Using Your Inner Guidance

[sparklekaz]

I am sure we have all at different times in our lives felt lost, confused and in need of advice or guidance. We feel that there must be answer, or a solution, and that even if we cannot find it ourselves, someone, 'out there' can. But, is seeking advice from others always the best answer? Would it not be better to work things out for ourselves?

Other people I've found are always more than happy to advise others or give their opinion; but, I've noticed that they don't always follow their own good advice. Is knowing what to do, always easier than doing it? So, if you've explored all the options available to you. Asking others - mulling over the problem yourself - or simply putting your head in the sand and hoping it will go away. Do you then consider asking your higher self, or connecting with your inner guidance?

If this is something you have not done before, and would like to try it; here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Create for yourself a harmonious space. Our inner guidance flourishes in peaceful, quiet surroundings. If you've got a lot of noise and chaos going on around you, you won't be able to connect with, and hear the wisdom waiting for you. Some people like to surround themselves with beauty, by bringing in some fresh flowers, scented candles or incense, or even some soothing artwork. Whatever will help put you in a calm, peaceful mood.

2. Going within. If you are not a regular meditator, you might find this a little difficult at first. Try not to have any preconceptions or expectations. Focus on nothing. Simply close your eyes and turn your attention inward, to the silence within you. Random thoughts will probably keep popping up. That is normal. Don't try to force your attention away from them. Simply observe them, without attaching any emotion or judgment. Just let them drift by. Returning your attention to the silence.

3. Picture your problem in your mind. Hold it there and then listen. Try to do this without judgment, and without trying to come to any conclusions. Practice acceptance for what it is, at this moment. Then ask yourself, "What would be the best course of action for me at this time?" Consider the possibilities before you, and think about how each one makes you feel. Most often, you will notice a difference between something that feels right, and something that feels wrong.

4. Let the answer materialize. If you don't receive any insights initially, put the issue aside for a while. By going through this process, you've already tapped into your inner guidance and asked for help. Even if the answer doesn't appear immediately. Just make an effort to stay open to the answer when it arrives. It may come to you in a sudden flash of inspiration or insight. Or it may come as a subtle gut feeling, where you just know that one particular course of action 'feels' right.

5. Listen to your heart. Once you decide what you need to do, act with confidence. Don't let worries or fears hold you back. Believe that your inner guidance knows what's best for you, and move forward with courage. Remember that there are truly no right or wrong paths in life, only experiences that we can learn from. By at least examining your options and considering which path is right for you at this time, you are making a wiser decision than you would otherwise.

Lastly and most importantly, at all times, strive to be master or mistress of your own destiny. There is nothing wrong with seeking knowledge and insight from others, but you aren't bound to mindlessly follow where they lead, either. You have the ability to find your own way and decide what's best for you. In your quest for knowledge, you will come across information that feels right to you, and information that doesn't seem to make sense. Use discernment and understand that there are many truths. You just have to find yours.

I hope that people will find this helpful. I would also love to hear what your thoughts are about this. Have you used your inner guidance for help in life. Has it worked for you - and in what way?

Love and light
Kaz

[donq]

Hi Karen,

What do we do when we want to know something? By reading, researching, asking, learning, studying etc. We went to school and university because of that. And what happened? Those knowledge we've learnt didn't help us to understand life at all. Yes, they might help us to look smart, getting good jobs, making much money, getting high social status etc. but they didn't help really us to understand ourselves at all. Those who supposed to be educated persons still have as same problems (divorce, grief, suicide, suffering, drug, family problems, emotional breakdown etc.) as laymen who never had their chance to get better education. It seems to understand life, and especially ourselves, we need another kind of learning.       

According to the theory of aerodynamics, and as may be readily demonstrated through laboratory and the wind tunnel experiments, the bumblebee is unable to fly. The size, weight, and shape of its body in the relationship to its wingspread make flying impossible.
The bumblebee, however, doesn't care about these profound scientific truths, goes ahead and flies away--and manages to make a little honey at the same time.

Whether his story was true or not, I always admire prince Siddhartha. What a very brave man he was! He was a prince who was going to be a king one day but still gave up everything to search for the true knowledge, not for himself but for all mankind. If it were me, I might find my excuse that I didn't need to go mediating in the forest alone. I could do that in my comfortable palace. hahaha
How terrible doubts he had to overcome while sitting alone under the tree in the forest? "What am I doing here?" "will I go crazy?" "Will I get the true answer I have been searching for, from here?" "And those knowledge would be only my delusion?" etc.
As the story told, he had to fight all kinds of his fear: the sound of broken twig might be some wild animals that came to harm him? Or the vicious demon? etc.
But finally, he got his true knowledge and became the Buddha. We all know the story after that, even he passed away more than 2,500 years. :-) 

P.S. I like the picture. Very cool.
      

[baangus]

This is a terrific post: peaceful, warm, open, inviting, artistic and aesthetically pleasing as well... Made me want to "be with it" and experience it, and I seldom have that response to internet self-development info I come across. Must be the truth in there that makes me feel that way.

I spent years working with parents in school planning committees. Your description here is reminiscent of the way I worked with those groups. We would sit around a table, place flowers and tea and cookies (biscuits!) in the middle, and begin quietly visualizing what we wanted to see happen. As ideas came to mind, we would freely offer them into the space as thoughts. And through this process of gentle exploration, it would often happen that the answer would quite suddenly and out of the blue make itself known to us. One could feel the shift in clarity and energy in the room, it was tangible to everyone. This was my introduction to the manifestation process you outline here, and the way spirit can be welcomed to support our endeavours: Explore without judgment, decide what you need to do, and then act with confidence. Once the decision has been made and the will is engaged, spirit can begin its work.

[sparklekaz]

Hi Monty, Baangus and Amy,

Thank you all for your replies.

Monty - I agree you are right when you say that knowledge and education, gives us the life skills to enable us to work, earn a living so that we can support ourselves and our families when they come along. But, as we both know life is far more than just being able to get, and hold down a job. There are many other practical life skills that children need to learn - from understanding the value of money, to learning how to budget, to name but a few. In this area their education is sadly lacking. And there is developing emotional intelligence. How to deal with the circumstances you've mentioned above. "divorce, grief, suicide, suffering, drug, family problems, emotional breakdown etc." These skills are often learned in retrospect. And to be honest, is there a skill that can be learnt when dealing with emotional pain, grief and heartbreak?

As a mother of three adult children, I have often wondered if I did enough to prepare my children for adult-hood. I taught them how to shop and cook for themselves. How to launder their clothes and keep their rooms tidy. I believe I taught them the value of money and encouraged them when they started working to buy their own clothes and named goods, when their choice, was more than I could afford on my limited resources. I also listened to their problems and tried to advise them as best I could. While all the time encouraging them to think through the process themselves. So it was they who came to the conclusion that was right for them, rather than me 'telling them' what 'I' thought they should do. These are all basic life skills. But how does one prepare our children for the emotional minefields they may or highly probable that they will encounter as adults? For it is our nature and instinct to protect our children from the harshness of life if we can. If anyone knows of a way of educating or preparing our young adult children for these experiences, I'd love to hear about it? I loved the story of the bumblebee Monty. I've heard it before and it always makes me smile. It is true, and illustrates wonderfully - that sometimes things just exist or work - even if we don't know why, or how. It tells me that for all our knowledge, there are still many things beyond our comprehension. Keeps us humble and open to all possibilities.

Baangus - Thank you for your kind words. I am so pleased you enjoyed the post. You said "We would sit around a table, place flowers and tea and cookies (biscuits!) in the middle, and begin quietly visualizing what we wanted to see happen. As ideas came to mind, we would freely offer them into the space as thoughts. And through this process of gentle exploration, it would often happen that the answer would quite suddenly and out of the blue make itself known to us. One could feel the shift in clarity and energy in the room, it was tangible to everyone. This was my introduction to the manifestation process you outline here, and the way spirit can be welcomed to support our endeavours." I can easily visualize you all, creating this wonderful space and energy, in which the optimum conditions are achieved for working together in harmony. The biggest problem for groups of people working together I've found. Is that the attachment to their own desires/ego selves, outweighs the common purpose for the greater good. And so progress is difficult to achieve, with little if any harmony. They were lucky to have you leading them!

It is hard sometimes to get the right balance between keeping things simple and trying to convey/share information at the same time. I really enjoyed writing it, and have found that the techniques and mind-set applied, has worked best for me. Most of it is common sense with required to cultivating the right atmosphere to 'go within' in. I loved it when you said "Made me want to "be with it" and experience it". That is the highest compliment you could have paid me. And that comes, not from my ego I promise you; but from the pleasure of knowing that this article did what I hoped it would. So thank you.

Amylee - I agree with you, when you say "this is very concise and simple, and it resonates with me..pondering over this i think the timing of gaining that clarity and therefore being able to make a decision in the first place though might be down to the individual destiny/soul plan, which i believe has the so-called 'divine timing' attached to it. this would mean that only when the time is right can a decision physically be made and carried out by the use of willpower. and then, once the ball is rolling, we receive even further help from spirit by little 'coincidences', 'luck', chances, opportunities which wouldn't otherwise appear etc."

I believe that 'divine timing' is an important part of whether or not we are successful in carrying out the decisions we make. As you say, it's also the timing of having the life experience and insight to achieve clarity of thought. But, I've still found, that even if we are certain about what we want to do, having the courage to carry out that decision is not always guaranteed is it? Fear makes people procrastinate, second guess themselves, doubt their own wisdom all the time doesn't it. This is why the whole process of sitting quietly and applying the techniques mentioned above, are so helpful in blocking out all those worrying thoughts and outer influences. Do you ever do this yourself?

Thank you all again for your replies. I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts. Hopefully others will join in too.

Love and light
Kaz

[baangus]

Jan 28, 2016 15:16:21 GMT amylee said:

baangus

"Explore without judgment, decide what you need to do, and then act with confidence. Once the decision has been made and the will is engaged, spirit can begin its work."

this is very concise and simple, and it resonates with me..pondering over this i think the timing of gaining that clarity and therefore being able to make a decision in the first place though might be down to the individual destiny/soul plan, which i believe has the so-called 'divine timing' attached to it. this would mean that only when the time is right can a decision physically be made and carried out by the use of willpower. and then, once the ball is rolling, we receive even further help from spirit by little 'coincidences', 'luck', chances, opportunities which wouldn't otherwise appear etc.

Hi amylee. I understand why you say that, and I've experienced destiny/soul plan events in my life, or so I believe. However, Kaz is presenting what I would call a blueprint to help bring about connection with the higher self. It makes sense to me that as we progress along our self-development path, getting in touch with our higher self and with spirit becomes easier and easier. Is it a matter of always having to wait for divine timing and destiny, or can we develop the ability to initiate and even speed up that process ourselves?

Hi Kaz, thanks for the warm reply and comments.

[sparklekaz]

Hi Baangus,

You said "Is it a matter of always having to wait for divine timing and destiny, or can we develop the ability to initiate and even speed up that process ourselves?"

I do believe that not only can we initiate or speed up the ability to connect with Inner Wisdom or Higher Self - we are compelled to. It's as if once we actively start to question our lives, it's meaning and purpose; And start to look around with awareness, it's as if a switch is flicked on inside. Like a homing device that is activated. Because no matter where we are in terms of spiritual growth - we are saying on a deep level, that 'we are ready' to learn more. We are ready for the next step. I still believe we progress at a pace that is right for us individually. But we are definitely saying, I am open and receptive.

I like you and Amylee, believe in divine timing, but I still feel we can also be pro-active with our own spiritual growth. Just as in life we have to be pro-active in maintaining our own mental/emotional and physical health. I don't believe it's forcing anything, just helping it along. For as many have said, what is right and meant for us, will come to us. I have no doubt that actively doing a spiritual practice, whether its meditation, yoga or simply sitting quietly, relaxed in a peaceful environment. Indeed even writing down and sharing our thoughts as we are here, can be a catalyst. Incidences of spiritual awareness appear to increase. For me my dreams start to become more vivid. Or my intuition seems more pronounced. My thoughts are - don't question or over think it. If I start doing that, straight away I notice I've already but the brakes on. As the saying goes, just go with the flow.

Love and light
Kaz

[mojomojo]

From my own experience, spirituality is abound with paradox, while we come in with a loose blueprint (life
plan), our daily thoughts, words, actions and attitude, can alter our course.
There have been reports of those who came in, specifically to raise awareness, and never met their duty(life plan) due to life's frustrations, yes, that's second hand information.
I fail to see any journey, what we are after is here right now, we just need to strip off all the crap we have accumulated, a little knowledge is all that is needed, a constant craving for knowledge, is desire, spiritual ego, I doubt we will get there through intellect, daily life shows us where we are, whatever disturbs our peace, is what we have to work on, the problem been within.
While I agree, spirit will give us what we need when we need it, there are times when things seem to progress at a faster rate, this process has been noted in the Bible, I have always seen it as spirits way of letting us know we are very much on track, it is referred to as "a quickening", where synchronicity and experiences seem to happen at a ridiculous rate.

I can not hold to an idea, where life is laid out regardless of what we do, what would be the point, it's adjacent to talk of getting rid of the ego, if we had no ego, we would be in a state of being with a body, we would just sit there and decay, no desire to do anything, it is my understanding that when we reach a certain level, the ego flips and serves God, instead of self.

[sparklekaz]

Hi Amy and Robert,

I think within us all is 'potential'. Whether or not we fulfill that potential is up to us. An analogy that comes to mind - is the example of a child who shows a real gift or aptitude for music or art at a young age. That ability is encouraged by their primary/junior school teacher. But once they move on to high school, they are told 'other subjects' are more important. And so their creative gift is abandoned or neglected. They may continue themselves in a half hearted way, but the seed of potential is no longer nurtured. They may always have the ability to draw nicely, or play a half decent tune on the piano or violin. But the chances are they will not be as great at it as they could have been. For even talent needs to practice. It needs the right atmosphere and guidance to grow.

Now you could say, well if it was meant to be, it would be. Nothing would stop it from happening. I don't agree. As mojomojo said "From my own experience, spirituality is abound with paradox, while we come in with a loose blueprint (lifeplan), our daily thoughts, words, actions and attitude, can alter our course." I believe we have to actively participate in our own growth. I also like Robert (mojomojo), have noticed that spiritual growth seems to occur in bursts. If I'm stressed/tired or extremely busy with work, and other responsibilities, its as if everything connected to my intuition and healing practice becomes dormant. But, when I'm meditating regularly, writing regularly, my inner guidance seems much stronger.

When I practice self-healing and healing others, my connection to the universal energy source becomes stronger Synchronicity seems to occur, where suddenly opportunities present themselves, to do more. Whether it's attending a workshop, reading books that deepen my awareness and create a further shift in my perspective to talking to other people who are like-minded. My world expands. When I'm not actively taking part or being pro-active in my own spiritual growth - my world contracts.

I believe spiritual growth occurs in all aspects of our lives in different ways. I understand where you are coming from when you say that there is a danger of spiritual perfectionism occurring. Just as we see examples of spiritual elitism. My way is better than your way kind of thing. And that's all part of the ego isn't it. Striving, pushing or forcing something for it's own sake, rather than for a purpose. I think it's all about 'intention'. If I always keep to the fore-front of my mind, what I do I do for my highest good. I like you believe that everything happens for a reason. Nothing we experience is wasted. But having said that, if we are not pro-active up to a point, even if it's only to send out a signal to the universe that we are ready and receptive. Doing the preparation. How we will be ready when things start to happen?

I don't think pure knowledge, experience and preparation by themselves is enough either. There has to be an intuitive leap, connection to our inner wisdom/guidance. Some people are naturally incredibly psychic/intuitive. But for most of us, we take what we have and work to improve it. And so I believe the strength of our connection will very much depend on how much effort we've put in to establishing it in the first place. Like your mobile phone or wifi connection. If the signal is poor, you just wont hear what is being said properly and your understanding of what you do hear will be poor.

Just my thoughts on it.

Love and light
Kaz

[sparklekaz]

Hi Amy,

You said "while everyone of course has all the potential within, is the fact which parts of that potential exactly will materialize in their life really only down to external factors? and not down to the internal drive, which seems independent of what others may push, encourage or try to suppress within us?" I think this is down to both Amy. Internal motivation and external help and guidance. For maximum potential to be reached. All the opportunities in the world, will count for nothing, if the individual themselves isn't invested in their own progress. Just as all the enthusiasm and talent in the world wont help, if the circumstances and opportunities are not there to allow them to develop.

To be honest, I've come to believe that trying to over-analyze the why's and wherefore's of something, can in some cases be counter-productive. So I try not to. It's only when we have these kinds of discussions, that I delve in more deeply. There are some states of personal and spiritual growth that benefit from this type of intense inward thinking. Particularly in issues where what we think is negatively impacting on what we do. Some things I just go on trust, take a leap of faith where necessary and allow life to unfold naturally. I do believe that we are born with a general blue-print. Given a selection of opportunities and choices that can take us in a myriad of different directions. That we are placed in families, environment, relationships that promote maximum opportunity to learn and progress. But, to be honest it must be nearly impossible for, for want of a better word, divine intelligence to know exactly what is going to happen. The very nature of our human existence is littered with variables. We may be able to have some control over our own thoughts, responses and actions. But it's hard to predict how 'other people' with who we interact, are going to act. Let alone know how they will think. We are all connected to each other, and what happens to one will impact on another, and another, and another. A never-ending ripple effect.

You said "naturally though as any outward changes are preceded and accompanied by a lot of mental processing we could have the illusion that this processing is the very cause for the change, when in fact it could just be the by-product that we are conscious and aware of." I don't know about you, but I would hate to think that everything we think we do for ourselves, has already been decided for us. I mean if this was the case, where does karma come into it? (that's if you believe in karma. Which I do.) If everything is controlled by divine intention, how could it be said that we make any progress or no progress in this life. If our choices are all predestined or made for us in advance?

Love and light
Kaz

[mojomojo]

Are we back to the chicken and egg scenario.
Can our higher self influence our thoughts and therefore actions.
If our higher self influences us to follow a certain path, there must be another aspect that can get it wrong and go off the set path, would the higher self preset these episodes to make us think we are advancing, to what end.
Again, I can only go on personal experience, yes this higher intelligence can influence our minds directly.
I do believe the more we entertain spirituality, be that, meditation, living in the now, doing our own internal work, prayer, etc, does from my experience, cause things to progress.
It has been said as we progress closer to alignment with our higher self, the ego will step up its game, I would state it will up the ante to the extent that one will feel they are been attacked by something external, and every ounce of fear inside will be bombarded into the mind, continuously, non stop for days on end, would this experience have come my way, if I had never entertained spirituality, I'am not really convinced it would.

[baangus]

Kaz presented a meditative process to help when seeking guidance in one's life. I confirmed that this process or something similar has worked for me many times in group settings.

amylee, you introduced the idea of divine timing and destiny/soul plan, which I acknowledged as something (I believe) I've experienced. You then read my reply regarding the higher self, and went on to say belief that internal processes can be sped up, is an illusion. You also stated it is only the higher self that allows these inspirations to happen and materialize (as thoughts). And you said that to believe otherwise is a trap that leads to a restless striving for spiritual perfectionism.

I wonder if we're talking about two different things here. Learning and practicing to open a channel to one's higher self, or to higher guidance, is considered a basic aspect of every individual's spiritual self-development. And far from being a trap or danger or illusion, these are innocuous self-actualization techniques, taught in one form or another in most every spiritual philosophy.

[baangus]

Jan 31, 2016 21:48:35 GMT amylee said:

"And you said that to believe otherwise is a trap that leads to a restless striving for spiritual perfectionism.“
i didn’t say or mean it quite like that, but maybe my wording was ambiguous. i just stated that the belief we are in full control of our internal processes can lead to perfectionism as we are never ‚perfect‘ (and never will be as humans, though our essence is), so thinking we can change that (which we could in theory, if we were fully in control) we will never stop trying to get there.

amylee, I have had the experience a number of times of the higher self coming to my @ssistance when I've needed help kicking habits and making holistic lifestyle changes. These events seemed to have a soul-spirit timing element to them. My poor little lower self requires much help from its higher counterpart with regards to internal processes and such, absolutely. As for spiritual striving, when I hit my mid-40s I discarded the external knowledge and doctrine approach. I've been singularly focused on my own inner self-development since then. One step on the spiritual knowledge path requires three steps on the moral self-development path... that sums up my striving. I agree it's easy to get lost in the spiritual illusion at times, that happened to me in my 30's. We do and we learn.

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