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Basic Journeying

© Cheryl D. Tracy

Journeying is fun and easy. The trick is your own mind set. I always like to tell folks that they can make it as hard or as easy as they need it to be and they can adjust the process to any level of success or failure that they want as they go along. That may sound flip, but I don't mean it that way at all. What I do mean is that you have complete control over how journeying will work for you and, as you practice it, you will automatically adjust it to higher and more accurate levels as you go.

You might want to make journeying like a sacred ceremony. If you do, light some candles. Burn some of your favorite incense. Put on some soft, relaxing music. Then state, aloud or mentally, that you now intend to take a journey. This is preparation work. It sets the mood and tone and, most importantly of all, it sets your intention. The most important tool to have in hand with journey work is clear intention.

The second thing you have to learn is to relax. Relax your mind and you body and you are more than half way there. There are any number of ways to accomplish this, but the one I recommend the most is simply breathing. Sit or lie back comfortably and turn your attention to your breathing. You can slow it down if you want to, but you don't really need to because, as you relax, it will automatically slow down all by itself.

As you sit or lie down, just notice your breathing. Breath thru your nose if you can. Notice how it feels. Some people can feel the air rushing into their nostrils, others feel the air moving on their upper lip, and still others feel it on the tip of their nose. Where do you feel your breath?

After a few moments, your body tension will start to melt and you'll feel yourself beginning to let go of the day's stress and activity. If your mind fills with ideas or things you forgot, or things you have to remember to do later or tomorrow, just bring your attention back to your breathing and what it feels like as the air moves in and out of you. After a while, your mind will get the hint that you're actually up to something and begin paying attention to see just what.

The copyright of the article Basic Journeying in Meditation is owned by Roxianne Moore. Permission to republish Basic Journeying in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.