Ultimate guide to crystals and stones - Uma Silbey 2016
Centering
Personal Preparation for Crystal and Stone Work
Before we begin working with our crystals and stones, there are some things that are helpful to know so that our work will be effective. For example, we need to be grounded in order to channel the immense energies that can course through our bodies as we do our healing. In order to focus as clearly and powerfully as we need to, we need to first calm our minds, then build up the mental strength to concentrate one-pointedly. If we do a lot of crystal and other subtle energy work, we will more than likely experience new energies flowing through our bodies and new awareness come to our consciousness. If so, it is helpful to know something about the subtle energy system within our physical bodies, and how to be balanced so that this energy flows more freely. In other words, the more that we are centered, grounded, and calm minded, the more we will be able to be conscious of the subtle energies involved in crystal and stone work and be able to skillfully work with them. Not only that, but with our expanded awareness we will also be able to hear the voices of stones very clearly and know exactly what to do in each moment that we do our stone work.
As we work, it is very important that we constantly replenish the energy we have spent. There is a circle of energy—in which the energy we give out is fed by the energy we take in—that is important to maintain. If we upset this balance, not feeding ourselves what we need, we can become emotionally, mentally, or psychically exhausted, often finding ourselves becoming irritable, sick, or suffering any number of symptoms.
The following practices are most essential for us to do regularly during our work with stones and crystals. The grounding, centering, and other practices should be done right before, and often at the same time that we work with our stones. They are also good to be done anytime that we feel tired or depleted, overwhelmed, confused or scattered, or unable to feel the stones or hear their voices. These practices will also help us in our daily life as well as in our stone work, giving us the skills to stay balanced and calm, peaceful and satisfied, with a strong and clear mind.
Centering
We need to be centered before we begin any work with crystals, stones, or rocks. If we aren’t centered, we won’t be able to have the focus, strength, and balance needed to do the work. To be centered refers to that state of being in which we are completely here in the moment. Rather than judging ourselves to be this or that, what or who, there is just a feeling or sense of being here now, completely in the present, feeling collected into our center rather than scattered. Though we may feel collected around our heart or belly, our true center has no location other than to be “here.” The more we are centered, the more our intuitive voice, our will, our higher energy centers, and expanded consciousness become available to us. Not only are we effortlessly more loving, we can only focus and concentrate effectively when we are centered. At the same time, we have more energy when we’re centered, we are also more relaxed and our mind is quieter. We are far more likely to accept things as they are, which is not only more relaxing, but is the first step to making any changes, whether in crystal work or in our everyday life.
It is completely necessary to be centered in order to be effective when doing work with our stones. Throughout this book there are many references to being centered since it is so important. Most of the practices start with centering instructions. Whether suggested or not, it is a good practice to automatically center ourselves before we do any of the practices in this book.
At first, it may take us a long time to bring ourselves to a centered state. However, once we are used to the state, we can center ourselves in an instant. The goal, of course, is to be centered at all times in our lives, automatically realigning ourselves any time we notice that we aren’t. If nothing else, this will bring us ease of living and general happiness.
All of the practices to clear our mind, develop concentration, strengthen our will, feel subtle energy, as well as many others, will help us to center ourselves, each practice supporting the others. The following, though, is a specific technique we can use that works very well.
BREATH PRACTICE FOR CENTERING
1. Sit with the spine very straight, in any way that is comfortable, cross-legged, on your knees, or on a straight-backed chair. Close your eyes and rest your hands on your lap. Focus your attention on your heart chakra, the energy center in the middle of your chest.
2. Next, begin to breathe with long, deep breaths through your nose. Fill your lungs completely without straining. Hold your breath for a second or two, and then slowly let it out, emptying your lungs completely. Continue breathing this way, with your focus on your heart center in the middle of your chest. Breathe easily, never straining, as you let your breath flow into and out of your lungs.
3. Continue for three to ten minutes, or until you feel centered, gathered into yourself rather than feeling scattered apart. You will feel relaxed, and your mind will be calm. (If you are asking yourself if you are centered, you’re not.)
4. As you do this breathing practice, you are also filling your body with life force and adjusting your body rhythms to be more harmonious.
SOUND PRACTICE FOR CENTERING
Before starting this practice, find a gong or bell that produces a long, sustained tone when you strike it with a mallet. Place it where you can reach it easily as you do this practice.
1. Begin this practice the same way you did in the breath practice for centering, sitting with your back straight and eyes closed.
2. Take at least the three long, deep breaths, slowly filling and then releasing the air from your lungs without straining.
3. Pick up the bell or gong and strike it with the mallet. Relax and concentrate on the sound that is produced, listening to the sound from its very beginning tone until you hear it die away completely. Don’t shift your attention away from the sound until it is completely gone.
4. If you like, continue to strike the bell or gong, each time listening to the sound from the beginning until it slowly and completely dies out.
5. Let this sound carry you into a calm, centered state. The more scattered you are inside, the more your mind is busy with thoughts, the longer this will take. With practice, however, it tends to take progressively less time to feel centered.