Gnosis is the direct personal experience of Spirit. It is an internal knowing. Some common methods to “be more conscious” – to experience Spirit directly, are mindfulness, meditation, guided visualization / imagery, hypnosis, past life regression… Their definitions can overlap and / or be
inconsistent. What is most consistent is there is rarely mention of brain states in any of these methods. (see the blog on Brain States).
Most of these methods begin with deep breathing or body awareness or music or drumming or… These are ways to reach the slower brain wave states which access connection to Spirit.
Because the Beta states involve language activities, using words can restrict the state of connection. When I facilitate guided meditations, I combine words, images and sounds. This (1) accesses more Alpha and (2) supports various personal styles. Beginning with words, I lead others to “see” or “hear” their own personal experiences. I give them control of the experience and the timing, asking them to let me know when they are through.
One respected practitioner begins with a guided meditation and follows with a list of questions to ask yourself such as “Can you release victim consciousness?”. Though you are instructed to answer the questions from your heart, it is a “beta based” question. And calling up memories of being a victim can spark the High Beta anxiety state. For this approach to be effective, the person has to be in dual brain states concurrently: (1) the Beta verbal state and (2) the Alpha emotional state. While this is possible, it is not common. Sitting silently in nature, savoring the awe of its beauty, can spark a deeper connection.
Years ago, when I was studying everything and practicing various methods to raise my consciousness, I would watch my Dad “zone out / tune in”. He simply sat in his green aluminum porch chair, gently rocking, stroking a cat in his lap that had adopted him – oblivious to all around him. It was such a simply elegant way to reach Alpha / Theta. Its twenty-plus years later, and I have a green aluminum rocking patio chair, nestled between two gardenia plants and amid lots of foliage. You can find me there many early evenings, “zoned out!/ tuned in”. Often, when I am connected, a hummingbird comes right up to my face and looks directly into my eyes. Priceless!
The method is not the key to connecting with Spirit: the brain state is.
Being in Beta and High Beta can be a block.
Being in Alpha, Theta and Delta can be the connector.
(research indicates Delta is the state of no boundaries,
making it optimal for complete connection).
REFLECT:
How have you reached a feeling of connection to Spirit in the past?
What were the circumstances / events?
Can you design another experience like it?
Can you design a simpler way?
When working with clients, I usually create individually personalized guided imagery / regressions. However, there are two standards I use more than others.
Buddha Heart Visualization:
This is for restoring / maintaining a compassionate / loving heart.
The general approach:
1. Just before drifting off to sleep, “see” Buddha (or the image
of your choice) residing in your heart
2. Note how you feel upon awakening
3. Record any dreams and analyze them
The specific approach: This is good to heal relationship issues.
1. Just before drifting off to sleep, picture the person / situation / event
that is causing you emotional distress
2. Then “see” the image or your choice residing in your heart.
3. Give the image the picture of the person / situation / event causing
your emotional distress
4. Ask for their help resolving it
5. Release it and go to sleep
6. Note how you feel upon awakening
7. Record any dreams and analyze them
Christ Meditation:
This has proven magical for me and many others – especially for physical healing. So I created a recording of it.
Click to listen / experience it.
APPLY:
Experience one of these approaches.
Or choose another one of your choice.
Make it a consistent practice.
