in touch with themselves and the principles behind their way of bringing a spiritual understanding into their life on a daily basis.
The key to learning how to open up and discover your natural psychic gifts lies in knowing how you feel about yourself and in being conscious of the world you exist in. I always ask my students on the first day of a psychic awareness workshop questions such as: ‘How do you treat yourself? Do you eat well, rest and relax? How much do you enjoy your day-to-day life? How successful do you feel about what you have achieved in your life? Are you able to love, care and give without expecting anything in return?’
Being a psychic is a difficult gift to live with, although there are many plus points to having a vision of the future and being able to see through people and situations at a glance. To really benefit from being psychic takes time and experience. The happier you are with your life the better, as the best psychics are those who are not afraid of loving, of giving and of being themselves in any given situation.
The gift of psychic power generally begins to appear in people during childhood, though this is not always the case. Many people have opened themselves up in adulthood: some after a traumatic experience, others following a near-death experience and some through many years of training.
There are many ways to uncover your talents. Many of the strands of psychic powers are interlinked and the more you experiment, the further your psychic powers will unfold and evolve. However, in order to become aware of your psychic power, and to be able to tune into people, vibrations and atmospheres, it is essential to learn how to meditate.
‘Meditating using simple yoga-style meditation techniques has helped me to transform my brain activity from conscious reality into a higher, unconscious reality. I can feel myself connect with my spirit and gradually I move into my inner space and connect up with the creator spirit.’
Florence, French language teacher
Meditation is a discipline that encourages your mind to focus and to interpret psychic visions, messages and symbols from the spirit world. It also encourages confidence in your psychic abilities.
There is a multitude of meditation techniques. The purpose in most traditional forms is to move us closer to spiritual liberation, closer to a unity with a divine force. In general, the very idea of moving closer to the source of ‘great’ spirituality can put the majority of people off ever learning how to meditate. However, if we view it as a simple exercise that takes our focus away from the physical reality into an inner peaceful space, then we may approach it with less trepidation.
Through meditation we can free our thoughts, though to achieve this requires patience and perseverance. Initially, it is hard to halt the continuous chatter that goes on in the mind.
Meditation is like taming a wild animal; at first it will be moving around wildly, not wanting to be still. You cannot force it to be still, eventually it will simply tire and look for a place to rest. Your technique will become a place on which your mind rests. Each time you meditate the mind will remain focused for longer periods and even when distracted will easily return to the focus point.
Meditation is an excellent way of taking a break from the external world and going on an inner journey. In this way it is possible to attain great insight into the nature of one’s self – a process which can, of course, bring both pain and joy. It can help uncover facets of our character that we don’t like or experiences we have repressed, but it can also in time bring us to a place of surrender where a state of grace or union with God can occur. In Indian Yogic terms this is called Samadhi – a state of bliss or peace.
The benefits of meditation are not only mental but physical. It involves deep physical relaxation and affects respiration, making it slower and deeper. The pulse rate also slows and muscular activity lessens. Through meditation you start to see things differently and have more clarity. The outside pressures of your daily life may not change but your view of them shifts, you feel stronger but calmer, relaxed, less tense and more able to cope with the stresses of daily life.
It is impossible to convey the reality of meditation through words alone. Meditation can only be understood through direct experience. Meditation can be viewed as a state of consciousness or a way of life. It might be seen as a path to enlightenment and a spiritual discipline. It is all things to all people.
Prayer
Prayer is a form of meditation, a means of connecting with the inner spirit. Most of us have prayed at some point in our lives, in particular in times of need and desperation, or when giving thanks or seeking guidance.
Prayer is personal and a direct communication with our creator. It reminds us that we are not alone; there is a greater power, a natural force that guides and protects our every move, that governs the cycles of life and the ebb and flow of human existence. Sometimes we need to ‘learn’ to surrender and let these forces guide us. Once we have experienced a moment of spiritual security or a connection with the divine we know it exists. The next step is to encourage that relationship to enable ‘it’ to be a part of our daily life.
Morning Prayer
Light a candle on your altar each morning on rising. Then take a few moments to give thanks and to ask for guidance. You can use traditional prayer or open your heart and let your own words flow freely. Be mindful and open to your prayers being answered – and be careful for what you ask for. Repeat the process before going to bed.
Preparation for Meditation
Your Environment
Practise in a quiet room that is warm and well aired – preferably the room where you have your altar (see page 143). Create a calming atmosphere by lighting candles and burning incense or essential oils. If possible, meditate in the same room each day. This will lift the vibrations in the space, aiding your spiritual and psychic connection considerably. It is important to make this space a sanctuary for your meditations, a place where you can enjoy the process of meditation and easily connect to your sacred observances (see The Sanctuary, page 140).
Timing
Try to practise your meditation at the same time every day. This will attune your personal energy and encourage meditation to become a habit. The amount of time that people spend meditating varies. When you first begin to meditate you may find that just 5 minutes twice a day or 10 minutes once a day is enough. This may not sound a lot but you will be surprised at just how difficult it is to meditate without being interrupted by your thoughts – if you can manage 20 seconds when you first begin you’re doing pretty well! If you try to meditate for too long before you’re ready you’re in danger of turning the process into a chore. Decide on the amount of time you wish to spend meditating and stick to it. You can increase the time as and when you feel happy – but keep it consistent, not 5 minutes one day and 15 the next.
Relaxation Before Meditation
Before meditation practice some people need to first relax their bodies. This can be done in various ways: taking physical exercise, doing a yoga or tai chi class, or focusing on the rise and fall of the breath. Another popular way to wind down is having a candle-lit bath with your favourite essential oils.
Physical Position
Posture
