Settle your mind with the Glitter Jar meditation
Sometimes we have a cascade of thoughts running through our mind and we don’t seem to be able to find peace. I was in a similar situation this weekend. There is nothing specific that is making me anxious, but I just can’t seem to be able to completely relax. When this happens I usually drop anything that I am doing, sit down on my mat and do a specific kind of meditation that requires visualization.
This is one of the mindfulness techniques that I find really powerful during times of stress, anxiety or exercise overthinking: the glitter jar meditation. This practice is often used with young children when they are running around restlessly and the teacher wants to restore calm. It is very simple and you don’t need a real jar, as you can simply visualize it.
In this simple technique you visualize a jar filled with glitter to relax the mind.
Let’s go through it together so you can do it at home anytime you need to calm the mind:
Sit down preferably, on a mat and in a shaded space, so your eyes can rest.
Start by taking a few deep breaths. A deep long breath in followed by a shorter breath out.
Let your breath settle naturally by following this pattern. Give it a few moments, it will happen without you having to control it.
Turn your attention to the thoughts floating around your head without focusing on any of them, just observe them as they come and go. Witness your thoughts while focusing on your breath and you will see that they will eventually settle.
Visualize the jar with the glitter: your thoughts are like the glitter in a jar that has just been shaken. They are all swirling around, but they will eventually start to float down towards the bottom and settle. Just focus on your breath as you visualize the glitter slowly settling at the bottom of the jar.
Continue visualizing the glitter settling until you are completely relaxed. Then open your eyes and take one last deep cleansing breath before you go about your day.
The most important thing about this technique is not to focus on any thought, but observe them as they come in and out floating like glitter inside your mind and instead focus on your breath which you can control: this meditation technique is about observing without intervening.
If you want to try this technique Glo is a good place to start.
After I do this kind of meditation I usually prepare a warm calming latte with ashawgandha and cocoa to further its effects and amply the sense of peace and calm.
Try it and let us know what you think!
