Finding Your Spirit Guides
Generally, when I see an article in a check-out line magazine, I take the information therein with a grain of salt. Recently, however, I was given an article on getting in touch with your spirit guides which was printed in the back of a little Horoscope magazine. It is actually pretty good, so I have re-printed it in its entirety.
Spirit Guides and Guardian Angels
by L.A. Justice
I lay in a deep sleep the night of my friend Charley's funeral -- an emotionally draining experience I never want to repeat.
Suddenly, I was awake. A golden light hovered inches above me. I knew it was Charley bringing me a message, although no words were spoken.
"I'm OK," he said. "Don't worry and don't be sad. Live your dreams and be happy."
As quickly as the light appeared, it was gone. But I was content, no longer unhappy. I knew Charley was fine and I would be too.
According to the experts, the spirit of the deceased does not disappear when the physical body dies. Instead, they return to guide and teach us. In many cultures, death is a festive occasion and a time to celebrate the soul attaining the highest spiritual level.
The idea of spirit guides and guardian angels has been around for centuries.
The Zuni tribe of North America believes that when a person dies, the pinanne -- the wind and breath of the heart -- lingers for four days. It visits loved ones in their dreams before departing to the afterlife.
In ancient Greece, oracles -- enlightened, spiritually attuned guides -- helped mortals make contact with those on other planes.
Today, we have shamans, mediums and channelers. If a bond between two people is very close, the essence of the deceased my touch another directly.
Most of us have received communications from those on the other side, but we're unaware that our experiences have been messages or guidance from them.
To be able to give and receive messages from our spirit guides, we must be open minded. We can recognize their contact through clairvoyance, dreams, symbols, a sense of their presence, movement of objects and communication through meditation. Closing ourselves off to contact from our spirit guides is a disservice.
According to Linda Georgian, author of "Communicating with the Dead", these simple tips create an atmosphere of receptivity:
- Make your environment quiet. Light a candle, burn incense or play music which the spirit liked.
- Relax and focus on feeling peaceful.
- Be open to sending and receiving feelings and messages.
- Feel love and goodwill.
- Think of pleasant moments to establish emotional contact.
- Breathe deeply and evenly.
- Sit comfortably.
- Keep the mind clear, use no drugs or alcohol.
Usually, we want to reach those who have passed on because we miss their company, good counsel or the love and comfort they gave. But those on the other side also want to make their presence and emotions felt. This is often done in dreams They can bring comfort and support, tell us to modify our behavior or change our direction.
Sometimes they're nightmares that reflect our inner wisdom -- or the wisdom of someone on the other side -- making an unforgettable impression.
Some people have closed their minds so completely that they don't believe spirit guides exist. This is truly a shame. They lose contact with those they love - even though the nature of the relationship had not changed. Spirit guides can give us comfort, guidance and even save us from harm. To deny this, is foolish. To accept their presence is to enrich our daily life."