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Candles have been accompanying meditators for centuries. And thanks to the development of aromatherapy, candles are not only the symbol of warmth and enlightenment but also a connector that reaches to the soul via inhalation of aromas.
Before we hit the road of learning how to use a candle for meditation and relaxation, let's understand first what is Meditation and the benefits are?
Meditation is the deliberate focusing of attention to bring about feelings of calm and heightened energy and awareness.
It is not hidden that Meditation has plenty of benefits such as reduce stress and anxiety, improve health and concentration, one feels happy, and enhance the lifestyle.
Many ways you can do meditation, but we going to focus on how the candle can be a significant catalyst in the process of Meditation and Relaxations.
Before the candle aroma touches the soul, you need to make sure that the candle is not unhealthy. Things to avoid: paraffin wax, synthetic fragrances , a wick with a metal core, dyes , addictive. Basically, a natural robe allows the candle to burn clean.
When it comes to aroma, choose essential oils over fragrance oils . Essential oils may be volatile with mild scents but will provide you with all health benefits which fragrance oils cannot. A calming scent should be free from health concerns.
Here are some most widely used essential oils for meditation and aromatherapy. I have arranged them in alphabetical order for you.
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A: Angelica Root;
B: Basil; Bergamot; Blue Cypress
C: Cardamom; Carrot See; Chamomile; Cinnamon; Clay Sage; Cypress
D: Doulas Fir
E: Echinacea
F: Fir Needle; Frankincense
G: Galbanum; German Chamomile; Grapefruit;
H: Helichrysum; Holy Basil; Hyssop;
J: Jasmine; Juniper
L: Lavender; Lemon; Lemongrass; Lemon Tea Tree; Lime
M: Mandarin; Melissa; Myrrh; Myrtle
N: Neroli; Nutmeg
O: Oakmoss; Orange
P: Palmarosa; Palo Santo; Patchouli; Peppermint; Peru Balsam; Petitgrain
R: Roman Chamomile; Rosemary; Rose Otto
S: Sandalwood; Scots Pine; Spearmint; Spikenard; Spruce
T: Tangerine
V: Valerian; Vetiver
Y: Yarrow; Ylang-Ylang
If you work with chakras, you will find that specific essential oils resonate marvelously with energy centres.
Let me hold here, I guess some of you may not know about chakras, of course not, how stupid I sound !
The word chakras mean "circle" and they represent our vital energy centres. There are seven chakras in our body. After doing some research, I have put together essential oils that are directly related to seven chakras of our body.
After doing some research, I have put together essential oils that are directly related to seven chakras of our body.
1st Root Chakra:
Frankincense, Myrrh, Patchouli, Rosemary, Rosewood, Thyme, Vetiver, Ylang-Ylang
2nd Sacral Chakra:
Bergamot, Cardamom, Clary Sage, Jasmine, Neroli, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood.
3rd Solar Plexus Chakra:
Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Juniper, Grapefruit, Lemon, Peppermint, Vetiver, Yarrow
4th Heart Chakra:
Basil, Rose, Lavender, Melissa, Jasmine, Eucalyptus
5th Throat Chakra:
Blue Chamomile, Clove, Lemongrass, Geranium, Hyssop, Tea Tree
6th Third Eye Chakra:
Clary Sage, Frankincense, Patchouli, Palmarosa, Peppermint, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Vetiver
7th Crown Chakra:
Benzoin, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, Neroli, Lavender
Unless you wish to focus on one chakra at a time, you will find essential oil blends more balanced and appealing.
The essential oil has excellent healing qualities. The combination of different oils can produce a high potency mixture which can be beneficial in many ways.
Having said that, here are some most beneficial blends that can help you achieve high results and benefits.
The first one is MOONLIGHT BLEND, which also my favorite one.
Ingredients: Orange Sweet, Cedarwood Atlas, Juniper, Lavender Bulgaria, Patchouli, Cinnamon.
Mood: A thick, romantic, somewhat mysterious aroma is offering a masculine feeling.
Aromatherapy: Create a positive and calming atmosphere; Increase inner strength and energy; Release suppressed anger and negativity; Ease feelings of fear, stress, tension, frustration and aggravation.
Meditation: Promote balance and clarity; Aid in creativity; Eliminate obsessiveness and fearfulness; Invite greater intuition; Alleviates nervous exhaustion; Increase focus; Eliminate feelings of insecurity; Aid in transformative thought; Help alleviate addictions of all types.
Working with Chakras: 1 Root, 3 Solar Plexus, 4 Heart, 6 Third Eye, 7 Crown
Warning: Avoided in case of pregnancy or kidney disease.
Orange Sweet: Orange Sweet promotes a positive attitude as well as to calm the mind and ease feelings of aggravation. This wonderful essential oil can help you relax and stay focused while concentrating on tough mental tasks. When used for meditation, it advance balance and aids in creativity while eliminating obsessiveness and fearfulness.
Cedarwood Atlas: This essential oil is world known for a rich, woody, slightly sweet and spicy aroma. Use Cedarwood Atlas to create an atmosphere that is positive and calming from the chaos and negativity around you. You can also use it to set the mood for your special night.
Atlas cedar: It also has the emotional benefit and calming quality because of its relaxing effect. Not only does it potentially increase inner strength and energy, but it can also ease fear, nervousness, stress, and tension. Atlas cedar oil is primarily known as a grounding oil because of its stabilizing property. Many believed that the stability aspect of this essential oil comes from the tree as it is rooted from the ground.
Juniperberry: When used for aromatherapy or during meditation, it aids in releasing suppressed anger and negativity.
Lavender Bulgaria: According to the ancient healing system of Ayurveda, lavender essential oil decreases problems caused by Vata, Pitta and Kapha (the natural forces of wind, fire and phlegm). By balancing "wind", lavender oil will assist in slowing down the overly active mind and will support tranquility and peacefulness. By balancing "fire", lavender oil will decrease excess heat in the body and mind and will support the clarity and brightness of presence. By balancing "phlegm", lavender oil helps to lighten tendencies toward sluggishness, complacency and melancholy. Lavender is generally mood-uplifting and supports heightened energy.
It helps to bring a sense of calm and balance, as well as to relax the mind and ease feelings of anger and frustration. When used for meditation, it supports feelings for clarity and invites greater intuition.
Patchouli: When used as aromatherapy for meditation, it helps relieves stress and alleviates nervous exhaustion. It's ability to improve the user eliminating the feeling of insecurity and achieving physical and mental relaxation, make them know in the field.
Cinnamon Bark: It is believed by some to attract wealth. When used in meditation, it aids in transformative thought, releases anger and frustration, and helps alleviate addictions of all types.
The second blend in my list is APHRODITE BLEND which also has excellent benefits.
Essential Oils: Orange Sweet, Grapefruit, Patchouli, Ylang-Ylang 1st Grade.
Mood: A fresh and sweet feminine aroma to enhance a romantic atmosphere.
Family: Citrus
Aromatherapy: Promote a positive attitude; Calm the mind; Ease feelings of aggravation; Release negative emotions, including low self-esteem, possessiveness, and anger, while promoting confidence, spiritual awareness, and self-acceptance.
Meditation: Promote balance; Promote physical and mental relaxation; Increase focus; Aid in creativity; Eliminate obsessiveness and fearfulness; Release confusion; Clear mental chatter; Relieve feelings of sadness and insecurity; Bring clarity; Bring a renewed sense of spiritual purpose.
Working with the Chakras: 1st Root / 3rd Solar Plexus / 4th Heart
Notice: Safe for general users; Moderation is recommended for users with health conditions.
Orange Sweet: It can be used to promote a positive attitude as well as to calm the mind and ease feelings of aggravation. This wonderful essential oil can help you relax and stay focused while concentrating on tough mental tasks. When used for meditation, it promotes balance and aids in creativity while eliminating obsessiveness and fearfulness.
Grapefruit: It helps in releasing confusion, feeling of sadness and clearing mental chatter. Grapefruit has a great ability to bring clarity and the renewed sense of spiritual purpose.
Patchouli: As mentioned above it helps relieves stress and alleviates nervous exhaustion. It's ability to improve the user eliminating the feeling of insecurity and achieving physical and mental relaxation, make them know in the field.
Ylang-Ylang 1st Grade: When used in aromatherapy, it helps release negative emotions, including low self-esteem, possessiveness, and anger, while promoting confidence, spiritual awareness, and self-acceptance. When used for meditation, it helps increase awareness and bring the body, mind, and spirit into greater alignment with one another. If you are working to cultivate gratitude in your life, then it is a best essential oil to use.
The third one and last that I want to emphasis is the INSPIRATION BLEND.
Essential Oils: Mandarin, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Cardamom, Peppermint.
Mood: A robust and uplifting aroma that sharpens the mind and empowers you to act.
Aromatherapy: Promote emotional well-being; Refresh the mind; Ease fear; Promote greater mental focus; Help make learning new information easier.
Meditation: Promote feelings of relaxation; Ease nervous tension; Clear the mind; Heighten psychic awareness; Release regret and resentment; Promote feelings of hope, courage, and optimism; Help break down resistance concerning new situations; Increase intuitive awareness.
Working with the Chakras: 2nd Sacral / 3rd Solar Plexus / 4th Heart / 5th Throat.
Warning: Avoided in case of pregnancy, epilepsy or hypertension.
Mandarin: When used in aromatherapy or for meditation, it promotes feelings of relaxation and well-being. It eases nervous tension and is excellent for diffusing around edgy toddlers.
Eucalyptus: When inhaled, it promotes emotional well-being, and during meditation, it is useful for focusing on relationships.
Lemongrass: When used in aromatherapy or for meditation, it clears the mind and heightens psychic awareness. It helps in the release of regret and resentment while promoting feelings of hope, courage, and optimism.
Cardamom: It has a sweet, uplifting fragrance that refreshes the mind. When used in meditation, it helps alleviate stress, release trauma, and helps one to accept new ideas.
Peppermint: When used in aromatherapy, it promotes greater mental focus and helps make learning new information easier. Also useful for calming the mind and easing the fear. In meditation, it helps break down resistance concerning new situations. It is also helpful for increasing intuitive awareness.
The key takes away is to make sure the candle you use for aromatherapy to meditation and relaxation, should be scented with 100% pure essential oil. However, many candles in the market poured with fragrance oil.
Make sure your room where you meditate is not too bright but dim light and has a comfortable temperature.
To be relaxed, you need to free your mind from health concerns caused by candles which contain paraffin wax, fragrance oils, dyes, additives and wicks with metal cores. How do you do that? Well that is so simple! Buy only pure essential oil candles.
Take a deep breath. Wish the peace with your mind, your speech and your heart.
Hope this small guild will help you choose the best candle for Meditation and Relaxation. And if you have any suggestion or question hit down below in a comment area.
