Sometimes it can seem difficult to connect to Spirit. We may feel very alone for sometime and all is void in our lives. Please know, even the void is Spirit, and we are never really alone at all. However, we may need to strengthen our connection a bit, or dust the link. Like CC says, once this is strengthened, the person is no longer an apprentice. Here are some techniques I have found from experience which helped. You can try them, or do something else, whatever suits your fancy.
1. Go Outside.
Going outdoors is one of the best ways to connect to Spirit. Spirit is in everything alive, and what is on the dead side is void of spirit. So, if you are indoors all the time, watching tv, you probably aren't going to feel too connected at the time. So get outdoors and go on a walk, jog, but get outside and explore nature. Observe the birds, the strays, the bugs even, and really truly absorb your environment. Go to a tree and stroke the leaves and bark, touch a flower, but really truly observe and absorb your surroundings when you do this.
2. Get around water and meditate on it.
If you have the luxury of having a river or pond near you, try to get to it, sit down, and focus on the water for as long as you can. Observe the ripples, the movement. Get lost in it. Spirit is in everything outdoors, and really much water. As water is what sustains life, it is very important to focus and observe this.
3. Go for a walk.
One of the things I do is take long walks and I have two techniques for this. One, I will communicate with Spirit in my head and try to converse, then I will observe my environment and look for things like changes in the weather, the wind, observe the birds flying, looking for signs basically. The other technique I do when I walk is shut down my mind and do my best to not think. I will focus on what is ahead of me, and just get lost in the walk. By doing this I shut down the internal dialogue and then when I am done, my mind is at peace.
4. Meditate.
I know it is boring sometimes, but it is important to meditate. If you really dont like it, just turn off the tv, the radio, the ipod, the computer, and lay down and close your eyes. Focus on the darkness of mind when doing this, and work hard at saying nothing in your mind. If you feel you can meditate upright, sit in whatever position is comfortable (dont worry about being in lotus position and all that), and just quiet the mind, but most importantly, let go.
5. Read Spiritual Books.
Whatever you feel inspired by, look for spiritual books. I dont care if its the Bible, the Dhammapada, the Bhavagata Gita, or even a self-help book. Look to find books which are inspirational. There are so many to choose from. Try to sit down and read a spiritual or inspirational book every day. This is good food for the soul.
6. Eat healthy, food.
Look to eat good fruits and vegetables. Spirit is not in Mcdonalds. Spirit is in an orange. When you eat healthy you are in a better state of mind. A healthy body and healthy mind leads to a healthy connection with spirit.
7. Write in a journal.
Whatever you want or whatever you feel write in a journal, but aim to incorporate your own wisdom. Another thing you can do is try to channel spirit. Ask a question, and then just write without thinking. This is another way we can receive messages. Just write and let it flow and see what comes out.
8. Find a "Mantra."
You can google online for a mantra. There are many to choose from. Read the mantras and descriptions and see if you can find one which resonates. Then practice chanting the mantra for some time. There is a lot of information on them and perhaps ill put up a post devoted to this soon. But look for a good mantra.
9. Read Tarot cards.
If you are a little spooked with tarot cards you can get a plain old oracle deck, but this is a great way of connecting with Spirit to receive messages. This also gives some insight into your psyche in how you react and respond to each card. If you have never read tarot but would like to learn, you can go here to Learn Tarot
http://learntarot.org/ and it will tell you how to interpret the cards.
When you shop for your deck go with what you feel, or how I see it, what deck 'speaks' to you. If you find no deck speaks to you or resonates, wait to buy one. You will know when it is time, to get one.
10. Learn Astrology - If you wish to read the stars this is a great way of learning what Spirit has in store for us. Many Lessons can be learned from reading the planets and their transits. You can get a chart reading at astro.com for free. Then you can check your horoscope every day.
11. Make spiritual friends.
There is much more learning in community when you get around spiritual people. If you are kind of a loner and not really a church goer you may want to look online for people who have similar interests. But it would be helpful to find some spiritual folks in real life. Look toward joining a meditation group, or perhaps a yoga group, or even go to church if you would like. Also some volunteer organisations have some nice spiritual people in them. So try to look for ways in getting around spiritual people.
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Those are just some techniques I've learned over the years which have helped me. I may still be an apprentice lol, but my link is not so dusty anymore incorporating these steps in my life.
