Best Candles for Meditation
Candles have long been a popular tool for enhancing the meditation practice. The soft flickering light and soothing scents create an ambiance that promotes relaxation and mindfulness.
Candles have been used both as a tool to deepen the meditation experience as well as a focal point for those who practice a gazing meditation. Meditating with candles has shown many positive benefits including an increase in general focus and concentration, a strengthening of your third eye, and an improvement in your ability to stay present as much as possible.
If you are someone who enjoys meditating with candles or someone who wants to seek out the benefits of meditating with candles, then you certainly know the importance of having the right candle that suits your needs. With so many on the market, choosing a candle can get quite overwhelming. In this article we’ll discuss the top 5 best meditation candles and what makes them stand out from the rest.
Why Candles are Ideal for Meditation
While most meditation practices focus on closing your eyes and being present with whatever thought or sensation occurs in your being, many experts agree and recommend candle meditation for beginners for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, candles provide a very soft flickering light that is calming, soothing, and tranquil, which instantly creates a peaceful atmosphere. Its gentle light is also not harsh on the eyes, making it easy for us to practice the so-called gazing meditation, also known as drishti in sanskrit. Its gentle burning flame creates a beautiful movement that neither distracts you nor derails you from your meditation practice.
Secondly, candles have the ability to transform your space and atmosphere to your liking, making them perfect to create a specific, tailored ambiance. For example, if you are looking to create a soothing, calming, relaxing atmosphere, then consider choosing a candle for sleep that will help you relax and unwind. However, if you are looking to enhance your focus during meditation, then strong, revigorating scented candles such as peppermint may be more suitable.
Lastly, candles create an enriched aromatherapy experience, similar to essential oils, which can improve different aspects of your internal mind and body health. Aromatherapy practice has significant scientific evidence to help release tension, alleviate your mood, and aid with insomnia.
Whether you are looking to create a yoga class-like atmosphere at home or simply enjoy using candles in your meditation practices, not all candles are made the same. Here are the top 5 best candles to use for meditation and why we picked them.
Best Candles for Meditation
1. Soy Candles
Soy candles are one of the best candles for meditation as they are made from natural soy wax. This makes them eco-friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Soy candles also burn cleaner than traditional paraffin candles, meaning they produce less soot and are safer for your health. Soy candles are also long-lasting and burn evenly, making them a great investment for your meditation practice.
We recommend this 96North Luxury Lavender Soy Candle with a 50-hour burn time and 100% natural soy wax. Lavender is the most sought-after scent for a calming, relaxing atmosphere, and is amongst the top 5 scents for relaxing your nervous system, lowering your brainwaves, and producing a calm mind and body state. However, the 96North Luxury Soy Candle Line comes in 8 different scents, including autumn-favorite pumpkin frosting, pumpkin spice, and roasted coffee.
2. Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles are another popular choice for meditation. They are made from natural beeswax, which means they are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and emit a natural sweet smell. Beeswax candles also produce negative ions that, when burned, interact with the positive ions (ions that contain pollutants, toxins, and diseases) in the air, nulling them out and purifying your air. These negative ions can also help to reduce stress, enhance mood and improve overall well-being. Beeswax candles are also long-lasting and burn cleanly, making them a great investment for your meditation practice.
We recommend these Root Honeycomb Candles that come in 4 different scents, including the popular French Vanilla and Drizzling Honey. These American made candles last for a hefty 45 hours long, and produce a very soft, pleasant, and clean scent.
The top comments report trying different candle brands and choosing Root Honeycomb Candles for their beeswax property, making it perfect for anyone who’s struggled with nausea-inducing smells or candle fragrance headaches.
For a more unique appearance or meditation gift idea, we also suggest this 80-hour long burning beeswax vertical candle called Candle by the Hour (4.5 star rating and 4,000+ positive reviews). It comes in three colors as well as 3 different aesthetic options including vertical, horizontal, and vertical with glass cylinder.
3. Lavender Candles
Lavender candles are the go-to scent for creating a relaxing and calming atmosphere. This may be ideal for your meditation practice, as lavender has widely been used to reduce anxiety and promote a meditative state. The scent of lavender induces a calm focus on your breath, making it perfect to accompany you on your meditation journey. The soothing scent promotes a general sense of well-being and even a deep, restful night’s sleep. This is why lavender is the popular option amongst people who suffer from insomnia or anxiety, but also those looking to enhance their meditation practice.
We recommend this Woodwick Lavender Spa Large Hourglass Candle for its delightful scent, clean burning wax, and long-lasting burn (over 180+ hours!). The Woodwick Fragrance Jar Candles feature a natural wooden wick that creates a fire-like crackling sound. This soothing sound of a crackling fire deepens your meditation practice further by unifying your senses and using sense-like stimuli (smell, sight, and sound in this case) to enrich your grounded experience.
4. Sandalwood Candles
With a woody and earthy scent that is known for its calming and grounding properties, sandalwood is another popular choice used in meditation practice. Sandalwood is believed to reduce stress, promote mental clarity, and improve overall well-being. Sandalwood candles can be used to create a peaceful and serene atmosphere during your meditation, making them perfect for those who prefer a warm and woody fragrance.
We recommend the Benevolence LA Rose & Sandalwood Scented Candle with a 45 hour burn and beautiful, luxurious packaging that comes with its own classy and sophisticated black candle box. It is made with 100% soy wax and strong natural essential oils, transforming your space into a toxins-free, paraffins-free, and residues-free area. This luxurious candle is as good as it is fragrant. Plus, when you buy from them, you will automatically support human trafficking by donating to their partner charity Zoe International. So your purchase will literally shine light into this darkness.
5. Eucalyptus Candles
Eucalyptus is known for its refreshing and invigorating fragrance, making it an excellent scent for those who want to enhance their focus and concentration during meditation. This stimulating scent helps boost focus, mental clarity, and alertness. Eucalyptus is also known for its energizing properties, which can help increase motivation and reduce fatigue. If you are looking for a fresh and stimulating atmosphere during your meditation practice, then we recommend you try eucalyptus candles.
This Benevolence LA Eucalyptus & Chamomile Scented Candle is as beautiful as it gets. With its 45+ hour burn, non-toxic soy wax, this paraffin-free natural candle brings luxury to your meditative experience. It comes in a velvety-coated, elegant black box, and it makes your investment all the worthwhile as every purchase you make from them results in a donation made to their partnered charity, helping end human trafficking.
Its beautifully scented candle comes in the perfect duo-combo: eucalyptus, known for its invigorating fragrance, and chamomile, known for its calming and soothing properties. This candle helps you get the best of both worlds: the first half (the eucalyptus) improves your focus, concentration, and mental clarity, while the second half (the chamomile) instills a calm, soothing pace to your breath, reducing mental chatter and setting up your mind and body for the perfect meditation experience.
Tips for Choosing the Right Candle for Meditation
When choosing the best candle for your meditation practice, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, choose a candle that is made from natural ingredients, such as soy wax, beeswax, or essential oils. Avoid candles that are made from synthetic fragrances or paraffin wax, as these can produce harmful chemicals and toxins when burned. Secondly, choose a scent that suits your individual needs. If you are looking to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, lavender or chamomile scented candles may be more suitable. If you are looking to enhance your focus and concentration, peppermint or eucalyptus scented candles may be more appropriate.
Tips for Using Candles during Meditation
Once you have chosen the best candle for your meditation practice, it’s time to put it to use! Here are a few tips to help you use them effectively.
First of all, make sure that you place your candle in a safe and stable location. Avoid placing the candle near any flammable objects. If your candle isn’t in a glass container, make sure to always use a candle holder or tray to prevent any wax dripping and damaging your furniture.
Secondly, light the candle a few minutes before you begin your meditation practice, to allow the scent to fill the room and create a peaceful atmosphere.
Lastly, focus on the gentle flickering light of the candle as you meditate. This induces a sense of calm and relaxation, while helping you maintain your focus on your breath.
Conclusion
Candles are a perfect tool to help you enrich your meditation practice and improve your general well-being. They have been used for their healing and grounding properties for thousands of years in various parts of the world. Candles help set the atmosphere for your meditation practice. They are commonly used to improve mental clarity, groundedness, and mindfulness, as well as to induce a calm, serene, zen state by making your meditation area feel clean and smell delightful. Choosing the right candle for your meditation practice depends on your individual needs and preferences. We recommend you use a candle made out of natural ingredients and suits your style. Remember to use candles effectively in order to avoid any burns, wax damage, or accidents that may occur. Always place your candle in a supervised area and do not leave it turned on without any surveillance.
To a mindful journey,
The PurelyCalm team.
