When one has practiced meditation for long enough that it becomes comfortable and natural, and you can see some changes and refinement of your consciousness and energy before and after the practice, then it’s time to begin experimenting with the incorporation of crystals and gemstones. At this point, you know by heart all the details of the physical form that need to be maintained during the practice, and you no longer need to think about them. Having achieved this minimal level of life sensitivity, means one will clearly be able to honestly sense alterations in your body chemistry and consciousness, with the addition of crystals and gemstones.

• Select a small number of crystals beforehand that you wish you connect with during your meditation. Choose 1 to 3 types of crystals you instinctively feel drawn to on that day. It is good to have two of each type, so each hand can hold the same type of crystal, and there will be a symmetrical application of energy distribution on each side of the body. This will also make it easier to “read” or “listen” to the crystals.

• Arrange them on the ground close and around you, just before you establish your seated meditation posture. Put them in an order which is instinctive to you, so you won’t have to open your eyes to look at them during the practice, but can still put them down and pick them up as you need.

• Practice your seated meditation as prescribed above, but in each of your open palms resting above each knee, have a crystal of the same type. In advanced practice, you can change it up so the type of crystal you have in each hand is different, but in the beginning start with a single type of the same in each hand, so you can become distinctly familiar with the energy signature of that particular crystal.

• Now you are doing your meditation as usual, but there is a crystal in each open palm. You can keep them there as long or as short as you spontaneously feel. In addition, feel free to switch up the crystals you are holding whenever you instinctively may feel you would like to.

Points to Consider:

• Incorporating raw crystals, gemstones, and tumble stones into your mediation is done after the two breath cleansing exercises, and just before starting the main practice.

• Try not to imagine any particular effect, but with clear awareness and stillness of mind, “feel” and “listen to” the energetic statement of the crystals, noticing any changes of energy that may occur in oneself or in one’s surroundings, as the result of coming in contact with the crystal and holding it for some time.

• Remember that even when incorporating crystals and gemstones into one’s practice, the main function of your meditation is stillness and purity of awareness. Try not to get carried away with the presence of the crystals during your meditation, but just keep maintaining awareness of the whole experience of that present moment

• Don’t forget that the crystals used during meditation should be energetically cleansed on a daily basis. (See our guide here) or read our book Alchemy of Starlight.

• For the purpose of developing one’s level of skill in Crystal Alchemy, consider having a notebook in which you can scribble down notes of things you notice or learn during your crystal meditations. Take note of any qualities, effects or experiences that seem to repeat with the use of certain crystals.

• Using forms of crystals that are as close as possible to their original natural state can add a noticeable degree of impact to their energetic signature. Sometimes this signature can be weakened, the more the stone is processed and altered.

• Be aware that physical contact with certain raw unpolished crystals and gemstones can be toxic, so be sure to take caution if using them in their completely raw and unprocessed natural state. Most crystals should be safe and fine, but certain stones may pose a level of toxicity when exposed to water or in powder form, etc. Check out the information in our online guide on crystal properties, or do a search on the net to find out if the crystal in question has any significant level of toxicity to it that needs to be considered.