Meditation - I’ve been thinking a lot about meditation and mindfulness and not only why you need to do it but about some new ways to try this year. Let me start by saying that this post is not focused on the benefits of meditation. We’ve all heard that it can help control anxiety, reduce stress, and increase productivity. We know that it is the way to increase self-awareness and I have a lot of content on how to do that. But one of the keys to maintaining a successful daily meditation practice has nothing to do with self-awareness. It’s about variety.

Without variety in our meditation practice, we wouldn’t be able to have the flexibility to meditate every day, everywhere, and at any time. Having a bad day? Depressed? Too busy to do a long meditation? Lacking motivation? Feeling unsettled? A diverse meditation toolbox is a great way to keep up your practice even on those days when you’re feeling less than optimal. You will learn that meditation doesn’t have to be complicated if it’s simple enough to fit it into your lifestyle. Let’s get into the 5 new meditation techniques you can add to your toolbox this year.

CONNECT TO YOUR ORGAN NETWORKS

Feeling stuck? Disconnected? Unable to let go of things? Bloated and unable to go to the bathroom? Suffering from inflammation? Connecting to the five organ networks of your body is a great way to activate the circulation of chi (energy) in your physical body. According to traditional Chinese physiology, there are five organ networks. They are referred to as ‘organ networks’ rather than ‘organs’ as the organ networks encompass physiological function, psychological function, and consciousness.

As you balance your organ networks, the cyclic flow of energy can be opened between your heart, spleen, small intestines, kidneys, and liver releasing energetic blockages for optimal flow and health.

MEDITATE WITH CRYSTALS

We’re often so stuck in our ways of meditating, using the same locations, positions, mantras, and routines that we think there is nothing new out there. We get comfortable where we are and quite honestly, it is our routine that makes our daily practice easier isn’t it? When was the last time you tried a new meditation tool? Incense? Mandala? Meditation seat? Crystal?

I don’t know if anyone else meditates with crystals, but I do and I swear that they always help me right when I need them the most. I have a few favorites that I use when I’m meditating to unblock my chakras: Himalayan Salt (even though it’s not technically a crystal), Rose Quartz, Clear Crystal Quartz, and Amethyst.

How do you know which one to choose? Your crystal will choose you. If there is one that catches your eye when you sit down to meditate or that you keep going back to when trying to select one, don’t worry. Pick the one that speaks to you, as it is part of trusting yourself and making decisions based on instinct.

MEDITATE WITH COLOR

If you’re feeling unsettled or the opposite, you’re feeling stuck, another easy way to meditate is using color breathing. Color breathing is a simple meditative practice that can be used by beginners and advanced meditators alike to clear, charge, and unblock chakras. It’s easy to do and can be done anywhere at any time.

Feeling anxious? Use red. Stuck? Orange. Full of self-doubt? Try yellow. Can’t feel at peace because those around you seem not to understand you? Use green. Unable to speak up for yourself? Use light blue. Want to trust and believe in your intuition? Use purple. And if you’re lacking inspiration and guidance, incorporate the color white into your meditation routine.

MEDITATE WITH ANCESTORS

One of the best ways to receive guidance from your ancestors that you can’t get anywhere else is to access the information during meditation. Maybe you ask for guidance to help you through a situation or to stay by your side as you make tough decisions or clear patterns from ancestral lines that can lead to healing and moving forward in life.

Serving yourself by accessing this information and inspiration that nobody else can is something special and extra that adds excitement to our meditation practice. We are not singular beings but, in fact, we are the sum of our lineage. We are also an energetic sum of everything that was experienced by our forebearers and therefore, we can tap into that lineage for strength and for healing.

Why do you want to connect to your ancestral lineage during meditation? Meditating with ancestors can help you relax, feel the support of loved ones, feel the loving presence of spirit, calm your mind, and help you connect to yourself again.

MEDITATE WITH MALA BEADS

Another new way to meditate this year if you haven’t already tried it is to use mala beads. If you are new to meditation, that means that you may have trouble calming your mind. Mala beads are the perfect meditation tool that can take the mind from activity to stillness. What’s an easy way to use them? With mantras during meditation!

Have you ever sat down to meditate and tried to clear your mind only to have it kick into full gear? Wondered what you could do to settle yourself? Try using mala beads. I love my beads. Each time I pick them up I am taken back to the little market where I bought them on a whim in San Diego. The vendor told me they were hand-carved out of bone and stained using tea leaves by ladies in Nepal, India. I didn’t know how to use them or what I would do with them but… it felt right to have them, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it is to trust my instincts!

I’m happy to say that I made a good choice so if you haven’t used mala beads yet, you may be missing out on a wonderful tool that can be very personal while helping focus your attention. Not sure which ones to get? How to use mala beads? Which mantras to use? Be open and ask others how they use them: open the dialogue and ask them what mantras they use, how they hold their hands, how they chose their beads, or how their beads chose them.

THE ESSENCE

There you have it, some new meditation tools to add to your toolbox. It’s no surprise that meditation is one of my favorite self-awareness tools of all time and I love being able to help you find new ways to meditate without complicating your life. It’s important to have diversity in your mediation practice for those days when you don’t feel like doing the same old thing.

Each time I discover a new meditation technique, I think to myself: “how did I survive without this?”

Keep it simple enough to fit it into your lifestyle. Be flexible. And be open to learning and growing.

WANT TO CONNECT WITH YOUR ANCESTORS?

Grab my guided meditation here!