5 Ways to Harness Your Sixth Sense
Intuition defined as “into the soul” is a natural gift we are all born with. It’s an inner guide, gut feeling, or sixth sense. My personal belief is that we all have an intuition, yet some of us may be more sensitive to it than others. It interacts with us on a daily basis with every experience from making a major life decision to deciding what product is better to purchase.
Have you ever walked into a bookstore and felt drawn to a book for no reason? You check it out and realize it’s exactly the type of book you need at this moment in your life. Or met someone and instantly felt a connection but couldn’t figure out why? This is your intuition guiding you to people, places, and experiences meant for your soul’s growth and expansion.
Intuition also helps us avoid specific situations, people, and decisions. For example, going on a date for the first time and getting a bad vibe about the person. That “bad vibe” is you sensing that person’s energy. Perhaps later you find out why you didn’t get the greatest feeling about the person.
We receive good and bad vibes all day in our work environments, personal relationships, family, health matters, and more. Intuitive impressions help us with major life decisions and also prepare and inform of us things to come or things that have passed.
So how can you begin to harness your intuition? The following are five suggested tips:
- Energy sensing
I attended a one-day workshop with James Van Praagh in New Jersey and he had us practice sensing each other’s energy centers or chakras with our hands. It was a really powerful way to intuitively sense information about someone spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
Energy sensing is a simple technique and one you can practice with yourself or with another person. Get into a calm meditative state. When you feel more relaxed, bring your awareness to your heart center. Notice how your heart feels. Pay attention to any feelings, colors, blockages that may arise. You can practice this with other chakra centers as well such as the throat, third eye or solar plexus.
Becoming more aware of energy allows you to be sensitive and open to new information.
Watch Spirit Talk: Auras and Energy{.inline-media .inline-video} with James Van Praagh to be guided through an energy-sensing exercise.
- Meditation
Meditation is a tried and true technique to tap into your inner wisdom and communicate with your higher self or a spirit guide. It not only helps with stress relief but also opens the door to your intuition. A simple meditation technique is concentrating on your breath for 5 minutes or repeating a mantra such as “Om Shanti,” which means inner peace in your mind.
If you lack focus and concentration while being still, I suggest doing a walking meditation like walking in the park and taking in the sounds and smells of the season. You can also create, write, or do anything that brings peace and stillness to your mind.
- Signs & Symbols
Begin to notice repeating signs, symbols, or numbers in your environment. This may be a message from the universe, spirit guide, or your intuition guiding you or showing you something. For the longest time, I saw the numbers 1212 everywhere and took that as a sign of transformation and higher knowledge. You can interpret the sign as what you feel it may mean. Also notice how you feel or what you are thinking about when you see the sign as a potential way to interpret it.
- Quiet Time & Checking In
Set aside time each day for 10-15 minutes to turn off all electronics, check out from life, and tune into yourself. During this time, notice how you feel emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You can pose a question to yourself about a particular concern such as “Is this career transition right for me?” Notice what feelings, emotions, or impressions arise. Write down what you experienced and practice this throughout the week at the end of your day.
- Dreams
In our dream state we are open and highly receptive to connecting with our intuition. Start to keep a dream journal or take notes in your phone of the dreams you have. Pay attention to recuring themes, symbols, or feelings you experience in them.
Also, feel free to concentrate on a concern or question at night before you go to bed. The next morning write down what you received if anything. Be patient as this exercise doesn’t always work immediately. You may also want to get some crystals for dreaming to help enhance your connection. Place them under your pillow at night before you fall asleep.
Practice each tip and see what resonates with you. You may also develop your own practices and methods that work for you with each. Build, expand, and let your intuition guide you.
About the Author
Astral Journey: What It Is, How to Do It, and What You Can Discover
An astral journey is a fascinating practice in which consciousness detaches from the physical body to explore the astral plane, a dimension of existence beyond the tangible world. In this article, we will delve into how an astral journey can be consciously induced, explore the transformative benefits it offers, and demystify the risks commonly associated with this ancient experience.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Astral Journey and What Is It For?
- Differences Between an Astral Journey and a Lucid Dream
- Step-by-Step Guide for a Safe Astral Journey
- How to Return from an Astral Journey
- Benefits of Astral Travel
- Dangers of Astral Travel
- Advancing in Astral Travel Practice
- Integrating Astral Travel into Daily Life
What Is an Astral Journey and What Is It For?
An astral journey is an experience in which consciousness separates from the physical body and moves through the astral plane, a non-material dimension that coexists with the physical world. Although many people experience it unconsciously while sleeping, it is possible to learn how to consciously and voluntarily induce these journeys through specific techniques of relaxation, meditation, and visualization.
This practice allows individuals to explore realities beyond the physical senses. Those who have had conscious astral journey experiences often describe an expansion of perception, encounters with other forms of consciousness, and access to information that is not available in the usual waking state.
The astral journey can be a tool for spiritual development and self-knowledge. By transcending the limits of the physical body, the practitioner can gain a deeper understanding of the nature of being, overcome the fear of death, and strengthen the connection with their spiritual essence.
In the third season of Mystery Teachings, available on Gaia, an entire episode is dedicated to astral journeys. There, Theresa Bullard shares effective techniques for initiating in the astral plane, addressing what should and should not be done, and demystifying several myths associated with the journey through the astral realms.
Differences Between an Astral Journey and a Lucid Dream
Although they may seem similar, an astral journey and a lucid dream are distinct experiences. In a lucid dream, the person becomes aware that they are dreaming and can control certain elements of the dream, but remains within the dream plane generated by the mind. In contrast, an astral journey involves the separation of consciousness from the physical body to explore a real and external plane, different from the internal world of dreams.
Additionally, the purpose and experience also differ. While lucid dreaming often has a recreational or symbolic component, the astral journey has a more experiential and spiritual nature. The level of clarity, intensity, and perception of reality in the astral plane is notably higher than in dreams, and the experiences obtained can have a profound impact on the practitioner’s daily life.
Step-by-Step Guide for a Safe Astral Journey
To have a safe astral journey, it is essential to follow a structured practice that combines mental preparation, physical relaxation, and visualization techniques. In Mystery Teachings, Theresa Bullard presents a progressive method that can be integrated into the daily routine as training. This step-by-step guide helps to induce astral projection gradually, consciously, and safely, allowing the practitioner to explore the astral plane with greater clarity and confidence.
- Preparatory meditation: Dedicate 15 minutes a day to meditate with your back straight. This posture favors the energy flow through the chakras and allows you to reach a receptive mental state.
- Initial visualization: Observe a white dot on a black background or vice versa. Then close your eyes and try to keep a clear mental image of the dot.
- Daily visual training: Practice this visualization every day for a week. This strengthens concentration and trains the mind to sustain images in deep relaxation states.
- Expansion of the dot: In the second week, mentally expand the visualized dot until it transforms into a large space. This space represents the threshold between the physical and the astral plane.
- Tunnel formation: Imagine that this space turns into a tunnel connecting both planes. Visualize yourself entering this transitional tunnel with your consciousness.
- Visualized destination: At the end of the tunnel, mentally create a specific place you want to reach. Keep your intention clear and use that goal as an anchor for the astral experience.
- Conscious movement: Move through the astral plane using the speed of thought. This form of movement allows you to explore the environment fluidly and without physical effort.
How to Return from an Astral Journey
The return to the physical body after an astral journey usually occurs naturally, as consciousness is permanently connected to the body through what many practitioners describe as the “silver cord.” In most cases, it is enough to direct attention toward the physical body or internally express the intention to return for the process to occur immediately. This reconnection is usually smooth, although some people may experience sensations of vibration or a slight jolt upon returning.
However, there are simple techniques that can facilitate a more conscious and gradual return. Slightly moving the fingers of the hands or feet, taking a deep breath, or visualizing the physical body as an anchoring point are effective methods to reintegrate without abruptness. With practice, the return to the body becomes increasingly natural, allowing the experience to be concluded in a balanced way and wakefulness to be resumed with clarity and stability.
Benefits of Astral Travel
Astral travel offers a wide range of spiritual and personal benefits, allowing practitioners to explore beyond physical limitations and gain new perspectives on life and existence. Reaching these states of consciousness can result in a profound sense of liberation and knowledge, alleviating fears such as the fear of death and strengthening the connection with the higher self and spiritual dimensions.
- Expansion of consciousness: Astral travel allows one to experience a broader reality beyond daily life, promoting greater mental openness and flexibility in thinking.
- Understanding life after death: Practicing astral projection can provide comfort and insight into what might exist beyond physical life, reducing the fear of death.
- Development of psychic abilities: Through astral travel, some people report an increase in their intuitive and psychic abilities, such as clairvoyance or extrasensory perception.
- Emotional healing: Consciously revisiting past experiences from an astral perspective can provide new understanding that helps in the emotional healing process.
- Increased creativity: Astral travel can inspire individuals by giving them access to visions and ideas beyond the reach of conventional thought.
Dangers of Astral Travel
Although astral travel is safe, there are certain myths that may cause concern among practitioners. It is important to clarify these myths to ensure that participants feel comfortable and secure during their astral experiences. Understanding that these “dangers” are largely unfounded can help practitioners approach astral travel with confidence and peace of mind.
- Fear of not returning to the physical body: A common myth is the fear of getting stuck in the astral plane and not being able to return to the physical body. However, the so-called “silver cord,” which connects the astral body to the physical body, is not something that can be broken. Instead, it is a metaphorical connection that always ensures the return to the body.
- Encounters with negative entities: Some practitioners express concern about encountering malicious entities during their travels. Protecting oneself with light visualizations and setting clear and firm intentions for safety before the journey can help avoid these experiences and ensure a positive astral environment.
- Disorientation and fear: For beginners, it is common to feel some disorientation or fear when exploring astral experiences for the first time. These feelings are usually mild and can be easily managed with practice and preparation. Learning control techniques and cultivating a positive mental environment before starting the journey can help overcome these moments and improve the overall experience.
Advancing in Astral Travel Practice
For those interested in deepening their astral travel practice, it is essential to develop a consistent routine and employ advanced meditation and visualization techniques. As practitioners gain more experience, they can begin to explore various aspects of the astral plane with greater control and purpose. This includes learning to navigate to specific locations, interact with different spiritual entities, and receive teachings or guidance.
Additionally, sharing experiences with a community of practitioners can be invaluable. Joining groups or workshops where techniques and personal experiences are discussed helps validate and enrich one’s journey in astral travel. The guidance of an experienced mentor can also be a great advantage, offering the opportunity to learn through direct teaching and receive feedback that is crucial for personal and spiritual growth in this practice.
Integrating Astral Travel into Daily Life
Integrating astral travel into daily life means more than just having out-of-body experiences; it involves applying the perceptions and teachings obtained during these journeys to everyday physical existence. For example, insights gained about personal challenges or behavioral patterns can be used to improve relationships, make more informed decisions, and cultivate greater inner peace.
On the other hand, regularly practicing astral travel can foster a sense of spiritual connection and purpose that transcends mundane activities. This may manifest as greater empathy toward others, a commitment to service or community, and an interest in additional spiritual practices that complement personal growth. For those who deeply integrate these practices, astral travel becomes a way of life that fully embraces the multidimensional nature of human existence.
