Aromatherapy

Lesson 4: Mind and Body Balance.

Aromatherapy for Meditation

The mind/body connection has been recognized for thousands of years in the Eastern world, and has recently been acknowledged and verified by scientific research carried out in Western universities and medical centers.

The practice of meditation has now proved effective in helping reduce blood pressure, stimulate the immune system, and generally fight depression and stress-related ailments.

Meditating is very simply "observing" your mind, gradually increasing awareness on the roots of our feelings and emotions, and shifting the weight from being a passive spectator to being an active observer of one’s thoughts and emotions; this newly acquired mindfulness eventually enables us to tame the mind and control its continuous chattering.

The use of scented woods and aromatic plants in religious ceremonies, to enhance the connection with God and deepen one’s mental focus, is an age-old practice. Sandalwood, frankincense and rosemary were and still are widely used in all meditative practices. The major oils utilized for ritualistic purposes are sandalwood, myrrh, cistus, frankincense, benzoin, vetiver, spikenard, and rose. Essential oils, especially those derived from woods and gums, have a very centering effect on our psyche. They inspire a sense of connection both within us and within our physical and natural environment.

Churches and places of cult, both in the East and in the West, are fragrant oases of peace. You do not need essential oils to meditate, but the subtle and yet powerful life forces they carry with them make them incredibly effective in any energy work such as Shiatsu, acupressure and energy healing, also known as Chakra healing.

The most widely used oils in yoga and meditation rituals include Cedarwood, Cistus, Fir, Myrrh, Sandalwood, and Spruce.

As for Chakra healing meditation, these are the oils I generally use in my workshops and retreats:

• Root Chakra – Pepper, Frankincense, Vetiver
• Sexual Chakra – Jasmine, Ylang-ylang, Tangerine, Sandalwood
• Solar Plexus – Clove, Juniper, Lemon, Sage, Rosemary
• Heart Chakra – Rose, Neroli, Melissa, Benzoin
• Third Eye – Cistus, Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Spruce, Mugwort
• Crown Chakra – Rose, Spruce, Sandalwood, Myrrh, Frankincense, Benzoin

Here’s the recipe for a meditation oil that I particularly like:

Peaceful Mind

18 drops Frankincense essential oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil
10 drops Sandalwood essential oil
5 drops Cedarwood essential oil
5 drops Ylang ylang essential oil

Mix the essential oils in an amber or blue glass bottle. You can use this recipe for inhalation, put a few drops in a burner during meditation, or add 2 ounces of vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil to make a very effective and relaxing massage ointment.

The best time to engage in a meditation practice is early in the morning. Spend a few minutes keeping your awareness on your breath and breathing in the wonderful energy of the new day. You may want to follow your meditation with a 10 minute self-massage and end it with an energizing shower. The world is yours and the sky’s the limit!

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