{"id":17667,"date":"2018-08-01T01:10:38","date_gmt":"2018-08-01T06:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=18676"},"modified":"2018-07-23T13:51:30","modified_gmt":"2018-07-23T18:51:30","slug":"finding-your-own-way-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2018\/08\/01\/finding-your-own-way-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Your Own Way"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/a> Chapter 5<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Setting <\/b><\/u><\/span>B<\/b><\/u><\/span>oundaries<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Not every adult believes in the existence of the spirit worlds, but almost every child does.<\/span><\/p>\n

That we still have that child within us and are influenced by forgotten beliefs, has a major impact on the results of our meditation. If we wish to ensure that our journeys are positive and uplifting, it is best to set boundaries before we begin. The poems and art in this book will naturally tend to lead to the areas mentioned and always have a positive aspect. However, as we forge our own path to mental and emotional balance, it is best to have this ability completely under our own control.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep an open mind about the imagery and words used. This is not a book which favours any belief system. I have witnessed many different beliefs helping people who needed to make a change of perspective at that point in their lives. I am a pragmatist. I have only included those things which I know to be helpful. I leave it to others to argue as much as they wish about \u201cabsolute truth\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

The Auric Egg<\/u><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

This exercise has many applications apart from setting boundaries during meditation It will help the reader in stressful situations and in dealing with those who would try to overpower our emotions and sensitivities. Once mastered, I would advise using it in any situation in which we feel anxious or threatened. <\/span><\/p>\n

I once had a student who believed he had to enter some type of bird\u2019s egg and complained about the yoke being in his way, so I will try to describe the auric egg in as great a detail as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before you start the exercise, take a few moments to peer at a fine mesh colander or a flour sieve. <\/span><\/p>\n

Try to picture the fine mesh in the shape of an egg with the wide part at the bottom. If you find it easier to do so, – just imagine it as a sphere around you.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is best to start this meditation with the treeing exercise. (section 5)<\/span><\/p>\n

Feel the light from the sun pouring in through the crown of your head.<\/span><\/p>\n

As you picture the light from the sun filling your body, begin to push it out from your solar plexus. <\/span><\/p>\n

As you breathe in, push the light out until it forms the shape of an egg around your body.<\/span><\/p>\n

See the light turn to gold and form a shell around you made from fine golden filaments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tell yourself that this light will let nothing negative or dark enter your mind. Only positive thoughts and feelings are allowed through it. All else is filtered out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take your time. Spend as much time as you need to master this. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you have trouble in visualizing, then think of yourself in a warm, safe bubble. Feel the warmth around you. Tell yourself that you are loved and protected. <\/span><\/p>\n

If there are any smells or sounds that you associate with comfort and safety, then take the time to remember them. <\/span><\/p>\n

Remember… there is no rush and no pressure. It may take a few attempts for some people to get this exercise flowing smoothly. <\/span><\/p>\n

Was there a special place where you felt safe? Remember that. <\/span><\/p>\n

Was there someone in your childhood who was a protector? Remember them. Say their name. Remember how you felt when they were around. Fictional characters will work too!<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you visualize well, adding these memories will make what you are doing easier and even more effective in setting a safe boundary for your meditations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then allow your mind to wander.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now might be a good time to start keeping a record of your thoughts and feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paint the Sky with Summers Hues<\/u><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Paint the sky with the deepest blue,<\/span><\/p>\n

Paint your world with all the brightest colours and the lightest hues,<\/span><\/p>\n

Golden corn and buttercups, a gleaming yellow sun,<\/span><\/p>\n

Silver streams that sparkle, – cool and clean as when the world began.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sweet green grass and roses of the deepest red,<\/span><\/p>\n

Shady fern-filled forests with the softest, mossy pillows where you rest your weary head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why imagine gloom and doom,<\/span><\/p>\n

when you can paint your future with your brightest hopes instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ocean beckons us with promises of warm dry sand that trickles through our hands,<\/span><\/p>\n

A bucket and a spade create a fairy castle or a soldier\u2019s keep with turrets and a moat.<\/span><\/p>\n

The simple joy of lying on the beach and listening to the waves,<\/span><\/p>\n

and love hearts on the sand, that wash away as quickly as we write.<\/span><\/p>\n

Long mild days to trek, to travel, to explore,<\/span><\/p>\n

or lay and bask; – I dare to question, who could ask for more,<\/span><\/p>\n

The heaviest of hearts can find that on a summer\u2019s day it lifts.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rich and poor alike can both enjoy the summer\u2019s gifts.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Summer is a season and a place deep in your heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer lasts forever when our final winter thaws,<\/span><\/p>\n

Even in this fleeting, fickle world of pain and flaws,<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer is the journey of a heart that needs no laws.<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer is that secret place of calm within the storm,<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer is the goal of those who seek to live beyond the norm,<\/span><\/p>\n

Even as the icy grip of winter howls, and swirls around our homes,<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer is the warmth within our hearts and hope of better things to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just take a few minutes to absorb the images from the text and the art.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This meditation will help boost optimism and courage. It will help us to see beyond present difficulties and start to manifest more positive and helpful responses to challenging situations. Nothing material lasts forever in this fleeting world, especially not hardship or misfortune. What does last are the valuable lessons that we learn, and the joy in our hearts from happy times. The wheel of life will turn. Winter thaws into spring and then the summer comes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now is the time to remember all the good in your life and all the times that you felt loved and protected. This will help to release the energy from your subconscious mind and free you to find the best solutions to any obstacles in your journey to a happier and more balanced life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take the time to compile a short list of your successes in the past and present. Remember books and films where the main character won through after many difficulties. Concentrate on the positive things in your life and only on actions you can perform immediately to help the situation. Then tell yourself that you have done all you can for the moment and relax until a solution comes to you from within.<\/span><\/p>\n

This meditation is very helpful for increasing the effectiveness of the Auric Egg exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Patrick W Kavanagh, <\/b>Featuring the inspirational art of Bill Oliver<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Writer, poet, <\/span>Patrick W Kavanagh<\/b><\/span> was born in Dublin and now lives and works in Lincolnshire in a small rural town. Patrick became fascinated by the strange abilities of the human mind from watching his mother give psychic readings using tea-leaves and playing cards. With a lifelong interest in metaphysics and parapsychology, he has given tarot and spirit readings for over 40 years. He travels to many events with his wife Tina, exploring the power of shamanic drumming to heal, and induce therapeutic trance states. They also hold a regular drumming circle in the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By <\/span>Patrick W Kavanagh<\/b><\/span> available at most retailers:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Finding Your Own Way: Personal Meditations for Mastery and Self-knowledge.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 5 Setting Boundaries Not every adult believes in the existence of the spirit worlds, but almost every child does. That we still have that child within us and are influenced by forgotten beliefs, has a major impact on the results of our meditation. If we wish to ensure that our journeys are positive and uplifting, it is best to set boundaries before we begin. The poems and art in this book will naturally tend to lead to the areas mentioned and always have a positive aspect. However, as we forge our own path to mental and emotional balance, it is best to have this ability completely under our own control. Keep an open mind about the imagery and words used. This is not a book which favours any belief system. I have witnessed many different beliefs helping people who needed to make a change of perspective at that point in their lives. I am a pragmatist. I have only included those things which I know to be helpful. I leave it to others to argue as much as they wish about \u201cabsolute truth\u201d. The Auric Egg This exercise has many applications apart from setting boundaries during meditation It will help the reader in stressful situations and in dealing with those who would try to overpower our emotions and sensitivities. Once mastered, I would advise using it in any situation in which we feel anxious or threatened. I once had a student who believed he had to enter some type of bird\u2019s egg and complained about the yoke being in his way, so I will try to describe the auric egg in as great a detail as possible. Before you start the exercise, take a few moments to peer at a fine mesh colander or a flour sieve. Try to picture the fine mesh in the shape of an egg with the wide part at the bottom. If you find it easier to do so, – just imagine it as a sphere around you. It is best to start this meditation with the treeing exercise. (section 5) Feel the light from the sun pouring in through the crown of your head. As you picture the light from the sun filling your body, begin to push it out from your solar plexus. As you breathe in, push the light out until it forms the shape of an egg around your body. See the light turn to gold and form a shell around you made from fine golden filaments. Tell yourself that this light will let nothing negative or dark enter your mind. Only positive thoughts and feelings are allowed through it. All else is filtered out. Take your time. Spend as much time as you need to master this. If you have trouble in visualizing, then think of yourself in a warm, safe bubble. Feel the warmth around you. Tell yourself that you are loved and protected. If there are any smells or sounds that you associate with comfort and safety, then take the time to remember them. Remember… there is no rush and no pressure. It may take a few attempts for some people to get this exercise flowing smoothly. Was there a special place where you felt safe? Remember that. Was there someone in your childhood who was a protector? Remember them. Say their name. Remember how you felt when they were around. Fictional characters will work too! Even if you visualize well, adding these memories will make what you are doing easier and even more effective in setting a safe boundary for your meditations. Then allow your mind to wander. Now might be a good time to start keeping a record of your thoughts and feelings. Paint the Sky with Summers Hues Paint the sky with the deepest blue, Paint your world with all the brightest colours and the lightest hues, Golden corn and buttercups, a gleaming yellow sun, Silver streams that sparkle, – cool and clean as when the world began. Sweet green grass and roses of the deepest red, Shady fern-filled forests with the softest, mossy pillows where you rest your weary head. Why imagine gloom and doom, when you can paint your future with your brightest hopes instead. The ocean beckons us with promises of warm dry sand that trickles through our hands, A bucket and a spade create a fairy castle or a soldier\u2019s keep with turrets and a moat. The simple joy of lying on the beach and listening to the waves, and love hearts on the sand, that wash away as quickly as we write. Long mild days to trek, to travel, to explore, or lay and bask; – I dare to question, who could ask for more, The heaviest of hearts can find that on a summer\u2019s day it lifts. The rich and poor alike can both enjoy the summer\u2019s gifts. Summer is a season and a place deep in your heart. Summer lasts forever when our final winter thaws, Even in this fleeting, fickle world of pain and flaws, Summer is the journey of a heart that needs no laws. Summer is that secret place of calm within the storm, Summer is the goal of those who seek to live beyond the norm, Even as the icy grip of winter howls, and swirls around our homes, Summer is the warmth within our hearts and hope of better things to come. Just take a few minutes to absorb the images from the text and the art. \u00a0 This meditation will help boost optimism and courage. It will help us to see beyond present difficulties and start to manifest more positive and helpful responses to challenging situations. Nothing material lasts forever in this fleeting world, especially not hardship or misfortune. What does last are the valuable lessons that we learn, and the joy in our hearts from happy times. The wheel of life will turn. Winter thaws into spring and then the summer comes. Now is the time to remember all the good in your life and all the times that you felt loved and protected. This will help to release the energy from your subconscious mind and free you to find the best solutions to any obstacles in your journey to a happier and more balanced life. Take the time to compile a short list of your successes in the past and present. Remember books and films where the main character won through after many difficulties. Concentrate on the positive things in your life and only on actions you can perform immediately to help the situation. Then tell yourself that you have done all you can for the moment and relax until a solution comes to you from within. This meditation is very helpful for increasing the effectiveness of the Auric Egg exercise. *** About the Author: Patrick W Kavanagh, Featuring the inspirational art of Bill Oliver Writer, poet, Patrick W Kavanagh was born in Dublin and now lives and works in Lincolnshire in a small rural town. Patrick became fascinated by the strange abilities of the human mind from watching his mother give psychic readings using tea-leaves and playing cards. With a lifelong interest in metaphysics and parapsychology, he has given tarot and spirit readings for over 40 years. He travels to many events with his wife Tina, exploring the power of shamanic drumming to heal, and induce therapeutic trance states. They also hold a regular drumming circle in the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds. By Patrick W Kavanagh available at most retailers: Finding Your Own Way: Personal Meditations for Mastery and Self-knowledge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17667"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17667\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}