As we all know the mind can be a busy and chaotic place. If you’ve ever wondered if there is a skill you can harness to help manage your mind then meditation could be for you. The practice of meditation aims to allow you to train your awareness to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgement. Making a habit out of meditation has a ton of benefits, such as helping you to manage stress, allowing you to be in the present moment and increasing self-awareness, to name but a few! Although the benefits can sound highly tempting we know that with so much information surrounding meditation it can become complicated to choose a practice that will suit you and your lifestyle. So we have created this easy to digest guide to help inspire you to start your own meditation practice today.
Do nothing meditation
Although the name of this style of meditation can sound simplistic, it can actually have a really powerful impact. This form of meditation can be particularly beneficial for people who live really busy lives and always feel like they are on the go. Carving out some time every day to quite literally, do nothing, can have great benefits on your health and wellbeing. To give this meditation style a try, simply find a seated position, whichever feels most comfortable for you. Then allow your awareness to ‘switch off’ as much as possible. Stop paying attention to your thoughts, your surroundings, your feelings. For this brief period just simply aim to ‘be’. Even though this style of meditation may sound fairly basic, it is actually quite tricky to do as our minds are constantly firing off a constant stream of noise, so thinking nothing is easier said than done. Get started with small intervals and over time as your mind control improves extend the period of your practice.
Candle gazing meditation
The candle gazing meditation is one that requires you to keep your eyes open. This can be a great option if you don’t feel comfortable closing your eyes to meditate. Find a comfortable seated position in a dark room, light your candle and then set it approx a metre away and keep it at eye level. Remove your contact lenses or glasses before beginning. Simply allow your eyes to half close and become relaxed. Then stare directly at the candle flame. The trick is to not allow your eyes to shut. Relax your breathing and allow your thoughts to go freely from your mind. If your eyes do begin to feel uncomfortable or begin to water simply gently close them and continue to picture the flame flickering using your mind’s eye. To supercharge your candle meditation, why not try using our Crystal Intention Candles and setting your intention while harnessing the power of the crystals at the beginning of your practice.
Guided meditation
Guided meditation is a style that is led by a teacher, which allows you to just sit back and follow along with the instructions. It can be a great practice for beginners or for anyone prone to a wandering mind as you can focus back on the instructor’s voice whenever your mind begins to wander. It can also be a great way for you to switch off and feel more relaxed. There are tons of great apps out there both paid for or free to get you started. Or head over to YouTube where there are millions to choose from. If you feel called to do so, we have recently launched our own range of guided meditations that harness the power of different crystals. Each meditation aims to assist you with different goals, such as reducing anxiety, gaining confidence and improving self-love. You can find these meditations here.
Mantra meditation
Mantra meditation is popular in many teachings such as Hindu and Buddhist. A mantra is a syllable, word or phrase that is repeated during the meditation practice. It is a great option if you are someone that is easily distracted, as the repetition of the mantra helps to focus your mind to allow you a deeper meditative experience. There are a ton of mantras to choose from, it is best to pick something that has resonance with you. Whether it’s a singular word such as Om, or a longer phrase such as ‘I am the light”. To get started, get comfortably positioned, either seated or lying. Then allow yourself for a few moments to calm your breathing and state of mind, to allow yourself to relax and unwind into the present moment. When you are ready begin reciting your chosen mantra, either out loud or in your head.
Breathing meditation
In our busy modern lives, we can often forget the importance of the simple act of breathing. When our minds our running a million miles a minute our breathing often has to take a backseat and go on autopilot. Taking a moment out of your day to really focus your attention on the breath can have an incredible impact. Research shows that it can improve anxiety, sharpen memory, improve your sleep and even your heart health! To get started begin in a comfortable position, whether seated or lying down, ensuring your spine is straight to allow the air to travel fully through the body. Allow your attention to focus solely on the breath. Breathe in through the nose deeply, hold your breath for a few moments, then slowly exhale. Continue this cycle for as long as you wish. With each round, you should feel yourself slipping into a deeper state of relaxation. If your mind does begin to become distracted, there’s no need to worry, simply redirect your attention back to the breath.
Moving meditation
If you want to combine your daily exercise with your meditation practice then this could be a great option for you. It is also a great option if you are someone that feels uncomfortable sitting still. Although typically meditation is associated with being a practice that is performed when still, moving meditation still can produce all of the same great benefits. Moving in this meditative state can also be a great way of activating your feminine energy. You can get started at home by perhaps switching off all sound and simply allowing your body to move freely in a state of dance. Or if you are a lover of the great outdoors then perhaps a walking or running meditation would be preferable. While performing these forms of moving mediation allow your focus to be on your body and on the breath, so you can tap into the power of the present moment.
Visualisation Meditation
Visualisation meditation is great for those creative and imaginative folk. It allows them to tap in, get the creative juices flowing, while also reaping the relaxing benefits of meditation. It can be great if you have a specific goal or vision that you are working towards. Simply begin by having a future goal or intention in mind. Then get positioned comfortably, either seated or lying down and allow yourself to tap into the present moment by focusing on your breath. Once you feel a heightened state of relaxation, bring to your mind’s eye an image of the goal that you wish to achieve. Picture it as being done. What does this goal look like? How does it make you feel? Doing this daily will help to lock in this positive feeling of your wish fulfilled, and help you make this dream a reality.