Have you ever walked or driven to work and when you arrived you realized that you remember nothing about your itinerary?
Oh, this one is good. Have you ever started to eat and when finished you have no idea how that plate got empty?
What I wanted to show with these two examples is that when we enter this state of mindlessness we engage the autopilot mode and our attention is absorbed in the black hole of our never-ending winding minds, thus not really focusing on what is currently happening inside and outside us.
There’s a TED Talk showing that the average person spends 47% of their time in autopilot mode.
Nowadays with so much happening around us and being so connected with the world, it’s very easy to get trapped in autopilot, every day.
By living like this we frequently overlook the beauty of life, we overlook the signs our bodies are saying to us and most of us end up being stuck in that mechanical way of thinking.
Being in this state of mindlessness we have a tendency to become lost in doing instead of really appreciating life. Therefore, we are vulnerable to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Same TED Talk I mentioned above, shows how we can be happier by starting to focus more on the present.
So, what is mindfulness?
Well, mindfulness is the exact opposite of the “autopilot” state.
It means you’re in control of everything around and inside you; you control your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
According to the American Psychological Association, mindfulness is:
“…a moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment. In this sense, mindfulness is a state and not a trait. While it might be promoted by certain practices or activities, such as meditation, it is not equivalent to or synonymous with them.”
How mindfulness and meditation are different?
They are different in terms that these two incorporate different significances. Nonetheless, they are directly linked.
How are they linked?
While mindfulness enhances and reinforces meditation, meditation feeds and broadens your mindfulness.
To put it simply, mindfulness can be used in any circumstance at any time, while meditation is typically exercised for a certain period of time.
Furthermore, while mindfulness implies understanding and being in tune with what is happening inside and around you, meditation implies quitting what you’re currently doing and being conscious of nothing by concentrating your attention on one thing only.
Now that we saw how the two are connected let’s take a look at how we can take advantage of essential oils to help us be more aware and more present.
Practicing mindfulness meditation with essential oils
Do you use essential oils during your meditation practices?
If not, don’t be afraid to give it try. You could only benefit from using essential oils.
Mainly there are two methods you can use essential oils during meditation.
1. Aromatherapy inhalation
You do this by diffusing the oil into the air with the help of an essential oil diffuser.
Thus, through inhalation, it can aid stimulate your senses, ensure relaxation, and set a calm ambient for you to truly concentrate.
2. Direct application
As the name clearly states, you apply the essential oils directly onto the skin.
There are several ways you can do this:
- place the oil on your pulse points so it can rapidly get to the targeted locations
- apply it to aching areas that might distract your mind during meditation
- rub it in your palms for self-directed inhalation.
Feel free to experiment with each of the ones listed below.
Sandalwood
You might’ve heard or seen it on a perfume or cosmetics label due to its rich fragrance.
Sandalwood essential oil is a perfect help for meditation and spiritual contemplation.
Being among the preferred crown chakra essential oils, Sandalwood helps to silence the mind chatter, enabling your ego to stay behind the scenes while spaciousness emerges in the foreground.
It is in this vast space where freedom of spirit, and clarity occur, thus aiding you in achieving that mindfulness state.
Frankincense
Frankincense comes from Boswellia tree resin, an African tree. The essential oil is produced by steam distillation of the resin.
The Frankincense essential oil is the holy oil or the king of essential oils.
It is used for introspective contemplation, for attaining peaceful states of mind, and for achieving spiritual freedom.
It’s also known to reduce pain and joint inflammation, improve asthma, and may improve gut function.
All of these can prove quite distracting during your meditation practice, so it’s a good essential oil to have around.
Vetiver
Another perfume or cosmetic key ingredient, but Vetiver is also known for its calming and stabilizing properties.
It promotes peacefulness and relaxation. It is a great oil to use when you’re stressed, or you need to unplug after a busy day.
Vetiver essential oil is great for mindfulness meditation because it aids you to focus while it calms your mind.
Palo Santo
Palo Santo is also known as the “Holly Wood” or “Sacred Wood” and its therapeutic benefits trace back on the time of the Incan empire.
Due to its soothing, uplifting, and grounding properties, Palo Santo essential oil is another must-have during your meditation practices.
Palo Santo is used for healing and opening to higher spiritual realms. It is known for its ability to remove bad energy or negative energy from homes.
It is grounding and brings out a sense of calm, and thus can be used to help against anxiety and depression.
Rose
Rose is the symbol of love, and the essential oil can be used to open your heart, specifically stimulating self-love.
Yes, you’ve guessed it! It helps heal and balance your heart chakra.
It promotes self-love and self-confidence during meditation and it’s helpful if you’re searching to boost your self-worth and happiness.
Depending on how you’re feeling or what you’re wanting to achieve during your meditation, rose oil could be beneficial for you to explore your beliefs.
Lavender
Last but not least, Lavender essential oil is my favorite. It’s basically my all-purpose essential oil.
I use it when I’m cold to unclog my respiratory system, I use it on my pillow to get better sleep, and I use it when I meditate to calm my mind.
Lavender is an antidepressant, antianxiety, and relaxant.
Due to its calming qualities, it can place your mind in the right state to accomplish clearness and enlightenment from your meditation practice.
The Lavender essential oil can also aid relax and stabilize you, thus, if you’re having an agitated meditation, you can use it to calm you down and truly focus.
So, what are your favorite essential oils that you use during your mindfulness meditation?
Feel free to comment below.
Start paying attention; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.
Stay well, stay healthy, fly high!