Guideposts on the Path: Guided Meditations and Pathworking
by Christopher Penczak
Meditation is calming the mind, clearing it of the normal onslaught of thoughts, ideas and images about our day to day lives. Meditation is altering our consciousness. We spend much of our time worrying about things in the past we can't change. I should have done, I could have done, but I didn't. We worry about the future. Am I prepared for what is coming? What will I do if this happens? What will happen if it doesn't happen? We tend to miss the time at the moment. We don't live in the moment. We don't pay attention to every bit of time that is before us and it slips us by. Some thought to the past and future is normal, natural and very healthy, but there isn't enough focus on the present. Meditation is a wonderful gift to ourselves. Its tools help us focus on the present, to be here now.
There are many different forms of meditations, and people's definition of meditation differ greatly. It wasn't until I started meditating with a Yoga instructor that I realized this. Her meditation was directly focused on the now, paying attention to the breath and body position. Breath is the teacher. All other thoughts are cleared. Chanting on a mantra, or sacred focus word could be used to clear the mind.
The meditations I've learned use some of these techniques. All schools of meditation use breath and body work. But the ones I'm sharing with you focus on more visualization and actively working with your inner worlds. These exercises are aimed for those starting the magical paths. They are often called guided meditations, guided visualizations or pathworking. By working with your inner worlds, you subtly change your outer reality. You know yourself better and have a grander sense of your life. Different energies express themselves in a visual form. You can meet parts of yourself, spirit guides, archetypes and your gods in these meditations. You open the door to not only your subconscious, but the collective unconsciousness, and through the collective, the Divine Mind. Often these meditations can be full sensory experiences, as if you are consciously dreaming. In a sense, you are. That's often what dreaming is all about.
The Guideposts On The Path series is meant to give you some basic techniques and exercises to start your pathworking. If you are not sure that you will remember the details of the visualization, you can always tape them and play the tape as you meditate.
Start by finding a quiet place and time where you will not be disturbed. I usually meditate at night, when my family is asleep. Light a candle and ask for a blessing from your divinity. Ask to find what you need for your highest good at this time. Pick a comfortable position, and then begin.
Well Wishing
Start by breathing deeply. Each breath should be full body breaths, filling the bottom of your lungs first, then the mid sections, then the top of the lungs. Hold for a moment, and them release, slowly, deliberately. I usually breath in through the nose and out the mouth, but that could be a hold over from my singing lessons. Breath deeply however feels best for you. Close your eyes. With each breath out, release all your tension. Feel it move out of you, with the expelled air. Relax your body and muscles, starting at your head and face, moving down your body and limbs, to your toes. You are completely relaxed. You are altering your consciousness and are more receptive to your inner wisdom.
Open your mind's eye. Start by imaging a screen or surface in your mind that will hold pictures and images. In some ways, it is like watching a movie. As you continue the meditation, the screen will seem to wrap around you. You will no longer be watching the movie, but be in it, an acting participant.
On that screen, you see your power place, for you will be journeying to your refuge, your sanctuary. Let the first place that comes to mind come to you, real or imaginary. Usually it is a place of natural and rural setting, like a forest, field, jungle, desert, swamp, garden, mountain or island. Let the image come to you, do not force it. You may be surprised. The setting may have a lot to do with the guides you will later meet.
A doorway or portal will appear before you, to take you to this place. Go through it. Visualize yourself moving deeper into your power spot. Notice the terrain, the plants, the animals. What is there? Greet any animals or plants you may see. Use all your senses. Feel their texture of the land beneath your feet. Smell the air, feel the wind. Is it humid or dry? Is it day or night? Can you feel the sun or the stars above you? You will.
As you move down your power place's path, you come upon a well. Peer down into the well and look at the dark still waters. They run deep into this place. They run all below the land. There is a rope with a cup or bucket. Send it down and bring the water back up. Hold it before you and gaze deeply. Look into the waters of life, the waters of knowledge and inspiration. Whatever you may be seeking in your life is here in the waters. It brings healing, wisdom, magic and poetry. The water brings creativity to those seeking the Muse. It opens all your paths and gives you the infinite world of possibilities before you. Think about what you need most from the water. See what you need in the reflection of the water you hold in front of you. Visualize yourself whole and healthy, successful and happy. Hold that image in the water. Then drink it.
Hold your hands to your heart, as if you were holding something that was coming out of it. Feel the energy come from your body, like a physical tangible thing you can visualize yourself holding. Hold it over the well and say:
"I give my hopes, dreams, fears and failings over to the well. I trust the Universe to give me what I need when I need it. So mote it be."
You can replace Universe with your chosen name for divinity.
Release all these things into the well. Let go of your attachments and trust in your own divinity. You create your own reality. You can gaze into the well itself and send your blessings or healing energy to anyone else by visualizing them in the well water. Finish with any other blessings or thank yous and walk back to where you began. You will feel different. But how? Take notice of all going on in your body, mind and spirit.
From the starting point you can feel your consciousness return to your body, physically in the room. You may see the portal opening, or just feel your presence disappear from the power spot and return to the room. It's like waking from a dream except you will remember all the details of this journey. The gossamer webs will not slip through your mind.
Write down any impressions or details you wish to remember. Write down your feelings after the meditation. Practice it for a few weeks. Use it to start off any other pathworking you may be doing. Then go over your older notes, to see how things have changes. And notice the changes in your life and your attitudes towards it. The well will always help you with what you need.