James Van Praagh - Meditations with James Van Praagh

JAMES VAN PRAAGH

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DESIGNED BY RUTH LEE-MUI

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 8 6 4 3 5 7 9

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Van Praagh, James.

Meditations/with James van Praagh.

p.cm.

1. Spiritualism. 2. Meditations. I. Title.

BF1261.2. V355 2003

158.12dc22

2003059190

ISBN-13: 978-0-7432-2943-2
eISBN-13: 978-1-439-18872-9

ISBN-10: 0-7432-2943-6

You are about to explore a new world, a new universe all its ownthe world of your inner being. This world is available to anyone who will take the time to become aware. By opening to your inner self, you bring a new consciousness into every aspect of your life. You begin to live a more fulfilled existence and a happier life.

Nowadays it seems that the world is spinning out of control with one tragedy after another, and our safety and security can no longer be taken for granted. Yet amid this outer turmoil, there is a place where we can find peace and understanding and a world of unlimited potential and promise. This safe haven of beauty and love lies inside ourselves. You and I are multidimensional beings residing in a divine universe. This is our true reality and our spiritual birthright. When we turn off the outer physical world and tune in to the silence of this inner beauty, we will find the peace that surpasses all understanding.

The easiest and most dependable way to tune inside is through meditation. Meditation is a process whereby we balance our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual selves in the silence of our natural state of being. It is here that we will find the safety and security we seek. When we meditate or concentrate our energies on the spiritual nature within us, we will learn to recognize the oneness and wholeness of all of life.

Meditation is a way to move into a consciousness of real knowing. As we sit silently and focus our attention inwardly, we start to become aware of our true self. The more we meditate, the stronger this awareness becomes, and the more we are able to let go of our stress and deal with lifes situations with ease and certainty. Our doubts, insecurities, and anxieties diminish in size because we no longer feel separated from our good. If you meditate every day, you will definitely feel better about your life.

When you meditate, you activate cosmic energies. These forces illuminate and energize the spiritual centers inside the body. The light of unconditional love is lit within you and continues to grow with each meditation. The more you transform yourself through this light of unconditional love, the more you can influence others in a positive way.

When you begin your inner work, you need first to make a clear dedication to yourself. You must be motivated to work on yourself, but without a particular goal. Any time you pursue a meditative practice, you are making a commitment to understand yourself more fully as a spiritual being. This takes time, even lifetimes. Be patient with your practice.

There is no one way to meditate. When people hear the word meditation, they think of sitting cross-legged on the floor, incense burning, candles lit, and someone chanting Om. This is one way of meditating. However, meditation has many forms. Prayer is a form of meditation. When you pray, you focus on God. You surrender your burdens to the divine and ask for assistance in your life situations. When you meditate, you surrender your outer world to be in your inner world. Meditation is not about brooding over problems and running them over in your head. That is neither prayer nor meditation; it is simply spinning your wheels.

Another way you can meditate is by tapping in to your creative energies, such as by writing, painting, and music. There are a variety of meditative processes whereby you focus your mind inwardly. Go with whatever works for you.

The processes that I recommend in this book are contemplative and prayerlike. The best way that I have found to meditate is to sit in an upright position in a chair. Sitting up straight allows the energies to flow more easily up and down the spiritual centers of the body. Keep your feet flat on the floor with your palms open and facing up on your thighs. If you sit on the floor, you can use the cross-legged yoga position. Wear loose, comfortable clothing so that you wont be distracted by anything tight or binding on your body.

Meditation is not a nap, although you may feel as if you had one. Usually after quieting your mind for any period of time, you do feel recharged. Think of meditation as focused concentration for a specific purpose. The purpose is to know the real you.

If your time is limited, or if you are new to meditation, start with five minutes a day. Remember that it doesnt matter if you are commuting to work on a train or bus, or sitting at your desk, or on a park bench at lunchtime: You can meditate anywhere. The time spent in the silence of your divine self is probably the most important time you will ever spend.

The practice of meditation is designed to increase self-awareness. It becomes a way of life and will assist you especially when you fall back into patterns of negative thinking and self-torment.

I am fortunate to have a meditation room in my home. Its a room that I have set aside for my spiritual work. The area has a feeling of respect and reverence. A corner in your bedroom can serve as that special place of silence to commune with your spiritual self. You may want to set a table nearby and place holy pictures, prayer beads, and flowers on it. Many people erect altars in their homes for their religious practices. You can make your space into whatever suits you. Adding candles, crystals, and incense will help to heighten the senses.

Use this sacred space as your spiritual work area only. It is important that it is clear of clutter. Begin each meditation in an atmosphere where you will not be bothered by outside distractions. Turn off the phones, beepers, fax machines, and answering machines. Turn off anything that could interrupt your concentration and interfere with your inner journey. You can play soft music to help set a mood for inner focus. Creating an atmosphere that is peaceful will help you to be receptive to the higher vibrations of spirit.