Candle Gazing Meditation
The Candle Gazing Meditation will help train your mind to stay focused and not wander, it’s a very interesting meditation because it allows us to see that our inner mind has sight and a profound ability to hold images.
It is this ability that makes visualization techniques effective, because technically the mind cannot tell the difference between what we experience in real time, or a mental image that we focus on, it simply produces for us what we see in our minds.
Candle Gazing is a perfect meditation for those new to meditation, because it eliminates the pressure of trying to stop your mind from processing data, instead you give it something else to focus on that will allow it to be trained to steady itself for better focus and concentration, to produce the things we really want, instead of what we do not want.
What you need:
1 dark quiet room
1 safely lit candle placed 3 feet in front of you
1 Glass of room temperature drinking water (about 4 to 6 ounces)
Meditation Instructions:
1. Drink the glass of water. Water keeps the energy flowing in your body.
2. Sit and cross your legs or allow your feet to rest on the floor or sit on a pillow if that gives more comfort. DO NOT lay down, you will become too relaxed and fall asleep.
3. Take 3 to 4 deep slow cleansing breaths as directed above.
4. Gently focus your attention on the flame of the candle
5. Be aware of the color, shape and movement of the flame, watch its every move
6. After gazing at the candle flame for several minutes, gently close your eyes. You will be able to see the image of the flame in your mind’s eye.
7. Continue to focus on the image until it fades away.
8. Open your eyes and gaze at the candle again, Repeat the sequence 2 or 3 times or as desired.
Tree Hugging Meditation
My very wise Grandmother (BigMama) once told me,
“Whenever you feel like you are about to lose it, go to the trees, go out in Nature, this is how you stay grounded, remember the trees”.
Trees are very healing to us if we would simply take the time sit with them and allow them to share their energy and wisdom with you, you will come to know that they are an irreplaceable friend.
What you will soon realize is how calm you become within minutes, I have hugged and sat under trees and had tension magically removed from my body. I leave energized and refreshed. I have even had body aches and pains leave my body because I hugged a tree or sat on the ground.
So I would like to pass this priceless wisdom on to you. Get out into Nature and find yourself and for starters your backyard will suffice.
