By Anita Maks
Meditation is a universal practice that allows an individual to enter a state of tranquility through various exercises.
The mind and body work together to bring the conscience to new levels of awareness, re-defining what it means to be present in the moment.
A successful meditative experience requires high concentration, deep focus and stillness; all of which can be improved upon with regular practice.
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Like any sport or creative skill, meditation takes time to master. The mental and physical effects of cannabis lend themselves to entering a new state of mind, whether it be by relaxing the body or dissolving unwanted thoughts.
There are a number of different iterations of meditation, but they all have one thing in common- a need for total awareness.
Cannabis can increase physical and mental concentration while soothing the body and has the potential to not only complement but improve your next venture into meditation.
Best strains for meditation
Northern Lights
Cannabinoid Profile: Indica, THC- Dominant
Terpenes: Myrcene (Herbal), Caryophyllene (Pepper), Limonene (Citrus)
Northern Lights is a popular choice for indica seekers thanks to its reputation as a tension releaser and sleep aid.
Boasting a sharp and sour mix of pepper and citrus fragrance and purple undertones, this strain is best used to wind down.
If a mindful meditation session is on the schedule towards the end of the day, Northern Lights can help relax the body and separate the mind from negativity or distraction.
Other than a dry mouth, its negative side effects are minimal, and its beneficial effects are often described as “mellow” and “euphoric”.
If you meditate to calm your thoughts and shed the effects of a long day, Northern Lights can bring you a sense of mental and physical peace as you enter a meditative state.
Blue Dream
Cannabinoid Profile: Sativa- Dominant, THC-Dominant
Terpenes: Myrcene (Herbal), Caryophyllene (Pepper), Pinene (Pine)
Blue Dream is a sativa- dominant strain known for the role it can play in spiritually focused activities like meditation and yoga. It introduces a balance between physical relaxation and mental vitality, which works well with approaches to meditation that require a certain level of focus.
Breath awareness is an important part of several meditative techniques, and this strain can help you focus on the rhythm of your own inhales and exhales while your body releases other tensions.
Blue Dream has medicinal properties that alleviate symptoms of nausea and aches, among others.
Mindfulness and transcendental meditation practitioners can also benefit from this particular sativa, as both techniques require continued concentration on a mantra or goal.
Superglue
Cannabinoid Profile: Indica Dominant, THC- Dominant
Terpenes: Myrcene (Herbal), Caryophyllene (Pepper), Limonene (Citrus)
As a hybrid of Afghani and Northern Lights, Superglue has all the sedating qualities of its Indica parent strains with an added element of vitality for those who prefer to remain somewhat active while meditating.
This makes it a good choice for a combination of yoga and meditation, if movement becomes part of your practice.
Superglue’s relative energy can also translate to mental concentration, and the strain can leave you physically tranquil while your headspace is invigorated.
This can lead to a refined sense of awareness; the backbone of a successful meditation practice.
You can focus on being fully present in body and mind while Superglue helps you let go of external factors one by one.
Sunshine
Cannabinoid Profile: Sativa Dominant, THC- Dominant
Terpenes: Myrcene (Herbal), Caryophyllene (Pepper), Limonene (Citrus)
Sunshine’s telling characteristic is its ability to lift the spirit and bring out the best.
It’s an energizing Sativa strain that may, at first glance, seem incompatible with the weighted calm and stillness associated with meditation.
However, its undeniably positive effects can boost your awareness while practicing techniques like loving-kindness meditation, which is based on emanating a loving mantra from within oneself.
Respect and compassion for one’s own body and mind is a key to spiritual meditation, as is empathy for those around you.
When combined with a loving-kindness approach, Sunshine can help improve feelings of anger, negativity, and irritability.
Banana Split
Cannabinoid Profile: Sativa Dominant, THC- Dominant
Terpenes: Myrcene (Herbal), Terpinolene (Fruit), Limonene (Citrus)
Banana Split offers a balanced head high that favors mental stimulation.
With the added benefits of a lemony aroma and sweet tropical taste, this Sativa hybrid can bring a lot to your practice in terms of clarity and the simple twin pleasures of fragrance and flavor.
Clearing the mind with Banana Split can prove valuable to the mental cleanse that mindful meditation strives towards. If you are in successful control of your body, this strain can ease your mind towards the blank slate of higher consciousness.
Sour Tsunami
Cannabinoids: Sativa Dominant, CBD-Dominant
Terpenes: Myrcene (Herbal),Terpinolene (Fruit) , Pinene (Pine)
Sour Tsunami is an exception to popular strains because of its high CBD content and medicinal marijuana profile.
Closely associated with the better known Sour Diesel strain, Tsunami shares its strong burnt diesel aroma but leaves you with no obvious high.
It does, however, work to pacify common ailments and pain. For those who are partaking in meditation to improve their physical well-being, Sour Tsunami may complement the experience by diminishing the distraction of bodily pain or ache.
It can lead to a more focused meditation session and create awareness of the mutually dependent relationship between body and mind.
Sour Tsunami’s medicinal advantage makes it a unique strain, especially in the context of an intentional healing experience.
Blue Haze
Cannabinoids: Sativa Dominant, THC- Dominant
Terpenes: Myrcene (Herbal), Caryophyllene (Pepper), Pinene (Pine)
Blue Haze is a Sativa- dominant hybrid that produces slightly more pacified effects than the original Haze, Blue’s famous parent.
Balance is key when it comes to this strain, as it distributes a physical and head high evenly.
It’s a flexible option and can be adapted to both stimulating and passive activities, especially in terms of active or still meditation techniques.
The high travels through the entire body while leaving enough headspace for willful concentration.
Blue Haze is malleable enough to experiment with in a variety of circumstances, and it could prove subtle enough to aid a mentally weighted experience while ensuring bodily effects that won’t get in the way of focus.
It can be useful in movement and mantra exercises as well as those that emphasizes stillness. This particular strain may require a bit of trial and error before it is matched to the perfect activity or meditative process.
Critical Jack
Cannabinoids: Sativa Dominant, THC- Dominant
Terpenes: Caryophyllene (Pepper), Terpinolene (Fruit), Pinene (Pine)
Critical Jack is a hybrid often described as a “remedy” that is helpful in improving ailments of the head and mind, including depression and headaches.
With a tart group of terpenes including pepper and pine, Critical Jack is attention- grabbing.
This strain lifts the spirits while sharpening mental focus, making it a perfect go-to for daytime meditation.
Critical Jack’s bodily high is not as significant as its head high, and will not leave you lethargic or unable to continue to be productive the rest of the day.
Mindful meditation, transcendental meditation and any other approach that pinpoints an area of focus can benefit from the effects of this strain.
Critical Jack encourages mental presence and a sense of joy without separating the body from the mind.
Shangri-La
Cannabinoids: Sativa Dominant, THC- Dominant
Terpenes: Myrcene (Herbal), Caryophyllene (Pepper), Limonene (Citrus)
Dominated by herbal and citrus terpenes, Shangri- La is a fragrant choice for those seeking a getaway through meditation.
Emphasizing bliss, happiness and tranquility, this strain is more of a friendly companion than a stimulant.
With that said, it still has the capability to start your session off on a good note, and keep your spirits up as you climb towards clarity.
It will work well with Loving-Kindness meditation and remind you of your inner light as you become aware of your conscience rooted within your body.
Shangri- La promises a mellow experience and chooses an emotionally positive head high over pronounced bodily effects.
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Anita Maks is a writer who focuses on cannabis lifestyle and culture.