Meditation with Crystals
How to Meditate with Crystals: A Beginner's Guide
Crystals and meditation go hand in hand and, together, can be incredibly powerful.
By incorporating crystals into your meditation you may achieve a deeper state of relaxation and focus.
Meditation is a simple yet effective way to connect with yourself. It can help you find inner peace and promote balance in your life.
Meditating with crystals has become increasingly popular in recent years. The practice is widely discussed in many articles that talk about using crystals for their healing properties.
Many people believe meditating with crystals can enhance the overall experience. Whilst certain crystals can help you achieve a deeper state of calmness, others can help with specific goals or intentions.
People who use crystals for spiritual or metaphysical purposes believe they possess unique healing properties. When used correctly, they're believed to have the ability to bring the body back into alignment.
By aligning the chakras it's believed mental, physical and emotional healing can be achieved. The strength of a crystal's energy and healing properties are said to be amplified during meditation.
The association of crystals with the chakras is based on the belief that each crystal possesses properties and energy vibrations that correspond to one of the seven chakras.
The chakras are believed to be energy centres in the body. Each one is responsible for a different aspect of mental, physical and emotional well-being.
Different crystals resonate with different chakras and can be used to energise them and bring them back into alignment.
Clear quartz aligns with all seven chakras. It's a 'master healer' that enhances the energy of any chakra it's placed on or near.
Clear quartz is said to balance and amplify energy creating a sense of harmony and balance throughout the body.
As well as having exceptional balancing abilities, clear quartz cleanses the aura and the energy of a room or space. It enhances wisdom, mental clarity and spiritual growth.
Clear quartz is a powerful tool for manifestation. In crystal healing manifestation refers to the belief that crystals can help manifest specific goals or intentions in one's life.
The idea is that setting an intention and then focusing on it during meditation whilst either holding or being close to a crystal, its energy will help manifest the intention.
Clear quartz also has the ability to amplify the energy of other healing crystals. For this reason, it's often used as part of a crystal grid. 
Some crystals are more suitable than others for certain intentions.
Rose quartz is used for matters of the heart. Its gentle and nurturing energy makes it an excellent choice for emotional healing and attracting new love.
Placing rose quartz on the heart chakra can help release emotional blockages, reduce anxiety and stress and promote feelings of compassion and self-love.
By opening the heart chakra rose quartz can help you connect with others on a deeper level and cultivate a healthy relationship based on love and mutual understanding.
Citrine is a stone of wealth and abundance while amethyst can help with physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Amethyst has a calming effect on the mind and emotions. It's helpful for those who struggle to relax and find it difficult to sleep. It can also increase the will to overcome depression.
Amethyst balances the crown chakra. This chakra is associated with a spiritual connection to the universe and higher self.
Black tourmaline and smoky quartz have grounding and protective properties. They can be used to create a sense of safety and security during meditation.
Selenite is said to amplify the energy of meditation making it a more effective and powerful experience.
Although it's not necessary to use crystals in mediation, many people do. Most agree that it enhances the effects and makes it easier for them to achieve specific goals or intentions. 
Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years and for good reason. This ancient practice has been shown to have a wide range of benefits for both mind and body.
One of the primary purposes of meditation is to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. By meditating it's possible to quiet the mind and focus on the present moment. This has been proven to help reduce feelings of anxiety, depression and stress.
Meditation has also been shown to improve sleep patterns, boost the immune system and even lower blood pressure.
Meditation can help to increase self-awareness and mindfulness. Through regular practice, it's possible to become more aware of our thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. This can help us to make healthier choices in our daily lives.
What is Mindfulness?
Meditation and mindfulness are closely related but not the same.
Meditation is a broad term that refers to various practices that involve training the mind to focus and achieve a state of calmness and relaxation.
It takes many forms including guided visualisation, transcendental meditation, Zen meditation and mindfulness, but there are many more.
Mindfulness is a type of meditation that involves focusing on the present moment without being judgmental. It often concentrates on breathing and body sensations but can also involve focusing on thoughts and emotions.
The goal of mindfulness is to increase awareness and cultivate a non-judgmental attitude towards your own inner experience.
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of where we are and what we’re doing. It enables us to learn not to be overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.
Mindfulness is a type of meditation but not all meditation is mindfulness.
Whilst both involve training the mind to focus and be present, mindfulness emphasises the present moment and being aware of one's thoughts, emotions and physical sensations.
Meditation as a broader term can include different practices and techniques such as visualisation, chanting or physical movements. These are not limited to being present and in the current moment.
Both meditation and mindfulness can benefit stress reduction, emotional balance and overall well-being. Many people find mindfulness is far more accessible and easier to integrate into daily life. Others prefer the structure and discipline of a more formal meditation practice. It's all about finding what works best for you.
Knowing where to start can be daunting if you have never tried meditation. It's best to experiment with different types until you find the one that works best for you.
To begin with try meditating for just a few minutes each day. Most people find five to ten minutes to be achievable.
As you become more comfortable with the practice, the length of the meditation can slowly increase. The most popular time is twenty minutes.
Meditation is not about achieving a specific state or reaching a certain level of mastery. The goal is to be present and bring awareness to the present moment.
The length of the meditation is not as important as consistency and regularity. Meditating regularly for a short time is far more beneficial than trying to do long sessions infrequently.
Ultimately, the best duration for your meditation will depend on your individual needs and schedule. The important thing is to stick with a duration that works well for you and that you can do on a regular basis.
To start your first meditation find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. You can sit or lie down. Meditate on an empty stomach and sit up as straight as you can. You can sit on the floor cross-legged or in a chair.
The spine must be straight to allow energy to flow freely. Most importantly, make sure you're comfortable but not too comfortable otherwise you're likely to fall asleep.
It's not easy for many people to sit cross-legged so this may take time, especially for extended periods. Find the right head position that's comfortable for your neck. The head should be very slightly raised. Ensure you're warm but not too warm.
The posture of sitting cross-legged with thumb and forefinger together is called 'mudra'. It's a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism.
This specific mudra is called 'gyan'. Gyan mudra symbolises the union of wisdom and knowledge. It's believed to help focus the mind and improve concentration during meditation.
It's also believed to activate the root chakra which is associated with grounding, security and stability.
Using guided meditation is a great way to start. Loads of guided meditations are available online. Some are better than others so it's just about finding one that you enjoy.
Some involve using your imagination to create a scene or scenario. This can help focus the mind, relax the body or even visualise a specific outcome.
Other types of meditation such as mindfulness or transcendental meditation focus on bringing your attention to the present moment. This involves paying attention to your breathing, body sensations and your thoughts without getting caught up in them.
Whichever type you try, meditation is about training your mind to be present, to focus on and be aware of your inner self and the world around you. It's really not a requirement to use your imagination to meditate. Many people prefer to block everything out and focus on their breathing and inner-self.
Meditation is a powerful tool that over time, can help reduce stress, improve overall well-being and increase self-awareness. Incorporating crystals into your meditation practice can provide additional benefits and enhance the experience.
Transcendental Meditation
'Transcendental' is a specific form of meditation developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the 1950s. It's characterised by using a specific sound or mantra that's repeated silently during the meditation.
The goal of transcendental meditation is to transcend or go beyond the mind's usual level of activity to achieve a state of deep rest and relaxation.
The idea behind transcendental meditation is that mind and body are intimately connected. By reducing stress and achieving a deep state of relaxation it can improve overall well-being, reduce anxiety and improve cognitive function.
Transcendental meditation differs from other forms of meditation in that it doesn't involve focusing on breathing or visualisation. Neither does it use any other means of concentration or control of the mind. Instead, it involves the use of a specific sound or mantra that is said to lead to a state of restful alertness where the mind transcends the thinking process and achieves a deeper state of consciousness.
Transcendental meditation has been found to be effective in reducing stress and anxiety and in improving overall well-being. It's also considered a relatively easy form of meditation to learn and practice.
Zen Meditation
Zen meditation, also known as zazen, is a form of Buddhism that originated in China. It later became popular in Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
It's characterised by a focus on meditation and the attainment of enlightenment which is the realisation of one's true nature and the ultimate reality.
Zen meditation is a central practice of Zen Buddhism. Its goal is to achieve a state of calmness, clarity and insight, which can lead to enlightenment.
Practising Zen meditation is simple and involves sitting in a specific posture (usually cross-legged on a cushion) and focusing on your breathing. The focus is on the present moment and being aware of your breathing, hence letting go of thoughts, judgments and distractions.
Zen also emphasises the importance of living in the present moment. Also known as mindfulness, its teachings encourage you to let go of your attachment to the past and future and focus on the present moment. This can lead to a deeper understanding of one's self, others and the world around us.
If you're new to meditation don't be intimidated. Like anything new, it needs to be practised and takes time to develop your focus and concentration.
By meditating regularly you'll gradually begin noticing benefits such as reduced stress, improved mood and better sleep.
Give it a try! You have nothing to lose.
As I close my eyes and take a seat
My mind begins to slow its beat
I focus on my breath and let go
All the worries, stress and woe
With each inhale and each exhale
I feel my body relax and unveil
A sense of calm and deep tranquility
As I meditate, I achieve peace and equanimity
In this space, I find my guide
A sense of inner peace that can't be denied
So I'll sit and meditate each day
Because through this practice, I find my way.
Article Photos
The following photos in our articles are courtesy of;
1st photo - FJ
2nd image - Abhishek Panchal
3rd photo - Tom French
6th photo - Austin Kaseman
Several images are clickable and redirect to the original full-size photo.
