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:
1) My understanding of blockage has always been something prohibiting me from getting in tune with myself and doing any form of energy work or spirit work. I think the biggest cause for me is stress, while I feel a beginner may be blocked by doubting it to be real.
2) Nothing too unusual for me I suppose. Other than if I get blocked and don't deal with it soon enough it seems the blockage grows. Its a lot easier to deal with when I first notice it happening.
3) Usually I try to do a little healing meditation in the shower in the morning, so I can start off the day feeling a bit less stressed (I live with PTSD and always feel anxiety). If I start and I can't feel my energy begin to flow through, I know I have a blockage because I am probably too stressed
4) Like Dark, small tingles. Sort of like vibration.
5) Visualizing a gold liguid begin to flow from my head to my toes while meditating (usually laying down). Anytime I am doing healing work on myself, I start from my head because I know that is truly where the blockage as well as anxiety is.
6) I have not really found any preventive messaures because I know I am the cause. I truly haven't tried shielding myself from my own negative energy.
7) I love incense when meditating any time I meditate. I try to meditate twice a day. No special way for clearing a blockage other than laying down visualizing the slow gold liquid until I feel the tignles again
