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  <title>Metaphysical Musings and Magical Meditations</title>
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  <lastBuildDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:35:46 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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    <title>Metaphysical Musings and Magical Meditations</title>
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  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:35:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <title>2012 A Year of Increased Intuitive and Psychic Abilities </title>
  <link>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/2772.html</link>
  <description>&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00007g0x/&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Picture of meditation in lotus positon with chakras&quot; height=&quot;337&quot; src=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00007g0x&quot; style=&quot;border-bottom: 0px solid; border-left: 0px solid; border-top: 0px solid; border-right: 0px solid&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;As we enter 2012 there is much being said about the end of the world. To me there is an end coming but it is not the end of the world. Rather, it is a shift in the energy and consciousness of people. Those who are sensitive will find they are even more sensitive in 2012. For this reason, those who find their intuitive abilities getting stronger should not feel strange or alone. You are just becoming more aware of the energy that is building as we enter the change cycle of 2012.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;What are the signs that your intuition is getting stronger?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;Well there are many signs that our intuition/psychic abilities are getting stronger. You might dream more. Feeling energies of others around you (empathic experiences) and knowing things before they happen more often are just some of the ways you may notice that your are more aware and more sensitive.&amp;nbsp; Some people report seeing more patterns such as number/ letter sequences but no matter what is happening to you that is new and different&amp;mdash;you are not alone. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;What can I do to work with my Intuition and psychic ability?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;Some people ask me if they can turn it off. I tell them that they may want to but to consider that this ability is given to us for a reason. Like an artist or musician we have a talent or gift that we are called to use to help others around us. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;Working with your intuition/psychic ability can bring a sense of purpose and peace for you and the people you help and that is something we all appreciate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;Working with your intuition/psychic ability is a personal journey and no one can tell you what that will entail but I can tell you this much you will find working with others to learn what your own abilities are can be one of the best things you do for yourself. Find a group where you can learn about meditation, mediumship, energy healing and different spiritual ideas. Find a spiritual community where you are with other like-minded people, where you can learn, grow and discover what your path is. &amp;nbsp;This can be a religious community but does not have to be. You might find a meditation group, a yoga class or some other group where spiritual learning is the focus. Whatever group you choose trust your intuition to guide you to what is right for you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;There are wonderful books that you can read too but the most important thing is to find a place/ group where you can do hands-on practical work with your intuition/psychic ability!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;The thing that will help you to strengthen your intuition/psychic ability is a group that practices meditation and energy healing techniques. The group should also focus on different psychic practice exercises such as seeing aura, psychometrics, and practice with oracle/ tarot cards and other divination tools. The more variety the better! Remember that each teacher has their way of doing things. Find a good teacher that you can start with. When you are ready other teachers with other strengths and insights will cross your path when you are ready.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;margin: 0in 0in 10pt&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: calibri&quot;&gt;Happy seeking! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
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  <category>intuition</category>
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  <pubDate>Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:46:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <title>Crystal Meditation for Healing</title>
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  <description>  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00006xah/&quot;&gt;&lt;img width=&quot;269&quot; height=&quot;240&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; src=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00006xah/s320x240&quot; alt=&quot;Crystals for Healing&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;During this meditation we will be using a crystal that you brought with you for healing. If you do not have a crystal imagine one that you like or that resonates with you as we do this exercise.&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Sitting in a relaxed position ground yourself. Feel the energy of Mother Earth connect to you though your feet and know that you are safe and protected by the spirit guides who are here for you. As you focus on the white-light energy that is all around you, know that spirit comes with the best of intentions for your healing and the healing of those you love.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;As you focus on the white-light energy feel it wrap itself around you like a blanket. It might be cool or it could be warm. You might feel tingles or cool breezes. Whatever the energy feels like to you, know that that is what is right for you. This white-light energy will cleanse your crystal and clear your aura as we enter deeper into the crystal meditation for healing.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;As you feel the energy enter your hands you will feel the weight of the crystal in your hands. Focus on its texture and its vibration. Yes different crystals will have a particular energy signature. As you focus on the feel of your crystal you may want to open your eyes and look at your crystal or you may want to envision the crystal in your mind&amp;rsquo;s eye. However you wish to look at your crystal take in all its beauty. As you focus on what you see you may be given other visuals, sensations or messages to be aware of. Take note of these and continue to focus on your crystal.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;You have selected a specific crystal for your own healing. Allow that healing to come to you as you imagine entering the deep interior of the crystal. Be aware of the healing energy and how it feels to you. Accept the healing and any messages that are there for you.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Now imagine yourself inside your crystal. Take a look around. What do the walls look and feel like? Is there anything else inside the crystal that you should take note of? What does this mean to you? As you sit inside your crystal what impressions do you have? Now have a look around and see who else is with you.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;If there is someone there to communicate with you take time and see what messages come for you.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Coming back out from your crystal become aware of how your energy might have changed. &lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;Become aware of your place in the room and that you have received healing that you needed and that was just for you. Take note of what this healing was like for you and accept it with gratitude.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Now build that crystal healing energy around you and share it with someone you know who needs healing. At this time we will remember the names on our healing list and ask that any extra energy that we do not require for ourselves is recycled into the universe and given to those known and unknown to us who are in need of healing at this time. We remember those in hospitals, prisons and in places touched by disaster and know that our healing intentions will go where they are most needed. &lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
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  <category>catherine macdonald</category>
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  <guid isPermaLink='true'>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/2141.html</guid>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:01:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <title>Chakra Breathing Meditation</title>
  <link>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/2141.html</link>
  <description>  &lt;p style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00005910/&quot;&gt;&lt;img border=&quot;0&quot; style=&quot;width: 612px; height: 681px;&quot; alt=&quot;The Chakra System &quot; src=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00005910/s320x240&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Chakra Breathing&amp;nbsp; is another form of meditation where breathing is important. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In this meditation you sit in a relaxed position and begin with the Root/Base chakra. This chakra is red in colour and is at the base of the spine or at the tail bone.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; As you focus on this chakra also breathe deeply pulling the energy from the earth into your base chakra. Imagine it spinning and expanding and pulsating as you slowly breathe in all the positive energy and breath out all the negative energy to be recycled into the earth and transformed.&amp;nbsp; See the red colour of this chakra brighten and expand and fill the room you are in. This chakra is about your connection to the group, society and the world. It relates to your belonging and material security. Know that as you open this chakra all is one and I am part of this oneness. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Next pull the energy from the Root/Base chakra into the sacral or sexual chakra. This chakra is orange in colour. As you open this chakra see the orange colour spin and envelope the room and combine with the red of the root/Base chakra. Focus your breathing to inhale and bring in all the good as you open the Sacral/Sexual chakra. Breath out all your fears and negativity as you work with this chakra and let them be recycled into the earth. &lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;This chakra is related to your relationship to yourself and others. It is about honoring yourself and another.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Now we are at the Solar Plexus, the emotional centre and the home of the gut feeling. This chakra is yellow in colour and is where you feel everything. As you expand this chakra you will feel a sense of calm as you breathe out all your stress to be recycled into the earth&amp;rsquo;s energy and breathe in all the peace you need at this time. Imagine the yellow expanding and combining with the orange of the Sacral chakra and the red of the Root chakra.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Moving up and bringing the energy up to the Heart chakra and see this chakra as it expands.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;See the green and pink of the Heart chakra swirl and envelop the room as it combines with the Yellow, Orange and Red of the other lower chakras. The Heart chakra is the place where the physical realm meets the spiritual. It is the centre where love lives and grows. As you focus your breathing on this chakra feel love expand in you for yourself, others and the world around you.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;This is the place where forgiveness happens and healing begins.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Now we are at the Throat chakra which is the home of expressing your truth. This charka is blue and as you focus your breathing in this area you will feel your throat relax as you become more comfortable letting out your truth. See the blue of the Throat chakra combine with the Green Pink of the heart, the Yellow of the Solar Plexus, the Orange of the Sacral and the Red of the Root. Imagine all the colours expanding in the room and know that you are able to speak your truth and be heard. This is the home of Clairaudience as the ears and throat are connected. As you hear Spirit you can learn to trust Sprit and say what you are hearing.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;As we move up we are now at the Third Eye, the home or clairvoyance and the place where you begin to see things from a higher perspective. As you focus on the Third Eye you may feel pressure on your brow as it begins to open. Imagine the Indigo (Blue/Purple) colour&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;expand around your forehead and into the room as you see this chakra spin and the Indigo combine with all the other colours of the other chakras. Know that as you work with this chakra that the main lesson is clear seeing. You will know that you are connected to the spiritual realm and that you will feel the guidance in your life.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Then we move to the Crown chakra which is Violet in colour. This is the home of your higher self. It is where you connect to the spiritual realms and trust your impressions.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;The Crown chakra is where you understand that you are seeing life and situations you must deal with from a higher perspective and where you know that you are not alone as a spiritual being. As you expand the energy of this chakra see the Violet expand and combine with all the other colours of the lower chakras and begin to turn white.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;As you enter this white energy know that you are connecting to the Transpersonal Point just above the Crown chakra, the entry into the Divine or Sacred space. As you enter this place know that you are in your most sacred place. Now stay here and create a special place where you can come to anytime to reconnect to your Higher Self, the Spirit World and the Divine. Take the time to make this sacred space as real to you as you can. The more real it is to you the more easily you can come back to it when you need to.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;It can be a real or imagined place. Make sure you have all the things you enjoy and that are part of what you deem sacred within the space. You might want a comfortable chair for meditation, music to bring you to a quiet state, sage and sweet grass for smudging or your favorite gems to gaze upon as you focus on connecting to the Highest and the Best. Your breathing at this point will be deep and relaxed but comfortable for you.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Once you have created that sacred place with all the things you want in it and you have it set up just the way you like you may sit for a bit and then see what message or symbol comes for you at this time. Take your time and enjoy the special place you have created.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;As with any meditation it must come to an end. As you realize this you will move away from your sacred place knowing that you can come back to it at anytime. You will move out of the Transpersonal Spot and contain that white energy.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Then you will move to the Crown and contain the Violet energy. We do not want to close completely rather we want to be open but comfortably so, so that we are grounded when we finish this meditation.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Next we will move down to the Third Eye and contain the Indigo energy and know that we are open and aware enough to see what we need to when we need to from the spirit side of things.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;After that we will move down to the Throat chakra and contain the Blue energy. We know that we are still open enough to speak our truth and hear the guidance that comes for us as we need it from the spirit world.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;As we move to the Heart chakra we will contain the Green and Pink energy just enough that we protect ourselves but are still open and loving towards others. We know that what we put out there to others comes back to us 10 fold and we know that when we come from our heart centre only good can come from that intention.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Next we will move to the Solar Plexus and contain the Yellow energy so that we are open to emotions but not overwhelmed by them. We will be able to be sensitive to others and yet able to maintain healthy boundaries at the same time.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;At the Sacral/Sexual chakra we contain the Orange energy, knowing that as we do so we are still open to connections to others in an honoring way that honors both ourselves and the others in our lives.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Lastly we reach the Root/Base chakra and contain its red energy. We know that as we do this that we are still connected to the earth and our family and society but that we are safe and comfortable too. We know we have a balance of Body, Mind and Spirit that allows us to be productive in our lives and yet happy and rested too. At this point your breathing will be comfortable and calm as you ground your feet to the earth. Place the energy rods that have traveled into all you chakras during this meditation into the earth and slowly return to the room where you are sitting.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;As you return to the room enjoy the peace you feel as you think about the meditation you have just done.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;If you are working in a group you may be asked to share your experiences. If you are working alone you may wish to journal or draw what you saw, felt or heard.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
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  <category>breathing</category>
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  <pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:04:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <title>Breathing Patterning: A Simple Meditation Method</title>
  <link>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/1944.html</link>
  <description>&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00002f2d/&quot;&gt;&lt;img width=&quot;320&quot; height=&quot;240&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; src=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00002f2d/s320x240&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As you will discover in this blog series on meditation there are many different forms of and reasons for &lt;a href=&quot;http://home.att.net/~meditation/MeditationHandbook.html&quot;&gt;meditation&lt;/a&gt;. One of the first methods of mediation that it is beneficial to learn is relates to how to breathe. Breathing Patterning as I&amp;nbsp;call it is a meditation all on its own or can be used in combination with all other forms of meditation. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How we breathe during meditation is essential to successfully arriving at an altered state of consciousness. In our usual habit of breathing most of us breathe too quickly and the breath is too shallow. We are not properly oxygenating our body and we do not even realize what we are doing. This is why so many people cannot slow down and may assume that they just cannot meditate. Hence we must examine our breathing and start there.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;Breathing Patterning is simply when we become more aware of our breathing. Once we are aware of how we are breathing we can control it so that we can slow down our body and mind. We make an effort to put a slower pattern to our breathing and can do such as holding our breath for a certain count and increasing that count as we become more practiced with controlling our breathing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;One of the breathing patterns I use is something I call box breathing. In this &lt;a href=&quot;http://cas.umkc.edu/casww/brethexr.htm&quot;&gt;breathing exercise&lt;/a&gt; I visualize creating a box or square with my breath and so the meditation works as follows:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;On the first breath I count to 4 as I inhale.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Next I hold my breath for the count of 4.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;On the exhale I count to 4 as I slowly let out my breath.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Then I hold the exhale for the count of 4 before taking the next breath and repeating the cycle. &lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;You will continue to breathe in this pattern for the full time you are meditating.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The 4 steps described above each make the sides of the box or square.&lt;br /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/000030xa/&quot;&gt;&lt;img width=&quot;248&quot; height=&quot;240&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; src=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/000030xa/s320x240&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is important the you breathe into your belly and not by raising your shoulders. &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.authentic-breathing.com/deep_breathing.htm&quot;&gt;Deep breathing&lt;/a&gt; works the diaphragm. Putting your hand on your belly while you breath can help you to make sure that you are breathing as deeply as possible. This way you are using your full lung capacity. Breathing more in a more shallow fashion where you are raising the shoulders instead of going into the belly can cause you to hyperventilate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00004717/&quot;&gt;&lt;img width=&quot;320&quot; height=&quot;232&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; src=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00004717/s320x240&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;As you practice you will want to increase the number you count up to for each step, however remember you must be able to control your breath for that count and still be comfortable. If you have not been practiced with breathing you will find that the 4 count is comfortable but a count to 5 or 6 may not be. Do what is comfortable. The idea is for you to focus on counting as you breathe so that you create the breathing pattering and in doing so you naturally slow down your body and your mind with your slower breathing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;In the next blog we will look at another Breathing Patterning &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.freemeditations.com/&quot;&gt;meditation&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;</description>
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  <category>exercises</category>
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  <guid isPermaLink='true'>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/1569.html</guid>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:25:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <title>Meditation Some Ideas....</title>
  <link>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/1569.html</link>
  <description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00001bws/&quot;&gt; &lt;img width=&quot;250&quot; height=&quot;240&quot; border=&quot;3&quot; align=&quot;middle&quot; alt=&quot;Medication&quot; src=&quot;http://pics.livejournal.com/spiritualcat/pic/00001bws/s320x240&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When considering meditation do not become overwhelmed. Very often people say that they cannot meditate or they want to know what is the &amp;quot;right&amp;quot; way to do it.   There are many ways to meditate just as there are many reasons to meditate. For some people the motivation for meditation is as simple as relaxation for others it can be part of a spiritual tradition and is used as a tool to aid inspiration and enlightenment.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Whatever the reason for mediation here are some simple ideas to get started:  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Pick a comfortable place to sit, or lay down. (I prefer to sit up because laying down usually makes it too easy to fall a sleep. I don&apos;t want to sleep and if I am intending to sleep I don&apos;t meditate just before because I would astral travel and I do not like doing that. I just don&apos;t like the feel of it.)  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. In your comfortable space you should have a comfortable chair or spot on the floor. It is also helpful to have gentle music that you relax to. You can change this as often as you like or you can choose one CD you really resonate with.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. It can also be helpful to have some water if you need it so you do not interrupt your meditation once you start.  So make sure you have the water to drink just in case you need it.   &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. Assuming that mediation is new to you. Set a short time to do it. This could be 5 or 10 minutes. I like to meditate for about 20 minutes.     &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5: Now sitting in your comfortable spot with the music playing you can start by focusing your breathing. Te deeper you breath the more you slow down physically and usually the mind will slow down too. Meditation is not about blanking or silencing the mind. This is not really possible. Meditation is more about becoming more aware of your body and getting out of your head for a while. It is about letting the minds thoughts flow and getting into that quiet inner space.   &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;6: Once you have settled into your spot and the mind is calm you can use any assortment of visualizations or guided imagery that appeals to you. There are various meditations each done with a different purpose in mind. The key is to have several meditations available for your use depending on your reason for meditating. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some examples of my favorite meditations are:  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;a. Berating Patterning&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;b. Mantras  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;c. Body Awareness/Body Mapping&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;d. Creating a safe place&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;e. Chakra Flow Meditations&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;f. Meeting Your Guardian/Gatekeeper&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;g. Meeting a Spirit Guide&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;h. Attuning for Psychic Development and Mediumship Message Work &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the next blog we will examine in more detail Breathing Patterning. It is a logical place to start and is also the foundation of good meditation practices. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;</description>
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  <category>catherine macdonald</category>
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  <guid isPermaLink='true'>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/1389.html</guid>
  <pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:33:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <title>Writer&apos;s Block: Life of the Party</title>
  <link>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/1389.html</link>
  <description>&lt;div class=&apos;appwidget appwidget-qotd  &apos; id=&apos;LJWidget_20&apos; data-cid=&apos;&apos;&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;b-qotd-question&quot;&gt;&lt;div style=&apos;border: 1px solid #000; padding: 6px;&apos;&gt;&lt;p&gt;Do you know any party tricks that can impress a crowd? Or even just a little kid?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&apos;font-size: 0.8em;&apos;&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;input type=&quot;button&quot; value=&quot;Answer&quot; onclick=&quot;document.location.href=&apos;http://www.livejournal.com/update.bml?qotd=986&apos;&quot; /&gt; &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://www.livejournal.com/misc/latestqotd.bml?qid=986&quot; class=&quot;more&quot; target=&quot;_top&quot;&gt;View 503 Answers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;!-- end .appwidget-qotd --&gt;
I don&apos;t class this as a party trick really but I do work as a &lt;a href=&quot;http://spiritualcat.com&quot;&gt;Spiritualist Medium/Psychic Advisor&lt;/a&gt; . I am a Intuitive psychotherapist and I do provide party services. Explaining this when people ask me what I do for a living usually ends up in me giving them some kind of demonstration of my psychic work. And yes even the skeptics are curious enough to ask. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Usually they ask: OK what do you see around me? What can you tell about me and so on. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So I ask them for something I can hold and give them a bit of a psychometric reading. I usually freak them out and make them think when I do answer. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some other people who are not so brave want to know what I understand the afterlife to be like. They want to share their own psychic and intuitive experiences and this always leads to interesting discussions. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I used to be shy and never knew what to say at parties. Who knew that at this point I would be the entertainment!&lt;br /&gt;</description>
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  <category>catherine macdonald</category>
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  <guid isPermaLink='true'>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/1099.html</guid>
  <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:53:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <title>Sensory Exercise--Food As Meditative Experience!</title>
  <link>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/1099.html</link>
  <description>Yes food when enjoyed to it&apos;s fullest potential can be a meditative and even a spiritual experience.  I learned that from my boyfriend who says that &amp;quot;preparing food and enjoying it is like making love!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Self Guided Imagery: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Think of your favorite food. Now why is it your favorite? Think about it&apos;s texture, smell and flavor. Think of when you first tried that food and discovered that you enjoyed it so much? Who or what do you associate with that food?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On an energy vibration level though focusing on the senses of taste and smell and evoke powerful, positive memories.  If you are like most people you find meditating difficult to do because you try to blank or quiet the mind. This is not how it is done though. Rather we should occupy the mind and focusing on all the textures and flavors of our favorite food while we are eating it is a wonderful way to use meditation to get more in touch with our physical bodies and get our of our heads.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yes thinking of the above questions will likely make you hungry so you better have that favorite food in the house! And yes you should have some of it to reward yourself too because it will help you with the next part of this exercise. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sensory Exercise&lt;/strong&gt;:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While eating your favorite food:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Focus on the smell of the food as you take it in your mouth. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What does it feel like as you chew it? Is it spicy, sweet, sour or salty or a multiplicity of flavors?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Does it crunch when you bite into it or is it gooey?  Dos it squirt and fill your whole mouth with flavor? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now think of one of your other senses and how you use it every day without really noticing it&apos;s complexity. What is the activity you are doing? Can you slow that activity down and make it a mindful meditation?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;</description>
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  <guid isPermaLink='true'>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/911.html</guid>
  <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:15:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <title>Writer&apos;s Block: Theme Dining</title>
  <link>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/911.html</link>
  <description>&lt;div class=&apos;appwidget appwidget-qotd  &apos; id=&apos;LJWidget_21&apos; data-cid=&apos;&apos;&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;b-qotd-question&quot;&gt;&lt;div style=&apos;border: 1px solid #000; padding: 6px;&apos;&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you were to open your own theme restaurant, what would the theme be and how would you express it to the customers?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&apos;font-size: 0.8em;&apos;&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;input type=&quot;button&quot; value=&quot;Answer&quot; onclick=&quot;document.location.href=&apos;http://www.livejournal.com/update.bml?qotd=1019&apos;&quot; /&gt; &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://www.livejournal.com/misc/latestqotd.bml?qid=1019&quot; class=&quot;more&quot; target=&quot;_top&quot;&gt;View 507 Answers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;!-- end .appwidget-qotd --&gt;
      Hmmm It would have to be and international theme... World Wide Flavors....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The name would  Catherine&apos;s Culinary Carnival- Tantalizing Traveling through your Tongue. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I would want to have a mainstay of regular items and then have a guest chief to do the specialties justice. One guest chief a month lets patrons visit 12 different places in a year though the cuisine of the particular region.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yes now I&amp;nbsp;am hungry just thinking about that..... &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;</description>
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  <category>catherine macdonald</category>
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  <guid isPermaLink='true'>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/694.html</guid>
  <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:49:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <title>Welcome! Come As You Are, Stay A While and Visit Often!</title>
  <link>http://spiritualcat.livejournal.com/694.html</link>
  <description>Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this blog it is my sincere hope that you enjoy what you find in the pages that are to follow.... &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Metaphysical Musings and Magical Meditations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; is a blog for the soulful seeker and the creative kindred-spirit.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.spiritualcat.com&quot;&gt;Spiritualist Medium and Psychic Advisor&lt;/a&gt;, I spend a lot of time helping others connect with their creative potential. Metaphysical Musings and Magical Meditations is my way of tapping into my own artistic ability which too often I neglect to make time for.    &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please enjoy your visit and feel free to comment on what you find here. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Catherine MacDonald&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;</description>
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