Awakening the Chakras
These meditations are done in seven-day cycles – sitting cross-legged on a towel-covered four-inch-thick cushion (I use a bolster from Hugger-Mugger), naked or wearing loose clothing. Read more.
Becoming a Spiritual Explorer
My father was a world traveler. Just after high school, he worked his way around the world; and he continued to travel for most of his life. He also assisted other world travelers by organizing what he called “Seminar Tours.” Read more.
Chanting
There are two ways that sound may be used in meditation. One is to silently speak a syllable or pattern to yourself. This is referred to as a mantra. Read more.
Chakra Affirmations
Awakening chakras is not merely bringing awareness to them. One must accept the transformation that comes from awakening their energy. Affirmations can help. Read more.
Circulating Chakra Energy
As you awaken the chakras, it’s possible that excess energy will build up in one of them. Read more.
Energizing the Chakras – Part I
There are a number of techniques that open and balance the chakras. One of the simplest, that of directed breath, was explained last week.Physical motion also awakens chakra energy. Read more.
Energizing the Chakras – Part II
Start the second day’s meditation by repeating the active portion of day one (forty-nine rebirthing breaths – Read more.
Energizing the Chakras – Part III
Start the third day’s meditation with the active portion of day two, that is the exercises for the third eye and the throat chakras presented in the two previous postings. Read more.
Energizing the Chakras – Part IV
Start the fourth day’s meditation with the active portion of day three – that is with the movements and breathing for the third eye, the throat chakra, and the heart chakra as presented in the previous three postings. Read more.
Energizing the Chakras – Part V
Begin this meditation standing naked. First do the active portion of day four in this standing position – Read more.
Energizing the Chakras – Part VI
Begin this meditation standing. As on the fifth day’s meditation, you should be naked. Read more.
Energizing the Chakras – Part VII
The last day’s meditation has a freer form. It starts with the active portion of day six – Read more.
Higher Self Meditation
If you are to have an inner-directed spiritual life, your connection with your Higher Self is critical. Read more.
Higher Self Signals
The first time you do the Higher Self Meditation you should ask for a signal that confirms your Higher Self connection and the signals that your HIgher Self will use to answer “Yes” or “No.” Read more.
Journaling: Your Log as a Spiritual Explorer
Journaling has long been recognized as a sacred praxis. It provides a record of spiritual practice; it helps us reconnect with past experiences, and it is a tool for self-discovery and for exploring the Great Mystery. Read more.
A Late Afternoon Meditation
This meditation uses several techniques presented in previous postings: the work meditation, chanting, mudras, and Vipassana. Read more.
“Live From A Generous Heart.”
My post on November 20 gave a personal code of honor. I’ve discussed the first two items in this code: integrity and embracing differences. My thoughts turn to the third item: “Live From A Generous Heart.” Read more,
Living in Present Time
Every action we take is based on knowledge gained from previous experience. You are able to read these words because, at sometime in the past, someone taught you to read. Knowledge and skills from the past are necessary, but they are often applied in ways that are useless and destructive. Read more.
Meditation for Christ Consciousness
In previous postings, I’ve written about my experiences with classes held is Las Vegas, NV. Part of my work has been the study of how to manifest the consciousness we want. Read more.
A Meditation of Blessing
My friend and teacher, AlixSanra Parness, is offering a class – May 20-22 in Madison, WI – called “The Art of Intentional Blessing.” She says, “Blessings are intentions of well-being that are the underpinnings of life itself.” Read more.
Mindfulness and Mantras
Recently, my yoga teacher gave me a copy of True Love, by Thich Nhat Hanh. One practice of Hanh is the use of mantras to promote what Buddhists call mindfulness. Read more.
Metta and The Serenity Prayer
I’ve recently added metta to my list of spiritual practices. Metta is the Buddhist practice of silently repeating blessings for oneself, others, and all sentient beings – Read more.
More on Working with Your Higher Self
I look for Higher-Self guidance in determining my daily spiritual practice – using index cards, with the name of a practice written on each one. Read more.
More on Yoga-Doodles
On February 22, I posted something about a drawing I created called a Zentangle. It involved placing repetitive patterns inside spaces defined by line called a “string.” There are books and websites with patterns created by a number of artists. Read more.
Mudras
Mudras are hand positions used during meditation. One common mudra is done by holding the hands palms up and pressing the tips of each thumb against the tips of one of the other fingers on the same hand. Read more.
My First “Zentangle”
“Zentangle” was coined when an artist named Maria Thomas described her experience while drawing as “feeling timeless, free and engendering a sense of deep well-being.” Read more.
Notes on a Meditation Practice
At Easton Mountain, where I live, there are a number of places that are good for meditation, including a cabin specially constructed for energy healing. Read more.
The Pranic Breath Meditation
Chakras are links whereby energy is passed from one of the energy fields surrounding the body to another – and from these fields to the physical body. Read more.
Prayer in Motion
The prayer that Jesus gave us is repeated Sunday after Sunday in churches all over the world. Christians learn the prayer when they are children and probably say it without thinking – Read more.
Prayer: Your Conversation with the Universe
On 9/11/2001 the World Trade Center was destroyed by terrorists. As I sat in a small circle of men and women, I felt not just sorrow, not just compassion, not just a consciousness of the immense hatred behind what happened, but also a sense of the petty hatred inside myself. Read more.
Present Time
Present time is the only time I have – or is it? Past time has fled. Future time has not yet come. Only that fleeting moment called the present remains. Read more.
Spiritual Practice and the Tao
The Tao Te Ching, as translated by Ellen Chen (Professor of Philosophy, Saint John’s University, NYC), begins: “Tao that can be spoken of is not the Everlasting (ch’eng) Tao.” Read more.
The Tasting Meditation
You always have some taste in your mouth. Notice this right now. Read more.
Thoughts on Meditation
When doing a sitting meditation like Vipassana, you may find your body wants to move. That’s okay. Just observe what the body is doing. Don’t try to sit still. Read more.
Vipassana
Vipassana is one of the oldest meditation techniques, having been used by Hindus and Buddhists for centuries. Read more.
Visiting an Altar
A personal altar can be a meaningful way of connecting with the sacred. Here’s a picture of an altar in the healing cabin at Easton Mountain. Read more.
Walking Breath Meditation
This meditation is done outdoors. It begins with one half hour of slow walking while chanting “om, d’om, om sid-hi,” – Read more.
Walking Meditation
One of the meditation practices that we did during the retreat called Experiencing the Heart of Stillness was a walking meditation. Read more.
Walking Meditations
This meditation has several forms. They are not levels in the sense that the work meditation has three phases – one to be practiced after another. Read more.
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