Following on from my previous Blog to the Lower World, I am now going to explore the Upper World Shamanic Journey. Here the landscape looks very different, more ethereal with clouds and crystals and can be like walking on marshmallow!
Again after relaxing and putting on your drumming music find that favourite tree and notice how the branches stretch way up to the sky. Climb the branches to the Upper World with your intention to explore this world and perhaps meet your spiritual teacher and mentor. Notice what you see, hear and feel. Is there anyone there? It is likely to be in human form and if this is your spiritual teacher then they are likely to have a gift for you.
On my first journey to the Upper World I met my Spiritual Teacher and had an awareness of the gift she gave me. I journey now when I have a question and find it is here that I get inspiration, knowledge and wisdom.
I usually record my experiences so I can track my Journeys and often find further insights happen when I do. It is important that after any journeying you "ground" yourself and the easiest way is to eat or drink something.
On my next Blog I'll explore the Middle World.
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Monday, 16 August 2010
The Shamanic Journey
I thought I would share my thoughts and experiences about journeying and over my next few blogs and look at the 3 worlds, the Upper, Middle and Lower starting with the Lower World or Under World as it is known in Celtic Shamanism.
The benefits of meditation are now quite well known and journeying is a form of visual meditation a bit like lucid dreaming where you are part of the dream rather than just watching yourself in it and without a script. You need to be relaxed and physically comfortable and start by breathing out all your tiredness and tension and breathe in energy, power and love. You also need an eye mask to cut out any daylight and some drumming music designed for journeying to help you achieve the altered state of consciousness.
I remember my first journey quite clearly where I found a favourite tree and like Alice in Wonderland shrank and went through the roots to the Lower World. The landscape is what I would call "a world of nature" and it is here I met my Power Animal and Spirit Guides. You can also connect with your ancestors, as it is the world of our memories and traditions where we can ask for healing and regain our personal power. I personally have gained insights into many issues I have faced and I always journey with an Intention even when I journey for others. After journeying I usually feel refreshed and inspired.
My workshop "Bringing Shamanic Practices into Everyday Life"on 23rd and 24th September will enable you to journey to all 3 worlds and more information is under workshops.
The benefits of meditation are now quite well known and journeying is a form of visual meditation a bit like lucid dreaming where you are part of the dream rather than just watching yourself in it and without a script. You need to be relaxed and physically comfortable and start by breathing out all your tiredness and tension and breathe in energy, power and love. You also need an eye mask to cut out any daylight and some drumming music designed for journeying to help you achieve the altered state of consciousness.
I remember my first journey quite clearly where I found a favourite tree and like Alice in Wonderland shrank and went through the roots to the Lower World. The landscape is what I would call "a world of nature" and it is here I met my Power Animal and Spirit Guides. You can also connect with your ancestors, as it is the world of our memories and traditions where we can ask for healing and regain our personal power. I personally have gained insights into many issues I have faced and I always journey with an Intention even when I journey for others. After journeying I usually feel refreshed and inspired.
My workshop "Bringing Shamanic Practices into Everyday Life"on 23rd and 24th September will enable you to journey to all 3 worlds and more information is under workshops.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Honouring our Heritage
More and more I am drawn to looking at the influence my heritage and lineage has on me. I know that as a child I didn't really want to listen to Grandma and Grandad although I did love their stories. Now I am researching my family tree and am drawn more and more to find my "roots".
I have also 'journeyed' to meet my ancestors and received some powerful messages and gifts. What I have realised is that it is not just a 'Find my Past' exercise but the most powerful way is to go inside and discover a whole host of ancestors waiting to help me.
Who will I meet on my next journey?
I have also 'journeyed' to meet my ancestors and received some powerful messages and gifts. What I have realised is that it is not just a 'Find my Past' exercise but the most powerful way is to go inside and discover a whole host of ancestors waiting to help me.
Who will I meet on my next journey?
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Celebrating the Summer Solstice
June 21st marks the Summer Solstice, a solar festival and important to all pagans and part of the Celtic wheel, and one that is celebrated traditionally at Stonehenge and other significant sites. The sun is at the height of his power and moves into the astrological sign of Cancer which is ruled by the moon. So it is the joining of the masculine and feminine , the God and the Goddess and the longest day of the year.
This is a turning point of the year's cycle and just as it is not time to harvest yet, we should charge our goals with the power of the sun so we all prosper.
A salute to the sun is a powerful way of doing this and welcoming in the first rays of the morning, having roses for the Goddess and oak leaves for the God. Celebrate growth and life for this is a time of balance in the world and the seasons start to shift as the sun begins it's decline towards winter.
This is a turning point of the year's cycle and just as it is not time to harvest yet, we should charge our goals with the power of the sun so we all prosper.
A salute to the sun is a powerful way of doing this and welcoming in the first rays of the morning, having roses for the Goddess and oak leaves for the God. Celebrate growth and life for this is a time of balance in the world and the seasons start to shift as the sun begins it's decline towards winter.
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Shamanism as a way of life
Using some of the shamanic techniques in your everyday life can transform the way you act, think and connect with others and your environment. I like to start my day by setting my intention and invite into my life the spiritual energies for the day ahead. As everything we do on the inside affects our world on the outside welcoming in love, peace, joy and freedom is what you are then putting back into the world.
Living in the present and focusing on what you are doing rather than what you have done in the past, or what you may do in the future sharpens your awareness of the Middle World, the world we inhabit along with many others.
Living in the present and focusing on what you are doing rather than what you have done in the past, or what you may do in the future sharpens your awareness of the Middle World, the world we inhabit along with many others.
Monday, 7 June 2010
The past does not dictate the future, our only point of power is in the present
I often hear people talking about what happened in the past and then what is going to happen in the future and worrying about both of them. The only thing you can influence is what you are doing now - in the present, so worrying about things you can do nothing about is a real waste of time and energy. It is good to give 100% focus and attention to what you are doing; in shamanism we call this "being present"
As Mark Twain said "I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened"
As Mark Twain said "I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened"
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Balancing the elements
One way I use to start my day is a ritual to achieve balance and I do this by creating my own circle - a sacred space - and then I invoke the spirits of the elements. The circle or wheel is the container which holds all the elements; the east is air, changing and growing as I learn and develop; south is fire for my achievements and goals and also letting go of what no longer fits with my life's purpose; west is water, my relationships with people and responding to their needs; and then the north, the earth, my physical body and grounding.
The centre of the circle is ether, spirit where it all comes together. Just by this simple ritual I start my day with a feeling of well being and balance.
The centre of the circle is ether, spirit where it all comes together. Just by this simple ritual I start my day with a feeling of well being and balance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
