If you read our blog last week here at Melt, you’ll already have seen how we talked about using candles in yoga, and read a couple of the reasons why they can be so helpful. We decided to follow on in that vein in this week’s blog, which deals with candle meditation. We’re already making good headway into autumn, and this time of year can bring with it its own trials and stresses. Practicing any meditation (and candle meditation in particular) can be a brilliant way to keep yourself calm and focused, ready to take on whatever comes your way.
So then – would you like to find out how?
Why Meditate With Candles?
We should say firstly that yoga with candles and meditation with candles are not the same thing! They’re related, but slightly different. Yoga is fitness for both the body and mind, aimed to help improve posture and reduce stress, amongst other things. Meditation, on the other hand, focuses more on the mental side of things, encouraging concentration on a sound or object to increase awareness of the present moment. Candles are ideal for this, as the low, flickering light is scientifically proven to be immensely calming for us.
One of the other wonderful things about candles is that anyone can use them – they don’t require special training, or specialised equipment, or particularly deep pockets! In fact, if you already own one of our scrumptious scented candles, you could go home and start meditating this evening! First though, you have to know what to do – and that’s what we’re going to talk about next.
How To Meditate With Scented Candles
Set Up Your Environment
In order to clear your mind and achieve complete calmness, you’ll need to remove all distractions from your environment. We can appreciate this is easier if you live alone than it is in a family home – which is just one reason why so many people choose to meditate at night. (As well as calming you in time for bed, it also means the children have long been put in theirs!) Dim the lights, remove any technology, turn off any glowing screens, and make sure the family pet isn’t pacing the room while you’re at it.
Light Your Candle
First, make sure your back is straight, and that you’re comfortable. This can mean sitting on the ground in a cross-legged position, or even on your favourite chair. The important thing is that you don’t start to feel stiff at any point, which can bring you right out of the relaxation state you’re trying to achieve. Then, light your candle – and remember to make sure it’s at least 50cm from your eyes, or it can appear too bright.
Clear Your Mind
Now, take slow, deep breaths as you focus your eyes on the flame. Your sight and your eyes will wander a lot at first – this is natural, and with practice will stop happening so much. Take in the flickering quality of the light, and let yourself be absorbed by its beauty and purity. This is the most difficult part, especially if you’re a beginner, as you’ll be most easily distracted.
However, if you persevere, you’ll notice something amazing start to happen. We’ll explain it in slightly scientific terms, so you’ll know it when it happens. Basically, you see because your eyes constantly send new visual information to be processed by your brain. But as you continue to focus on the flame, your eyes aren’t moving, and that flow of information starts to slow down, allowing you to wholly focus on the candle. More and more of your peripheral vision starts to fade, until your awareness shrinks to the light of the dancing, flickering flame. Essentially, you become completely absorbed by it, shutting out outside distractions to enhance focus, and achieve a state of total relaxation.
As we’ve already mentioned, this can take a lot of practice, but trust us when we say it’s worth it! You’ll end your session feeling completely at peace, which can either prepare you for bed or ready your mind for whatever challenges the day has to throw at you.
The Best Scented Candles To Use For Meditation
Here at Melt, we’re proud to say that you can enhance the experience with some of our luxury scented candles. Still is the first of our suggestions. As a spa fragrance, she has been lovingly crafted to whisk you off to a place of peace and serenity – exactly what you’d want from a candle meditation session! Our beautiful lady White is the same; a soft, musky scent that makes it perfect for resting and relaxation.
That’s by no means to say those are your only options – by now, you might well have your own favourites amongst our range. If not, why not do a little bit of exploring? You can click here to see our full range of luxury scented candles, or pop into our little shop on the farm to experience them for yourself!
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