The ideal essential oils for most mindfulness practices are those with aromas and properties that inspire the feelings of calmness, centeredness, and concentration.
Here are some favourite oils with their reputed benefits:
Frankincense: promotes a sense of enlightenment, boosts faith in self, strengthens awareness of and connection to higher, spiritual self/consciousness, promotes feelings of being mentally balanced,
Atlas Cedarwood: helps to reestablish a personal spiritual path when individuals feel hindered, protects against negative energy, exhibits calming and grounding effects on the spirit and mind
Palo Santo: Promotes feelings of being grounded and calm, eliminates negative thoughts and sentiments, expels negative energy
Myrrh: cleanses the body’s cellular memory of negative thoughts and emotions, reduces stress, promotes mental focus, supports spiritual opening, encourages feelings of rest and tranquility
Sandalwood: inspires emotional openness and promotes ability to trust, supports feeling of being grounded, cleanses the mind of negative thoughts and sentiments, helps to focus breathing, promotes the feeling of a calm body at peace
Neroli: promotes self-acceptance, self-love, courage, and personal responsibility, spurs creative energy, centers the mind and body, strengthens mental clarity, reduces sadness, stress, pain, and inflammation
Vetiver: has soothing and calming effects on the body and mind, helps with symptoms of insomnia, helps to ground the spirit, inspires calmness and quietude of the mind to support concentration, encourages the body and mind to wind down after a demanding day
Lavender: promotes the sense of relaxation, emotional stability, and mental clarity, inspires restful and quality sleep, reduces anxiety, sadness, restlessness, and general emotional imbalance, inspires focus and enhances sense of enlightenment
Ylang Ylang: calming and relaxing properties, promotes the release of negative sentiments, such as stress, sadness, anger, frustration, and nervous tension, uplifts the mood
Sage: cleanses the body, mind, and indoor spiritual spaces of negative energies, stimulates, clarifies, and grounds the mind and spirit, promotes emotional balance, promotes a sense of attentiveness and enhances memory recall
USING ESSENTIAL OILS FOR MEDITATION
Oils can be applied topically (dilute in carrier oil), as a room spray, in a diffuser, in a candle, or in a pinch, on a tissue or napkin to be held up to your nose when needed.
ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR MEDITATION
CALMING
- Cedarwood – 2 drops
- Palo Santo – 3 drops
- Sandalwood – 3 drops
GROUNDING
- Frankincense – 2 drops
- Sage – 2 drops
- Vetiver – 2 drops
RELAXING
- Lavender – 3 drops
- Neroli – 3 drops
- Ylang Ylang – 2 drops
NOTE: Prior to using any Essential Oil, a skin test is recommended. Essential Oils must never be used near the eyes, inner nose, and ears, or on any other particularly sensitive areas of skin. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the products and see a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist. To prevent side effects, consult with a medical professional prior to use.