The practice of meditation in some form has been around from the beginning of the human race. Prehistoric man gazed at the stars, Aztecs worshiped the sun, Egyptians built pyramids, Islanders worshiped the sea gods, others prayed to Buddha, Ganesh, Jesus, or other deities. All of them, in some way, used crystals and other objects of nature to contemplate the meaning of life and we still do it today.
It’s a way to connect with the Universal Consciousness, God, or the inside of your soul and can either be part of an organized religion or a personal journey into self-discovery.
Meditation is an individual experience and is different for everyone. You can stare at a spot in the wall, gaze into a candle or a fire. It all helps you center yourself and look inward, so you can set your intentions to manifest your desired outcome.
What objects of nature give you a sense of peace?
I’ve always loved shells, gemstones, and crystals because they come from the natural world and are wonderfully unique. Lately, I’ve become interested in the concept that crystals can energize or heal your spirit, bring love into your life, good luck, happiness, and even prosperity. It may all be hogwash, but I can feel the energy coming from them and if I focus on it, it flows through my entire body. Call me an airy-fairy Loony Tunes, but they make me feel good.
I put my crystals to the test
A while back, I was asked to be a fortune teller for a Halloween event at the Boys and Girls Club in Burbank. I brought a collection of my crystals with me as a prop for my booth and had each child hover their hands over them to feel the energy. Then I asked them to send the energy back into my hands. I’m not going to lie – I felt vibrations, and it inspired me to give them words of inspiration and hope. It must have worked because they asked me back several times.
We are all energetic beings and can pull vibrational energy from its source to make it flow and radiate throughout our bodies.
The magic of crystals, rocks, and shells
When I was in Banff, my daughter and I walked into a store that sold crystals, gemstones, and other spiritual items. Each stone had specific properties and came with cards that described their meanings. I bought a citrine because I was interested in manifesting prosperity. Its card reads:
Citrine: Fire element: Citrine is known as the abundance stone. It attracts prosperity on all levels; health, wealth and joy. An empowering stone of the sun, it resonates with the solar plexus chakra, the Seat of Manifestation. It assists in turning your dreams and wishes into reality. Emanates the golden ray of joy and creativity.
I could use some of that, so I also bought a Green Aventurine, known as the stone of opportunity, as well as a few others that caught my eye. I also have stones and crystals that I’ve collected over the years. Some came with cards but I lost them when I moved, so I need to get a rock expert to tell me what they are.
After I came home from Canada I went online to Etsy and bought a bracelet made of citrine, green aventurine, and sterling silver. That way I can wear my prosperity intentions on my wrist where ever I go.
Click to see more prosperity necklaces by Saging Karma on Etsy
Hey, it’s better than wearing a rabbit’s foot. Remember how popular they were when we were growing up in the 50s and 60s?
You may like these money magnet bracelets by Energy Muse.
How to meditate with crystals and gemstones to set your intentions
Hold one in your hand and feel its energy radiate into your fingers. Close your eyes, focus on your desired outcome and feel the vibrations. In other words, go with the flow. You can also lay down on the floor and place crystals and stones on the chakra points of your body. I sometimes place the citrine on my solar plexus chakra near my belly button.
Take the Energy Muse Crystal Test to find gemstones that will work best for you by clicking here.
Clear and activate your objects of nature
Crystals, stones, shells, and other natural objects have a continuous flow of energy if they are vibrating at their natural frequency. However, negative energies or proximity to electronics may cause their vibrations to shift away from the vibrations of their natural environment. You can clear and activate your meditation objects in several ways.
Some say to set them in the sunshine for 15 minutes or smudge burning sage over them. You can also use a Tibetan Singing Bowl and let the vibration of the sounds it emanates flow through them.
The Universe must have known I needed to clear my crystals because shortly after I bought my prosperity stones, I received an email from Shanti Bowl asking me to try one of their singing bowls. It fits perfectly in my hand and has a suede-covered mallet that makes emit soothing vibrational tones. You can either hit the bowl with the mallet like a gong or gently move the mallet around the bowl to make it sing. That takes practice and I’m still working on my technique. Play the singing bowl for 10-15 minutes to clear your space and the objects you choose to use for meditation.
Create a dedicated altar for your meditation practice
Put objects on your altar that will inspire you and help set your intentions. Your altar can be as simple as a blank space, have only one object to focus on, or be a collection of many objects.
An abalone shell is not only beautiful but has a special significance as well. It stimulates your psychic development and enhances your intuition. It will also increase your ability to be more emotionally open and expressive. You can also use one as a smudge pot.
Some people like to place a vision board on their altar. It’s a poster or board you create using magazine clippings, photos, and text that display what you want to manifest in your life as though you already have it. Vision boards are powerful and an excellent way to focus on your intentions.
Other people like to place photos of family members or ancestors. It’s common in Mexican culture to place pictures of loved ones on altars used for prayer.
Use aromatherapy to enhance meditation and raise your consciousness
Essential oils or incense help you relax and can be powerful for meditation. Lavender oil creates a sense of calm and peace. The musky, earthy scent of Patchouli may remind you of your hippie days.
Cut out distractions with sound, music, or white noise
Complete silence is ideal for meditation but sometimes there are distractions you have no control over. I live next to a freeway, and it’s noisy. Members of your household may gab, dogs bark, doorbells ring, or a neighbor starts yelling. You can try wearing a headset and listen to soothing music. Or play a singing bowl, repeat a mantra, (repetitive phrase) or chant Om out loud. There are CDs recorded specifically to put you in a deep state of consciousness. You can find some on Gaia.
Do you practice meditation? What have you done or used to make it effective for you? Or, is there something that keeps you from trying it? Please leave a comment.
We’re in Banff now. Going today to find my citrine!
Oh, how cool! I hope you find a beautiful and very prosperous one!
Love this. I love crystals and shells too. Feathers also find their way onto my meditation altar.
Feathers are beautiful, Jennifer, and I love them too. I have a beautiful shawl that has peacock feathers and my sister paints on them.
Hi Rebecca thank you for the lesson in crystals. I’ve often wondered about them and their ‘powers’ that I’ve heard of but never took the time to learn how they work. Have a beautiful week and thanks again for the information, I will look at crystals differently now.
Thanks, Sue. They are inspiring and if anything are lovely to look at. They helps us connect to the natural world and that’s always powerful.