The Hypnotic Lure of Candle Meditation

A fire is inviting, almost entrancing as you gaze into it. Not focusing on any one part, but it as a whole. Whether it is in a fire place, a bon fire, a candle or even a candle on a screen, we by nature are drawn to the dance of the flame.

Candle meditation has been around since candles were invented, and before that, its origins date back to the time of the first fire built by a human being.

A fire is hypnotic, and can quickly take you into a trance like state. If you have ever been near a fire, you know this to be true. You can’t help but lose yourself in its glowing warm embrace. This is why candle meditation, or fire meditation works so well.

You can use this meditation at anytime you wish, if you need to calm and center, to ground yourself, or focus your attention to one topic. Candle meditation can help.

It is the most simple meditation practice there is. All you have to do is stare at the candle flame. Its as simple as that.

Candle meditation is best done when the candle is sitting eye level, and you are sitting in a comfortable position with a good decent posture. It is best done with a reasonably dark or slightly lit room, so it is easier to focus on just the candle.

Start by getting comfortable. Adjust your clothing, pillows, chair or whatever you need in order to be comfortable, then light your candle and bring your attention to the flame. Your candle can be scented or unscented, it doesn’t matter.

However if one particular scent helps you relax, then please use it.

As you stare at the flickering flame, within seconds you will start to relax. You will feel the tension start leaving your body. What comes into your mind, be it a to do list, work, play, whatever remember you can choose to focus on it, or move it along and bring your attention back to the flame. It is best to move it along and focus on the flame. As you move along, you will find that your thoughts will slow down, and then fade altogether and you will experience a transcendence of thought where you are left with only the awareness of the flame.

If you wish to dive deeper, you can try these flowing techniques:

1. Visualize the flame as a source of love and light

Feel it radiating outward, penetrating dark corners of the room. This is a great metaphor for divine love and light that can penetrate the dark corners of your thoughts. Allow the light and love of the flame fill the room, and fill every cell in your body.

2. Visualize the flame burning away your impurities

Visualize it burning away thoughts of hate, fear, impatience, insecurity, greed, anger, anxiety, self-loathing, depression, jealousy, bitterness, guilt and resentment. Replace them with the love and light of the flame, and positive thoughts/emotions.

3. Candle meditation is a present-awareness exercise

To further enhance your present-awareness, focus your gaze at the very tip of the flame, where flame turns to smoke. Notice that the color here is different than it is in the middle or the bottom of the flame. Notice that the slightest air movement will affect the flame in some way, just as your thoughts affect your environment.

Be aware of the scent of the candle; the movement of air in the room; the way the flame becomes wider, thinner, quieter or more active as outside forces (like your breath and the air in the room) affect it. Become aware of the smoke – sometimes it rises straight up into the air and sometimes it twirls around in spirals as it rises.

4. To connect with your infinite Self, contemplate the infinite nature of a flame

When one flame lights another, and that flame lights another and so on, you can see that the flame is infinite.

Visualize the light and love of the flame and radiate it outward from your heart to everyone you know; to everyone you have ever met or will meet; and especially to everyone who has wronged you or whom you have wronged.

Visualize the light and love from your candle lighting the candles of every other person on the planet.

Use your favorite soothing soundtrack as a background or complement to candle meditation. Close your eyes and visualize the flame, only this time the flame is dancing to the music.

5. Expand on this visualization exercise

Eyes open or eyes closed, visualize the flame lighting the way for people who need help emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually. Visualize the flame lighting the hearts of people consumed by fear and hate. Visualize the flame lighting YOUR way to your destiny. Visualize the flame guiding you toward your higher purpose. Let your imagination run with this! You can use light in so many different ways.

Candle meditation can be used anytime to quiet your mind and de-stress. Simply light a candle and give yourself a chance to focus on it; in just a few minutes you will be enjoying a quiet mind and profound inner peace!

Use this when your mind is too busy and you need to focus. Keep candles handy wherever they are appropriate and take a few minutes here and there to center yourself and bring your attention back to the present.

I invite you to hear this amazing Guided Meditation in the video below.