What is meditation?
Meditation has become more widespread, especially for psychological health / tranquility, and well-being. It is well-known that accumulation of anxiety / stress can eventually lead to serious mental and physical health issues. Meditation has been proven very effective in controlling and reducing anxiety and stress. Regular meditation helps us restore calm and reclaim serenity and inner peace / balance. According to Susanne Schutz, a Chinese Metaphysics Master in Hong Kong, meditation can help those who have their root chakra blocked in their Bazi. And, it is useful to note that meditation is easy to practice, and virtually free!
Key elements of meditation
There are several types of meditation - mindfulness, breathing practice, yoga, tai chi, etc., to name few well-known ones, and the key elements in all are basically the same.
Focus
It is perhaps the most crucial element in meditation. During meditation, we focus attention and eliminate stream of thoughts that crowd our minds and cause disquiet and stress.
As suggested by masters, it would be helpful to practice meditation in a quiet environment with minimal distractions. Sitting in a comfortable position is also essential to avoid discomfort during meditation.
Relax
This can be helped with deep, slow, and evenly paced abdominal breathing. It increases oxygen intake and helps the lungs fill more efficiently. It also reduces the use of shoulder, neck, and upper chest muscles while breathing. Abdominal breathing can also help relax and clear the mind, thus focusing on meditation practice.
Grounding
Studies show that grounding deepens the meditation experience.
Physically, grounding refers to being connected physically to the surface of the Earth, for example, sitting on the ground or being barefoot outside.
Psychologically, it is a sense of being fully embodied - whole, centered, and balanced - within ourselves and our relationships.
Be an “observer”
When practicing meditation, we should endeavor to be more like an observer watching changes in our bodies and feelings, and should let thoughts pass our minds, and not as a participant and/or judge.
What are the essential oils that can help?
Essential oils help to center, ground, focus and uplift the mind, and thus reduce negative energy and encourage insightful, elevated feelings of positivity, resoluteness, and optimism. The best ones that we think are:
1. Frankincense
Being the sacred gift to Jesus, Frankincense is regarded as one of the best essential oils in many spiritual practices and meditation. Frankincense is said to cleanse the spirit, bring inner peace and balance, and bring clarity to the mind as we explore a meditative state.
2. Sandalwood
Sandalwood has a long history in China / India and has been used for centuries in Buddhist / Hindu religious practices. Its sweet woody aroma quietens inner noises and helps focus on breathing. Sandalwood oil also promotes grounding and balancing - making body calm and cleansing the mind of negative thoughts. It opens up our hearts and awakens feelings of love and sensitivity, which is a significant and powerful support in meditation.
3. Palo Santo
The holy wood, native to South America, is known for its purifying properties. People often burn Palo Santo wood sticks as part of the calming ritual to purify the air, dispel evil spirits, and cleanse negative energy. The pleasing and grounding aroma stimulates the relaxation response and prepares the mind for meditation or creative focus.
4. Vetiver
The deep earthy aroma helps the body and mind wind down after a demanding day and helps ground the spirit. Vetiver is beneficial to the nerve system and helps us concentrate during mindfulness practices, by reducing mind-wandering and promoting tranquility / serenity.
5. Buddha wood
Buddha wood oil is popular in meditation due to its ability to calm the mind and clear it of negativity. Commonly known as Australian desert rosewood, its oil has a delightfully deep, woody and slightly smoky aroma. Its soothing scent helps us ground and restore mind back to the moment. A few minutes of breathing can reduce the feelings of stress and self-doubt.
Best way of using essential oils in meditation
Diffuse chosen oil in the room for 5-10 minutes and let the space fill up with the aroma before starting the meditation. If this is not practical, dilute the oil and apply it at the root chakra - the base of the spinal cord - to help us ground.
It is only by grounding our awareness in the living sensation of our bodies that the 'I Am,' our real presence, can awaken. – G. I. Gurdjieff