Moving off the topic of waking dreams (i.e. life) for a foray into the forest of sleeping dreams. The other night I had a post-apocalyptic dream of sorts--I have these every once in a while, and I value them because they open up possibilities of what we may be evolving toward. They almost always involve complete strangers to whom I become closely bonded; they are almost always communal in nature...almost like intentional communities, although not in the way we generally think of those.
I do not consider these dreams to be precognitive--they're far too removed from recognizable reality. Nor are they consistent in location or people--so if they're precognitive, it looks like I'll be moving around quite a bit! However, in them there is something of a consistency in feeling, of purpose, and I think THAT might be a possibility for us physically--to live in communities of like purpose, or perhaps like spiritual purpose--perhaps in groups who take responsibility for a particular area's restoration. Such a group might include energy healers who specialize in gardening, or botany; some who clear water or soil of toxins; some who heal people and animals; others who are involved in the arts or teaching or what have you. Very land-based, these dreams--rather like seeing bits of daily life in a very small (maybe a few hundred people, tops) village.
As most people who know me will tell you, I'm mildly allergic to very small towns, which makes these even more interesting to me.
How about you--any interesting dreams of possible futures?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Clearing space: using herbs
I suddenly have a stack of topics, but want to touch on space clearing a bit more, as promised last week. Over the years I've seen students, clients, and customers at various metaphysical shops head for one thing when they need to clear space: sage.
Sage is good. And no, it doesn't really smell like anything but itself when it's burning. You can get it in bundles, which you light and let smolder as you walk through your space; you can also buy looseleaf, which will burn for a shorter period. Please note that if you use a sage bundle, you need to be very careful in making sure it's extinguished when you're finished. I love the combinations of herbs you can find in the larger sage bundles, but please put it in a fireplace or similar fire-safe spot after you've extinguished it, just to be on the safe side. The only drawback to sage is that it will sometimes set off a smoke detector. If you're concerned about that, you can buy sage oil and create a mister, or buy a mister already made--there are some really good ones out there, including the Sophie's Potions Spiritual Cleansing Mist I've probably mentioned before (full disclosure: the creator of these mists, and the proprietress of Avalon bookstore is a friend, but I recommend her products because they're really good. I don't make a dime on them.).
The one thing I see people failing most spectacularly at when using sage is the follow-up. Sage is known to clear energies. While I think it leaves some residually higher vibration in the space, I don't think it leaves it strong enough to stand alone. Always follow saging (or smudging, as it's often called) with another herb that fills the space with the vibration you want, if not ritual or prayer or another form of manifesting spiritual intent--otherwise, you run the risk that you'll collect unwanted energies in the space. Sage is often paired with cedar or sweetgrass in incense or sage bundles, and this works beautifully. Sandalwood is also a good follow, so if you like the scent of nag champa, go for it. Lavender will bring peace. Most resins are great follows--copal, dragon's blood, and frankincense among them.
One of my favorites--but again, something designed to set off smoke detectors!--is palo santo, or holy wood. This has a wonderful sweet, woody scent traditional used by the Incas.
If you know what you like, and know its properties, most incense available will work--the ones listed above are among my favorites, and they're easy to find (palo santo is much easier to find than it used to be). The important thing to remember is that when clearing a space with sage (the same goes for your personal energy field) you've only done half the job.
Sage is good. And no, it doesn't really smell like anything but itself when it's burning. You can get it in bundles, which you light and let smolder as you walk through your space; you can also buy looseleaf, which will burn for a shorter period. Please note that if you use a sage bundle, you need to be very careful in making sure it's extinguished when you're finished. I love the combinations of herbs you can find in the larger sage bundles, but please put it in a fireplace or similar fire-safe spot after you've extinguished it, just to be on the safe side. The only drawback to sage is that it will sometimes set off a smoke detector. If you're concerned about that, you can buy sage oil and create a mister, or buy a mister already made--there are some really good ones out there, including the Sophie's Potions Spiritual Cleansing Mist I've probably mentioned before (full disclosure: the creator of these mists, and the proprietress of Avalon bookstore is a friend, but I recommend her products because they're really good. I don't make a dime on them.).
The one thing I see people failing most spectacularly at when using sage is the follow-up. Sage is known to clear energies. While I think it leaves some residually higher vibration in the space, I don't think it leaves it strong enough to stand alone. Always follow saging (or smudging, as it's often called) with another herb that fills the space with the vibration you want, if not ritual or prayer or another form of manifesting spiritual intent--otherwise, you run the risk that you'll collect unwanted energies in the space. Sage is often paired with cedar or sweetgrass in incense or sage bundles, and this works beautifully. Sandalwood is also a good follow, so if you like the scent of nag champa, go for it. Lavender will bring peace. Most resins are great follows--copal, dragon's blood, and frankincense among them.
One of my favorites--but again, something designed to set off smoke detectors!--is palo santo, or holy wood. This has a wonderful sweet, woody scent traditional used by the Incas.
If you know what you like, and know its properties, most incense available will work--the ones listed above are among my favorites, and they're easy to find (palo santo is much easier to find than it used to be). The important thing to remember is that when clearing a space with sage (the same goes for your personal energy field) you've only done half the job.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Connecting
We are all connected. Put us under a big enough microscope, and you wouldn't be able to tell where one begins and another ends. But more importantly, we are connected to Source (pick a name) -- and from that connection we get ideas bigger than ourselves and our conscious knowledge. We get healing that goes beyond scientific explanation. We get...so much.
When we nurture the conscious connection, we can see patterns and focal points--bits of inspiration that point us in the direction we should go. Synchronicity becomes the norm. Doors open, as Joseph Campbell famously said, where none appeared before.
Meditation is one tool for nurturing the connection--it helps us clear the mental clutter of the day-to-day. Focus on another being can also nurture the connection, when we do so with an open heart, open mind, and open ear for what is being said to us.
Talking to plants, hugging trees, appreciating the beauty of the green world--the plant brothers and sisters, if you will--can be an excellent starting point for nurturing connection. Hold a plant between your hands, gently, close your eyes if you like, and simply open to its energy. This is easier than it sounds--it's mostly a matter of holding a conversation with the plant and letting it answer. This is also not as crazy as it sounds, although you should note that as a rule, plants are gentle beings and if any of them suggest you do something violent, you might, in fact, consider that your imagination has taken hold and you should gently decline to do as instructed. Plants don't move very fast, so it's not like it's coming after you.
Back to connecting. I'm assuming that if you're spending time reading this blog, odds are good you are willing to consider that plants, as living beings, are sentient. Studies have indicated, by the way, that they do at least respond to the energy of a place/person. If that thought disturbs you, consider that a) the plant isn't communicating with you, it's just you opening your mind up and letting your subconscious speak, b) God/Source/pick-a-name is speaking to you through the plant or c) they are in fact sentient and it doesn't matter whether it bothers you because there isn't anything you can do about it anyway.
What does matter is your willingness to open to Source, to consciously connect with the other beings of this world. Strengthening those connections consciously will open you up to new connections, new visions of what's to be, new ways of service.
And you never know--the jasmine spiralling up the post beside your garden gate may have a story to tell.
When we nurture the conscious connection, we can see patterns and focal points--bits of inspiration that point us in the direction we should go. Synchronicity becomes the norm. Doors open, as Joseph Campbell famously said, where none appeared before.
Meditation is one tool for nurturing the connection--it helps us clear the mental clutter of the day-to-day. Focus on another being can also nurture the connection, when we do so with an open heart, open mind, and open ear for what is being said to us.
Talking to plants, hugging trees, appreciating the beauty of the green world--the plant brothers and sisters, if you will--can be an excellent starting point for nurturing connection. Hold a plant between your hands, gently, close your eyes if you like, and simply open to its energy. This is easier than it sounds--it's mostly a matter of holding a conversation with the plant and letting it answer. This is also not as crazy as it sounds, although you should note that as a rule, plants are gentle beings and if any of them suggest you do something violent, you might, in fact, consider that your imagination has taken hold and you should gently decline to do as instructed. Plants don't move very fast, so it's not like it's coming after you.
Back to connecting. I'm assuming that if you're spending time reading this blog, odds are good you are willing to consider that plants, as living beings, are sentient. Studies have indicated, by the way, that they do at least respond to the energy of a place/person. If that thought disturbs you, consider that a) the plant isn't communicating with you, it's just you opening your mind up and letting your subconscious speak, b) God/Source/pick-a-name is speaking to you through the plant or c) they are in fact sentient and it doesn't matter whether it bothers you because there isn't anything you can do about it anyway.
What does matter is your willingness to open to Source, to consciously connect with the other beings of this world. Strengthening those connections consciously will open you up to new connections, new visions of what's to be, new ways of service.
And you never know--the jasmine spiralling up the post beside your garden gate may have a story to tell.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Conscious lifestyle choices: how much is enough?
Thought I'd dip into the well of what other people are doing and talk a bit about frugality today.
Frugality is something I'm not very good at. Some people are great at it--so great that they publish newsletters on how to turn those rubber bands you're saving into, oh, car tires or something. They, as the saying goes, pinch pennies until Lincoln screams.
Why?
Some people, I think, do it for the ego boost, but that's not us. People living a consciously sane life might choose frugality to lighten their burden on Mother Earth--realizing that enough is, in fact, enough, and more than enough is harmful. They might do it in order to spend their money on other things of importance: perhaps making it go farther so they can do work that isn't repaid in cash, or so they can give more to others with less than enough. They might do it because they're trying to make the money they have actually go far enough to take care of their own obligations (if, for example, they weren't so good at frugality before).
They might practice frugality in order to not be frugal about something else, like travel.
Or, they might not aim for frugality at all. They might be seeking out simplicity.
Simplicity means spending your resources (money, time, energy, etc) on the things that matter most. It's choosing to spend less overall in order to get out of debt, because releasing that burden frees you to do other things without worrying about whether you're repaid in cash. It's choosing to spend less on a car, because you really want to focus on what you do when you get there, not what you look like arriving. It's choosing to put your money into yoga sessions instead of credit card payments, or hand-crafted anything or organic foods from local farmers (or even your own garden, if gardening simplifies your life). It's about focusing on the accoutrements of your path (the flowers along the way, perhaps) rather than wandering down the path someone said you should be taking, with the furniture someone else says you need, or the car that will make you sexier or more powerful.
Frugality does not necessarily equal simplicity. I know people who take frugality to the clutter-bug extreme (hoarding). I think some people take minimalism to an extreme (there, too, one should be seeking "enough," but perhaps the true minimalist simply "needs" less to create enough). Simplicity, though--well, maybe you can take that to an extreme, but then you take it out of the category again. Enough is enough, and only you know how much that is for you. More than enough? Might be time to ask what space you're trying to fill.
Frugality is something I'm not very good at. Some people are great at it--so great that they publish newsletters on how to turn those rubber bands you're saving into, oh, car tires or something. They, as the saying goes, pinch pennies until Lincoln screams.
Why?
Some people, I think, do it for the ego boost, but that's not us. People living a consciously sane life might choose frugality to lighten their burden on Mother Earth--realizing that enough is, in fact, enough, and more than enough is harmful. They might do it in order to spend their money on other things of importance: perhaps making it go farther so they can do work that isn't repaid in cash, or so they can give more to others with less than enough. They might do it because they're trying to make the money they have actually go far enough to take care of their own obligations (if, for example, they weren't so good at frugality before).
They might practice frugality in order to not be frugal about something else, like travel.
Or, they might not aim for frugality at all. They might be seeking out simplicity.
Simplicity means spending your resources (money, time, energy, etc) on the things that matter most. It's choosing to spend less overall in order to get out of debt, because releasing that burden frees you to do other things without worrying about whether you're repaid in cash. It's choosing to spend less on a car, because you really want to focus on what you do when you get there, not what you look like arriving. It's choosing to put your money into yoga sessions instead of credit card payments, or hand-crafted anything or organic foods from local farmers (or even your own garden, if gardening simplifies your life). It's about focusing on the accoutrements of your path (the flowers along the way, perhaps) rather than wandering down the path someone said you should be taking, with the furniture someone else says you need, or the car that will make you sexier or more powerful.
Frugality does not necessarily equal simplicity. I know people who take frugality to the clutter-bug extreme (hoarding). I think some people take minimalism to an extreme (there, too, one should be seeking "enough," but perhaps the true minimalist simply "needs" less to create enough). Simplicity, though--well, maybe you can take that to an extreme, but then you take it out of the category again. Enough is enough, and only you know how much that is for you. More than enough? Might be time to ask what space you're trying to fill.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Too much protection?
The other day I posted about space clearing. What prompted that was that I'd just spent the weekend experiencing some really icky energy in my new apartment--I let it ride, thinking it was just stress causing the sleep problems and nightmares, but Sunday night my dreams made it clear it wasn't just me. Monday I fixed it.
Avalon (http://www.avalonbeyond.com/) carries, among other things, some very cool evil eye protection charms. I can't help it--I think they're gorgeous. But I'm not a big 'evil eye' decorator. I had one small one with faceted glass attached to it hanging from a chandelier in the foyer of my former house to take care of any random negative energy, but as a rule, I don't have that kind of life. A friend gave me a new one to hang in this house, but mostly because I'd been wanting something prettier (this has a silver elephant, very stylized, very cool, and one of these days I'll take a picture of it and show you). She did, however, time the gifting with the cleanup project.
But the question is: is there such a thing as too much protection? I know people whose lives are filled with people throwing negative energy at them. On any given day, the number of negative people in my life averages around one, and they're only throwing garden variety muck, not intentional harm. I wonder sometimes about a) the karma and b) the intentions of the people who are under constant attack (or who feel they are). I also wonder if preparing for emotional, physical or psychic attack sets you up for attracting it.
I'm really on the fence on this one, although I think it has more to do with your motivation and intentions than anything. If you are calm, focused on where you need to be, but also recognizing that random acts of crap can affect you, then I think not--after all, if storing water and canned tuna every summer attracted hurricanes, we'd have a lot more of them. That is, there are patterns beyond our choices and actions (other people's choices and actions among them!).
But...(I know, there are a lot of buts in life, aren't there?). When you are focusing on the energy of your personal space or physical surroundings, there is a fine line between protection and fear. Growing a cactus or two in a pretty pot outside your front door may radiate "stay away" energy, but a whole garden of them might completely isolate you. Decorating your entire house with crosses and evil eye protection symbols might make people (including you!) wonder what you're protecting yourself against. And any nastiness out there with, let's say, teenager-like characteristics, might interpret that as "bring it on."
One suggestion I've given students and clients over the years when they're concerned about negative energy (whether in the form of a person they know or otherwise, or just for general use) is to raise the energy level in their space, focused on love and spiritual practice in general. This is not a New-agey, crystal loving (although crystals can be involved), bunny-hugging, tree-hugging, granola crunching, feel-good action. Everything has energy. The strongest energies will pull the rest of it into line with them (for the most part). If you focus on the wanted energies in your space, I find that the unwanted energies have a harder time grabbing hold.
This isn't to say that 'shit' won't happen, but it's less likely that it will make a habit of happening to you.
Avalon (http://www.avalonbeyond.com/) carries, among other things, some very cool evil eye protection charms. I can't help it--I think they're gorgeous. But I'm not a big 'evil eye' decorator. I had one small one with faceted glass attached to it hanging from a chandelier in the foyer of my former house to take care of any random negative energy, but as a rule, I don't have that kind of life. A friend gave me a new one to hang in this house, but mostly because I'd been wanting something prettier (this has a silver elephant, very stylized, very cool, and one of these days I'll take a picture of it and show you). She did, however, time the gifting with the cleanup project.
But the question is: is there such a thing as too much protection? I know people whose lives are filled with people throwing negative energy at them. On any given day, the number of negative people in my life averages around one, and they're only throwing garden variety muck, not intentional harm. I wonder sometimes about a) the karma and b) the intentions of the people who are under constant attack (or who feel they are). I also wonder if preparing for emotional, physical or psychic attack sets you up for attracting it.
I'm really on the fence on this one, although I think it has more to do with your motivation and intentions than anything. If you are calm, focused on where you need to be, but also recognizing that random acts of crap can affect you, then I think not--after all, if storing water and canned tuna every summer attracted hurricanes, we'd have a lot more of them. That is, there are patterns beyond our choices and actions (other people's choices and actions among them!).
But...(I know, there are a lot of buts in life, aren't there?). When you are focusing on the energy of your personal space or physical surroundings, there is a fine line between protection and fear. Growing a cactus or two in a pretty pot outside your front door may radiate "stay away" energy, but a whole garden of them might completely isolate you. Decorating your entire house with crosses and evil eye protection symbols might make people (including you!) wonder what you're protecting yourself against. And any nastiness out there with, let's say, teenager-like characteristics, might interpret that as "bring it on."
One suggestion I've given students and clients over the years when they're concerned about negative energy (whether in the form of a person they know or otherwise, or just for general use) is to raise the energy level in their space, focused on love and spiritual practice in general. This is not a New-agey, crystal loving (although crystals can be involved), bunny-hugging, tree-hugging, granola crunching, feel-good action. Everything has energy. The strongest energies will pull the rest of it into line with them (for the most part). If you focus on the wanted energies in your space, I find that the unwanted energies have a harder time grabbing hold.
This isn't to say that 'shit' won't happen, but it's less likely that it will make a habit of happening to you.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Baby, it's cold outside!
How ya doin'? Got your vision set on your path? Targets for ways to bring you in alignment with it (aka New Year's resolutions)? Space clear, personal energy flowing smoothly?
Have I mentioned it's cold outside? Yes, it's January, but this is Florida and I really don't like cold weather (although at least this year we're just getting it a couple of days at a time, so it's more tolerable). The dislike of cold weather is one reason I live here. Which brings us to today's notes (you knew this was going somewhere, right?):
What do you do to maintain focus when things aren't going as planned or hoped? To stay "positive"?
First, I think positive thinking is overrated. Not in the sense that your thoughts don't matter. They're energy, just like everything else in and around you, so of course they matter. It's just that they aren't the be all and end all of what's going on. It's the action you take in accordance with your thoughts. Negative thoughts often result in doing nothing to change the situation. We feel lost and hopeless and it's all we can do to get through what has to be gotten through. But positive thinking also can be dangerous when it results in doing nothing. (There are some finer points to this we'll talk about eventually. For now, just go with the principle that thinking positively is great, but you should still read the want ads....)
Back to topic, though. So you're thinking positively, you're doing the work, and nothing is moving. Or is moving in a different direction. You have some options here for your perspective and choices. One, you can act as if there is divine purpose directing your path in a way you hadn't anticipated. Trust that things are working exactly as they need for your best growth and outcome. Let go and let god, as the saying goes. This is easiest to do/envision if you're actively maintaining and recognizing your divine connection. Meditate!
Two, you can act as if you made a bad choice. Examine what you're going for, what's happening, and consider whether what was a good idea at the time really isn't the right path. Maybe your burning desire to serve has you thinking in medical terms, and yet you can't find a training program you like, everything you see says the job market sucks (that should not be your determining factor, ever, though), etc. Maybe what's going on is you have a romanticized picture of medical practice and how it serves, and you're trying to fulfill someone else's dream; meanwhile, your subconscious is screaming "no."
Three, you can act as if this is exactly the right choice, and your old self or what Seth Godin refers to as the "lizard" (a projection of the reptilian brain that is concerned with survival and not much else), or what the shamans would refer to as serpent self--again, concerned with physical survival...yes, we're talking about your comfort zone trying to control what's going on. You are moving onto your path, and you are trying to sabotage your own efforts so you don't have to work so hard.
Four, you can act as if it's just coincidence, something in the stars, or some external crap going on that you can just ignore and work with, through, or in spite of.
Cold outside? Bundle up and keep walking.
Have I mentioned it's cold outside? Yes, it's January, but this is Florida and I really don't like cold weather (although at least this year we're just getting it a couple of days at a time, so it's more tolerable). The dislike of cold weather is one reason I live here. Which brings us to today's notes (you knew this was going somewhere, right?):
What do you do to maintain focus when things aren't going as planned or hoped? To stay "positive"?
First, I think positive thinking is overrated. Not in the sense that your thoughts don't matter. They're energy, just like everything else in and around you, so of course they matter. It's just that they aren't the be all and end all of what's going on. It's the action you take in accordance with your thoughts. Negative thoughts often result in doing nothing to change the situation. We feel lost and hopeless and it's all we can do to get through what has to be gotten through. But positive thinking also can be dangerous when it results in doing nothing. (There are some finer points to this we'll talk about eventually. For now, just go with the principle that thinking positively is great, but you should still read the want ads....)
Back to topic, though. So you're thinking positively, you're doing the work, and nothing is moving. Or is moving in a different direction. You have some options here for your perspective and choices. One, you can act as if there is divine purpose directing your path in a way you hadn't anticipated. Trust that things are working exactly as they need for your best growth and outcome. Let go and let god, as the saying goes. This is easiest to do/envision if you're actively maintaining and recognizing your divine connection. Meditate!
Two, you can act as if you made a bad choice. Examine what you're going for, what's happening, and consider whether what was a good idea at the time really isn't the right path. Maybe your burning desire to serve has you thinking in medical terms, and yet you can't find a training program you like, everything you see says the job market sucks (that should not be your determining factor, ever, though), etc. Maybe what's going on is you have a romanticized picture of medical practice and how it serves, and you're trying to fulfill someone else's dream; meanwhile, your subconscious is screaming "no."
Three, you can act as if this is exactly the right choice, and your old self or what Seth Godin refers to as the "lizard" (a projection of the reptilian brain that is concerned with survival and not much else), or what the shamans would refer to as serpent self--again, concerned with physical survival...yes, we're talking about your comfort zone trying to control what's going on. You are moving onto your path, and you are trying to sabotage your own efforts so you don't have to work so hard.
Four, you can act as if it's just coincidence, something in the stars, or some external crap going on that you can just ignore and work with, through, or in spite of.
Cold outside? Bundle up and keep walking.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Clearing Personal Space
Another important piece of the conscious sanity puzzle is keeping your personal energy clear. And no, this is not a topic we'll exhaust in a single day's post!
A lot of things come into play to muck up our personal energies. That matters for any number of reasons, but on a purely practical level it translates into this: unclear personal energy gets in our way. It hampers our focus, our willingness to take risks in relationships, and often it hampers our understanding of just where our path lies.
Although a lot of things can mess with the energy, two major aspects control a majority of the flow (whether clear or muddy): personal karma and the people/energies we come into contact with every single day. I can pretty much guarantee you that no matter how you spend your time, you are ending your day with a fair amount of energy (call it psychic, if you like) debris clinging to you. Daily meditation practice helps, as does a practice of visually clearing the energy (we'll discuss other ways some other time--I, of course, am late for work!).
I've probably discussed this before, but it's such a great exercise, it won't hurt to bring it up again. Pagan author Silver Ravenwolf calls this the "Liquid Light" exercise, and frankly I can't think of a better name, although my version of this practice has changed a bit over the years and I expect yours will, too.
Bring yourself to a meditative trance state--as calm as you can. Visualize (or sense, if your inner eye is out of focus) the energy field that surrounds you. For this exercise, you want to focus on the white light part of the spectrum. So see yourself surrounded by white light. Observe for a moment the characteristics--how far out it extends, whether it's clear, etc. Then you want to spend a few moments clearing the light field. (Note: the white light field carries no negative energies of itself, but if you've gone a long time without clearing, you may perceive some bits and pieces, hence the desire to clear the light field.) Next, begin to bring the light into your body--just visualize or feel it extending into and through your body. This may take some practice, but the more you do it, it gets easier and clearer, and will stay clearer longer (practice strengthens it). Then you'll spend some time visualizing the light in your body--notice blockages, cloudy areas where it comes into contact with injuries, other people's junk that's gotten "under your skin" and so forth. Visualize the light clearing it. When you feel clear, you can visualize the light moving back out of your body and back into its usual place surrounding you. And of course don't forget to breathe through the exercise!
A lot of things come into play to muck up our personal energies. That matters for any number of reasons, but on a purely practical level it translates into this: unclear personal energy gets in our way. It hampers our focus, our willingness to take risks in relationships, and often it hampers our understanding of just where our path lies.
Although a lot of things can mess with the energy, two major aspects control a majority of the flow (whether clear or muddy): personal karma and the people/energies we come into contact with every single day. I can pretty much guarantee you that no matter how you spend your time, you are ending your day with a fair amount of energy (call it psychic, if you like) debris clinging to you. Daily meditation practice helps, as does a practice of visually clearing the energy (we'll discuss other ways some other time--I, of course, am late for work!).
I've probably discussed this before, but it's such a great exercise, it won't hurt to bring it up again. Pagan author Silver Ravenwolf calls this the "Liquid Light" exercise, and frankly I can't think of a better name, although my version of this practice has changed a bit over the years and I expect yours will, too.
Bring yourself to a meditative trance state--as calm as you can. Visualize (or sense, if your inner eye is out of focus) the energy field that surrounds you. For this exercise, you want to focus on the white light part of the spectrum. So see yourself surrounded by white light. Observe for a moment the characteristics--how far out it extends, whether it's clear, etc. Then you want to spend a few moments clearing the light field. (Note: the white light field carries no negative energies of itself, but if you've gone a long time without clearing, you may perceive some bits and pieces, hence the desire to clear the light field.) Next, begin to bring the light into your body--just visualize or feel it extending into and through your body. This may take some practice, but the more you do it, it gets easier and clearer, and will stay clearer longer (practice strengthens it). Then you'll spend some time visualizing the light in your body--notice blockages, cloudy areas where it comes into contact with injuries, other people's junk that's gotten "under your skin" and so forth. Visualize the light clearing it. When you feel clear, you can visualize the light moving back out of your body and back into its usual place surrounding you. And of course don't forget to breathe through the exercise!
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