Jessica Cross's Blog, page 4

Setting Intentions Meditation

On our last meditation we focused on the journey itself. In this meditation we are going to think about arriving at our destination. Remember this destination will not be our last stop. It is only one destination among many in our future. What would be the first little sign you would see that life is changing in the right direction?

 

Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. Find yourself on a ship out in the sea. The crew bustles around you as you walk the deck. Smell the salt air and feel the air move around you as the ship moves. Feel the ship move up and down with the waves. You see land ahead of you and you know this part of the journey is coming to an end.

 

How do you feel arriving at this new place? Are you anxious or excited? What do you think you will find when you arrive? Gaze at the land ahead of you and imagine what your life will be like in this new place. What will remain the same and what will change? What do you hope will come to pass?

 

Walk back below deck to your cabin and sit at the small desk provided. Take out a piece of paper and write down three things you would like more of in this new place. One word each is fine as you are not here to plan how they will occur but to but down on paper your wish.

 

At the bottom of the paper write, “If this is best for me.” Know that if these do not come to pass it may have been, that the consequences of attaining these things were too great or they would not have been good for you.

 

Fold the paper into fourths and walk back up to the deck. Throw the paper from the stern of the ship so it floats down into the water and sinks beneath the waves behind the ship. As you let go of the paper, release your attachment to these wishes and know that if they are meant to be they will come to pass.

 

This does not mean that you can’t take steps to set yourself in the right direction, but you do not feel any need to force these dreams to come true if they are not right for you. Thank the universe for all that is good in your life and for accepting your wishes.

 

Take a few more minutes to walk along the ship and look out towards the approaching land. Know that change is coming. Be grateful for where you are right now and hopeful for where you are going.

 

When you are ready, hear the sounds around your physical body. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and open your eyes.

 

Write some notes from this experience to learn more from this meditation.

 

What do you hope will change soon?

 

What is important enough that you can have patience and wait for it to happen?

 

What are the three things you wrote on the paper?

 

Can you accept that some dreams are not the right thing for you?

Full Moon Meditation

Today is a Full Moon (in Scorpio). This is the time to move away from what you want less of in your life. It is the time to start feeling the forward movement towards what you do want.

Remember the journey is the most important part! Know where you want to go but find joy and contentment knowing you are on your way there. Do not wait to be happy until you reach your goal.

I remember when I was a teenager and thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. All I knew was that I didn’t want to work somewhere I was bored or unhappy while I waited for the benefits of retirement.

It is the same with our goals. Goals are important to have so that we don’t stagnate but it is even more important to find the happiness in each day as we have almost no control over what will happen in the future. We can work towards making our life better but know in a few years our life may look very different than what we expected.

Use the time you have now, wisely and make space for joy everyday.

Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. See a long dark train tunnel ahead of you. You wait along the side of the train track far enough away to be safe. Soon you hear the sound of the train coming and you see the light of the train from the end of the tunnel.

 

The train becomes louder and soon it emerges from the tunnel. As it emerges it begins to slow. It comes to a stop farther down the track and you run to catch up with it. At the caboose, there is an engineer waiting for you. They confirm your name and although you are surprised they know who you are, you agree. The engineer says they have been looking for you. The engineer puts out their hand and helps you aboard the train.

 

Once you are safely aboard the caboose you hear and feel the train start moving again. The engineer leads you forward to another carriage.

 

The carriage is open and has a sitting area and a small kitchen. The engineer leads you to a couch and says that your guest will be there shortly. You thank the engineer and they leave. You wait comfortably in the carriage that seems to be all yours. You watch the scenery move past the train.

 

You see on the table in front of you that there is a large book and a letter. What is the book? You pick up the letter and look at it. It is from your guest saying they will be a little late. Read the rest of the letter and see if it provides you with any further information.

 

You walk over to the kitchen and pour yourself a drink while you wait for your guest. As you sit comfortably and relaxed on the couch with your drink, your guest rushes in the door of the carriage. Do you recognize your guest or is this someone new to you? If this is someone you are unfamiliar with, you may ask their name.

 

Greet your guest and invite them to join you on the couch. Ask your guest what you are to work on together during this trip. Take whatever you receive, be it words, thoughts, pictures or feelings. Ask your guest how you should get started and see what response you receive. Then ask what you hope the outcome will be from this endeavor.

 

Your guest says the road may be tough on this path and asks you to promise to take care of yourself. Your guest says that unless you make that a priority you will not make it through. You promise to take time for self-care. You guest says that they need to leave for the moment but they will return to help you farther along in your travels. Thank your guest, before they rush back out through the door.

 

Take a few more minutes to enjoy your drink and look out the window. When you feel ready to return to your physical body, hear the sounds around you. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and open your eyes.

 

Process this experience further by writing down some notes or journal entries.

 

What new path do you want to take in your life?

 

How can you get started?

 

What can you do to enjoy the journey rather than just focus on the outcome?

 

What five things can you do to take care of yourself along the way?

Ask For What You Want

It is time to start putting out into the universe what you want for this year. We have spent some time thinking about what changes we need to make and now it is time to ask some definitive questions.

Hopefully you have let go of some habits, thoughts or beliefs that are making you unhappy. With this release you also make room for new things to enter your life. This is the time!

It is time to take advantage of the life you have right now and start creating the change you want. It may not come quickly but your responsibility is to keep moving things incrementally in the right direction. Start asking for what you want, or you will never get it.

 

Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. See where your physical body is sitting or lying down. See the room around you. Now feel yourself floating away from your physical body. You can see your physical body below you. Look at your body as you hover above it.

 

Now feel yourself floating further up through the ceiling and the roof of the building if you are inside. Float up into the air towards the clouds. The sky is blue and there are white fluffy clouds. As you reach a cloud, float over to it. Pull yourself up onto the cloud and find that the surface feels spongy but firm enough to walk on. As you walk along this cloud, another larger cloud floats close and you climb up onto this cloud.

 

There is a building made of cloud at one end that you walk towards. In front of this building someone is waiting for you. You greet them with a bow and they bow back to you.

 

They escort you int0 the building. It feels cool and is very quiet inside. You walk through the almost empty room towards a bench on one side of the room. Your guide sits down with you and you wait in the silence.

 

Soon a large magnificent Being enters the room and sits in the middle of the floor. You and your guide rise and bow to this Being. Your guide pushes you forward and you walk towards the seated individual.

 

You stand in front of them a bit awed, and then make a request. This request can be something that you would like more of in your life or something that you would like to change. Do not specify what exactly you would like to have happen, but only what the outcome will be. Let the Being in front of you help with the “how” this will happen in whatever way they see fit.

 

The Being looks at you and nods. You know that if this is the right thing for you and those around you, they will help to make it happen. Ask if there are any steps you need to take to help with the process. Thank this Being for their time and back away. Your guide meets you and leads you out of the building.

 

Ask your guide if there is anything else you need to know. Take whatever words, thoughts or feelings are given. Thank your guide and begin to walk back down the cloud. When you reach the edge you can step off of the cloud and begin to just float down towards your physical body.

 

When you reach your physical body, enter it and begin to hear the sounds around you. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and when you feel ready, open your eyes.

 

Take some time to make note or journal about your experience. The following questions may help in your process.

Do you feel like the universe supports you or hinders you?

 

What outcome are you seeking?

 

Are you willing to accept your desired outcome in a form that does not match your fantasy or vision?

 

How do you want to feel when you reach your outcome?

 

Find recorded relaxation videos and meditations on Patreon: Check it out

Beltane from rsaurusblog-It Seems a Bit Religulous

Today, May 1st, is Beltane, also referred to as May Day. I apologize in advance if this post is relatively long; there is a lot to Beltane! Beltane is a Fire Festival (this usually takes place from the night of April 30th to the morning of May 1st). The word “Beltane” breaks down as follows: […]

via Beltane — It Seems a Bit Religulous

May Already ?!?

Wow, this year is flying for me.  It is time to look at the energies for May.  Read through the following questions and statements.  Think about what each means to you.  Open your mind and consider the possibilities for each day this month.

May




1

Wait for a bit.



2

Let yourself relax.



3

Anything can happen.



4

What are you running from?



5

Look for a surprise.



6

Find the hidden wisdom.



7

What do you never tire of?



8

Is this relationship reciprocal?



9

Who is always there for you?



10

Get to the heart of the matter.



11

What are you just understanding?



12

Something is improving.



13

Stick to your path.



14

Avoid the trouble around you.



15

See the abundance you have.



16

Don’t neglect your friends.



17

Stand your ground.



18

Believe in your wisdom.



19

Keep going forward.



20

Leave behind what is not working.



21

This may not be right for you?



22

Go with the flow.



23

Lighten up.



24

Don’t give too much away.



25

You are heading the right direction.



26

This is a new beginning.



27

How do your actions affect others?



28

Move quickly if you are serious.



29

What is ending?



30

What are you seeking?



31

Start a new project.

Feeling Whole

Take some time this week to find your connection with the world around you.  We often focus so much on the small details of our lives that we miss out on the bigger things that we will remember down the road.  We miss the forest for trees, but the tree in this meditation will help with that.

Read through the meditation and then close your eyes and remember what you can.  Allow your own meditation to unfurl.

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Find yourself seated on the grass in a wooded area of a forest. Feel a little bit of moisture below you in the dirt. Feel the warm breeze around you. Hear the sounds of the forest. Reach out and touch the bark of a tree nearby.

As you touch the bark you feel your hand sink in to the bark a bit in a way that feels strange. You do not feel afraid but you know that something magical is happening with the way your hand is sinking into the tree. Push your fingers a bit deeper into the tree. You feel a bit of a tug from the tree as it gently pulls your hand a bit farther in. It is not a strong pull and feels more like an acknowledgement of your presence and an acceptance of your intrusion.

You can no longer see most of you hand as it is within the tree. You feel connected to the tree and can feel the wood inside the bark. You now feel another tug but your hand does not enter the tree. Instead you feel that the tree is pulling out the wasted emotions you are currently feeling. The anxiety the worry the temporary sadness. Any uncomfortable emotion that you no longer will even remember the cause of a month from now or maybe even a week from now. All of the petty annoyances drain out of you into the tree. The tree sends these down into its roots and down into the soil as compost. This energy is easily recycled into positive nutrients for the tree and other plants around it.

You feel as the tree pulls other nutrients into its roots through the soil. They seep up into the trunk up to the branches and the leaves. You feel the energy radiating down from the sun and providing the tree with strength. As the tree pulls in these energies from the world around some also seem into your body. These energies fill you up. The help you to feel whole and full just as you are right now. You are provided with all that you need and given the ability to release what is no longer fueling you.

Allow yourself to feel this fullness and connection with the world around you. The tree never questions if they are doing enough or following the right path. The tree simply focuses on keeping itself strong, nourished and protected. For right now that is all you have to do as well. This moment you are exactly where you need to be and who you need to be.

Send your love into the tree as thanks for this gift. You feel the love from the earth, the sun and the tree return to you, filling you up even further. You then feel a gentle push as the tree releases your hand. The suction of your hand leaving the bark is almost like a kiss from the tree. Take a few deep breaths as you further absorb all you have been given. You rise and begin to walk away from the tree.

Hear the sounds around your physical body. Wiggle your fingers and toes. When you feel ready, open your eyes.

Now, before you have time to lose this relaxed feeling write down some notes about the meditation. This will help you gain further insight into the experience.

What are you thinking about that is not important?

In what area do you feel like you are not enough?

What do you feel you HAVE to do in your life?

How did you learn that and is it absolutely true?

What can you let go of or say no too?

How can you nourish yourself?

Take good care of yourself this week and get outside if you can.  Touch a tree and feel that connection.

Get Ready for Change

What change are you looking for in your life? I think the first step to change is taking time for contemplation. This may be the most important step and it is often overlooked. Before you take action, you need to know where you want to go.

How do you want to feel going forward? Without knowing this you will head in the wrong direction. When you do start taking actions, baby steps may be best. This allows you to continue your contemplation and make small changes in direction before heading off full steam ahead.

Take some time with this meditation to consider how you want to feel and then consider the first steps to move forward. Read through the meditation and then close your eyes and remember what you can. Let your meditation go in whatever direction you need.

Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. Find yourself looking across a bay with a beautiful mountain on the other side. Feel your feet in the sand of the beach. Feel the warmth of the air around you. Walk towards the water and let it wet your feet. Feel the warm water on your toes. Smell the salt in the air.

Walk along the edge of the water feeling your feet sink into the sand. See the palm trees sway around you. Off to one side of the beach, you see two palm trees with a hammock hanging between them. You can’t resist a relaxing break in the shade.

Walk over to the hammock and sit down looking out towards the beautiful scene all around you.

Soon you hear someone running through the sand. You look over and a child comes running over to the hammock. Laughing, they climb in with you.

Ask for their name. Ask why they have come for a visit. Take whatever is given. It may be words or thoughts, pictures or feelings. Ask your friend how you can bring more of what you want to feel into your life.

You begin to want to feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and rise from the hammock. You ask your friend to join you as you walk along the beach. Watch your friend as they skip and play along the beach. They make such fun out of something as simple as a walk.

Stop and stand still for a moment. Close your eyes and feel the warmth of the sun fill up your body from your toes all the way to the top of your head. The sun gives you energy and vitality and you feel full with this sensation.

Your friend comes running back to you and say they have a gift for you. Take what they give and thank them. Ask if they need anything from you and if you can, provide it. Thank your friend again and wish them goodbye. Your friend runs off down the beach.

Stand in the sun for a few more minutes enjoying the peace and the warmth.

When you are ready, hear the sounds around your physical body. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and when you are done, open your eyes.

How did you feel in this meditation?

 

How do you want to feel going forward in your life?

 

What is the first tiny step you can take to feeling this way more today (even just for 5 minutes)?

 

What gift did your friend give you and does this have any meaning for you?

 

Where in your life do you need more energy and vitality?

 

Find more in my Amazon Journals: Click Here

Magic Moment Meditation

Use this meditation for the upcoming full moon on April 10/11.  I will not write much before leading you into this meditation. I want this meditation to be truly yours without my influence. My interpretation and experience of this meditation may be very different from yours and that is perfectly fine. I do hope this meditation brings you relaxation and comfort.

Read through the meditation and then close your eyes. Remember what you can but let your own unconscious lead you where you need to go.

Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. Find yourself walking across a desert. The ground is parched and cracked. There is very little green to be seen around you. The air is hot and dry on your skin. Walk along and feel the dry earth beneath your feet.

Up ahead you see a woman waiting for you. She holds out her hand as you get closer and you take it. You walk along in silence for a few minutes. Feel the warmth of her hand and the peace that radiates from her. You feel calm in her presence and know this is exactly where you are meant to be in this moment.

She indicates that you should sit down for a moment. She sits on the hard earth and you sit across from her. She again takes your hands and places them into a bowl in front of you. She also forms her hands into a bowl and touches her fingertips to yours. As you watch both of your hands fill up with water. She drinks from her hands and then signals for you to do the same.

You drink the water in your hands. You feel the cool water on your lips and feel it slide down your throat. It is crisp and clean and you can’t imagine anything tasting better in this moment.

The woman then forms her hands into a bowl again and it fills up with water. She pours the water on the ground between you and the water seeps into the earth. As you watch, the cracks in the earth begin to heal. The earth begins to soften underneath you and grass sprouts up and grows quickly into a carpet around you.

The earth as far as you can see is starting to come to life and become green. Plants and trees sprout and grow to full height in a matter of minutes. You begin to feel cooler in the shade created by the plants around you. You relax as the earth around you grows and you take a deep breath. The air now feels moist and lush.

The woman takes your hands again and places them into a bowl. She places her hands around yours and your hands fill again with water. She indicates that you should pour the water on the ground. Once you do, you see a green sprout pop out of the earth. The sprout grows and becomes a beautiful flower. You watch it grow and bloom in front of your eyes. It stops growing at its most perfect point of beauty. The woman smiles. You feel so blessed to have been included in this magic. The woman places her hand on your chest as if to indicate that the power of this magic is inside you as well.

She rises and you join her. She takes your hand again and you walk through this altered landscape. You feel so connected to this woman who has given you this amazing experience. You full feel the joy of being with her and the awe for what you have seen. You know you will remember this feeling for a while.

Soon the woman stops walking and takes your other hand. She looks you in the eyes for a few moments and then kisses you on both cheeks. You look back into her eyes and send her a silent thank you, for all she has given you. Without a sound she releases your hands and walks away through the forest.

Take a few more moments to feel this peace and look around your environment. When you are ready, hear the sounds around your physical body. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and when you feel ready, open your eyes.

 

Take some time now to at least jot down some notes if not write full journal entries. Writing in your journal after meditation can give you an experience as powerful and informative as the meditation itself.

 

How did you feel in the desert?

 

Do you feel that way in any part of your life?

 

What area of your life needs some tending and care?

 

What would you like to grow in that area of your life?

 

How did you feel in the company of your guide?

 

How can you bring more of that feeling into every day?

 

For more like this, check out my books and recordings on Amazon: amazon.com/author/jessicacross and my free Journal on Shadow Work.

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Shadow Work: Active Imagination – The Wilderness Road

In his book, Inner Work, Robert Johnson goes into much greater detail on the technique of Active Imagination, but I will give a quick introduction to the process here. Basically, Active Imagination is a meditative dialogue between the Ego and a personified aspect from the unconscious (dream character, dream object, personified emotion or mood, etc.). […]

via Shadow Work: Active Imagination — The Wilderness Road

April – Get Ready for Spring

Consider each of the following statements.  What would it mean if they were true?  What would you do differently?  Be flexible and willing to change your mind.  Figuring out that the statement is not true for you can be as enlightening as finding it could be true.

Get these daily by following me on Twitter: Follow

April





1

Take the support given.




2

Reflect on where you have been.




3

Make a small difference.




4

Wait until you are ready.




5

Follow your beliefs.




6

Live with integrity.




7

Change what is causing pain.




8

Give it your all.




9

Appreciate your talents.




10

Self-love is not narcissism.




11

What do you desire?




12

Seek a spiritual practice.




13

Cultivate what is important to you.




14

What skill do you want to learn?




15

Build a strong foundation.




16

Turn your dream into a goal.




17

Leap forward with energy.




18

Deepen your relationship.




19

How are you supported?




20

Appreciate what you are given.




21

Be creative and express yourself.




22

Be thankful for the small things.




23

What truly relaxes you?




24

Engage with enthusiasm.




25

Celebrate with joy.




26

Create your situation.




27

Focus your energy and thoughts.




28

Strengthen your heart.




29

Follow your faith.




30

Where is life abundant?