In this article I intend to have a look at the meaning of the word "magic", and outline a practical walking meditation method for integrating it into our daily life in such a way as to awaken our inner powers.
First of all lets look at the meaning of the word magic with fresh minds. We have to let go of all the programming that we have received from mainstream media and culture regarding what magic means. If you think of the word magic, you are most commonly going to think of fantasy genres such as the Harry Potter series of books and films (which I quite like but are not the same as what we are investigating here), or you are going to think about TV shows with very clever people doing funny things with cards, coins etc, or playing fascinating mind games with members of the audience. So, I would like you to set all that aside for a moment. Instead, here is a working definition of magic that can give us insight into how magical work has been used for centuries, particularly in the western tradition of spirituality, in order to facilitate peoples psycho-spiritual growth:
"Magical work involves any activity that aims to bridge the gap and facilitate communication between the inner worlds of our mind and spirit, with the outer worlds of our physical being, environment and action.
In particular, all white forms of magic aim to harness the power of the inner worlds of mind and spirit and direct them in such a way as to facilitate positive change in our outer world and environment. All forms of magic, being facilitators of communication/communion between the inner and outer worlds help us to develop a sense of empowered participation,creativity and belongingness in the world and environment within which we live."
It is worth spending time with the above definition as there are quite a few levels of meanings and connections that you can start to grasp intellectually and poetically just by reading it through a few times. What I want to explain below is a basic "magical walking meditation form" that can be worked with and explored easily. It involves developing awareness of our energy body, and the energy body of the place where we are walking, and using it as a way of connecting to and communicating with the spirit of that place. Practiced regularly, it is a very good way for awakening your basic psychic powers in a natural, healthy and balanced way.
Basic magical walking meditation form
First select and travel to the place that you have chosen to walk. A place with plenty of trees, nature and living creatures is preferable. If you live in a city environment then a park is an obvious example of such a place. Places of real wildness and natural power are ideal, so this is a good practice to do when you are on holiday in an area where you have access to such areas. For this explanation, I am going to take the example of a wooded area within a park.
Connecting to the living spirit of the place:
Stand at the periphery of the space you have chosen. In our example we stand just outside the edge of the trees that form the wood where we are going to walk. Now observe and contemplate the trees and woodland as a whole, try to sense and feel it as a singular, living being with its own unique spirit and presence. as you stand before it, take a few deeper breaths, and sense the woodland breathing with you. Feel your energy and the energy of the woodland connecting.
Setting intention and requesting permission to enter the space:
Before you proceed any further, set your intention that for the duration of the walk you are going to connect with the spirit of the woodland in order to facilitate healing and communion between the human world, and the world of nature, particularly as it is found within this wood. It is also advisable to ask the permission of the woodland to walk within its body, and to commune with it. Most times you will receive an affirmative answer but if you feel intuitively that the answer is a "no" or there seems to be some kind of strong negative energy or resistance to you doing so, then it may be advisable to seek another place to walk.
Connecting to your energy body, and the energy body of the place:
Having connected and received permission to walk in the woodland, focus now on the energy of the earth beneath your feet. Several meters beneath the surface of the earth sense a vast lake of golden earth light and energy. Now feel that energy rising up in two streams to the soles of your feet, from where it proceeds to fill your body with earth light and energy. You now feel as if you have an energy body, or light body that is inhabiting the same space as your physical body, and it has a set of subtle senses (sight, touch, hearing etc...) that are the energetic equivalent of your physical senses.
Having built your energy body in this way, now turn your attention to the land in front of you, and be aware that the earth light is also flowing up into the body of the landscape and the plants, trees and creatures within it. Sense that the whole of the landscape, like you, has a subtle energy or light body from which emanate subtle forms of energy, colour, sound and so on.
Walking in and through the land:
Having attuned yourself to the spirit and energy of the place, in this case the woodland, in this way, now proceed to enter into the woodland, and walk mindfully and slowly through it. Allow the particular direction that you take to be spontaneous and intuitive, just let your feet lead you where they seem guided to go. For the time you have allocated for your walk, proceed carefully and gently, observing the physical surroundings, and also attuning to the energy/light bodies of the trees, creatures, objects and spaces that you come in contact with. Pay particular attention to the plants, trees, stones, streams etc... whose energy seems to resonate strongly with you. You may find that certain animals "seek you out", and that more than once you find yourself face to face with them during your walk.
Concluding:
After you have finished your walk, don't forget to thank the spirit of the place where you have been. Walking in the same location regularly enables you to build up a relationship to the spirit of the place that is somewhat like (though different from) an ongoing relationship with a friend or family member. We develop a sense of how we can communicate with it, participate in its life, and both give and receive deep levels of love and soulful companionship. There are also many levels of (magical) inner work that may become available to us by engaging in this walking form regularly, but that is the subject of another article, and also for you to find out about through your own experience!
Text © Toby Ouvry 2010, please do not reproduce without permission.
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