Spiritual Growth and Personal Developmen


	Gillian runs an advanced meditation class in Welwyn Garden City and a fortnightly intermediate to advanced spiritual development class in Hemel Hempstead. Gillian Holland MSc Tel: 01442 246407 email: information@gillianholland.co.uk Visualise yourself resting against the trunk of your favourite tree. Imagine that your roots are firmly fixed in the soil ...and that through your branches you have a strong connection to the heavens above Invoke a deity that is meaningful to you, e.g. Christ, Buddha, Kwan Yin etc Become aware of your breath, as well as the beat of your heart. Maintain this connection through the meditation Gentle bring to mind any situation you feel is restricting you, whilst maintaining this connection Become aware of your thoughts, emotions, and any sensations in your body Remain detached although observant of all these things You will notice a distinct shift in the way you see things as you rest in the light of your Divinity This exercise will help you move forward in a positive way. Practice this meditation whenever you are confronted with difficulty. Meditation is another method to help connect with the indwelling Spirit, an aspect of the Godhead. This concept is very difficult to take on board. Its easy to see the Light shining in someone else's eyes, but our own??? Many people find it difficult to love and accept themselves. To accept that they are an aspect of the God-head is really hard going. Fat, thin, short-sighted, intelligent, dim, young or old, we are all part of God's creation, just the way we are. We are all cared for equally. The following meditation exercise helps us feel 'lighter' and more at peace with ourselves. It is a deeply moving healing experience. Although we may think our Spiritual and Personal Development falls into neatly defined categories, they are all neatly interwoven. This meditation looks specifically at the physical body and the way energy sometimes get stuck. Self-appreciation and self-belief are essential to free flow of energy. Non-belief restricts energy, not only inhibiting physical movement, but how we move forward in our lives. Find a time of day when you won't be disturbed. Yes you can do it! Centre yourself, by closing your eyes and observing your breath. Don't try to alter it. Now bring the breath down into the sacral, or area of the navel. Observe the way your breath rises and falls. Note any difference in sensations on in and out breath. TAKE YOUR TIME TO OBSERVE EACH PHASE OF THE EXERCISE. Become aware of the fingers of your right hand, as you continue to breath into your navel. Gently wriggle them. How does that feel? Note the sensations without getting too involved. From time to time bring your attention back to the breath, whilst remaining aware of the arm. Allow the concentration to explore the whole area of the hand, into the wrist. Become aware of any sensation in the centre of the palm now on both in breath and outbreath. Moving down the forearm into the biceps and triceps. Exploring inbreath and out breath. Still aware of the fingers, hands and wrists even when exploring the upper arm. Move towards the shoulders, the point where arms and shoulders join into the back. Explore this connection, whilst remaining aware of all the right arm now. Breathe gently. Repeat with the left hand and arm, but retain gentle awareness of the right arm, shoulders into back. Continue to breath acknowledging the way both arms connect into the shoulders. Gentle explore the surface of your back. Your arms are supported by your back. Shoulder blades, muscles, so on down the spine, running your awarneness up and down the spine. Keep an awareness still of both arms, breath, entire back and spine. Make sure the small of the back isn't arched. Move round into the front of the trunk. So on throughout the whole of the body. Create an awareness of this body, giving you human form. Repeat with both legs, head and neck, all the time observing the breath, the rest of your body. Breathe in gratitude softly for this human form. Note any resistance, don't get wrapped up in it.