Meditation Retreats

First steps, methods and types

Crystals and stones are becoming increasingly popular as accent pieces that add an earthy touch to home decor. There is also an increased interest in using crystals for more esoteric purposes.

Cultures around the world have used crystals in healing and meditation practices for thousands of years. But do crystals have healing powers?

The answer is yes, according to crystal healer and certified meditation instructor Carol Boats.

“The use of crystals for healing and protection, as well as many forms of meditation for concentration and for reaching a higher state of consciousness, have a long history that spans thousands of years,” says Boats.

She believes crystals have an effect on consciousness.

“The use of crystals in meditation practice can deepen your meditation, provide an object of focus, and increase your awareness and awareness of your higher self,” says Boats.

There is no scientific evidence that crystals can help with healing, meditation, or spiritual activities. In fact, there is very little evidence of crystals.

The most commonly cited information that crystals only provide a placebo effect comes from Christopher French, Lyn Williams, and Hayley O’Donnell.

The research was presented at two international conferences in 1999 and 2001, but was never published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Some research, like an older review from 2009, argues that the placebo effect offers its own kind of interpersonal healing, different from natural or medicinal healing. Some Crystal users agree with this interpretation.

There’s also evidence, cited in a 2011 review, that placebos can actually alter the brain. A 2008 study found that prescribing placebo treatments was common practice among health professionals.

All Natural Spirit writes under a pseudonym claiming to be a PhD scientist in biological sciences who is also a certified crystal healer.

According to the All Natural Spirit blog, there are actually no reliable scientific studies on crystal healing, probably due to the stigma involved, and there is no scientific authority that can say what crystal healing actually is or could achieve.

While science almost doesn’t exist and more research needs to be done, there is historical evidence that crystals have been used for healing and spiritual purposes for centuries.

To begin crystal meditation, you need your chosen crystal and a willingness to practice, especially if you are new to meditation.

The most important thing about meditation is to practice as regularly as possible and make it part of your self-care routine. If you have the feeling that you don’t have time, or feel tired or sick, you often need them more than ever, ”explains Boats.

When it’s time to get started, set the mood. Find a place where you are undisturbed, set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature and turn on the lights for a relaxed, soft feeling.

If you are already a seasoned meditator, you can easily add the crystal to your current practice.

You can also add tools like:

  • Candles
  • essential oils
  • incense
  • Images of ancestors
  • Images of inspiring figures like the Buddha
  • sacred objects

Next, have the crystals ready that you will be using.

cleaning

You should clean your crystals before you start. You can do this by:

  • Pass your crystal through incense, especially sage smoke
  • with sounds like singing or singing bowls
  • Expose your crystal to the sun or moonlight for several hours
  • put your crystal under running water
  • Immerse your crystal in salt water
  • Bury your crystal in a bowl of brown rice

Some cleaning methods are only suitable for certain crystals, so do your research before you begin.

Grounding

The next step, Boats says, is to connect with your highest self.

“Ground yourself and ask your highest self and beings to help you in this session,” she says. “Make your intention that all information or actions are for the greatest good of humanity.”

Then ask your crystals for permission to use their vibrations. Just connect with your intuition and feel for an answer.

“Connect with your breath and the crystal vibrations, keep your breath relaxed and see where the energies are leading you,” says Boats. “Some people like to close their eyes – but to maintain a degree of vigilance, I find it better to keep them half open.”

If you find that your mind is wandering, don’t be upset.

“It is normal to have distracting thoughts,” says Boats. “Acknowledge and submit. You may be aware of the crystals’ sensations such as vibrations, visions or thoughts. “

Be careful with your timing

According to Boats, crystals shouldn’t be left on the body for more than 20 minutes.

“If you feel uncomfortable with the crystals beforehand, take them off immediately and drink water,” she says.

Closing your practice

When the meditation session is over, you will gradually become more self-aware in the room.

“You might want to stretch and wiggle your fingers and toes,” says Boats. “Do not rush, drink water to detox and be aware of your experiences and feelings.”

If you meditate daily, Boats recommends adding crystals no more than once a week.

“You work with some strong energies,” explains Boats. “It takes time to assimilate and get rid of negative vibrations.”

Finally, Boats says to remember that meditation is a long journey over many years. Do not rush it!

Now that you know the basics, you may want to experiment to see which method of crystal meditation is best for you. Here are some boat recommendations if you are just getting started.

Crystal lattices or circles

If you don’t want crystals touching your body while meditating, you can create a crystal grid or circle. Place your crystals in an intentional shape around you or right in front of you.

“Crystal grids are often beneficial and are used to set crystals on sacred geometric shapes that they can focus on during mediation,” explains Boats. “These can be set up on a specific topic and left to their energy work. These can be personal problems or even a larger community or global problems. “

In the bathroom

If you’re struggling to relax, taking a hot bath with crystals can help mediate.

“A relaxing method is meditation in the bath with the crystals in the water. However, this is not suitable for selenite or calcite because they dissolve, ”says Boats.

Crystals on your chakras

Chakras are considered to be energy converters in your energetic body. Each represents a different part of your physical and spiritual being.

When meditating, you can place a crystal on the chakra that corresponds to your intention.

“Applying crystals to your body enables the healing properties to activate these areas and bring energies back into balance,” explains Boats. “Chakra balancing is often and effectively used by placing the appropriate colored crystals during meditation.”

You don’t need a lot of crystals on hand, says Boats, although she recommends a few to start with.

“There are two crystals that I would wholeheartedly recommend for meditation. The first is clear quartz, ”says Boats. “[It] enables changed states of consciousness and the balancing of the chakras, which are energy centers in the body. “

Boot’s second choice for beginners is selenite.

“It is a plaster of paris-based crystal that is beneficial for communication with your higher self and your higher realms. In meditation it helps to remember past lives and contains all sacred knowledge, ”explains Boats. “Selenite is a high vibrating stone and activates the crown chakra. It brings light and healing to every cell in the body. “

Whichever crystal you choose, Boats says it is important that you make your choice intuitively. In other words, go to whoever you are attracted to.

Here are some common types:

amethyst

Amethyst is said:

  • have strong healing energy
  • help sleep
  • support blood circulation
  • Chakra balance

garnet

Crystal healers believe that garnet is beneficial for energy supply and regeneration in the body. It is considered a good choice when recovering from an illness.

quartz

There are several types of quartz crystals, including:

Clear quartz is believed to improve awareness and reduce stress.

Rose quartz is considered the crystal of unconditional love. It is designed to strengthen feelings of self-love and promote loving relationships with others.

Smoky quartz is considered a grounding stone and can help you feel rooted in planet earth. It is considered to be mood-enhancing and is used for protection.

Black tourmaline

This stone is said to protect against cell phone radiation, although there is no scientific evidence for this. Tourmaline is generally considered to be a protection against negative energies.

Selenite

Selenite is widely used for meditation. It is said to help the meditator connect with a higher consciousness.

Citrine

Citrine, known as the stone of joy, is said to attract joy and abundance.

Sodalite

Sodalite is believed to bring order and calm to your mind.

Lapis lazuli

This stone is said to promote spiritual development and improve your intuitive skills and resolve conflicts.

Tiger eye

Tiger’s eye is known as a supportive stone in times of change. It is believed to provide both empowerment and the ability to self-assert and find clarity in your intentions.

As you begin your crystal meditation journey, you may find that the words “crystal” and “stone” are used interchangeably.

“Both can be used well in stone healing,” explains Boats. “By definition, a stone is a solid, non-metallic matter. Crystals are a solid material made up of atoms and molecules in a repeating pattern known as a crystal lattice. Both are formed from minerals. ”

Boats explains that stones and crystals are often confused, but that both can be an advantage in mediating.

“Although jet, amber and obsidian are often described as crystals, they are not true crystals and do not have a crystalline structure. They are resins, but extremely useful healers, ”she says. “A powerful healer is also the shaman stone, sometimes also known as the boji stone, which does not have a crystal system but is used for grounding and stability.”

Many believe that crystals can aid meditation with practice. While there is no scientific evidence, crystal meditation is unlikely to be harmful.

Whatever the facts, the tradition of healing crystals for meditation is alive and well.

Victoria Stokes is a British author. When she’s not writing about her favorite topics, personal development and well-being, she’s usually sticking her nose into a good book. Victoria counts coffee, cocktails and the color pink to her favorite things. Find her on Instagram.

Related Articles