Meditation is an art thousands of years old, found in many religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity…) and in many mental, spiritual or healing practices (yoga, alternative medicine, tantra…). For the person practicing it, it means fixing their attention on a single object, external or internal, physical or psychological, in order to reach an altered state of consciousness.

There are many ways to meditate: the techniques vary with the object, the goal, and the tradition the practice belongs to. For a quick overview of that variety, you could start with this article (in French).

Meditation has many benefits. It brings deep relaxation, sharpens the mind and improves concentration, physical well-being and mental health in general, while easing harmful emotions such as stress, anxiety and depression. Scientific studies have also shown that meditation has a real, measurable effect on both the body and the brain.

Meditation and crystal healing

You can, of course, meditate with your stones. Crystal healing work often goes hand in hand with some form of meditation. Some crystal healers even put this art at the heart of their practice, while others prefer simply to stress how important it is to stay relaxed and focused during a healing session.

Before we get to the stones that help with meditation, one thing needs saying first: you can meditate with any stone or crystal. Focusing your attention on a mineral is actually an excellent way to practice meditation and crystal healing at the same time!

In this article we will look at which stones will help you meditate, quiet the stream of thoughts and practice meditative self-observation, along with a few meditation exercises with healing stones and crystals you can do at home, starting today if you like!

The best crystals for meditation

Clear quartz

Clear quartz is the master stone of crystal healing. It gets energy flowing, opens up clairvoyance and dissolves blockages. It is also an excellent stone to meditate with. One good exercise is to concentrate on its energy and picture it moving through your body.

Amethyst

Amethyst is an exceptional stone in many respects. It regulates the nervous system as a whole, and it is also a fine aid to meditation and concentration.

Azurite

Azurite is another mineral often recommended to help with meditation. It eases the way to knowledge and stimulates concentration.

How to meditate with healing crystals

To meditate with your stones and crystals, you can quite simply focus on the mineral, concentrating on the energy it gives off while you hold it in the palm of your hand, or place it in front of you and imagine that you are entering the stone and becoming one with it.

Crystal healers who set great store by meditation will invite you to meditate this way before asking the stone for what you would like it to bring you.

One exercise suggested by Philip Permutt is to hold a piece of clear quartz in each hand and visualize the energy they give off filling your body. You can picture it radiating along your arms, then spreading into your head, your chest and your heart. After that you may feel the same energy flowing back down into your belly and out through your legs, right to the tips of your toes.

Once your whole body is bathed in the energy of the crystals, you can stay in this soothing state of calm for several minutes and let go of every negative sensation or feeling that has been troubling you.

Then, when you have reached the state of relaxation and well-being you were after, all that is left is to come back gradually to an awareness of your body, opening your eyes slowly and paying attention to each sensation as it wakes up.

A final word

These few examples of meditation techniques using stones are not meant to hold you back, of course. If you use others, or know of stones that help you meditate particularly well, please share them in a comment. Either way, we hope you found some useful information on this page, along with a few meditation exercises you will enjoy trying!

Meditating with crystals is a complementary wellness practice, not a form of treatment. It does not replace medical or psychological care, so if stress, anxiety or low mood are getting the better of you, talk to a health professional.