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___ Sightseeing with Michelle By Michelle Balmes Article #2 January 26, 2003 Hi everybody! This "issue" is kind of the beginning of my experiences taking the "Introduction to Spirit Guides" class; but first of all, I have a confession to make; I'm taking this class now, for the 2nd time. Way back when I was first offered the opportunity to write of my experiences for the website, I was about halfway through this class for the first time. It was a wonderful, powerful and fun experience (and still is!). But after the class series had ended, I sat down to start to write about it, and realized I couldn't quite remember a lot of details, especially from the beginning. So much had happened, and I was in such a different place by the time the class was finished, that I thought it would be a great idea to take it again. Not just for the purpose of documenting the journey that I took, but to get an even deeper cut at what I learned and experienced the first time around. Kind of like seeing a really powerful and amazing movie for the 2nd time; you always notice crucial information you missed the first time, because your understanding and perspective are broader now. As an extra added bonus, I am also taking a class called "Healing and Honoring the Writer in You"; also taught by Alora, also an amazing class. Lucky me! Though they are 2 separate classes, they are, of course connected; each is connected to and guided by Spirit. And each class begins with the important fundamentals; Intent and Intuition. About how to access your own truths, your own personal guides ( we all have them; some of us call them the voices in our heads; some have "a gut feeling", whatever; your higher self is trying to reach you; are you tuned to the right station? :) ). But the first biggie, the one I still am trying to master, is Intent. Intent is huge; Intent is the foundation for everything. I first became really present to the power of Intent at one of the Goddess Drumming Circles that I raved about last time. One person would sit on a chair, and 3 or 4 others would stack our hands on top of her head. We thought and spoke only of very heavy things; bowling balls and anvils and garbage trucks and the deficit. Then we each placed 2 fingers of each hand under the woman and would try to lift her. She wouldn't budge. We then did the opposite; hands on her head, and spoke of the lightest of things; a feather, a snowflake, an eyelash, a baby's breath. Put our fingers underneath her and Woosh!! we practically lifted her over our heads! It was a pretty incredible experience, especially when it was my turn in the chair! This wasn't just some fun parlor game; it really drove home in a concrete way the power of our word; the power of the intent behind our word. So I try to remember that, and consciously state my intent whenever I am present to it; and I am reminded only too often how easy it is to forget; to fall asleep and go on auto pilot and busy myself with the day-to-day mindless details that distract me from why I'm really here. It's hard sometimes just to stay Awake. It takes vigilance and persistence. But it is always, always worth it. Intuition is another tricky one for me. Because I haven't always listened or paid attention to it. There have been moments when my body has sent me signals I just could not ignore; like a roundhouse punch that left me reeling. But I'm sure that was only after countless efforts to reach me in more subtle ways failed; because I've often lived from my head and not my heart. Somewhere along the way I decided not to listen to my heart; I'd trusted too much, been hurt too badly, and was not going to allow that to happen again. So I put my head in charge instead. My reeling, frightened, paranoid, chattering monkey brain. It's not really necessary to rehash the tragic-comical events that had led me to this point; I'm frankly sick to death of my own "stories". It's only important to me anymore to recognize where I'm at NOW. I can only change where I'm at, at this moment, right now. That's enough. That's a life's work. So I tried the "truth or lie" exercise taught in class by Alora and Laurie (now known as Mellissa). What do you know: it worked! And it has never failed to work since. I can make a statement to myself, and my body will tell me if the statement is true or false. If I'm really listening to my body's signals, I get the correct answer every time. I've tested this over and over, with all kinds of verifiable questions (I'm nothing if not an optimistic skeptic). I've finally come to the point where I believe my own intuition. Now comes the part where I start working with my Guides. Let the games begin!! - Michelle Copyright 2003 Michelle Balmes. All Rights Reserved. Click here to read other Sightseeing with Michelle articles. Click Here to Receive Michelle's Articles via Email!
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