self-empowerment
Taking Your Spiritual Practice To A New Level
Every person will go through several metaphysical growth spurts and changes in their spiritual practices throughout their lifetime. Whether we are pursuing Transcendental Meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki, Tarot, or Dreamwork, it is inevitable that we will at some point begin to question what we might be doing wrong, or how we could do be doing it better?
This usually happens when we have reached a point where our growth or development seems to have reached a point where we need to take our practice to the ‘next level.’ But this is often easier said than done and this shift can be tricky to navigate.
First, examine what you feel or sense to be different or missing in your existing practice. Tap into your intuition and listen to your gut. Following our inner guidance at this point helps us better recognize which direction our personal and spiritual growth needs to go. Ask spirit to guide and direct you.
Second, research how others, who have gone through similar changes, have evolved and mastered their practice. Get a sense of a benchmark or an aspirational goal as to where you should be heading yourself. Then dive in by taking on new challenges in your chosen practice and start working towards that goal. Don’t feel rushed or panicked. Just take it one step and one day at a time.
A key element to building one’s spiritual practice I find most people do not make use of enough is the spiritual communion of sharing your learning and development journey with others. Find a group learning venue, development circle, or support group that will allow you to share your learning and experimentation with other seekers and practitioners. Finding such a like-minded group to get involved with on your journey can be very empowering!
You are not the only one going through the growth spurt or developmental phase you’re experiencing. Why go through it alone, if you can learn and grow along with others, and share your insights and concerns with the group? But, always keep in mind that everyone has different speeds of growth and development. So, never feel like your falling behind. Trust that you are progressing exactly how you are supposed to in your own unique way.
A Different Approach To Calling On Archangel Michael
Many believers call upon Archangel Michael for spiritual guidance and protection. He is a wonderful protector, emanating a safe and soothing energy and presence.
Recently, he has shown me a technique to better work with him. I have taught it to several of my clients in need of emotional support and inner strength, and it has worked wonders! They have reported feeling lighter, stronger and clearer around issues that had felt blocked and stagnant for years.
The technique is essentially a simple shift in perspective and in our asking. When we are not seeing clearly what we truly need in our lives, it can help to simply ask the angels to help us see the issue differently, as well as how to ask for what we want in a more effective way.
Typically, when asking for clear guidance or protection, we would simply call upon Archangel Michael to ask him for whatever we need or desire. However, he recently revealed to me that we should rather ask to have those personal qualities activated within us that will empower us to manifest the things we need and desire for ourselves.
This approach leads to a personal transformation that increase our self-awareness and self-reliance, and hastens our spiritual growth. For example, instead of calling upon Archangel Michael every morning to be by your side and protect you throughout the day, you should rather ask him to activate the qualities of courage and inner strength within you.
This will create a ripple effect in your life, emanating from your core and altering the world around you. You will feel more empowered and daily life will be a little easier as you assert your newfound authority.
Lucid Dreaming
When we experience a lucid dream we are aware that we are dreaming. Dreamers also report that when they are having a lucid dream, they seem to be able to control the dream to some extent and they also tend to remember them better. In my experience it is like being half asleep and half awake. One time, I actually got up for a drink of water in the middle of a lucid dream, went back to bed, and continued my dream right where I left off!
For me lucid dreaming feels like being in the state of hypnosis – a ‘light’ state of hypnosis in which you have some control over how the session goes. You are in the dream state, but still aware of things around you. You are in a have heightened state of awareness.
Everyone I have discussed the subject of lucid dreaming with usually say they enjoy the experience. Some even say they wish they could stay is that frame of mind longer. When you lucid dream, write down your experience. Enjoy the movie of your mind.
The term ‘lucid dream’ was coined in 1913 by Dutch psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden in his article A Study of Dreams. It usually happens during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. When we sleep cycle through phases of non-REM and REM. REM sleep happens about an hour to 90 minutes after we fall asleep and this is when we tend to have vivid dreams.
It is estimated that at last 50 percent of adults have experienced at least one lucid dream in their lifetime. I have them all the time. The first lucid dream I can remember was when I was about thirteen years old. I was having a lucid dream of talking to my dad. But unlike our normal waking interactions, this conversation went exactly as I wanted it to go. I asked if he would let me go to New York for three weeks, and he said yes!
Since that time, it became increasingly common for me to slip into the lucid dream state. For me it usually happens in the morning, as I am waking up, but then going halfway back to sleep.
How To Find Lasting Love
Most of us want to love and be loved. Many people are looking to find the right person. But how does one find love and keep it? And what is the key to finding the right person?
Spirit says one needs to start with yourself first. Without accepting and loving yourself unconditionally, it is impossible to genuinely love someone else.
Do you love yourself enough to find love? Are you strong enough to let go of a loveless or toxic relationship? Do you know what is best for you, or are you willing to settle for a ‘just okay’ relationship…simply to be in a relationship?
In my experience, low self-esteem and a lack of self-worth does not lead to long-lasting, sincere love. Love yourself enough to leave. Loving yourself is just a matter of wanting the best for you.
Doing psychic love readings for many years, I have found that some people simply settle because they are lazy, not wanting to put in the effort. But true and lasting love is hard work. Some feel trapped in bad relationships, falsely believing they can’t get out, while others are scared to leave because they feel they cannot do any better.
Everyone deserves to be in a happy, healthy relationship. We are all deserving of love and belonging. If you are in an unfulfilled, or even an abusive relationship, you need to take decisive steps towards changing your prospects for the better. Take back your power.
Just because someone likes you does not mean you must like them. If you want to see if you really like them, and let it play out, great. Does not mean you have to like them back, much less marry them! Some people are just not the person for you. Move on, or you will never find your person.
Birth Order And The Empath
Most of us are familiar with the notion that the personality traits of the firstborn are typically different from the middle sibling, or the youngest child in the family, and so on. But many empaths do not realize how they may be impacted by their birth order in the family.
In The Birth Order Book, author Kevin Lemar gives a detailed outline of these so-called ‘birth order’ characteristics and qualities.
Firstborns, as well as only children, for example, are often associated with leadership attributes and stronger personalities, along with being more protective, fearless, and reliable than their siblings. However, the firstborn may also exhibit some less desirable traits, such as being controlling, bossy and impatient.
The middle-born tend to be social butterflies and peacekeepers, who are focused on fairness and keeping everyone happy. The youngest-born tend to be fun-loving, outgoing, creative, free spirited and can be adept at manipulating others to do things for them.
Only children tend to be mature for their age, perfectionistic and conscientious, but may feel the burden of high parental expectations.
The Firstborn Empath
My experience with empaths has been that the firstborn and only child empaths are indeed more protective, fearless, independent, reliable, but in the empath these protective instincts are magnified tenfold.
They also tend to feel it is their responsibility to solve every human problem and protect everyone around them, regardless. I often see a very enhanced sense of responsibility.
Working With Your Angels
Working with the Angelic Realm will bring many blessings into your life. I know this to be true from first-hand experience. In the few short years I have consciously been working with the Angels, my life has completely changed and taken on new purpose and meaning.
I used to suffer from depression, anxiety, and a lack of direction, but these days my life is rich, fulfilling and abundant with magic and miracles.
The Angels have had a considerable influence on my life for the better. This is why I am now passionate about teaching others how to work with these loving beings. I want others to feel the joy and fulfillment I now feel every day.
Before we begin to work with the Angels, it is important to note a few tenets. The first is that, when I refer to ‘working with the Angels,’ I mean this in a non-denominational way. It is not attached to any religious dogma.
The second is that everyone has at least two Angels always working with them. There are no exceptions to this rule. Furthermore, nothing you can do in your life will ever make your Angels stop loving and supporting you unconditionally. In fact, it is their unconditional love and guidance that makes working with them so healing and transformative.
Finally, everyone can learn to hear, see, feel, and know their Angels’ loving messages to them.
So, how do we do that? The first step is to ask. Ask your Angels to help remove any fears or other energy blockages that may be preventing you from clearly receiving their guidance and wisdom. I find it is best to do this before going to bed at night. When we are asleep, so is our conscious ego or thinking mind. This makes it easier for us to process our emotional and energetic baggage.
Spirit Messages Of The Red Cardinal
If you live in North America, you’re probably familiar with the northern cardinal bird, also known as the redbird or red cardinal, commonly found across the continent. These bright red songbirds traditionally feature in the folklore, legends, and spiritual beliefs of various cultures.
The blood red coloring of this little bird’s plumage fascinated our ancestors and it is considered to be symbolic of life and vitality. Interestingly, in the Christian tradition the blood of Christ is a central religious symbol and the red-robed senior clergy of the Catholic Church are also knows as Cardinals.
In indigenous cultures, the cardinal traditionally also represents ongoing life, as well as a strong, lasting relationship because cardinals are a monogamous bird species. The appearance of a red cardinal in your life may indicate a need to start something new or examine existing loyalties and obligations.
Their red feathers certainly stand out amid the more common brown and green found in most of nature. The female cardinal is a lighter shade of pink than the bright red male, which is less easy to see. When you do notice her on your path, she is reminding you to look closer – chances are positive developments are on the horizon.
In native lore they are also associated with the direction of true North, symbolizing the guiding, unchanging Spirit. Folk tradition tells us that to see a cardinal means a departed loved one’s spirit is near, or an angelic guide is trying to send an important message.
Cardinals are also associated with the number 12, representing the annual cycle of months, as red cardinals are a year-round species. In addition, red is the color of the root (first) chakra in Eastern wisdom tradition, and also the Astrological sign of Aries, first in the Zodiac.