Day 39 of 365 - Inspirational Tools
In a previous blog post I mentioned how I like to enjoy my quiet early morning time to slowly wake up and move my body by stretching and gentle exercise. After I have done that I enjoy savoring my first mug of green tea. Along with my tea I often set my intention or focus of the day by using inspirational tools and sometimes by writing in a journal.
These tools have changed over the years, but here's what I currently have on my kitchen table for handy reference as I start my day. There is a little book called The Pocket Pema, which has paragraph length quotes from different books written by Buddhist Nun, Pema Chodron. Then, there are four different decks of inspirational or oracle cards, all by the same creator who is Colette Baron-Reid. I've just really taken a liking to her style of teachings in the past few years. They have beautiful artwork and messages that give both guidance and inspiration.
The way that I use these is, to usually choose one deck or book. I take a moment to get quiet, and set an intention to receive a message from Spirit to guide my day in whatever way is in my best interest and for the highest good. I hold the cards or book and ask what I most need to be aware of for that day. Then I choose a card or open the book. Each card deck has its own guidebook with a specific message for each card. I read the message and reflect on how it fits with my current life. Most of the time, and now not a surprise to me, it is very accurate.
Oracle card decks can be used of course in much more elaborate ways, setting the cards out in different spreads or patterns to signify different time periods like past, present and future or addressing other aspects of a broader scope reading. I typically would only do something like that on an occasional basis, and when I want to take more time to write about what comes up in a journal.
On the average day, I'm just seeking sort of a spiritual weather forecast, a focus I can take into my day. It's often really interesting to see the same idea that came up in that card picked first thing in the morning, showing up in things I come across in my email or in other reading or conversations with others later in the day. These synchronicities confirm that my guidance was accurate.
I have some other decks of cards too and also a set of Runes, which are like flat stones with symbols originating in the era of the Vikings. As I mentioned, I've varied what I use over the years, but I like to keep a variety of resources available.
Using tools like this is a way of connecting with higher wisdom about your life, looking from a different perspective than mind, emotions or habits. To achieve this, a level of trust is required, that your own energy is interacting with that of Spirit or the Divine, similar to what we do when we pray.
If these tools are used flippantly, like a party game, the result may be confusing. What you choose will reflect your frame of mind. Being in a relaxed and receptive state leads to a more accurate form of guidance.
I'm aware that methods like this are not everyone's cup of tea. We each find our own ways of seeking guidance for our day to day lives. This just happens to be one of my chosen ways which, for now, serves me well. If you have an interest in seeing what the cards are like, as an example, you can go to colettebaronreid.com where you can electronically choose a card from a sample of her decks.
These tools have changed over the years, but here's what I currently have on my kitchen table for handy reference as I start my day. There is a little book called The Pocket Pema, which has paragraph length quotes from different books written by Buddhist Nun, Pema Chodron. Then, there are four different decks of inspirational or oracle cards, all by the same creator who is Colette Baron-Reid. I've just really taken a liking to her style of teachings in the past few years. They have beautiful artwork and messages that give both guidance and inspiration.
The way that I use these is, to usually choose one deck or book. I take a moment to get quiet, and set an intention to receive a message from Spirit to guide my day in whatever way is in my best interest and for the highest good. I hold the cards or book and ask what I most need to be aware of for that day. Then I choose a card or open the book. Each card deck has its own guidebook with a specific message for each card. I read the message and reflect on how it fits with my current life. Most of the time, and now not a surprise to me, it is very accurate.
Oracle card decks can be used of course in much more elaborate ways, setting the cards out in different spreads or patterns to signify different time periods like past, present and future or addressing other aspects of a broader scope reading. I typically would only do something like that on an occasional basis, and when I want to take more time to write about what comes up in a journal.
On the average day, I'm just seeking sort of a spiritual weather forecast, a focus I can take into my day. It's often really interesting to see the same idea that came up in that card picked first thing in the morning, showing up in things I come across in my email or in other reading or conversations with others later in the day. These synchronicities confirm that my guidance was accurate.
I have some other decks of cards too and also a set of Runes, which are like flat stones with symbols originating in the era of the Vikings. As I mentioned, I've varied what I use over the years, but I like to keep a variety of resources available.
Using tools like this is a way of connecting with higher wisdom about your life, looking from a different perspective than mind, emotions or habits. To achieve this, a level of trust is required, that your own energy is interacting with that of Spirit or the Divine, similar to what we do when we pray.
If these tools are used flippantly, like a party game, the result may be confusing. What you choose will reflect your frame of mind. Being in a relaxed and receptive state leads to a more accurate form of guidance.
I'm aware that methods like this are not everyone's cup of tea. We each find our own ways of seeking guidance for our day to day lives. This just happens to be one of my chosen ways which, for now, serves me well. If you have an interest in seeing what the cards are like, as an example, you can go to colettebaronreid.com where you can electronically choose a card from a sample of her decks.
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