8 Essential Oils for Meditation
Meditation can calm the body, mind, and spirit. It can help us to connect more deeply with the worlds around and within us. It has been shown to have physical health benefits including lower heart rate and lower levels of stress. But sometimes, life’s distractions can make a meditation session challenging. Essential oils may be helpful.
Fragrances have been an important part of rituals and meditations for ages in every culture around the world. The many different scents were believed to elevate users to different states of consciousness. And in our fast-paced, distracting world, sometimes we can use all the help we can get.
To use essential oils in meditation, you have several options: You can anoint yourself (try the third eye). You can create a mist (mix oils with water in a small spray bottle) and spray the fragrance in the air, or you can use a diffuser. I’m personally a fan of putting the oils on my body, particularly the third eye point. You may find a combination of methods work well. Try these 8 essential oils in your meditation practice. Do they make a difference?
1. Frankincense: A holy fragrance if there ever was one, it’s believed to help you increase your faith and connection with spirit.
2. Myrrh: One of the highest sesquiterpene contents in an essential oil, myrrh directly stimulates the hypothalamus, pituitary and amygdalin glands to help reduce stress and bring focus. It’s uplifting scent can assist in deep spiritual “opening” while bringing calm and tranquility.
3. Cedarwood: Focus inward a bit more clearly with the help of cedarwood. It can also help to illuminate your need for meditation and return you to your spiritual path when obstacles have made it difficult.
4. Sandalwood: This oil is very helpful in healing, particularly emotional/spiritual wounds. It opens the heart and helps to promote trust.
5. Vetiver: This oil is extremely grounding and can be especially beneficial if you have a tendency to wander and lose focus in meditation.
6. Neroli: The potent floral fragrance of neroli can help you to be more self-accepting, face your fears and accept the work you need to do for yourself. It’s incredibly sensual and transformative, and the fragrance can also inspire creativity, particularly as it pertains to a spiritual practice.
7. Rose: The fragrance of love—both the human and the Divine, this romantic and sensual oil opens the heart to receive love–particularly self-love—and a deeper connection to the spirit world.
8. Sage: Burning sage is a common ceremonial practice in many tribal cultures. It cleanses and purifies, removing negative energies. It is grounding and restores both balance and energy.
Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger
Image: mooganic
