What Style of Meditation is Right For You?

What Style of Meditation is Right For You?

Finding the right style of meditation for your needs is important. While meditation may be simple, the practice of meditation is difficult. This is mostly because in our phone-addicted and over-stimulating world, the act of concentration and/or quieting the mind is getting harder and harder to achieve. I’ve been a student of meditation for over 28 years and have been teaching meditation for about 15 years. So, to say that I am a huge fan would not be overstating it.  While there are many physical benefits of meditation, I think the most important outcomes come from the spiritual side of the practice. Finding the type of meditation that will achieve your desired outcomes will help you be consistent so you can reap the benefits of this life-changing practice. 

Styles of Meditation

Before we talk about the benefits, let’s talk about some of the different types or styles of meditation. Each technique and style has its unique focus and approach. Most styles fall into one of two categories. Either it is directive, meaning that you are focusing on a single point, idea or mantra, etc.. Or non-directive, meaning the individual opens up their awareness and just allows things to move in and out of their field of consciousness.  It is important to understand your goals, and what you hope to get out of your meditation practice so you can choose a style that meets your needs.  Try a few and find the one that most resonates with you.

Here are some of the different types of meditation:

  1. Mindfulness Meditation: This style involves paying non-judgmental attention to the present moment, and observing thoughts, sensations, and emotions without getting attached to them.
  2. Loving-Kindness Meditation: Also known as Metta meditation, it involves generating feelings of love, compassion, and goodwill towards oneself and others. It typically involves repeating positive affirmations or phrases.
  3. Transcendental Meditation (TM): This technique involves the use of a mantra, a word or sound repeated silently, to focus the mind and achieve a state of deep relaxation and awareness.
  4. Vipassana Meditation: Vipassana means “insight” or “clear-seeing.” It involves developing a deep awareness of the body, sensations, thoughts, and emotions. This technique aims to cultivate insight and wisdom.
  5. Zen Meditation: Zen, originating from Zen Buddhism, focuses on seated meditation (zazen) and emphasizes direct experience and self-discovery. It often involves observing the breath or engaging in contemplation.
  6. Guided Meditation: In this style, a meditation teacher or an audio recording guides the practitioner through a meditation session, providing instructions, visualizations, or prompts to enhance relaxation and focus.
  7. Kundalini Meditation: Kundalini is a form of yoga-based meditation that incorporates breathwork, chanting, repetitive movements, and visualization to awaken and channel the energy within the body.
  8. Walking Meditation: As the name suggests, this style involves meditating while walking. It emphasizes paying attention to the movement of the body, the sensations in the feet, and the surrounding environment.
  9. Body Scan Meditation: This technique involves systematically focusing attention on different parts of the body, usually starting from the toes and moving upward, to develop body awareness and release tension.

Check out this Loving Kindness Meditation

 

Spiritual Benefits of Meditation

There are so many mental and physical benefits to meditation like stress reduction, increased concentration, and decreased reactivity to situations. But for me, the spiritual benefits are why I have been a student for so long. Meditation is an integral part of my intuitive readings and has provided me with the level of concentration and awareness needed to glean insight into my energy work too.

While the specific experiences and benefits can vary from person to person, here are some of the more common spiritual benefits of meditation:

    • Enhanced self-awareness: Through regular meditation practice, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their thoughts, emotions, and patterns of behavior. This self-awareness can lead to personal growth, self-discovery, and a greater sense of authenticity.

    • Inner peace and calm: Meditation cultivates a state of inner stillness and calmness, allowing individuals to experience a sense of peace and tranquility. It helps to quiet the mind, reduce mental chatter, and find a refuge from the stresses and demands of everyday life.

    • Connection with the present moment: Meditation encourages individuals to focus on the present moment, to fully experience and appreciate the here and now. This can lead to a deeper sense of presence, mindfulness, and an increased ability to fully engage in life’s experiences. It is in the present moment that insights and intuitions arise.

    • Spiritual growth and insight: Meditation can facilitate spiritual growth by providing a space for introspection, contemplation, and the exploration of deeper existential questions. It can lead to insights, intuitions, and realizations about the nature of reality, the self, and one’s place in the world.

    • Expanded consciousness: Through meditation, individuals may have transcendent or mystical experiences that expand their consciousness beyond ordinary perceptions. These experiences can provide a profound sense of interconnectedness, unity, and a glimpse into higher states of consciousness.

    • Cultivation of compassion and kindness: Many forms of meditation, such as loving-kindness meditation, focus on developing qualities of compassion, kindness, and empathy towards oneself and others. This can foster a deeper sense of connection with others and a more compassionate approach to life.

    • Spiritual discipline and discipline of the mind: Regular meditation practice requires discipline and commitment. It can help individuals develop a stronger sense of willpower, focus, and mental discipline, which can be applied not only in meditation but also in other aspects of life and spiritual practices.

So think about what you would like to achieve with your meditation practice. Then choose a style that is best suited to your needs. Then practice, practice, practice. Some days it will be easier than others, but with all of these benefits, it is a worthy pursuit that has the potential to bring deeper awareness and balance to all aspects of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies.

Check out my library of free guided meditations

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New to Awakening? Three Books Everyone Should Read

New to Awakening? Three Books Everyone Should Read

In the beginning, reading was an important part of my spiritual journey. Often people early in their awakening process will primarily explore spirituality through intellectual and conceptual understandings rather than through experiences. Often devouring the writings and teachings of spiritual teachers and accepting them as truth. Both experiential and intellectual exploration is important, but having an understanding of basic spiritual themes and concepts can be helpful in seeking out or understanding our experiences. I read all three of these books early on in my own awakening. I would highly recommend checking them out, especially if you are interested in the energetic transformations that accompany the spiritual path.

The Kybalion

The Kybalion was originally published in 1908 by “Three Initiates” that convey the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus. This book explores the principles and teachings that underlie the fabric of the cosmos. It discusses seven laws of the universe that are meant to give readers insight into the way the universe works and how to successfully navigate it. It is a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their spiritual knowledge and develop their own philosophy of life.

The Seven Principles of the Kybalion:

  • The Principle of Mentalism – All is mind. The universe and everything in it is a mental creation of the infinite mind of the universe.
  • The Principle of Correspondence – As above, so below. The universe is a network of correspondences where everything that exists in the physical world is a reflection of something in the mental or spiritual world.
  • The Principle of Vibration – Everything is in constant motion and vibration. Everything from the smallest particle to the largest galaxy is in motion and vibrates at a specific frequency.
  • The Principle of Polarity – Everything has two opposing aspects or polarities. Everything has an opposite and everything can be transformed from one polarity to another.
  • The Principle of Rhythm – Everything has a rhythm and cycles. Everything in the universe moves in cycles and rhythms, from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy.
  • The Principle of Cause and Effect – Every action has a reaction. Every cause has an effect and every effect has a cause. Nothing happens by chance.
  • The Principle of Gender – Everything has masculine and feminine elements. Every person, object, and concept has masculine and feminine elements that work together to create balance and harmony.

The Celestine Prophecy

The Celestine Prophecy is a novel by James Redfield that follows the journey of a man named John as he embarks on a quest to discover the secrets of an ancient manuscript with nine insights. Along the way, John encounters various challenges and meets individuals who help him understand the insights and apply them to his life. It was written near the end of the last century but many of its teachings are more relevant than ever. The book explores not only the energy but the ways humans compete for power and are deeply entrenched in control dramas that go along with that. But, if we can learn to source power from Universal consciousness rather than from each other we pave the way for our true human potential.

The 9 Insights of the Celestine Prophecy:

  • First Insight – Synchronicities – Becoming aware of the meaningful coincidences around us that are meant to wake us up to the energetic and magical workings of the universe.
  • Second Insight – Taking the Long View – Putting our current awareness into a longer historical perspective. We are waking up to the idea that there is something more meaningful intended for us that blends both science and spirituality.
  • Third Insight – Everything is Energy – The basic stuff of the universe is vibrating strings of energy.
  • Fourth Insight – Competing for Energy – This describes our struggle for power. When we control another person, we steal their energy. You feel strong, they feel weak. This had led to every conflict, large and small, that humans face.
  • Fifth Insight – Tapping into Source Energy. Humans need to learn and experience connecting to the mystical consciousness or Source energy through experiences rather than taking energy from one another.
  • Sixth Insight – Understanding our Control Dramas. To act consciously and source universal energy, we need to understand the ways we were taught to take energy from another person. These were developed in childhood in response to our parent’s control dramas.
  • Seventh Insight – Intuition as a Guide –  When we have enough energy we are able to engage in conscious evolution. Truly become the co-creator of your experience – The next phase in human evolution.
  • Eighth Insight – Our Interpersonal Ethic – This insight is all about how we relate to others. It talks about parenting and how we try to dominate children and live out our control dramas.
  • Conscious Evolution – Our Human Potential – We are going to see a massive shift in culture as more people move through and live by these insights. We will move into a state of giving by giving energy, giving time, giving resources, and the natural consequence will be an abundant universe for all living beings and Mother Earth.

For a more in-depth look at the Celestine Prophecy, read Re-Visiting The Celestine Prophecy

 

Anatomy of the Spirit

Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss will change the way that you look at your body and energy field. Myss contends that illnesses and diseases are often caused by emotional or spiritual issues and that our thoughts and beliefs can have a powerful effect on our health and energy body. She takes the reader on a journey through the seven chakras, or energy centers, of the body, and explains how each one is related to specific traits, emotions, and organs. She also discusses how the different religious and spiritual traditions view the human spirit, and how we can draw on these traditions to create a more healing and holistic approach to our health and well-being.

The Seven Chakras:

  • The Root Chakra – Tribal Power – All is One
    The root chakra is all about our sense of belonging. It includes our sense of safety, security, and survival instincts. The root is also the foundation for our physical health and well-being.
  • The Sacral Chakra – Power of Relationship – Honor One Another
    The sacral chakra is all about our relationships with other people outside of our family. This area is our center of emotion, sex, pleasure, sensuality, and intimacy.
  • The Solar Plexus Chakra – Personal Power – Honor One’s Self
    This chakra is about our sense of self-worth and self-esteem. It is about getting to know who we are outside of group dynamics and relationships. Because of this, we deal with fear, anxiety, and our sense of self confidence. It is also associated with the further development of the self, ego, and identity.
  • The Heart Chakra – Emotional Power – Love is Divine Power
    This chakra is the connector of the lower and upper chakras, the physical and spiritual realms. The heart is our seat of love, acceptance, compassion, and forgiveness. This chakra is about our internal feelings and our emotional response to our thoughts.
  • The Throat Chakra – Power of Will – Surrender Personal Will to Divine Will
    This chakra is the seat of self-expression, communication, and will. Because it is located between the heart and the mind, it connects our mental/emotional bodies around our power of choice.
  • The Brow Chakra – Power of the Mind – Seek Only the Truth
    This chakra is about the development of the mind, and understanding truth from illusion. Our seat of inner guidance, wisdom, and imagination.
  • The Crown Chakra – Divine Power – Live in the Present Moment
    This chakra is the center of bliss and transcendental consciousness. Here we move into higher consciousness through beingness. It is where inspired thought and mystical experiences originate.

Want to see how the chakras can be seen as a framework for our personal evolution?

 

Each one of these books was a helpful guide on my path of awakening. Especially in the beginning as I was trying to understand some of the basic spiritual laws that govern the universe. Providing a framework to understand, and in some cases provide, the container for my experiential, energetic pursuits.

What is Shadow Work?

What is Shadow Work?

Shadow work is a term used to describe the process of exploring and working with the aspects of our personality that we typically keep hidden or repressed. These aspects, often referred to as our “shadow,” can include our fears, insecurities, traumas, and other negative emotions and experiences that we have learned to suppress or ignore. While this process can be difficult and uncomfortable, shadow work is a powerful tool for personal growth and self-awareness.

Origins of Shadow Work

The concept of the shadow was first introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who believed that our conscious selves are only one part of our psyche, and that we also have an unconscious mind that is made up of repressed or suppressed aspects of ourselves. According to Jung, these unconscious aspects can influence our behavior and attitudes in ways that we may not even be aware of, and that the process of integrating our shadow can lead to greater wholeness and a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Shadow work can take many forms, including journaling, therapy, meditation, or other forms of self-reflection. Some common techniques include identifying and exploring patterns in our behavior or relationships, uncovering childhood traumas or repressed emotions, and examining our beliefs and values.

 

READ MORE: WORKING WITH YOUR INNER CHILD

 

Benefits of Shadow Work

One of the main benefits of this work is that it can help us to break free from patterns of self-sabotage and negative behavior. By becoming aware of the aspects of ourselves that we have been trying to hide or ignore, we can begin to heal and integrate these parts of ourselves, leading to a greater sense of self-acceptance and empowerment. Shadow work can deepen our relationships with others. When we are able to recognize and work through our own shadow, we become less judgmental and more compassionate towards others, allowing for more authentic connections and deeper understanding.

Shadow Work is A Process

This work is not a one-time process or a quick fix. It’s a lifelong journey of self-discovery and self-improvement. It requires a willingness to confront and acknowledge uncomfortable truths about ourselves, and a commitment to ongoing self-reflection and growth. It’s also important to approach shadow work with self-compassion and without judgment. It’s natural to feel resistance or discomfort when exploring our shadow, but it’s important to remember that these aspects of ourselves are not “bad” or “wrong,” they are simply parts of us that need attention and healing.

Shadow work is a powerful tool for personal growth and self-awareness. By exploring and integrating our shadow, we can break free from patterns of self-sabotage, deepen our relationships with others, and ultimately lead a more fulfilling and authentic life. While the process can be uncomfortable, the benefits are well worth the effort. So, take a deep breath, be gentle with yourself, and embrace the journey of shadow work.

Here is a guided meditation using the medicine of Crow.

Check out this article with 45 prompts that can help you explore your patterns of behavior. 

4 Step Guide To Automatic Writing

4 Step Guide To Automatic Writing

Are you interested in learning how to connect to your inner wisdom? If so, automatic writing may be the perfect tool for you! Automatic writing is an incredible technique that enables communication with your higher self and your spirit guides. In this article, we’ll show you how to get started in just four easy steps.

Step 1: Grounding

To begin the process, find a quiet and private space where you can feel safe, calm, and centered. Start by taking three deep breaths and releasing any stress or negativity. Then, focus on your breath and imagine drawing in the earth’s energy on the inhale and releasing any tension on the exhale. Grounding is crucial as it brings your awareness into the present moment and establishes a connection between the spirit world and the world of matter.

Step 2: Intention & Protection

Once you’re calm and centered, it’s time to set your intention and create your boundaries. Keep your intention positive and present, and say it out loud. Ask for guidance from your higher self, spirit guides, and guardian angels on a specific matter.

Here’s an example of my intention:

“It is my intention to receive guidance from my highest self/spirit guides. I ask that I receive guidance in alignment with divine light, divine love and divine will, in my highest good and the highest good of all. I ask that I receive guidance with clarity, honesty, and integrity and I ask that only beings of the highest light and intention assist me here today. I ask this all with a humble and gracious heart. Amen, it is done and so it is. Thank-you”.

Then, visualize a blue egg around yourself as you request guidance and protection from your spirit helpers. It’s essential to set boundaries and protect yourself from disresonant energies. Never try automatic writing under the influence of drugs or alcohol as it can open you up to unwanted influences.  

HEAR THE WISDOM FROM YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL

Step 3: Writing

Now, you’re ready to start writing. Relax your hands, take a few conscious breaths, and ask a question. Write the question out and let the answers flow. Don’t worry about misspellings or grammatical errors; just let it come out naturally. Try to avoid overthinking or correcting mistakes, and remember that practice makes perfect.

You may have tried stream-of-consciousness writing in English class and this is very similar.  After you pose the question just keep on writing, even if it doesn’t make sense or it is a bunch of seemingly nonsensical sentences streamed together, it is all part of the process.  If you are writing by hand, you may even notice a shift in the writing style when you do make a connection. You may also notice that the writing will shift from a first-person to a third-person point of view as you learn to communicate with your guides.  

Remember that guidance may show up in mysterious and symbolic ways.  It is not the working of your conscious mind and it doesn’t have to be linear and logical.  Any time you bring in any resistance and that could be in the form of frustration over a typo or you start thinking about, “What if someone reads this?” This will take you out of the flow of energy and intelligence that you tapped into.  After you are done with the process, if you wish, you can then go in with your logical mind and decipher the meaning or fix typos.

Step 4: Closing and Giving Thanks

When you’re finished, close the session by giving thanks. You can go back and analyze the writing’s meaning later, but for now, take a moment to appreciate the connection you’ve made. Remember to give gratitude to your higher self, spirit guides, and guardian angels for their guidance and protection.

Automatic writing is a fantastic tool for connecting to your inner wisdom. By following these four easy steps, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking your higher self’s knowledge and communicating with your spirit guides. Remember to practice often, and don’t be discouraged if it takes time to get the hang of it. With patience and dedication, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.

Messages From Our Animal Guides

Messages From Our Animal Guides

We have many allies along our spiritual path, both seen and unseen, but among my favorites are our animal guides. It could be a giant blue heron that swoops overhead or a mouse that lies in plain sight and does not move until acknowledged. These animal guides or spirit animals are our guides in animal form. Some of them have walked with us since birth and some of them show up at the perfect time to bring a much-needed message. Learning to pay attention and decipher the message can be a magical and life-changing experience.

Message From My Animal Guide

I have had some powerful encounters with animal guides in my life. Some show up in deep meditative states or in journeys. And some showing up in real life. Mouse has been a good ally over the years appearing at just the perfect time. You might be thinking that a mouse is a pretty common animal, how could you know it was there to convey an important message? It isn’t just the appearance of any animal, it is its presence in an unexpected and/or meaningful way.

In one instance, Mouse was sitting wide open in the middle of our deck construction. It sat there unmoved until I made the connection of its presence and its message. Another time, Mouse had made its way up to the top right-hand corner of my patio door between the sliding glass and the screen. In both cases, once I took a moment and re-read the Mouse message in my animal medicine cards, the mouse disappeared. Mouse shows up for me anytime I am missing the details of something. She asks me to pay close attention and scrutinize carefully.

How do Spirit Animals Work?

When these beautiful spirit animals show up for us, it isn’t the consciousness of the single animal that is guided to help you. If you think about Plato’s theory of forms, he said that two realities exist. The material realm in which we live our day to lives and the non-material realm where the essence of all things exist in their perfect form. For example, there is the essence of Deer, a blueprint from which all deer are made. And an individual deer that has its own unique features, expression, and consciousness.

It is in the non-material realm that Mouse or the essence of Mouse exists. Some teachers like to call this the Oversoul. This oversoul then works with the consciousness of a single animal residing in the material plane to pass on the message that you need to hear. These messages if heeded can be an important piece of our conscious evolution.

Noticing the Animal Guide

Sometimes an animal guide will show up once in a meaningful way like in the example above. Sometimes they will show up over and over, in real life or in meditative states. And other times they will come to you in your dream time. Recently, as I was working on a project, Mountain Lion showed up in my dream. She didn’t just show up, she was stalking me. She pounced on the hood of my car at one point and in another instance was surrounding the house. Mountain Lion is about leadership. She could sense my reluctance and was calling on me to step up and lead. Dreams that are meaningful have a different feel than those that are just the unwinding of our daytime consciousness. They will stick with us even after waking.

So pay attention when an animal shows up in an unusual way. If you always see crows by your house so it is usual for them to be there, that is probably not an animal guide. Now if you were on a hike and a crow follows you from tree to tree cawing loudly along the way, there is probably a message for you there.

Messages Through Metaphor

If you think that an animal is trying to send you a message, take a moment, and consider the characteristics of the animal. For example, if a lion is showing up repeatedly in your healing work, think about what a lion means to you. They are expert energy managers. They won’t chase after something unless they know it is going to nourish them. They protect their pride etc. So after thinking about a lion as a metaphor, feel into the information and see what comes up for you. Does it apply to the circumstances in your life? Are you being called to manage your energy more wisely?

There are also some great animal medicine cards that can assist you and some pretty good websites too. My favorite is Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals. You might also just sit in meditation with the intention of receiving the message they are trying to convey.

Developing a Relationship With Animal Guides

As with all relationships, it is important to respect and honor their presence in our lives. You can do this by having an animal totem, i.e a figurine that you keep on your altar. You can donate money to charities that support the well-being of a particular species. You can call them into your rituals and ceremonies and develop a working relationship with them. Remembering to always be grateful and reverent for their service. These animals are connected to the Oversoul and as you honor them, you also honor the essence of all of them. Sitting in meditation with your messenger and connecting with them on a regular basis is another way to nurture collaboration.

Animal guides are magical messengers. Learning to work with them can enrich your life and assist you in your conscious evolution. As humans, we sometimes forget that we are part of the natural world. We too, are animals. As we learn to tune into the subtleties of nature there are many beautiful energies to explore that can expand your idea of what is possible. So pay attention to the animals that show up and then learn to listen to the guidance they have for you. Then take action, it may just change your life.

Here is a guided meditation to assist you in meeting an animal guide.

(c) Can Stock Photo / Donvanstaden

 

 

Freeing Our Personal Power

Freeing Our Personal Power

The path of the warrior is an approach to life that aims to maximize our potential and deepen our relationship with the Universe. Warriorship focuses on inner transformation and views the world through the lens of energy and power. A warrior is someone who seeks freedom through choice, takes radical responsibility for their actions, and is a master of their intent. There is much to be gained by walking this path and increasing and freeing our personal power, even for the most novice warrior. Understanding that the path is not a place you reach, but rather a process of continued self-mastery. As Robert Spencer describes it in The Craft of the Warrior, “….it provides a strategic blueprint for self-organization.”

What is a Warrior?

In her book, Warrior Goddess Training, HeatherAsh Amara explains warriors in this way, “Warrior energy is a combination of focus, dedication, purpose, and determination. Consciously bringing these things together gives us power.” This quest for power is really about our pursuit of growth and personal evolution. It is about wanting to dive deep into the mystery and magnificence of the Universe and living with the knowledge that we are part of that magnificence. A warrior is humbled by this truth and lives accordingly.

Awakening the Warrior Activation

What is Personal Power?

We are all born with a certain amount of personal power. Some describe it as a form of life force energy that allows for our existence. However, a warrior is interested in more than just existing. To do this, she must deepen her relationship with the Unknown. Our personal power expands as our knowledge of one’s self, and the Universe deepens. The more personal power we have, the more able we are to traverse the unknown realms. It is the fuel of the warrior, and through our awareness and heightened perception, we engage in an energetic relationship with everything around us. Personal power allows us to transcend, transmute and transform ourselves in powerful ways. 

Our use and acquisition of this power in efficient and effective ways is what the Toltecs call impeccability. As a spiritual guide, don Juan Matus said, “Impeccability is nothing else but the proper use of energy.” Some call this our ability to do or take action in the world in alignment with our intent. So, as we take conscious effort and use our energy efficiently and effectively, we build our personal power.

The Path With Heart

Carlos Castaneda writes, “It is the consistent choice of the path with heart which makes a warrior different from the average man.” The path with heart looks different for everyone, but it aligns with your essence, enjoyment, and development. It is a path that strengthens you, challenges you, and is chosen with purpose and meaning at its core. A warrior knows that death is their eternal companion, and no matter what path we choose, they all lead to the same place. Because the warrior faces the inevitability of death, they decide to live life in its fullest expression. If a path no longer fits or brings joy, the warrior is free to choose differently. 

Many of the choices a warrior makes along their path may go unnoticed by the uninitiated. But a warrior seeks the mystery and moves between the known and unknown worlds. As soon as certainty sets in, the warrior is no longer walking the path with heart. A warrior views the Universe as an unfathomable mystery that can never be known yet is always seeking to unravel her mysteries. This keeps a warrior flexible and engaged with life from a place of joy and curiosity rather than a rigid certainty. 

This does not mean the path is without struggle. Struggle is an inherent part of expansion and development. In Journey to Ixtlan, many things need to be overcome on a warrior’s path. don Juan Matus talks about erasing personal history, disrupting routines, losing self-importance, and dropping habits. All of these things bind our power and keep us within the confines of the ordinary world. 

Losing Personal Power

There are many ways in which we lose or bind our power. Habits are considered a power sink because they bind our power rather than drain it. In The Craft of the Warrior, Robert Spencer writes, “A power sink is much like a pond or a lake in the desert with no outlet to the sea. Power collects there, but being unable to flow, it just evaporates.” So, one of the best ways to free up personal power is to give something up. Habits are performed without conscious thought, so we might think that since they require little thought that they use little power. But, anyone who has released a habit knows how much energy is involved in supporting it. Remember that habits aren’t just actions; we can have emotional and mental habits as well. 

For example, pretend you are giving up your morning danish. You may have omitted the action of eating the danish, but you spent most of the day thinking about how much you missed it. Those repetitive thoughts are also habits. It is not just about giving something up but doing so with impeccability or employing the proper use of your energy. Spending a good portion of the day lamenting the danish is not an efficient use. 

Awakening the Warrior Activation

Power Leaks

Power leaks are another way to lose personal power. In the Warrior literature, one of the most significant ways we lose power is through identification. Or, to put it another way, the way we define ourselves by our roles, history, and various group identities is often defined by someone external to the self. Spencer writes, “First, identification produces a static quality in which permanence is both assumed and desired. Thus we can not adapt easily to the changing flux that life presents, and a great deal of power are used trying to minimize any changes that might threaten the stability of our identification or the way in which we define ourselves.”

Negative emotions are also described as a power leak. This doesn’t mean that she suppresses or represses healthy emotion, but a warrior would not act on it. In the literature, most authors view negative emotions stemming from over-identification and habitual patterns. Once someone can recognize the emotion without the mental overlay/construct, the emotion is just seen as energy moving through the body. Appropriate expressions of emotion, that is to say, emotions in proportion to the event, are using one’s energy impeccably. Dan Millman writes, “You don’t have to bring a thought or corresponding tension to life; you don’t have to dramatize it….as emotional obstructions are left undramatized, they’ll grow weaker until finally, they become obsolete.” 

Hunting Power

In addition to plugging leaks and unbinding power, there are things a warrior can do to acquire power. This power can be found in playing in the mystery and unknown realms. Engaging in activities that expand our relationship to the Universe. Crossing this threshold requires one to accept uncertainty and be able to sit with fear or confusion without trying to impose order. It also requires a heightened sense of perception that opens up to experiences rather than categorizing them. This means that a warrior leans more on their internal reference points than looking for external ones to explain their experience. 

It is not easy to put into words what it means to cross the threshold into the unknown. don Juan, called this non-ordinary reality the nagual. Or David Bohms’ description of the Implicate Order. A living awareness consisting of limitless potentialities, an unmanifest consciousness where all things are possible. For some, it is the use of rituals and techniques that alter states of consciousness. It could be engaging in active dreaming. Or it can be playing in the unknown even in the ordinary world by heightening our perceptions and awareness to notice the subtle shifts of energy, the negative space, or the webs of illusion that feed the consensus-based reality. 

These techniques that bring a warrior across the threshold into the unknown require being in the now moment. A warrior opens up to the world, listening with her inner ears and seeing with her inner sight. It is about feeling the world with your whole being and acting as both a receiver and transmitter of energy and power. 

Awakening the Warrior Activation

Freedom & Discipline

It might seem counterintuitive in a perspective that values fluidity that discipline would be so highly valued. But in Warriorship, freedom is a product of discipline. Spencer describes, “To take the path with heart, then we must find a way of loosening our bonds with what has limited us. In doing so, we challenge our self-concepts, refocus our awareness, cut tethers to our beliefs, rechannel our emotions, open our senses to new perceptions, and find new filters through which to process information.” None of this happens by chance. It requires a conscious, concerted effort to move through these self-limiting behaviors to reach a place of freedom. It is the perfect alignment of intention and action. 

But the warrior understands that discipline must be in harmony with our ability to let go. After the preparations are made, skills learned and mastered; the warrior must be prepared to take action with the full force of her being. A warrior has control until they don’t, and then we must be able to release with abandon and detach from the outcome. A warrior’s freedom is found in this delicate dance of discipline and release. 

Detachment

Remaining detached is another critical attribute of the warrior’s path and to maintaining personal power. A warrior does not look through the lens of success and failure. She makes choices from the perspective of impeccability and not outcome. The warrior’s fluid nature allows her to take quick action and drop something if it is no longer aligned with her intent. When a person is attached, it creates a web of energy, linking our thoughts and emotions through story. Therefore investing and binding our personal power, making it less available and fluid. It is the intent, discipline, and detachment that allows for fluidity.

A warrior’s path is not always easy. And it will not be perfect. But, by following this path, we can transcend ordinary human awareness into a place of unlimited perception. As more of the unknowns become known and we understand there are many separate realities, we can manifest our full potential. A warrior can take leaps without needing explanation and is okay living outside the boundaries of what is considered normal. The real question is, how alive do you want to be? As don Juan Matus said, “We choose to be warriors or to be ordinary men. A second choice does not exist.”

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