Ultimate guide to crystals and stones - Uma Silbey 2016

Introduction

The Stone People Speak

The Stone People spoke to me. It was cool in the cave, and the dark silence was complete except for the occasional dripping of water from the invisible ceiling. I felt its fine mist on my head and shoulders. The cool walls, sometimes covered with slowly seeping water, felt solid and strong as I ran my fingers along them. Occasional deep pools were embraced by floors of massive rock, the absolute silence in the cave also upon their still surface. Though the air felt chilly, there was also warmth inside, an aliveness that the rough, dry, cool stones might not at first seem to suggest. I sat on the rugged rock surface of the floor, enfolded in walls of ancient stone, and I relaxed and let the feeling of the rocks envelop me. I let my awareness extend into the darkness until the cavern’s silence filled with the “voices” of the stones. Expanded past my limited sense of self, connected with the spirit of the stones, I heard them sharing with me in a language beyond words or ordinary understanding. Soon, the soft whispers that initially caressed my mind turned to thunder as the voices from all of earth’s stones began to speak. In communion with the stones, I felt as if I was in the presence of something that was infinitely ancient and wise.

Since I have worked with crystals and gems for more than forty years, I was moved to ask, “What else needs to be communicated about stones and crystals that we stone workers need to know now?” The stones responded in words that echoed within:

“The powers and ways to work with crystals and gems, whether it be spiritual, with angels or other light beings, embedded messages, healing or personal growth, have all been well explored, yet there is no doubt more depth to explore. However, you have forgotten something important. In your focus on crystals, gems, and other special stones, you have forgotten about ordinary rock. By ignoring the rest of the rocks around you while only paying attention to crystals and gems, you are out of balance, and so is your work. It is the same as trying to grow a tall tree without growing its roots. By doing so, it will weaken and eventually topple. Crystals and stones are rocks, so to know them you need to experience the entire world of rock. You must now sink your awareness deeply into the stone mass of the earth to strengthen and broaden your work. So grounded, you can reach higher into the skies.”

The voices of the Stone People continued to elaborate within me: “Intricately connected with every crystal and gem is a matrix of other rock. This matrix has much more importance than just existing to surround the crystal or gem. Since the gem or crystal emerged from the matrix as a result of differing minerals and geologic forces, the energetic influence of the matrix always remains within the crystal. The matrix also connects the crystal or gemstone to all the other rock on the planet. In other words, the crystal’s rock matrix is connected to the rock surrounding it, which is connected to an even larger rock mass, perhaps a cliff, which is part of a larger land mass, the mountain and land it’s on, and so on, until you include the entire planet.”

As I listened to these words resounding within, I soon felt as if I was dissolving into the surrounding rock, connecting even more deeply to feel embraced in their silent communication and held in their ageless strength, no difference between us. I felt like rock itself—solid, massive, ancient, and knowing. Centered in the stone, I felt my mass grow huge until I expanded to become all the rock composing our planet, infinitely alive, peacefully and harmoniously still. Even though solid, I was also pulsating with life force and beingness.

Then my focus shifted outward, and I perceived an infinite vastness of space through which my planet-like self hurtled in a cosmic choreography and perfect balance with all of the other forms surrounding me, all whirling in such similarity that it was as if we all were still. As this vision unfolded before my inner eye, the Stone People continued to speak to me.

“Even as crystals, gems, and all other rocks are of the earth, they are also of the stars, all floating within infinite space in perfect choreography with each other. Rock, humans, the earth, stars, and planets form one whole system … Which is part of another larger system … Which is part of another larger system … And so on into infinity. As such, you are both solid and infinite space, joined as one being, while balanced in perfect harmony with all other forms. It is because of this essential harmony, in which stones, humans, and all other life forms have their grounding, that you are able to communicate if you know the language.

WE CAN COMMUNICATE

BECAUSE WE ARE ALREADY IN COMMUNION.

More than ever before, I understood how important it is to pay attention to all stones, not just the gems and crystals, but even regular rocks. We may think that working with ordinary stones will keep us earthbound, having little to offer other than grounding. Yet, if we pay attention, we will find that they are pulsing with life and to work with them doesn’t mean that we aren’t working in the higher planes. Just as the earth is part of an infinitely larger universe, a gem or crystal is also part of a larger matrix of surrounding stone, so to pay attention to the matrix as much as the crystal or gem is to understand the entire stone, thereby expanding our awareness.

This understanding sinking deeply into my consciousness, I gradually became aware of my body against the cave’s rocky surface. The chill in the vast cavern overcoming me, I rose and began to walk, my footsteps echoing ahead as my hands skimmed the slick surfaces of the stone walls. Soon I began to see light beams distantly spilling down from a sunlit opening centered in the cavern’s vast ceiling. I couldn’t resist traveling forward as shimmering red-gold colors and sparkling crystals called to me. Drawn forward, I could hear the voices still whispering within me. Carefully bracing myself on the jagged edges of the increasingly visible rocks, I climbed forward to stand in the light and let it pour over my head and pool around my body.

The voices of the Stone People call to me from within beams of light to a new beginning.

Balanced upon the solid stone, my body bathed in light, feeling the total connection between the light, myself, and the stone, I understood even more: the rocks, plants, our body, and essentially all other forms in the universe form a macro-universe that extends infinitely outward, sharing the same elements. But, just as the earth is part of and one with a larger macro-universe, the reverse is also true. By sharing the same elements, the earth also shares in the micro-universe of our bodies, each particle held within an infinite vastness just like a planet in space. Like the roots and branches of a tree, our connection exists both as part of the macro-universe of space and the micro-universe within, our bodies being the bridge. The macro- and micro-universes, separate in nothing but their appearance, form an infinite pattern persisting beyond time and space, a reality contained within all forms.

Understanding the depth of our connection, crystals and all stones can assist us to become a conscious bridge between the macro and microworlds, help us to discern the patterns that create “reality,” and, in so doing, facilitate healing, balance, and self-awareness.

I soon knew it was time to leave. After carefully treading my way through the rocks to find my way downhill, I retraced the path that I had used to enter the cave, searching for the opening that led outside. My mind was absolutely silent, and though I moved, I also felt very still as I proceeded out into the world.

SHHHHH …

THE STONE PEOPLE ARE TALKING.

Meditation: Deepening Our Experience of Rock

This meditation is very important to do when new to stone and crystal work. For those of you who are new, it will help you to get acquainted with the stones, and for those of us who are more experienced, it will deepen our acquaintanceship. This isn’t a meditation to be done once or twice, but rather a practice that can be done with any stone at any time when we want to harmonize ourselves with them, to hear their “voices,” or to learn about how a stone can assist us. This practice can be done with a single stone or a group of stones.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Find a surface of rock that is tall enough to lean your entire back and head against. If preferable, find a natural rock cliff face or hill, but if not, find a rock wall (natural stone) or even a rock building. Sit upon the earth with your back against the stone wall or cliff, preferably in a cross-legged, lotus, or half-lotus position.

2. Place two clear, single-terminated quartz crystals in front of you, then cover them with a natural fiber cloth. Next, pick up two ordinary rocks and place one in each hand. Use any two similarly sized rocks that attract you. Focus your attention on the feeling of the two rocks in your hands. Feel their weight, their temperature, their size and texture.

3. Next, sitting upright with your back straight, place your spine and the back of your head upon the rock. If you have to lean slightly backward to do this, that is okay. If you cannot sit upon the earth, sit upright on a stool with your back toward the rock wall, then touch your spine and head to the rock. Rest your hands in your lap, palms upward, and close your eyes.

4. If possible, breathe through your nose. Breathe naturally rather than trying to change the way you are breathing. Focus your attention on your breath, and imagine it moving in and out through your heart chakra in the center of your chest. Relax your body with each exhale. Consciously relax your jaw, shoulders, small of your back, your belly, and the back of your knees.

5. Now, imagine that your breathing shifts downward to flow in and out of a spot about two inches below your belly button. This is your navel center, the energy center associated with, among other things, well-being and vitality.

6. After a few moments, imagine your breathing flowing in through your heart center, then out through your navel center. Then do the opposite, breathing in through your navel center and out through your heart center. Continue to relax as you repeat this back and forth rhythm.

7. Next, shift your awareness, and feel the rock wall against your head and spine. Empty your mind of all other thoughts, just feel the rock. If you find your attention drifting, gently bring your focus back to the feeling of your back and head against the rock.

8. Continue to let your awareness widen as you let go even more, feeling more of the rock against you. Continue to breathe easily. After a time, you may lose all sense of separation between you and the rock. Don’t try to analyze or think about this, just relax into it. You may have realizations and visions come within, but don’t try to hang on to them. Instead, trust that they are now integrated within you to be accessed later.

9. Now, become aware of the regular rocks in your hands, place them in your lap so you will still feel their contact. Then remove the cloth that is covering the clear quartz crystals in front of you. Pick up one crystal in each hand and place them in your palms with the crystals’ tips pointing towards your arms.

10. Shift your attention to the crystals and imagine their energy flowing up your arms, into your head, and down your neck through your heart center, eventually flooding your entire body until you feel like you are crystal itself. If you cannot feel this, imagine feeling it.

11. Now, widen your focus to feel the quartz crystal, the cliff or rock wall, and yourself at the same time, so that you are no longer separate from each other. Don’t think about it. Just relax and let your awareness expand.

12. If after some time you fail to sense this essential unity, shift your awareness to the rock wall against your spine, relaxing until you feel a sense of harmony with it. After a minute or two in this state, change your focus to become aware of the quartz crystals again. Let yourself relax so that you feel a sense of harmony with it. As soon as you feel the connection, shift your attention again to the rock wall and harmonize with that. Continue shifting your attention back and forth more and more rapidly between the stone wall and the crystals, harmonizing yourself with each of them every time. Eventually there won’t seem to be any differences. Your thinking mind will be quiet, your body relaxed, and you will feel entirely merged with the stones. Then, as shamans have expressed through the ages, they will “speak” to you and you will be able to hear their voices. Remain in this state for at least three minutes, although the longer you remain emerged, the more fully integrated it will become into your consciousness.

13. When it seems to be an appropriate amount of time, if you begin to tire, shift your attention back to your breathing, and for a few moments imagine it flowing back and forth between your heart and your belly as before.

14. Next, imagine your breathing moving in and out of your heart center for another few moments. As you do this, begin to feel the earth or the stool beneath you and recall the environment that was around you. When you feel ready, open your eyes. Place the crystals in front of you and cover them with the cloth. (They are now “programmed” with this experience, which if used again, will help recall it to you.)

Variation

Another variation of this meditation is to stand and face forward, resting the front of your body against the stone cliff or wall, spreading your arms to rest palms forward on the rock, hugging the rock. As you do this, with every breath feel as if you are alternately breathing in from the rock and then breathing out into the rock. When you pick up your stones or crystals, hold one in each hand, resting palm and stone against the rock in front of you. Use the same breathing and relaxation pattern.

These meditations are good to use to start your journey with the stones. They have many benefits. Primary among them is that they will help us experience the balance between the crystal or gem, matrix and rock, between earth and sky, and between our own physical and subtle bodies, so that our sense of separation disappears. No matter how long we have worked with crystals and stones, this will increase our understanding and help us to become aware of new fields of energy, empower our stone work, and align us even more completely with the voices of the stones that are calling us to a deeper awakening.