MANY options and explanations to help you choose what you would like to create...and to be able to explain the MEANING behind your creations to others. PRAYERS are included, too.

I only wish it had MORE pictures rather than just illustrations. I would have LOVED to have seen various CREATIONS based on the book...maybe in BEAD ONE, PRAY TOO #2!

The book should have been named "Bead One, Pray Too: A Guide to Making and Using CHRISTIAN Prayer Beads." I agree with other reviewers in that the book is well-designed with a number of beautiful photographs, but I was unexpectedly thrown off by the blatant leaning toward Christianity (Orthodox and Catholic, in particular). Now, don't get me wrong -- I don't have a problem with this in principle. However, I was expecting a much more unbiased approach to the use and making of prayer beads throughout different cultures throughout the world: Hindu, Buddhist, Islam and others in addition to Christian. While there are about 10 pages of text (and a single picture in the whole book) devoted to the use of prayer beads throughout history and in different cultures, that's pretty much the sum and total of what you'll get about them. No information about the making of malas and/or their use in cultures such as India and Asia, for instance.

Other examples of non-partiality include the discussion of the word "bead" itself -- which completely ignores the root "buddh" from distinctly non-Christian culture in addition to the Christian root for "prayer" (hundreds of years later, I might add); or the assertion on page 5 that "In Buddhism, the number 108 represents the number of sins people can commit ..." I mean really, if you said this to a Buddhist practitioner, they'd look at you with a confused, blank stare -- the concept of "sin" is a decidedly Christian concept (as the term is used in the book).

Look elsewhere for non-partiality, e.g., "Bead of Faith" by Gray Henry, "A String and a Prayer" by Eleanor Wiley or "Dharma Beads: Making and Using Your Own Buddhist Malas" by Joanna Arettam. The latter two of these books include detailed information about the actual construction of prayer beads with instructions for how to make them yourself; the first is a great guide to their use throughout history in different cultures, and includes a companion DVD which nicely compliments the book.

This book is just what I had hoped it would be.
History of prayer beads, suggestions on making and using --
And many stories related to prayer beads. Read it for yourself -- it is beautiful.
If you are looking for instructions on making them, there is very little instruction -- but really, none are needed - the basics are there and that is all that is necessary -- the beads are to be aids to prayer and meditation -- and not meant to win a beading contest. I think it is a beautifully written book.

Before I read this book, beads had meaning to me. I make my living from beads, they are all encompassing in my house and daily life. But I had rarely attributed any personal or spiritual meaning to beads and more importantly to my jewelry. When I create jewelry it's often for the visual impact alone. One thing I took away from this book is looking at beads as symbols to remind me of important lessons I've learned along the way or ones I need daily reminding of! Books like this are rare. Bringing meaning to your creativity is a powerful and fulfilling way to approach the bead table.

"Feel free to experiment with the beading techniques described here to create your own unique set of prayer beads on which you pray any prayers in any way you like. Select beads that say something about your own spiritual quest. The choice is yours and the possibilities, like faith, are endless." -Kimberley Wilson

Whether you are of a particular religious belief or not, I think that quote sums up the tone of this book. It's informational, historical, helpful, but never preachy. Something you may be concerned about since rosaries are the main focus of Bead One, Pray Too.

Covered topics include the history of praying with beads, traditional rosaries and how to pray with beads. That includes traditional prayers, praying with songs or poems or doing your own thing, as the quote suggested. I loved the chapter on choosing beads and adding meaning to your jewelry through the thought process of what beads can symbolize. The book covers traditional and non-traditional rosary construction. There is a wonderful chapter on giving rosaries and the book ends with resources for beading and praying to help you further your journey.

I have fallen in love with the Anglican rosary, and this book is a treasure. Not only does it have the "how to" on making one if you wish, but the rich pictures, heavy paper stock, history of prayer beads, and prayers, but the book inspires one to want to pray. I really resonated with her tale of anger at God after her friend died, and then coming back to prayer, as I spent years angry at God after a harsh parochial school experience.... God reaches out to us as much as we reach out to Him in my opinion and these beads help us listen as well as talk to God.

I know during some So. California earth tremors, when I was feeling shaken (no pun intended) I reached for the beads in my purse to calm myself.

Kimberly has created a wonderful book--and please check out her blog as well!

Author, Kimberly Winston, has created a thing of beauty in Bead One, Pray Too. This book, thoughtfully created, invites us to take up the practice of using and making prayer beads.

As a former teacher of World Religions, I enjoyed how the book began, with a history of the use of prayer beads found in the world's major religious traditions. Though it is apparent that the author leans toward various Christian uses of prayer beads and rosaries, her approach is warm, invitational and deeply interspiritual, inviting people of all faiths to consider the practice. I truly appreciated this openhearted approach. My own leanings are Buddhist, yet I felt that Ms. Winston's approach could be applied to my prayer practices, just as if I were a devout Christian, Muslim, Hindu or Jew. The truths and rituals of which she speaks are universal.

The author proceeds to explore various prayer forms, then ways to use and make custom prayer beads. She provides a wealth of resources from which we can learn and begin. The photos in the book draw one in. As do the inspirational quotes from wise others. They bring us to a contemplative mindset where we (the reader) can discern what touches our own heart. Ms. Winston continually reminds us that there is no right way to use beads, or to pray, or to worship; that we each must find our unique way and choose that which speaks to our hearts and fingertips.

I commend the author and publisher (Morehouse Publishing) for creating a book that explores our spiritual similarities and connectedness, rather than our differences. It is refreshing to find a book such as this, especially in a world that often leans toward religious fanatacism and exclusivity.

I will refer to this book often and gift it to others. I am happy to say that I am now on the path of making prayer beads myself. Thank you, Ms. Winston, for providing powerful inspiration (and easy-to-understand instructions) for me to do so. My life is better for having come across your book. May your own prayer life continue to be blessed!

Janice Lynne Lundy
Interfaith Spiritual Director & Author of Your Truest Self: Embracing the Woman You Are Meant to Be
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I was very pleased with the history on each of the different types of Prayer Beads. The instructions are very clear. Good Book for anyone looking to make a rosary.