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The Higher Self & Guidance
Have there ever been times in your life when you needed some
guidance?... some direction in life, or a bit of help making
a major decision? Where did you turn? To a trusted friend?
A family member? An astrologer or psychic? Maybe you found
some helpful direction from these sources, or maybe not. Did
you ever wish that there was a higher source of wisdom and
guidance you could turn to? One that is free from human bias,
whose wisdom is absolutely trustworthy? This higher source
of guidance does, indeed exist, and is closer than you may
imagine. The Higher Self is always available to you.
Each of you has at least one
spiritual guide that is "assigned" to you, and stays
with you throughout your life to assist you as needed. (This
is not the same as your guardian angel.) You also have what
is called your Higher Self. Your Higher Self is that part
of your consciousness that is one with Spirit, and therefore,
always in touch with the Higher Cosmic Wisdom. Your spiritual
guide and your Higher Self assure that there are at least
two higher sources of guidance available to you.
Now even though this higher
guidance is always available to you, when you begin meditating
and traveling your spiritual path, an interesting shift occurs.
The light of your Inner Spirit begins to shine more brightly,
and this light becomes a sort of beacon, signaling those in
the higher spiritual realms that your spiritual journey has
truly begun. To assure that your journey goes along in harmony
with the cosmic plan, you begin to attract various teachers
and guides to fill special needs for your soul's growth.
These wise and loving beings,
who are present to help you travel your spiritual path, gently
and quietly suggest possibilities and positive choices whenever
needed. However, this must be done without interfering with
your free will. This is very important, because cosmic law
dictates that your freedom of choice cannot be taken away.
This is especially true here on Planet Earth, where learning
to make choices is an essential part of the curriculum. So
your guides won't make your decisions for you, or tell you
what you "must" do. Rather, they will gently whisper
suggestions, and then leave the rest up to you.
This effortless collaboration
with your guides is occurring more than you may know. Much
of the time when you are making life choices, you are receiving
higher guidance. (I'm not referring to mundane choices, such
as which kind of breakfast cereal to buy, but choices that
have a reasonable impact on your life or the lives of others.)
You may not be aware of it, but your guides are there, assisting
you.
For example, have you ever
been heading somewhere and had a sudden urge to stop at a
place that wasn't on your planned itinerary, only to run into
an old friend. Perhaps this friend has some information for
you - or vice versa - that turns out to be quite meaningful.
Or perhaps your meeting leads to some positive new opportunity
for one or both of you. These kinds of synchronicities begin
to occur more frequently for those traveling their spiritual
path. And what's behind them? It's your spiritual guides whispering
gentle suggestions in your ear. This guidance process can
be easy and spontaneous... part of the natural dynamic of
your life. Speedbumps on the Path
However, sometimes you may
go through periods when it seems as though the choice-making
process is a struggle. You may feel confused, ambivalent,
or completely clueless. At these times, something is obstructing
the clear flow of inner guidance, as well as the clarity of
your own thinking process. What causes this? The most common
cause is the constricting anxiety that comes from "over-importantizing"
decisions... giving too much weight to the outcome.
What often adds to the anxiety,
is the notion that there is one right choice, and we have
to discover what it is. There is a tendency to feel - either
consciously or unconsciously - that if we make the right choice,
The Universe will smile upon us, doing everything possible
to support us. Our road will be smooth and easy. Everything
will work out perfectly... the right choice will lead us to
nirvana.
But if we make the wrong choice...
take the wrong road, we fear that we will encounter countless
obstacles, and nothing will work out favorably. Although we
may blame "The Universe" for making this road so
hard to find, it is generally the anxiety of thinking we must
find the one right way that makes it difficult.
Now, sometimes there is one
choice that is more in harmony with your soul's plan, and
may well lead to greater joy than the other choices. However,
when this is the case, The Universe does not obscure it just
to see if you can find it. That would serve no positive purpose.
On the contrary, it tends to post signs flashing "this
way," all around you, and in every corner of your psyche.
And if you do happen to choose another route, The Universe
does not withhold it's unconditionally loving support because
of it.
However, quite often there
is not just one road that you are meant to take, but several
possible roads, leading to several "possible futures"
that will all bear fruit in some way. And all will have their
joys as well as their challenges. From the higher cosmic perspective,
your soul's growth is the top priority, and life is set up
so that even the dumbest choices will open a doorway to growth
and valuable spiritual lessons.
Follow Your Bliss
If you ask for higher guidance,
more often than you may imagine, your guides will encourage
you to do what you love, i.e. to follow your heart's desire...
your highest ideal. Or as the great mythologist, Joseph Campbell
put it, to "follow your bliss." Of course, that
excludes anything that will cause anyone any harm. Such choices
may catalyze a feeling of elation or excitement within you
when you think about them.
On the other hand, there may
be occasions when your higher guidance will encourage you
to do what's best for all concerned, even if it does not seem
so blissful. In such cases, you most likely know what to do
already, but may try to ignore it, hoping your guides will
get you off the hook with an easier course to take.
When you begin to understand
these dynamics of choice and of working with your guides,
things tend to lighten up considerably. You begin to feel
free of the pressure, and are less likely to over-importantize,
and agonize over decisions. Choices start to come more easily...
sometimes instantly, sometimes emerging and taking shape gradually.
You begin to trust more in your instincts and intuition. And
when you aren't all knotted up with anxiety, you are way more
receptive to the gentle whisperings of your spiritual guides.
So the whole process once again becomes a spontaneous collaboration
between you and your higher guidance.
Inviting The Higher Self
Of course, there may still
be occasions when a major life choice is not perfectly clear,
and you feel the need for some extra help. At these times,
it's best to turn within and ask for higher guidance. In such
cases, the same principle holds true... the more you can relax
and not get all knotted up with anxiety over the outcome,
the easier it is to be receptive to your guides. For these
occasions, here's an easy exercise you can do to get in touch
with the Higher Self when you need some guidance.
1. Sit comfortably with your
eyes closed. Breathe easily and naturally.
2. Imagine yourself in a place
where you feel completely comfortable and at peace.
3. It may be somewhere in
nature, a room where you feel very comfortable... wherever
you feel most at peace.
4. Picture a being of light
approaching from a distance. You can see that this being is
radiating great peace, love, and wisdom.
5. As he or she reaches you,
you realize that it is your Higher Self.
6. Invite your Higher Self
to sit with you. Notice how you feel completely at home and
at peace in it's unconditionally loving presence.
7. Briefly explain the situation
to your Higher Self, and ask for his or her guidance.
8. Then you can either sit
quietly, waiting for the response... or you can carry on a
dialogue with your Higher Self.
You may receive an answer
immediately, or after a short time. The Higher Self may give
you an answer in the form of words, symbols, pictures, or
just a deep knowing. The answer may be very specific, or it
may come in the form of a higher truth, which sheds enough
light on the situation to help you choose wisely. If you don't
receive an answer while you are sitting, it's ok. You have
still begun the guidance process, and that's important. Once
you have begun the process, your guidance will most likely
find you at a moment when you are not trying to find it.
Guidance from the Higher Self
or your spiritual guides should always be gentle, and feel
kind, compassionate, and accepting. It should never be a command
(except in rare, life threatening situations requiring instant
action). If a guide tells you that you "must" do
this or that, it is not your Higher Self or a higher spirit
guide. Simply disregard the advice, and ask it to move along.
Remember, you are being gently
guided and lovingly cared for at all times. The more you learn
to trust this, the easier it will be for the Higher Self and
spiritual guides to assist you, and the more harmonious and
enjoyable your journey will be.
| Authors Details: The Higher Self &
Guidance - Jim Malloy Web
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