Top 13 Meditation Gifts

Top 13 Meditation Gifts

Not sure what to buy the meditator in your life? We’ve rounded up 13 of the top meditation gifts to help enhance their practice. From meditation cushions to experience gifts and subscription boxes, you’re sure to find something for your loved one on our list.

Disclosure: Some of the products we recommend include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission if you buy something through any affiliate link on our site.

1. Meditation Cushions

A meditation pillow is a great gift idea for someone who is just getting started with their meditation journey. Many new meditators find it difficult to find and stay in a comfortable position. A meditation cushion can help.

The right cushion will:

  • Provide support
  • Promote good posture
  • Take the stress off of your knees

Look for pillows with supportive, comfortable filling (like buckwheat) and removable covers for easy cleaning.

We like this meditation pillow from Florensi. It’s just the right size and comes with a square floor cushion for extra support for your knees and ankles.

meditation cushions

2. Singing Bowls

Singing bowls are traditionally used as a meditation tool to help clear the mind, but they can also be therapeutic. For example, they’re used in sound healing to help ease pain, promote muscle relaxation and even help with digestive issues.

Sound therapy isn’t just a bunch of nonsense, either. A review of 400 studies found that music has physical and mental health benefits.

Plus, singing bowls are just fun to play, and they’re beautifully detailed.

If you’re going to buy a singing bowl as a gift for a friend or loved one, consider the following:

  • Material: Metal and crystal bowls are available. Both are excellent choices, but metal bowls tend to be easier to play (great for beginners).
  • Size: Small bowls are perfect for beginners. Keep in mind that crystal bowls are heavier than their metal counterparts. The size and the weight will affect the resonance.

We like this singing bowl from Telsha. It’s a decent size (5” tall with a 5.5” diameter), and it’s locally sourced. No two bowls are the same, and they come with a wooden mallet for easy play.

singing bowls

3. Meditation Books

Meditation books are great gifts for anyone seeking knowledge on how to improve their practice or even how to get started. Beyond practice, you can find books that delve into more philosophical and spiritual aspects of meditation.

You can find a great selection of meditation books on Amazon, including:

Books make great stocking stuffers and are a thoughtful choice for any meditator.

4. Meditation Session, Workshop or Retreat

Experience gifts are truly memorable. If it’s in your budget, consider booking your friend or loved one a meditation retreat, workshop or session.

There are so many great options for workshops and retreats all over the world, such as:

  • Esalen Institute in California’s Big Sur area. They offer workshops, accommodations, natural hot springs and more.
  • Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. They offer a number of retreat events throughout the year. Along with meditation and yoga sessions, they also have hikes and share meals.
  • Kadampa Meditation Center in Glen Spey, New York. This meditation center is a great budget-friendly option. Workshops start at $20. Accommodation starts at $90 per person per night – or $110 for two people. They also have study programs for those who want to learn more about Buddhist teachings.

If you search for “meditation workshops near me” or “meditation retreats near me,” you’re sure to find local options. Just make sure that you do your research to see what’s included and how other people rate the experience.

5. Guided Breathing Tool

Meditation is all about focusing on the rise and fall of your breath. Learning how to slow down your breathing can also help calm your body and mind.

But it’s not always easy to practice your breathing when you’re panicked or you’re new to meditation. That’s where a guided breathing tool comes in.

We love the Breathing Buddha from Mindsight because it’s adorable and educational.

This tiny Buddha changes colors when it’s time to inhale (green), hold at the top of the breath (purple) and exhale (blue).

The great thing about this handy tool is that you can take it anywhere. So, if you know someone who works a stressful job, has trouble sleeping at night or just wants to improve their breathing, Breathing Buddha is a thoughtful gift.

breathing guide

6. Essential Oil Diffuser

An essential oil diffuser isn’t necessary for meditation, but it can help. Aromatherapy can help you relax and get into the right mindset for a meditation session. Depending on the essential oils that you use, they can also help with mental clarity and boost your mood.

There are a dizzying number of diffusers on the market today. Most models are ultrasonic and easy to use. Just fill the water reservoir, add a few drops of essential oil, and hit the power button.

If you want a simple, no-frills aromatherapy diffuser, this one from HLS is a great option. It comes in a few colors and has a modern design that will look great in any home.

Plus, it comes with a set of essential oils: lavender, peppermint, tea plant, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, orange flower, frankincense, cinnamon and cedar.

The LED color light strip can help set the mood, and there’s an automatic timer setting for easy use.

aromatherapy

If you want to go beyond a basic diffuser, try this Himalayan salt diffuser. This 2-in-1 device offers aromatherapy and ionic salt therapy.

The diffuser has genuine Himalayan pink salt crystals, which contain more than 70 trace minerals. It also comes with a set of essential oils: peppermint, eucalyptus, spearmint, lemongrass, tea tree, clove, lavender, orange, nutmeg and Jasmine.

essential oil diffuser

7. Meditation Chair

If a meditation cushion doesn’t offer enough support, a meditation chair may be the next best thing. These chairs are designed to help you sit comfortably in an upright position for meditation.

It includes a backrest (with a lumbar pillow), a meditation cushion and a floor cushion.

If you know someone who wants to meditate but has back problems or mobility issues, a meditation chair is a thoughtful gift.

We love the chair from Friends of Meditation (FOM) because it’s portable, provides ample back support and has a removable cover for easy cleaning.

meditation chair

8. Mindfulness Cards

When life gets stressful, we tend to forget to take care of ourselves. If you have a friend or loved one who could use a little reminder to practice self-care and mindfulness, a set of mindfulness cards is a thoughtful gift.

We love the card set from Allura & Arcia. They include little practices or exercises to help you stress less and take better care of yourself.

mindfulness cards

9. Salt Lamps

Salt lamps may not seem like a traditional meditation gift, but they can enhance the practice by serving as a focal point for meditation. They also add a warm, cozy glow that can help you feel more relaxed.

Many people believe that salt lamps can help purify the air.

Their unique shape and beauty make salt lamps a wonderful gift for friends and family members who meditate.

We love the lamps from the Himalayan Glow Store because they’re made from natural Himalayan salt crystals that are hand mined.

salt lamps

10. Meditation Stool

A meditation stool is a wonderful gift for anyone who prefers kneeling during meditation. These stools are specially designed to promote good posture while opening up the body and alleviating pressure on the knees.

Kneeling, instead of sitting cross-legged, can help promote healthy circulation while making it easy to relax and stay in an upright position.

We like the stool from Monk & Llama because it folds up for easy portability and the frame is made from bamboo. It also has a removable cushion and a handy carrying case. Choose from five colors – purple, black, gray, blue and beige.

meditation stool

11. Mindfulness Journal

Mindfulness is a journey, and journaling is a part of that journey for many people. From gratitude to thoughts and emotions, journaling is an excellent tool for exploring the mind and improving mental health.

Meditators will appreciate receiving a mindfulness journal as a gift.

Mindfulness journal

We love this mindfulness meditation journal from the AlreadyThereShop on Etsy. It has daily prompts to help you:

  • Be in the moment
  • Be grateful for everything in your life
  • Practice kindness
  • More

12. Incense

Many meditators use incense to help clear and relax their minds. As a form of aromatherapy, incense can help you get into the right state for a deep meditation session.

Like with essential oils, there are so many types of incense, and they each have their own effects. But here are some of the most popular ones used in meditation:

Palo Santo

Known for its soothing scent, Palo Santo is believed to help raise your vibration and is often used during meditation.

Palo Santo is a tree that’s native to South America, primarily Peru and Ecuador. So, when you’re buying Palo Santo, you’re technically buying chunks of wood. They burn longer, and they produce an intoxicating aroma.

We like the Palo Santo from the Luna Sundara Store because it’s sustainably harvested in Peru and derived from fair trade suppliers.

Palo Santo

White Sage

Sage is known for its grounding and cleansing effects. It’s often used in rituals to clear negative energy and help boost mood.

Many meditators burn sage to help eliminate negative or intrusive thoughts.

We love these white sage smudge kits from MagicBrands because each little bundle includes a white sage stick, selenite wand and Palo Santo.

White Sage

Nag Champa

Nag Champa is one of the most well-known types of incense, especially for meditation. It’s believed to create a sacred atmosphere and enhance meditation. Nag Champa incense is commonly used during morning prayers, ceremonies and special events.

It’s difficult to find real Nag Champa incense, but the Govinda store comes pretty close. We like this kit because it comes with an incense holder.

meditation incense

13. Meditation Gift Box

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the meditator in your life, a subscription box is a thoughtful option.

The MindfulSouls self-care subscription box includes basic essentials and fun little things that are all related to mindfulness, meditation and self-care.

Each box comes with 6-8 items, like healing crystals, jewelry, self-care products, guides and more.

meditation gift box
8 Meditation Hand Positions: Where Do I Put My Hands?

8 Meditation Hand Positions: Where Do I Put My Hands?

Meditation hand positions drive beginners crazy because there’s always the question of, “where do I put my hands when meditating?” And then, you’ll see a world-class practitioner or a Buddha statue and notice they have very specific hand meditation positions.

In fact, there are a lot of hand positions with different meanings, but they’re called Mudras rather than hand positions.

Mudras are very specific gestures and they often have to do with two main things:

  1. Bringing your focus inward
  2. Channeling energy to specific parts of your body

If you’re practicing Kundalini meditation or Chakra meditation, meditation hand positions and meanings may help you control your energy flow.

However, some Mudras may involve the entire body rather than just the hands, so you’ll need to be mindful of this.

Fingers and the Elements They Represent in Meditation

Each of your fingers correlates to an element, and since Mudras are rooted in helping balance the elements, it’s important to know each finger’s elements. The elements for each finger, include:

  • Thumb (Agni) – fire
  • Index (Vayu) – air
  • Middle Finger (Aakasha) – sky
  • Ring (Prithvi) – earth
  • Pinky (Jala) – water

While your hand and finger positions may seem subtle or insignificant to you, it is believed that they can help restore balance in the body.

8 Meditation Hand Positions and Meanings

Gesture of Knowledge or the Gyan Mudra

1. Gesture of Knowledge or the Gyan Mudra

If you envision someone meditating and they’re holding their thumb and index finger together, you already know this Mudra. In fact, it’s the most popular of the bunch. It’s also one of the gestures that are often connected to the chin mudra.

In this pose, you’ll:

  • Keep your arms separate
  • Balance the arm on the knee, close to your elbow
  • Keep your hands to the sky
  • Press your index finger to your thumb

And, when you perform this Mudra, it will help sharpen your memory and is meant to bring you more spiritual knowledge, too.

2. Flowing Air or Vayu Mudra

If you have anxiety, stress, or pain, you can use the Vayu Mudra while meditating to help you hone in on these issues. The Mudra will help you begin regulating the air element in the body and can be performed by:

  • Placing the tip of the index finger to the base of the thumb
  • Keep the remaining fingers straight

3. Fearlessness or Abhaya Mudra

Fearlessness is something we can all work on, especially when there’s so much anxiety and uncertainty in the world. You can maintain this hand position whether you’re sitting or standing, and it involves placing an open palm to the front of you.

Envision someone putting their hand out to say, “stop,” this is how you’ll hold your hand.

The position will help:

  • Ease fear
  • Bring peace
  • Raise protection

However, your right hand is the only one that is used. Raise the right hand to around your shoulder height and push your palm outwards and the fingers to the sky.

You can rest the left hand however you like.

Unshakeable Trust or Vajrapradama Mudra

4. Unshakeable Trust or Vajrapradama Mudra

The Mudra of unshakeable trust is a fun and common way to position your hands. If you feel like you need to be grounded, this is one of the best positions to try. It’s also very comfortable and has a way of calming the nervous system.

So, how do you master this hand position?

  • Lace your fingers together
  • Lift your laced hands to your heart
  • Place the hands on the heart, palms facing the heart

You can perform your entire meditation using this hand position if you find it comfortable enough. After a long, difficult day, this Mudra can be quite calming.

5. Generosity or Varada Mudra

Generosity and kindness are part of this Mudra and it’s one of the positions that you’ll see Hindu statutes holding. Instead of focusing on yourself or correcting something in your life, this Mudra will be about giving and generosity.

However, it’s a little tricky to maintain this hand position without seeing it first.

The steps below may help:

  • Place the back of the right wrist to your thigh
  • Open the palm to the sky
  • Stretch the fingers down to the ground

Your palm will be facing away from you in this pose as if pushing the generosity out of yourself. The left hand does not follow this Mudra, so you can choose one of the other ones on the list if you like.

6. Perception or Buddhi Mudra

Buddhi is one of the Mudras that are used most often and is associated with intellect and perception. The Mudra is meant to help you through your journey by improving:

  • Clarity
  • Mindfulness
  • Understanding

If you’re seeking answers or wisdom, try using this meditation hand position. Your thumb should touch the tip of your pinky while you extend the rest of your three fingers outward. You’ll then want to rest the back of your hand on your knee or thigh when meditating so that your palms are facing the sky in this position.

You can also try placing your hands on the middle or upper thigh if that’s more comfortable for you.

7. Enlightenment or Dhyana Mudra

Searching for enlightenment is one of the incorrect reasons to first start your meditation, but it is something most people hope to achieve over time. Of course, you may never reach enlightenment, but you can still bring some extra enlightenment into your practice with the Dhyana Mudra.

You’ll find that this hand position will help you concentrate and focus.

And for many people, Dhyana Mudra will also bring a feeling of calmness and peace to them when they’re feeling stressed. Beginning this hand position is quite easy:

  • Place both hands together on the lower abdomen
  • Place your palms in the air
  • Place the left hand under the right hand
  • Touch the point of your thumbs together

If you’re following this right, the space between the thumbs will form somewhat of a triangle.

8. Earth Touching or Bhumisparsha Mudra

Buddhists will recognize this hand position because it is associated with the awakening of the Buddha. The symbolism of this Mudra is one of the most important because Buddha touches the earth so that it can be a witness of his enlightenment.

You can begin performing this Mudra by doing the following:

  • Sit down for your meditation
  • Place your left hand on your knee, facing the sky
  • Place your right hand on your knee, facing the earth

The fingers on the right hand must be pointed toward the ground.

Now that you know various meditation hand positions and meanings, you can begin using them in your own practice. Try different hand positions for meditation and find one that you like. If a position is uncomfortable at first, practice it a few times to see if it gets better.

If you still don’t find the hand position comfortable, one like unshakeable trust is comfortable and easy to maintain.

How to Use Meditation Balls and 3 Ball Recommendations

How to Use Meditation Balls and 3 Ball Recommendations

Meditation balls, also known as baoding balls, are something I’ve always been interested in for both dexterity reasons and to help meditate. However, I realized that I honestly had no idea how to use these balls properly, so I decided to share my research with everyone reading this post.

Disclosure: Some of the products we recommend include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission if you buy something through any affiliate link on our site.

What are Meditation Balls?

History tells us that the first baoding balls come from Hebei, China, dating all the way back to the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 – 1644. The exact year of the ball’s creation is unknown, but its uses for them remain today.

However, these balls were often made of iron at the time, and they may have been used as a weapon and/or for meditation purposes.

The balls transitioned to a steel material because they were lighter.

Benefits of Using Meditation Balls

While the history of balls for meditation is fascinating, their benefits are easy to overlook. A few of the key benefits, include:

  • Dexterity: It takes a lot of skill to be able to move the balls with your hand. A lot of people have mastered the practice and can stop the two balls from touching.
  • Calming: Rotating in one direction than another can help create a sense of calming.
  • Focus: On top of the calming feeling, I find that moving the balls around helps to keep me focused.
  • Anxiety and Stress: Many people find that focusing on this practice provides a sense of stress and anxiety relief.
  • Chi Points: Other practitioners use these items to put pressure on the chi points in their hands.

If you’re practicing mindful living or learning how to practice mindfulness, I find meditation balls to be very helpful. While I do try to use them in my regular practice, I believe they help me focus on objects a lot better when I’m working on mindfulness.

Note: An interesting tidbit that I cannot verify nor deny is that using metal balls can zap your energy. I initially read this on Reddit, but it’s one of those things that will never be truly known. If you feel like your energy is being zapped, you can always try using balls that have a covering on them.

How to Use Meditation Balls

Using baoding balls isn’t difficult to start, but you’ll certainly need some practice to move the balls effortlessly with either hand.

  1. Hold both balls in a single hand.
  2. Place one ball end on your pinky.
  3. Place the other ball end touching the ball and extending just over the side of your pointer finger.
  4. Curl the fingers over the top of the ball.
  5. Rotate the balls in your hands. Many people will use their fingers at first for this rotation, primarily their thumb.
  6. Practice moving the balls in a clockwise rotation.

Over time, you’ll master moving in one direction and can then work on going counterclockwise. Next, practice using both hands and master moving the balls in either direction effortlessly. If you want to progress further, you can also try rotating the balls without allowing them to touch. Over time, you’ll also learn how to engage the fingers less and use your palm to help with ball movement.

But I haven’t reached this level personally.

Also, there’s a chance that you’ll drop the balls when first starting out. If you’re doing this over glass or while standing over tile, make an extra effort to avoid dropping the balls.

3 Best Meditation Balls on Amazon

1. JapanBargain 3297, Baoding Balls Chinese

If you’re purely interested in the lowest price meditation balls, these are the best I could find. Priced just under $10, these are two chrome color balls, made of metal that weigh just 0.5 pounds. You can purchase these balls in multiple color options if you like, including:

  • Blue
  • Green
  • Marble
  • Silver
  • Red

For a cheap set of baoding balls, these are definitely the most popular option I could find.

Click to view on Amazon.

2. BCQLI 2″Greenish Stone Baoding Balls, Hand Exercise Tool

If you’re concerned about the metal balls zapping your energy, these are an excellent option for you. These balls come in a green stone color and weigh just 150 grams. The ornate box that comes with them is very nice and can fit perfectly on any desk or meditation altar.

Made from jade, the one thing that people love about these meditation balls is that they’re just the right weight – not too heavy or light.

Click to view on Amazon.

3. 1.57 Inch Solid Baoding Balls 304 Stainless Steel by Nimble Agility™

Nimble Agility™ is a brand that is a little more expensive, but they come with a stunning stainless steel finish and a very nice holding case. The balls are 1.57” in height, width and length, and the stainless steel ensures that they’re resistant to:

  • Corrosion
  • Rust
  • Tarnishing

A lot of users left reviews mentioning how these balls were heavier than other options, but they helped to loosen their hands and help with arthritis pain. While I am not sure that these claims are true, they are intriguing to me since I type all day, leaving my hands very tight.

Click here to view on Amazon.

Meditation balls are fun and a little something different to add to your mindfulness and meditation practice. They’re also neat to master, especially when you begin rotating in both directions, and they can help keep your hands looser and stronger.

Meditation Words and Their Meanings

Meditation Words and Their Meanings

Meditation has become a universal practice. If you, like many others, have gained an interest in meditation and are learning more about it, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across words or terms you don’t understand.

In this guide, we hope to bring some clarity by defining some of the most common meditation words.

Meditation Mantras

Meditation mantras

Many people recite mantras when they meditate. These meditation words can serve a variety of purposes. They can help you stay focused, making it easier to get into a meditative state. They can also be used to promote relaxation, alleviate stress and cultivate a more positive mindset.

Here are some example mantras:

  • I allow myself to rest
  • Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (Means: Peace of body, mind and speech)
  • Om (the most sacred mantra)
  • Aham Prema (Means: I am Divine Love)
  • I am that I am
  • I am enough
  • All that I need is within me
  • I am fulfilled
  • I am fearless

These are just a few of the many mantras used in meditation.

mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness Meditation Words

When practicing mindfulness meditation, you may come across several terms that you are unfamiliar with, including:

Five Hindrances

Refers to the hindrances that can prevent you from reaching enlightenment or nirvana. They include:

  • Aversion
  • Attraction
  • Restlessness
  • Sluggishness (mentally)
  • Doubt

Six Sense Doors

The six senses in which the mind is aware of to make sense of the world. These include:

  • Nose: Smells
  • Eye: Sights
  • Body: Touch
  • Tongue: Taste
  • Ear: Sounds
  • Mind: Mental experiences

Anapanasati

The practice of mindful breathing in and out. Ana pana means “in-out” and sati means “mindfulness.”

Four Noble Truths

The essence of the Buddha’s teachings. These are four things that the noble or enlightened ones understand.

  • Dukka (which means suffering) exists.
  • The truth of the cause of suffering.
  • The truth of the end of suffering.
  • The truth of the path to take to end suffering.

Samadhi

Refers to the unification of attention; a state of intense concentration.

Four Satipatthana

These are the four foundations of mindfulness:

  • Mindfulness of the body
  • Mindfulness of feeling tones
  • Mindfulness of mental states
  • Mindfulness of dhammas
Buddhist meditation chant words

Buddhist Meditation Chant Words

There are many Buddhist meditation chant words and phrases, which include (but are not limited to):

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa

Meaning: I honor the blessed one, who is fully enlightened and the only one.

A mantra that pays homage to Buddha to help them perform good deeds and gain enlightenment.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Meaning: Devotion of our mind and body.

A powerful mantra that encourages us to surrender ourselves to divine power. It can be used to give us the strength to face challenges.

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha

Meaning: Honors White Tara, which is depicted as having seven eyes and sitting cross-legged.

White Tara is associated with long life, and this chant is often recited with a certain person in mind.

Gate Gate Para Gate Parasam Gate Bodhi Svaha

Meaning: Going, going, always going beyond and always becoming Buddha.

This chant is also known as the “Heart Sutra,” and it is recited to help the practitioner gain clarity in their spiritual life.

meditation phhrases

Meditation Phrases

There are many terms or phrases related to meditation that either describe different practices or outcomes and effects of the practice. Some of the most common meditation words in this category are:

Transcendental Meditation

A silent mantra meditation promoted by the Transcendental Meditation movement. The practice is believed to create a relaxed state of awareness and reduce stress to reach a higher state of consciousness.

This form of meditation is practiced for 15-20 minutes twice per day. It is amongst the most widely practiced and widely researched forms of meditation.

Conscious Awareness

Refers to the state of being awake and aware of your surroundings.

Eightfold Path

The path to nirvana, or enlightenment. The eightfold path includes right:

  • Views
  • Speech
  • Livelihood
  • Intention
  • Action
  • Mindfulness
  • Effort
  • Concentration

Reflection

The practice of engaging the mind. In meditation, the goal is to empty and clear the mind. Reflection is all about thinking about challenges, goals, decisions and life experiences.

Zen

A school of Mahayana Buddhism that focuses on the attainment of enlightenment. Those who follow this school practice the zazen meditation technique, and it requires the help of an accomplished and experienced teacher.

Enlightenment

To attain full awakening; to reach nirvana and become a Buddha.

Chakra

Refers to the seven energy points on the body. The word “chakra” itself translates to wheel or cycle. There are seven chakras that run along the spine and affect areas of your health, behavior and mental health.

Dharma

Sometimes called cosmic law and regarded as right behavior. Dharma is a universal truth that is common to all individuals.

Kundalini

Refers to the “coiled” energy that sits at the base of your spine. Meditation can help awaken and release kundalini energy.

Mantra

Mantras are words or phrases chanted and focused on during meditation. They may be said out loud or internally.

Bandhan

A practice that is performed after a meditation session to help rebalance energy channels. Bandhans are often performed after kundalini is elevated.

Metta

Also known as Maitri, which means lovingkindness.

Mudra

Refers to the hand positions used in meditation. There are a variety of mudras, and each one has its own meaning.

Nirvana

It is said that a person achieves nirvana when their mind is at peace and impervious to worldly temptations. Nirvana is sometimes referred to as enlightenment.

Aura

Refers to the energy field surrounding a person. Auras are typically perceived as colors. Common interpretations of these colors are:

  • Purple: Spiritual awareness, higher consciousness
  • Indigo: Insight, wisdom, spirituality
  • Blue: Self-expression, intuition
  • Green: Healing, service, love of nature, responsibility
  • Yellow: Laughter, optimism, creativity
  • Orange: Excitement, thrill-seeker, confidence
  • Red: Passion, strength, determination
meditation technique words

Meditation Technique Words

There are many terms used when talking about meditation, including:

Breath Control

In meditation, breath control is often referred to as breath work. It can involve a variety of breathing techniques, including deep breathing, pranayama, circular breathing and more.

Mala

A common term used in meditation refers to a string of 108 beads. These beads are used by Buddhist monks in meditation and chanting. A mantra is recited for each bead.

Feedback Method

A meditation method that uses light signals to help you stay focused and attentive.

Dharana

The practice of concentrating your mind on a single point and maintaining your concentration for as long as possible. Dharana can help improve your focus.

Trataka

A meditative practice known as “yogic gazing.” The practice involves focusing on an object and trying to visualize it with your eyes closed.

Laya Yoga

A meditation practice that aims to raise kundalini through chants, meditation, yoga asanas (postures) and pranayama (breath practices).

Lotus Position

The famous cross-legged position commonly seen in Hindu meditation practices.

Bhramari

A breathing meditation technique (pranayama) that involves restricting your breathing after partially covering your eyes, ears and nose with your fingers. Bhramari is a popular technique that is known for its healing effects.

6-Step Guide on How to Make a Meditation Altar

6-Step Guide on How to Make a Meditation Altar

Meditation takes a lot of time and patience. If you’re just getting started, I suggest skipping this article and reading one of the following:

Why?

Learning how to make a meditation altar can take the fun out of meditating. You’ll need to spend time and money on your table, supplies and other times. But if you’re new to meditating, your goal should be to practice daily.

However, if you’re an avid meditator, an altar can help strengthen your practice and make it easier to get into the meditation mindset.

With that said, let’s dive into the step-by-step guide on creating meditation spaces of your own.

How to Make a Meditation Altar in 6 Steps

1. Understand What an Altar is Before You Begin

What’s the goal of this space? You’ve likely seen an altar before, but if not, you can see them in the Butsudan, or in the homes of Japanese Buddhists. However, these altars are meant to honor loved ones or the Buddha.

With this in mind, your meditative altar focuses on your practice with:

  1. Ornate décor
  2. Focal points for meditation
  3. Tools you can use for meditation

I do want to be abundantly clear that these altars are not tied to a religious affiliation. Instead, the area is meant to help you with your practice, but if you do want to make it religious in nature, that is 100% up to you.

2. Carve Out Space for Your Meditation Practice

Meditation requires an immense amount of concentration and “being.” If someone comes and knocks on the door or your dog keeps trying to give you kisses, your meditation practice isn’t going to work well for you.

You need to carve out a space and consider the following:

  • Search for a space where you have the lowest risk of being interrupted
  • Consider natural light and being able to see the outdoors
  • Choose a calming space that you like

You can work on making this space comfortable, too. Comfy cushions on the floor, an incense burner or something similar and even a sound machine can be added to the space. If you live in a home where noise is almost impossible to eliminate, you may want to invest in a white noise machine.

Everyone who meditates deserves to have a space to call their own.

Make your space something special.

And now, you can focus on the altar. I’m a true believer that the space is more important than an altar, so always start with your space before worrying about the next steps.

3. Setup a “Meditation Altar Table”

An altar for meditation is often associated with a table, but you can use shelves or anything higher or lower than you. The one thing I do want to mention is that if you practice candle meditation, be very careful of using candles on shelving.

You can add a tablecloth to the space if it helps, too.

However, if you don’t have the room for a large, dedicated space, don’t worry: floor altars work well, too. Normally, you’ll find people sitting on yoga mats or blankets and have an altar in front of them.

With a floor altar, you can take it out when you need it and put it away easily.

For anyone in a flat or small apartment, the floor altar may be in your best interest.

add harmonizing elements

4. Add Harmonizing Elements

Harmony is one of the main goals of an altar. You want the space to free your mind, add a calming effect and potentially bring the outdoors, indoors. Studies even show that spending time in nature helps with:

  • Mental clarity
  • Calmness
  • Anxiety
  • Attention

And all of these are great for your practice. You have a few options here, such as:

  • Earth elements: Such as plants or wooden items.
  • Flowers: To add a nice scent to the space and provide additional earth elements.
  • Candles: A representation of the fire element, candles will provide a sense of harmony. You can even try electronic tealight candles for added safety if you like.

On my own altar table, I have a Buddha water fountain, which provides the soothing sound of water and makes the area more calming. You can add anything to the space that helps bring harmony and a sense of calming.

If you add items that are too distracting, you will make your meditation even more difficult.

5. Think About Your Must-Have Meditation Tools

Meditation altar supplies can include a lot of different items, but there are a few meditation tools, which you can use during your sessions. If you do use tools, they should be on your altar so that they’re easily accessible when you need them most.

A few of the most common tools for meditating, include:

  • Singing Bowl: The Tibetan singing bowl is a powerful tool that uses sound to help with healing. Many people will use these sounds to open up their chakras.
  • Tuning Forks: If you don’t like the bowls above, you can consider tuning forks.
  • Candles: Candle meditation is a very popular practice, so you may need candles.
  • Oil diffuser: Scent can help provide energy and calming effects and really help you get into the meditation mindset.

You can also consider crystals, prayer beads or other items that you need for your practice.

6. Consider Other Meditation Altar Supplies

Finally, you can have some fun here and add altar supplies to the space. However, be careful when using candles and do so at your own discretion. The following items are fun additions to your dedicated space or sacred altar:

  • Prayer beads
  • Candles
  • Meditation balls
  • Altar cloth
  • Personal treasures
  • Fresh flowers
  • Mala beads
  • Statues
  • Photos of loved ones
  • Quotes, mantras or words of wisdom
  • Lights
  • Incense
  • Singing bowls
  • Crystals
  • Salt lamps

Only you can decide what to put on your meditation altar. But I recommend you focus on removing all negative energy and creating more positive energy.

Honestly, there’s no right or wrong way to create an altar for meditation. Everyone has their own preferences, so just use these recommendations loosely. The goal is to have a sacred space you enjoy.

Note: We wanted to make this article more about setting up your altar rather than filling it with meditation altar ideas. However, we are writing on the topic and will post a list of ideas for you to read through shortly.

Finally, now that you know how to make a meditation altar, you can begin designing your own. Take your time, have fun with the process and add to it as your tastes change or you find another, neat way to make it better.

639 Hz Frequency Benefits

639 Hz Frequency Benefits

The 639 Hz frequency is one of the Solfeggio frequencies that is believed to help create a positive shift in those who are listening to them. There are nine Solfeggio tones, and each one has a different effect and benefits. There are many 639 Hz frequency benefits, especially for those who are struggling to open their hearts.

The 639 hertz frequency is associated with one of the most important parts of life: love. But how does this tone affect the heart? What are the benefits of listening to meditation music at this frequency?

What Does 639 Hz Do?

The 639 frequency is associated with positive energy. It’s known as the frequency of the heart chakra, and it can help ease anxiety. It’s believed to vanquish negative feelings and help cultivate positive effects while helping fill the heart with love.

The 639 hertz frequency is commonly used during meditation practice to help ground, center, and return the mind to a place of loving-kindness.

Making this frequency a part of your meditation practice or sound healing therapy can help you cultivate love, compassion, and kindness in all of your relationships.

639 Hz benefits
639 Hz is associated with love, communication and harmony

639 Hz Frequency Benefits

The 639 Hz Solfeggio frequency has many benefits and healing effects for the heart and the relationships in your life. Many people use it on their meditation journey to mend broken relationships, open their heart chakra and learn to be more compassionate.

Here are some of the many benefits of the 639 Hz frequency.

Promotes Harmony in Interpersonal Relationships

One of the greatest benefits of this sound frequency is its ability to help people cultivate harmony in interpersonal relationships.

Listening to this social frequency helps open the heart and allows individuals to build new relationships on a foundation of understanding and openness. Being open and understanding is crucial to having a healthy and happy relationship with anyone, including partners, friends and family.

It can also help you let go of negative feelings that affect your relationships, such as:

  • Jealousy
  • Resentment
  • Anger

These emotions are replaced with compassion, love and other positive feelings. When your heart is full of love and compassion, there is no room for negative emotions like jealousy and anger.

Feel More Connected to Nature and the Universe

Listening to 639 Hz frequency meditation music can help you reach that state where you feel more connected to nature and the universe.

By opening your heart and your heart chakra, you allow yourself to feel that connection with the environment and world around you. That connection is hard to make when your heart is closed.

Improves Communication, Tolerance and Love

The 639 Hz frequency has many effects on Heart Chakra, but it can also affect the Throat Chakra, which is associated with communication.

When you listen to this frequency, it promotes tolerance and love, but it also helps improve communication.

After all, communication is the key to healthy relationships. Learning how to communicate your emotions and needs is important, as is learning how to tell others how much they mean to you.

Listening to sounds at this frequency can help you improve communication in your relationships while also learning how to keep negative emotions at bay that can erode relationships from the inside out.

Helps Heal a Broken Heart

If you’re suffering from a broken heart and lost relationships, listening to the 639 hertz frequency can help you heal.

We have all been through breakups and damaged relationships with friends and family. These wounds can cut deeply, but it’s important to focus on healing and moving on. Listening to music at this frequency can help heal and open your heart so that you can have healthy and happy relationships in the future.

Balances and Opens the Heart Chakra

Many of us struggle to let others into our hearts. An imbalance of the heart chakra can lead to both physical and emotional distress.

There are many ways to open the heart chakra, but chakra meditation is very effective. Meditating while listening to music at this frequency can help open up this chakra and rebalance it.

how to use the 639 hz frequency
Enjoy the benefits of 639 Hz

How to Get the Benefits of the 639 Frequency

Now that you understand the benefits of this Solfeggio frequency, you may be wondering how you can take advantage of 639 Hz frequency benefits.

First, find some music at this frequency that you enjoy. Here are some great options from YouTube:

Once you’ve found some music that you enjoy, you can begin. Make sure to set aside time for your practice so you won’t be disturbed while listening.

  • Choose a place that’s quiet and free from distractions.
  • Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down. There’s no right or wrong position. The key is to be comfortable and relaxed.
  • Begin listening to the 639 Hz music. Let it wash over you like a wave and keep your mind and heart open.
  • If you find your mind wandering, bring it back to the sound of the music.
  • Aim to listen for at least 15 minutes at a time.

Open Your Heart and Rebalance Your Emotions

The 639 hertz frequency can help rebalance your emotions, open your heart and allow you to feel more connected with the world around you. Making this music a part of your meditation practice can also help you become more compassionate and build healthier relationships.