People who have a belief in a higher power seem to navigate life with less stress and more ease, as they possess a level of faith that assures them things will work out for the best. Living life without the support and guidance of a higher power greatly short changes your opportunities for growth, joy and peace. It doesn't matter what you choose to call this powerful force – God, Buddha, Allah, The Creator, Mother Nature, universal or source energy, are just a few. What matters is that you are able to define it as a loving energy that exists around you and, inside you. It's the power that keeps your heart beating and sparks your intuition. It is the invisible life-force energy field that created and sustains Earth - a planet bursting with wonders that, as far as we know, are unique in our universe. One of the most effective means to connect to this energy source is through meditation, which teaches you how to quiet the mind and go within. In stillness you meet your energetic self, the spiritual being that gives you life and makes you the unique individual that you are. It is there, in the quiet, you discover the guidance you’re seeking. The messages you receive when praying (talking to God) and meditating (listening to God), are far more reliable than the opinions and ideas of other people. When you are able to go within and and connect to your spiritual self, you connect with true power.
It’s fascinating to observe how dedicated – even obsessed – people are with overloading their minds with information and bodies with exercise but give little attention to the needs of the spirit. This is the missing link for many who are seeking increased wellness, fulfillment and contentment. Connecting through quiet contemplation, taking a walk in nature, participating in a yoga class, sitting by a lake or ocean, or hiking to the top of a mountain - these are methods of communicating with your higher power. You can feel this energy as you deeply breath the air that sustains you and appreciate the natural elements that feed your spirit. Tapping into this powerful energy is an essential step in transformation and growth. It is the life-enhancing sunshine that feeds your soul.
Your higher power never lets you down nor deserts you. When you discover this fact you no longer need to try to control others to achieve your happiness and well-being. Humans will disappoint you – just as you do others on occasion; it is part of the human experience, but something greater than yourself will not. If you don't pray, or have stopped praying for whatever reason, it's time start. Prayers are very simple and come in many forms. For example: writing a gratitude list; sitting quietly and mentally asking the universe to help support and guide the people you love; or sitting in nature and feeling the awe of its divinity, are all forms of prayer. You don't need to belong to an organized religion or attend church services to believe in a higher power. Everyone can use prayer and mediation to expand awareness and grow in positive ways.
If you have tried connecting with God in the past with unsatisfactory results, keep this important fact in mind: when you call on your higher power and ask for guidance and support, the answer will always be "yes". When you say, "I want to be in a relationship" the universe replies "yes" and it will support your wanting to be in a relationship. If you say, "I need help" you will always be supported in your need for help, as the universe says "yes" and gives you more of what you ask for.
Alternatively, try something like: "I am ready for a wonderfully healthy and loving relationship." Do you see the difference? If you find that you often say things like "I want" or "I need" or "I don't have" you will constantly find yourself in a place of wanting and needing. The universe agrees with your thoughts - which create your feelings - which create your life. This is free will - you are free to be and think what you like. However, it is imperative to acknowledge the role you play in creating your reality. When you say, "I'm not good enough", "I am so frustrated all the time", "I just can't seem to meet the right person", "my kids are so ungrateful for all that I do for them", "my husband [or wife] is always on my back", the universe simply agrees with you and gives you more of what you are saying and energetically attracting. Your feelings matter more than your words so that is where the work comes in when you embark on changing your self-talk, you have to think, say, and feel your way to change. This is why gratitude is such a powerful emotion; it opens the door to abundance.
When you embark on some form of prayer - a conversation with the highest part of yourself, the words, "I am" fit well with the universe's eternal "yes" response. Instead of saying, "I am a loser" or "I am a failure" replace it with statements such as: "I am capable of anything I set my mind to"; "I am healthy"; "I am abundant in all areas of my life"; and "I am grateful". When you are facing a challenge you may certainly ask for help - but consider framing it in the now - as if the help you're requesting has already arrived: "thank you for helping me with this situation", rather than "I desperately need help". Ask, and you shall receive.
Positive statements accompanied by positive feelings take your vibrational being to a higher frequency and you attract what you are projecting. It is very simple once your become aware of how it works. It's an energetic and vibrational flow that supports happiness and contentment. You will be "in the flow", as they say. With your cooperation and understanding, your higher power will work miracles in your life. It isn't easy at the start because it is a whole new way of thinking and feeling. "Fake it 'til you make it" – even if you don't feel true to what you are saying. You need to stick with it to train your brain to make new connections. Envision your life as you wish it to be and say it out loud, in the present tense, like it has already happened. Feel the good feelings that are connected to it. When you consciously change your self-talk you will see a brand new experience emerge in your life. You are a co-creator with your higher power and together, you are an unstoppable force.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.