5 Stones To Bring You Calm in Tough Times
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or disconnected. Sometimes, a simple practice can bring us back to centre, providing calm and clarity. That’s where the story of my five stones comes in—a grounding ritual I created for myself 18 years ago, born from a need for inner peace during a rough patch in my life. Let me share how these stones came to symbolize support, openness, love, peace, and hope, and how you might use a similar practice to create your own moments of mindfulness.
How It Began
Eighteen years ago, while living in Vancouver, I found myself seeking something to anchor me. A walk along the beach near my home became the starting point of a practice I used as I was going through a rough patch. As I strolled, I thought about qualities I wanted to cultivate in my life. One by one, I found stones that symbolized these qualities, each with its unique shape, colour, and texture.
The Five Stones and Their Meanings
1. Support
The first stone, rounded and boat-like, reminded me of a solid foundation. Support is about feeling held and steady, and this stone became a tactile reminder to give and receive support in my life.
2. Openness
A smooth, white stone with soft edges embodied openness. It symbolized adaptability, flexibility, and the willingness to embrace the flow of life, even in uncertain times.
3. Love
This reddish stone, reminiscent of a heart, represented love—love for myself, for others, and for the world. Its warmth and vibrancy were a beacon of compassion and connection.
4. Peace
A small, black stone as smooth as still water at dusk evoked peace. Holding it, I could imagine the calm reflection of a moonlit lake, bringing a deep sense of serenity.
5. Hope
The final stone, speckled yellow, symbolized hope—a light shining through the dark, reminding me of optimism and resilience in challenging moments.
How I Used Them
The stones became part of a daily grounding ritual. I would sit quietly, holding each stone in turn, and focus on its corresponding quality:
- Support: I inhaled and exhaled support, imagining it flowing through my body and radiating out into the universe.
- Openness: I embraced the flow of life, visualizing flexibility and acceptance with each breath.
- Love: I sent love inward to myself and outward to others, cultivating a sense of connection.
- Peace: I imagined stillness and tranquility, grounding myself in the present moment.
- Hope: I visualized light and optimism, allowing hope to guide my thoughts and actions.
These small, tactile reminders became a portable source of comfort. Whether in a pouch in my bag or displayed on my desk, they served as a touchstone to help me find balance and calm in the face of life’s challenges.
How You Can Create Your Own Practice
You don’t need stones—or even five objects—to adopt this practice. Choose materials that resonate with you, whether they’re shells, pieces of wood, or anything else with personal meaning. The key is to assign a quality or intention to each item and to use it as a focal point for mindfulness and meditation.
Here’s how to start:
- Identify a few qualities you want to embody (e.g., joy, resilience, patience).
- Find objects that feel connected to these qualities.
- Set aside time to sit quietly, hold each object, and focus on its meaning.
- Inhale the quality deeply, visualizing it filling your body, and exhale it into the world.
Check out the free Release + Relax Session Video with Interactive PDF that I created for you.
By combining gentle movement, breathing techniques and guided relaxation, you will be encouraged to feel sensations in different parts of your body. The result will be a sense of calm!
Click the image or the button down below.
