• Make regular time every day, even if only five minutes, to meditate . Meditation is important to bring the mind into clarity and stillness so you can receive an accurate “transmission” from your Angels. Create an altar for meditation and prayer ~ a sacred place to honor the Divine, your Angel Guides, family and friends in Spirit, and your Self. Experiment with active meditation, such as: walking, running, canoeing, etc. with awareness, watching the breath, staying focused on your movements and everything around you. Find what works best for you ~ perhaps relaxing in the tub or watching something beautiful in nature, constantly bringing the mind back to this precious present moment every time it jumps into the future or back into the past. Prayer, as well as meditation, will bring you into balance and clarity to receive true guidance from your Angels. You will need to practice both. “Prayer is talking to God, and meditation is listening.” Be still, and listen with your whole being. Always thank Spirit for the help and blessings you receive. Talk to your Angels all the time ~ just think of them or call them and they'll be there.
• Practice my Connecting with Heaven and Earth Meditation (on this site, in the Spiritual Instruction section under Meditations, also available on my CD, Journeys to the Realms of Light, Vol. I), as well as my Candle Meditation . Use the Protective Cocoons of Light and the Washing Machine regularly. I use the Protective Cocoons of Light daily before arising, and recommend that you do so, as well. Use the Washing Machine as needed.
• Begin to work with the chakras or energy centers in your body , especially the heart chakra, the place of great nourishment, love, kindness and compassionate wisdom. Cultivate your psychic abilities through your heart center, letting the doors and windows of your heart open wide to keep your intention pure. When one's heart is open there is no cruelty, no need for power or control over others, no need to feed the ego. Create a cozy, loving space within your heart, the place of your spiritual essence, and allow yourself to feel your connection to the Divine and all that is. Stay out of the ego, and don't be impressed with the powers that come as you begin to develop psychically . The ego will encourage you to feel you are more spiritually advanced or more “awake” than others. This is a spiritual trap which will hold you back from true spiritual evolution. Be humble but confident, without judging others. Don't play with your psychic ability, but see and develop this wondrous gift from the Divine as a little child would ~ with an open and joyful heart, no preconceived notions, and purity of spirit. Allow your psychic gifts to develop slowly ~ be patient. Develop purity of intention: wanting to help others, rather than focusing on getting rich and famous or impressing others. This is supremely important for your growth and development as you walk the spiritual path. Remember, like attracts like, and you'll attract those in the Spirit World who vibrate well with your thoughts, words and deeds.
• Listen to your own intuition when working with your own Guides, or with psychic or spiritual counselors , gurus, or spiritual teachers, observing how the information you're receiving really feels to you. Accept only that which feels right and throw out the rest.
• Be aware of pitfalls on the path . Don't allow yourself to become obsessed with past lives, the Spirit World, beings on other planets or in other realms. Be present in this precious lifetime, here and now. Keep yourself grounded and clear to avoid believing you are different and special from other human beings, chosen by the Divine (or Angels or beings from other realms, etc.) to do something very important for humankind. We are all special and have important work to do, and all that we do affects everyone else. “Life is short; keep it in perspective.” We all came here to “make manifest the glory of God” that is within in us. We came to grow, love, give, share and serve in the world with whatever gifts we have to offer.
• It's easy to get pulled off course and forget why we came to Earth . We can spend our lives doing all the “right” things: studying with the right teachers, going to workshops, buying the right books and CDs, exploring new modalities for body/mind/spirit, etc. and still not grow and move forward. Jump into life now! Be wary of counselors or teachers of any kind who claim they have the power to “fix” your life and all your problems (often for exorbitant fees) with special prayers, energy work, crystals, ceremonies, etc. No one can “fix” your life for you or “save” you. You can accept help and guidance, but your life and your happiness are your responsibility. Only you can do the work you came here to do, only you can take the next step forward. Learn your lessons, grow spiritually and walk upon Life's pathways with courage. Remember, we are all children of the Divine, with the greatest power of the Universe within us. Don't give away your power to anyone . Awaken to who you really are, and use the Divine Power within you to help yourself and others. Know that your Angels Guides and loved ones are with you, encouraging and guiding you as you strive to do your very best each glorious new day of life! Blessings, peace, clarity and courage to you!
Copyright© 2008 by Mariah Crawford