How to Do Candle Meditations

Meditation is a practice that has been in use for thousands of years. Meditation attempts to allow a person to achieve a high state of consciousness, a relaxed mind and body, or just lower levels of stress. It can often be difficult for a person to reach this state, especially if they are new to meditating. The candle meditation, in which the visual of a candle's flame, both real and imagined, is used to help aid in the attempt to gain the benefits of meditation is a great technique for novices and experience individuals alike.

Things You'll Need

• Candle
• Lighter or matches

Instructions

How to Do Candle Meditation

1. Seclude yourself in a quiet, darkened room.

2. Light the wick of a candle, and place the burning candle in front of you.

3. Assume the meditating position with which you are most comfortable. See tips below for suggested meditation position.

4. Watch the flame as it burns and dances in front of you. Focus all of your thoughts and energy onto observing the flame, while allowing your body to relax. If thoughts come into your mind, allow them to pass through your mind, without forcing them, and return to the flame.

5. Shut your eyes and visualize the candle's flame. Imagine it moving and pulsating as you continue to remove thought from your mind, and stress from your body.

Tips & Warnings

• The most frequently suggested position involves crossing your legs (with the sides of your feet resting on the opposite thigh, if you can do this without too much pain), placing both hands just above your knees, with the fingertips of your first few fingers touching the tip of that hand's thumb. Your back should also be as straight as possible, and your head should be facing straight ahead.

• As you will have your eyes closed, and will most likely be alone, during this meditation make sure to place the burning candle on a flat surface, in a reliable candle holder to avoid the potential for a fire.

• The amount of time you spend watching the flame, versus visualizing it, is entirely up to you. You can even decide to watch the flame the entire time, or go back and forth between watching it and visualizing it.