After the exercises of the past 2 weeks, some of you will already have started finding a bit more about what kind of things/ causes/ activities you are drawn to. For those of you who aren’t, before we move on to this week’s topic, we just need to make sure that you haven’t been pushed too far, too fast – if you’re a perfectionist, or impatient to see results (like we’re all trained to be these days) it’s all too easy to do this; sometimes a bit more time is all that’s needed.

One of the reasons this series came as 3 articles, instead of one long one, was to make sure that as much as possible, you kept your focus on the week’s goals, and not too far in front of where you were at the time. Sometimes we focus so much on the destination, we stop seeing the road, and don’t notice that we’ve wandered totally off it, or worse, are just about to trip over a dirty great rock!

Do a quick check on your body. Is it feeling relaxed as you read this, or is there tension lurking in a few odd spots (neck, shoulders, back are the common ones)? If so, spend a bit more time getting rid of it before moving on to the next step.

Once you’re feeling ok there, sit back and close your eyes (finish reading this paragraph first, though), and look at the state of your mind. Are thoughts flying every which way, going around and around in circles, or have you got it down to the point where there are only the occasional one or two that float past you, and you’re able to set them aside for later, not letting them interfere with your focus?

If both of these are green to go, then you should be open to seeing those hints and messages we’re looking for from the timeless part of you. The only thing remaining is to learn how to find and interpret them.

I’d like to start off by saying that in this process, first and foremost you need to trust YOUR instincts. We each build meaning and association into things based on our own experiences, so if I suggest a possible interpretation that doesn’t feel right for you, or doesn’t ring true, then go with your own ‘gut feeling’ as to what it might be. There is no better expert on what is right for you than your own instincts. Trust them.

Next step is to stay as much as possible in that clear frame of mind that you’ve worked so hard to get to, and NOTICE things, especially things that come up repeatedly. As an example, if 3 of my friends tell me that I need to read a certain book, I’ll start watching out for it in second hand stores or at the library. More often than not, I’ll find it soon after, because this is a message that it is something I need right now. Off the cuff comments that people make, like “I heard there’s a really great ________ up the road from here – you should check it out” or “you should really do __________” are great, because often they’re straight from their own unconscious awareness of things – unedited.

When the same thing comes up a few times, open your mind to the possibility that this is could be something you are being guided to… use your next meditation to hold the thought of doing it and see what comes up. Occasionally, you’ll feel resistance to doing it based on exactly the blocks it would help you to release – follow the resistance and ask if this is something telling you you’re not ready, or if it’s something you need to overcome. It’s the “still, small voice of your heart” you’re trying to hear. With practise, you’ll learn to distinguish it from your own conscious thoughts, and when that time comes, you’ll have a permanent guide as to the right path for you to take, whatever you do.

One thing more: to make sure you’re in a situation where you CAN hear about the things that you need to, start trying a few new things. If there are activities you’ve always thought would be fun but never actually done, now’s the time. Go for it.

If you get an impulse to do something in particular (horse riding, ice skating, going down the local cafe, whatever) as much as possible, try to do it. You never know what’s around the corner – and your heading to that place and that time could be how the universe has arranged for you to meet up with someone in particular who will help you take your life path on to that next step – or could even just be as simple as a conversation you overhear that gives you a great idea for something you’d like to do. Unless there’s a good reason not to – try it. There’s an incredible joy in letting your life flow with your heart, mind and spirit/soul in total alignment.

I hope this article has helped. If you want to read more about how to listen for that “still, small voice” the book I would recommend as having helped me most on that path myself, is “The Celestine Prophecy” and “The Tenth Insight” – its sequel, by James Redfield.