AWARENESS Tune Up

Awareness Tune-Up
by John Holland
There have been many books written on spiritual unfoldment and developing
one's awareness. I recommend that you research and experiment to find out
what really works for you. The following techniques have worked for me and
have psychically jump-started many of my students. Take your time, have
patience, and enjoy the process.

Meditation Exercises
I've found that the art of meditation (along with breath work) can be one of
the most beneficial ways to begin your journey into awareness. I find that
meditation allows me to look at a problem or situation instead of being in
it. It's a chance to stand back and view an issue with new eyes and a new
understanding. There's a saying I love, which goes: "They say when you pray,
you're talking to God, but when you meditate, you're talking with God."
Meditation just might be the spiritual window you need to open yourself to a
whole new world.

The word meditation for some brings to mind a guru chanting atop a mountain
or a monk sitting alone in a cave. Meditation is simply a state of being in
which the active mind slows down. It will bring you to a place where you can
shut down your mental chatter and become more aware of the subtle energies
inside of you.

We strive for financial success, good jobs, nice cars, and all those
material things we think we need. These are all fabulous, but they're not
the ultimate answer. When we reach for things outside of ourselves, we often
move farther and farther away from our spark or life force. The most
important thing in life is to feed our soul and try to maintain a balance.

We must learn to pull way back from the strains of daily life and go within
to find that peace. Meditation can do that for us. It can also produce great
health benefits. For instance, the relaxation and calmness that comes from
meditating can enhance the immune functions of the body, reduce blood
pressure, increase physical energy, and assist in your overall well-being.

Now let's be honest. You may have the best intentions to start your
meditation practice, but life will try to stop you. That's why you have to
make an effort to devote time to this practice. Try starting with just 15
minutes each day. Soon you'll learn to increase the length of your
meditation, and you'll look forward to your special time with yourself and
your spirit.

So many people think that meditating means that you must force your mind to
go blank. That's impossible. However, you can learn to watch your thoughts
come in and go right out again. Soon, these same thoughts will no longer
have any power over you.

The meditation below is one that I use in my workshops because it's a great
introduction to the process. I find that it helps to do it the same time
every day, whether in the early morning or in the evening. Let's begin to
clear our minds....

Our Meditation
Please find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed for at least 15
minutes. Turn off the phone, play some soft music, and sit in a comfortable
chair. It helps to wear loose, unrestricted clothing as well. The general
principle in meditation is to sit upright, with the least amount of strain
on your muscles and joints. By choosing this posture, your body can relax,
and your meditation won't be hindered by physical discomfort. I find it
helpful to uncross my legs and keep both feet on the floor.

It's best to have an intention before you start your meditation -- whether
it's to develop your awareness or to just let go of the day and check in
with yourself. You can choose whatever intention you like because this is
your time. Let's begin.

Close your eyes and simply focus on your breath. Breathe into your stomach
slowly, and let the air move up to your lower lungs and then into the chest
area. This is known as the "complete breath." Take it slow and easy. Each
breath in will bring more and more relaxation, and each exhalation will let
go of all stress and tension. Just do this for five minutes, lightly
focusing on the regular rhythm of your breathing. Soon, you will naturally
be more and more relaxed with every breath. Your breath is your
instructor -- trust that your next one will come without any effort. Just
let it happen. Let it all go, and relax. If your mind starts to wander, just
bring it back to your breath. Let your thoughts come in, acknowledge them,
and slowly watch them leave again. Notice how it feels to be completely
relaxed. Focus on your breath while you let all that mind chatter slow down
and evaporate.

In your mind's eye, or third eye, I want you to imagine a symbol of your
choosing. It can be a flower, a religious figure or icon, a word, or
whatever is pleasing to you. Make it your own special symbol that you use
every single time you meditate. At this point, just focus without straining
on your symbol. I want you to inhale with a complete breath and bring your
awareness up to your third eye as you focus on your symbol. It's almost as
if you're breathing in and out through this center. Do this for another five
minutes. If your mind wanders, focus on the breath and your symbol to bring
you back.

During this relaxed state, it would be a great time to ask Spirit for an
answer to a certain question. You can even ask if there's anything that your
intuition has been trying to tell you. You may see an image, a scene, or
beautiful colors. You can also allow your spirit guides to make themselves
known to you. Your answer may not be immediate -- it may even present itself
in a few days. Or you could be at the right place, at the right time and
receive your answer immediately. After about 15 minutes, slowly move your
fingers while remaining aware of your body, and bring yourself back into the
here-and-now and become aware of the room around you. Remain seated for a
moment, contemplate your meditation, and see how you feel.

Meditation is an amazing practice because it's filled with many wonderful
surprises. If you meditate before you go to sleep at night, a dream will
often come to provide you with answers. For this reason, it's always helpful
to keep a journal handy after you meditate and when you wake up in the
morning. I suggest that you write down everything you feel when you first
open your eyes -- before your feet even touch the floor. Do this before your
mind brings you back into full waking consciousness.

The Way of the Rose
Another type of meditation I have my students experiment with is "The Rose
Meditation." You can try this with a friend. Have them tell you the name of
someone they know whom they've been in contact with recently. It's better if
you don't know the person they have in mind so you can be objective.

Next, go into your meditation, but instead of focusing on your symbol,
picture a rose in your third eye (choose whatever color rose you wish), and
concentrate on the person's name you were just given. Notice if the rose is
opening and blooming ... or is it slowly closing? Is it wilting, or is
simply just bending? The rose will give you a clue as to how that person is
doing in their life. If the rose is opening, you'll know that they're in a
happy space right now. If it's wilting, then maybe they're going through an
emotional time. Let your own intuitive awareness interpret what the rose
means for that person.

Explain what you've received to your partner so they can confirm if you're
on target. This is a great way to start trusting and stretching your
abilities. It's only through practice that you'll be able to discriminate
between your psychic self and your imagination.

Telepathy Exercises
To experience your own spirit communication, you should educate and
experiment with the workings of telepathy. This shouldn't be too difficult,
since we all possess this ability already, although most of us don't know
it.

To help you, I'd like to share some exercises that I use with students in my
workshops. Please realize that some people are better senders than
receivers -- you truly need to work on this skill to hone your own
abilities.

Okay, let's practice! First, find a friend who's willing to help you and who
might also be interested in developing their own psychic abilities. If you
can find a class on this topic or an awareness group taught by an
experienced teacher, then you're really on the right track.

Use the meditation mentioned earlier to still your mind before you begin.
Also, have a pen and paper ready so that you can write down everything
you're receiving. Although these exercises may seem simple, don't fool
yourself. You'll be using a form of energy that we humans have moved away
from -- you'll need it to retrain your psychic mind.

In my classes, I usually divide the room in half and show a photo to one
group of students -- it might be a boat on a serene lake or a picture of a
roller coaster. Each side then takes turns sending and receiving the images
and the emotions that go with them.

You can also try this at home. Relax, and have fun with this exercise. You
and your partner should take turns sending and receiving different images
from pictures you clip out of a magazine. Sit back-to-back in chairs, and
try to pick up the colors and textures of the image. I also want you to feel
the emotion that goes with the picture. Ask your psychic self these
questions: Am I calm as I'm focusing, or is there an intense feeling? Are
there any people in the picture? Are they indoors or outdoors? After a few
moments, you'll see how your mind picked up the image in its own unique way.
Next, you should switch with your partner and let them try it.

You may also have your partner place different photos in envelopes, which
they then pass to you. Your job is to write down what images and feelings
you're picking up. Don't hesitate and change your mind. I want you to write
down your first impressions. Telepathy is simply a tool. Don't be
discouraged if you don't get many right at first this is like any other
skill that requires practice, patience, and experimentation. If you give it
time, you'll be able to stretch and strengthen your spiritual abilities and
stay connected forever with those in your life and those who have gone on
before you.

Spirits are constantly trying to send you signals to let you know that
they're fine. It could be their favorite song playing on the radio at the
exact moment you need to hear from them, you may smell their perfume or
cologne, or simply just sense them. They'll also come through to you in your
dreams, which is when the door to the Other Side is open and your conscious
mind is taking a break. Watch for small signals and so-called coincidences,
for they could be the spirits' biggest opportunities to say "Hello" or "I
love you."

My last piece of advice is this: Keep an open mind, and read all you can
about the gifts of the spirit. Realize that you're born with your own unique
and special talents. I know that some of you are saying, "But I don't know
what mine are!" Go back to your childhood and ask yourself what you loved
then or what your passion is now. God gave each and every one of you
individual talents to develop and share with others. That's your special
gift -- your signature on the world.

Mediumship is just one of these gifts, but there are so many others --
writing, music, art, inspiration, and love, for example. And you're all
capable of so much more. What you do with what you have is truly what
matters. Seek your own experiences, and you'll attain your own awareness. In
turn, you'll be able to make up your own mind about how you want to follow
your own spiritual path.

God bless you. I wish you well. Enjoy the journey called life, for it's the
most precious gift of all.

Rosalie xo
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