Awareness Tune-Up
by John Holland
 There
have been many books written on spiritual unfoldment and developing one's
awareness. I recommend that you research and experiment to find out what really
works for you. The following techniques have worked for me and have psychically
jump-started many of my students. Take your time, have patience, and enjoy the
process.
Meditation Exercises
I've found that the art of meditation (along with breath work) can be one of
the most beneficial ways to begin your journey into awareness. I find that
meditation allows me to look at a problem or situation instead of being
in it. It's a chance to stand back and view an issue with new eyes and a new
understanding. There's a saying I love, which goes: "They say when you pray,
you're talking to God, but when you meditate, you're talking with God."
Meditation just might be the spiritual window you need to open yourself to a
whole new world.
The word meditation for some brings to mind a guru chanting atop a
mountain or a monk sitting alone in a cave. Meditation is simply a state of
being in which the active mind slows down. It will bring you to a place where
you can shut down your mental chatter and become more aware of the subtle
energies inside of you.
We strive for financial success, good jobs, nice cars, and all those material
things we think we need. These are all fabulous, but they're not the ultimate
answer. When we reach for things outside of ourselves, we often move farther and
farther away from our spark or life force. The most important thing in life is
to feed our soul and try to maintain a balance.
We must learn to pull way back from the strains of daily life and go within
to find that peace. Meditation can do that for us. It can also produce great
health benefits. For instance, the relaxation and calmness that comes from
meditating can enhance the immune functions of the body, reduce blood pressure,
increase physical energy, and assist in your overall well-being.
Now let's be honest. You may have the best intentions to start your
meditation practice, but life will try to stop you. That's why you have to make
an effort to devote time to this practice. Try starting with just 15 minutes
each day. Soon you'll learn to increase the length of your meditation, and
you'll look forward to your special time with yourself and your spirit.
So many people think that meditating means that you must force your mind to
go blank. That's impossible. However, you can learn to watch your thoughts come
in and go right out again. Soon, these same thoughts will no longer have any
power over you.
The meditation below is one that I use in my workshops because it's a great
introduction to the process. I find that it helps to do it the same time every
day, whether in the early morning or in the evening. Let's begin to clear our
minds....
Our Meditation
Please find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed for at least 15
minutes. Turn off the phone, play some soft music, and sit in a comfortable
chair. It helps to wear loose, unrestricted clothing as well. The general
principle in meditation is to sit upright, with the least amount of strain on
your muscles and joints. By choosing this posture, your body can relax, and your
meditation won't be hindered by physical discomfort. I find it helpful to
uncross my legs and keep both feet on the floor.
It's best to have an intention before you start your meditation -- whether
it's to develop your awareness or to just let go of the day and check in with
yourself. You can choose whatever intention you like because this is your time.
Let's begin.
Close your eyes and simply focus on your breath. Breathe into your stomach
slowly, and let the air move up to your lower lungs and then into the chest
area. This is known as the "complete breath." Take it slow and easy. Each breath
in will bring more and more relaxation, and each exhalation will let go of all
stress and tension. Just do this for five minutes, lightly focusing on the
regular rhythm of your breathing. Soon, you will naturally be more and more
relaxed with every breath. Your breath is your instructor -- trust that your
next one will come without any effort. Just let it happen. Let it all go, and
relax. If your mind starts to wander, just bring it back to your breath. Let
your thoughts come in, acknowledge them, and slowly watch them leave again.
Notice how it feels to be completely relaxed. Focus on your breath while you let
all that mind chatter slow down and evaporate.
In your mind's eye, or third eye, I want you to imagine a symbol of your
choosing. It can be a flower, a religious figure or icon, a word, or whatever is
pleasing to you. Make it your own special symbol that you use every single time
you meditate. At this point, just focus without straining on your symbol. I want
you to inhale with a complete breath and bring your awareness up to your third
eye as you focus on your symbol. It's almost as if you're breathing in and out
through this center. Do this for another five minutes. If your mind wanders,
focus on the breath and your symbol to bring you back.
During this relaxed state, it would be a great time to ask Spirit for an
answer to a certain question. You can even ask if there's anything that your
intuition has been trying to tell you. You may see an image, a scene, or
beautiful colors. You can also allow your spirit guides to make themselves known
to you. Your answer may not be immediate -- it may even present itself in a few
days. Or you could be at the right place, at the right time and receive your
answer immediately. After about 15 minutes, slowly move your fingers while
remaining aware of your body, and bring yourself back into the here-and-now and
become aware of the room around you. Remain seated for a moment, contemplate
your meditation, and see how you feel.
Meditation is an amazing practice because it's filled with many wonderful
surprises. If you meditate before you go to sleep at night, a dream will often
come to provide you with answers. For this reason, it's always helpful to keep a
journal handy after you meditate and when you wake up in the morning. I suggest
that you write down everything you feel when you first open your eyes -- before
your feet even touch the floor. Do this before your mind brings you back into
full waking consciousness.
The Way of the Rose
Another type of meditation I have my students experiment with is "The Rose
Meditation." You can try this with a friend. Have them tell you the name of
someone they know whom they've been in contact with recently. It's better if you
don't know the person they have in mind so you can be objective.
Next, go into your meditation, but instead of focusing on your symbol,
picture a rose in your third eye (choose whatever color rose you wish), and
concentrate on the person's name you were just given. Notice if the rose is
opening and blooming ... or is it slowly closing? Is it wilting, or is simply
just bending? The rose will give you a clue as to how that person is doing in
their life. If the rose is opening, you'll know that they're in a happy space
right now. If it's wilting, then maybe they're going through an emotional time.
Let your own intuitive awareness interpret what the rose means for that person.
Explain what you've received to your partner so they can confirm if you're on
target. This is a great way to start trusting and stretching your abilities.
It's only through practice that you'll be able to discriminate between your
psychic self and your imagination.
Telepathy Exercises
To experience your own spirit communication, you should educate and
experiment with the workings of telepathy. This shouldn't be too difficult,
since we all possess this ability already, although most of us don't know it.
To help you, I'd like to share some exercises that I use with students in my
workshops. Please realize that some people are better senders than receivers --
you truly need to work on this skill to hone your own abilities.
Okay, let's practice! First, find a friend who's willing to help you and who
might also be interested in developing their own psychic abilities. If you can
find a class on this topic or an awareness group taught by an experienced
teacher, then you're really on the right track.
Use the meditation mentioned earlier to still your mind before you begin.
Also, have a pen and paper ready so that you can write down everything you're
receiving. Although these exercises may seem simple, don't fool yourself. You'll
be using a form of energy that we humans have moved away from -- you'll need it
to retrain your psychic mind.
In my classes, I usually divide the room in half and show a photo to one
group of students -- it might be a boat on a serene lake or a picture of a
roller coaster. Each side then takes turns sending and receiving the images and
the emotions that go with them.
You can also try this at home. Relax, and have fun with this exercise. You
and your partner should take turns sending and receiving different images from
pictures you clip out of a magazine. Sit back-to-back in chairs, and try to pick
up the colors and textures of the image. I also want you to feel the emotion
that goes with the picture. Ask your psychic self these questions: Am I calm as
I'm focusing, or is there an intense feeling? Are there any people in the
picture? Are they indoors or outdoors? After a few moments, you'll see how your
mind picked up the image in its own unique way. Next, you should switch with
your partner and let them try it.
You may also have your partner place different photos in envelopes, which
they then pass to you. Your job is to write down what images and feelings you're
picking up. Don't hesitate and change your mind. I want you to write down your
first impressions. Telepathy is simply a tool. Don't be discouraged if you don't
get many right at first this is like any other skill that requires practice,
patience, and experimentation. If you give it time, you'll be able to stretch
and strengthen your spiritual abilities and stay connected forever with those in
your life and those who have gone on before you.
Spirits are constantly trying to send you signals to let you know that
they're fine. It could be their favorite song playing on the radio at the exact
moment you need to hear from them, you may smell their perfume or cologne, or
simply just sense them. They'll also come through to you in your dreams, which
is when the door to the Other Side is open and your conscious mind is taking a
break. Watch for small signals and so-called coincidences, for they could be the
spirits' biggest opportunities to say "Hello" or "I love you."
My last piece of advice is this: Keep an open mind, and read all you can
about the gifts of the spirit. Realize that you're born with your own unique and
special talents. I know that some of you are saying, "But I don't know what mine
are!" Go back to your childhood and ask yourself what you loved then or what
your passion is now. God gave each and every one of you individual talents to
develop and share with others. That's your special gift -- your signature on the
world.
Mediumship is just one of these gifts, but there are so many others --
writing, music, art, inspiration, and love, for example. And you're all capable
of so much more. What you do with what you have is truly what matters. Seek your
own experiences, and you'll attain your own awareness. In turn, you'll be able
to make up your own mind about how you want to follow your own spiritual path.
God bless you. I wish you well. Enjoy the journey called life, for
it's the most precious gift of all.
This
article was excerpted from:
 Born Knowing
by John Holland.
Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Hay House Inc. ©2003. http://www.hayhouse.com
Info/Order this book.
More books by this author.
About the Author
John
Holland is an internationally renowned psychic medium who has spent more than 20
years investigating and developing his abilities as a psychic medium. John
regularly lectures on both the East and West Coasts, and his public
demonstrations provide his audience with a unique glimpse into the fascinating
subject of mediumship. John's work has been featured on TV in Unsolved
Mysteries. Website: www.johnholland.com.
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