EYES WIDE OPEN MEDITATION

I am an eyes wide open meditation kinda girl. One of my favourite things to do daily is meditate on a single point of light or flame. Before you light a candle for your meditation, take a minute to prepare the space and create a calm ambiance. Light your candle making sure you are not slumped over the candle.

Take a seat in your favourite chair, or sit cross legged on the floor, and make sure that your candle is at least 50cm away from you, otherwise it may appear too bright.

Then simply stare at the candle and allow the image of the flame to occupy your mind. At first, your mind will probably wander about and your eyes will resist your efforts to keep them still. This is normal and it will gradually ease as the meditation progresses, so don’t be too concerned if this happens to you. You may also find that your eyes water a little. Again, this is normal and it usually dissipates quite quickly. If distractions like these arise, simply return your attention to the candle flame and let them go.

A great way to deepen a candle meditation is to imagine that you are breathing the light of the candle in and out of yourself. You don’t need to perform a complex visualization exercise to do this, just keep your eyes fixed on the candle flame, and allow your natural breathing rhythm to fill your awareness. Casually sense that the light of the candle is flowing into you as you breathe in and out.

Feel a sense of purity and clarity infusing with your body and mind as you absorb yourself in this meditation. because I have been doing this for years now I have adjusted so that my peripheral vision fades away until i have no visual awareness of anything but the candle flame. This is a seriously profound experience. Your eyes are open, but you are actually not seeing anything but the small flame in front of you. As a result it feels as though there is no distance between yourself and the flame.

In essence, you have become one with the flame. You have to be super still and focused.

I like to repeat a prayer while I do thus to add to my experience. It may take some practice to really stabilize this experience, but it's well worth it! At the completion of your candle meditation, close your eyes and lie down for at least five minutes as you let your body and mind normalise back into 3D. © E R Y K △ .S T △ N T O N // BOOK ONLINE NOW

A passionate teacher, author, coach, a modern psychic, healer and soultreupreneur, Eryka has been a soul based coach and healer for over a decade. A master number 11 and a self professed tree hugger, Eryka is genuinely passionate about helping people experience inner and outer transformations that empowers their soul.