Magic Forums

This might seem like beginner stuff for some of us, but I would like to discuss how we deal with blockages. Sometimes I have difficulty connecting with energy and spirits, especially when people or mundane things are causing me stress. Tension in my stomach and a racing mind make it hard to tune in for spiritual workings.

People are often told to relax and feel the conscious flow of energy envelope you. They say we need to open up. Without further elaboration, this directive can be confusing for people who are new or experience energy differently.

One way I like to open up during the warmer part of the year is to meditate on the portch outside in a straight back lawn chair. I find the best time to do this is just after sunset. Sometimes I need earplugs to block out the suburban hymn of lawnmowers. This also makes it easier to focus on my breath and turn my attention inwards to sensations in my body.

For me I feel a tingling from the "subtle energy" that others have described as that as well as ecxtasy. I visualize it as a white staticy mist that fills my body slowly from my feet upwards, progressively relaxing each part of my body. I also sometimes ground and center which involves visualizing a taproot extending downward to cleanse your energy.

Some of my technique is inspired by Yoga Nidra, a type of relaxed trance state between wake and sleep where the pratitioner withdraws their senses. I find focusing on my breath in a dark quiet place is the most straightforward way to achieve this, however others have their preferred techniques too. Some choose to involve water or having restricted movement as part of their technique.

Questions for discussion. (just as a guide, feel free to add what you think is relevant)

• What is your understanding of blockage and what causes it for you?
• Is there anything unusual about your kind of blockage and how it affects your practice?
• How do you feel blockage and where in you do you tend to feel it?
• In what ways do you experience subtle energy?
• What kinds of techniques do you use to release blockage?
• Have you found any effective preventive measures like shielding?
• What kinds of meditation aids do you prefer for this? e.g. music, water, incense

Here is a book on Yoga Nidra I hope some find helpful:

http://www.megafileupload.com/ij7y/Yoga_Nidra_-_Satyananda_Saraswati.pdf