From: casspa@CSOS.ORST.EDU (Paul Cass)
Subject: Guided meditation questions
Date: 16 Sep 1993 03:03:36 GMT

Some time back during the VR ritual I contributed a guided meditation.
Since that time people from local circles have asked me to make a tape
for personal use.  They all seem to like the one that a wrote and
would like to see it expanded.  I agreed to write a longer version and
record it.  There are however, a few questions that I would appreciate
feed back on from alt.paganers.

1.  When I am speaking one of these guided meditations in person I
usually can tell how long to pause between segments by the general
energy level.  What I need to know is how long a pause most people
need or want.

2.  Should I have drums behind my voice?  Do people usually find
drums on tapes distracting or are they a help?

3.  How long should the tape be?

4.  Some of the people have asked me to include more Goddess 
oriented material.  Does anyone here have suggestions?

5.  Should I charge these people for the tape or just ask them
for a blank and then dub it.?

I will include a copy of the original with this article.  Any
comments on how it can be strengthened or made more effective
would be appreciated.

thanks
casspa

I have brought a couple of guests to the VR Ritual.  They would
like to conduct a guided meditation.

The meditation begins with a long drawn out howl, a sorta pseudo
wolf semi-imitation of the call of the wild.  Gradually the
howls decreases in volume, lowered in intensity, and become a
mind filling multi-toned ohm of togetherness.  Our bonding grows
strong and we begin to feel as one unity rather than separate
individuals.  And now is the time, we have schooled and
heightened our senses, made connections.

Relax...sometimes it is easier said than done.  The beat of
the drumming begins to get our attention and we start to go
through our individual relaxing exercises.  The speaking guide
leads us on a visualization journey of rock climbing.  She is a
regular rock climber and sometimes free climbs in Eastern
Oregon.

Her voice is low and slow as she describes each reach for a
hold,each stretch for position.  She guides us on a climb that
never was and never could be but is as real to our inner-selves
as if we were doing it now.  As she graphically puts into words
the strain on the muscles we visualize and feel the work being
done in our own muscles.  Time is compressed, we all reach the
top of the cliff with her.  Each of us is exhilarated and
fatigued.  We are receptive.  

Now a new guide starts to speak.  We envision our circle
seated together atop the cliff...breathing.  Our breathing is
not forced, not controlled, not consciously altered, but we are
aware of our breathing.  Our guide does not tell us to regulate
our breathing yet soon we are breathing together.  He describes
the cliff top, the sky, the valley, a waterfall far below us. 

We begin to float above the cliff and soon we are above the
valley floor gradually descending.  As our guide describes our
descent to the valley we move deeper into a meditative trance
state.  We are guided through a short protection ritual.  And
then...only a low drum beat is left and we begin a journey of
discovery.

Envision a sacred setting, a natural place, a perfect place for
you, a place that is your spiritual home.  This place might be a
spot that you once visited, a spot with special meaning, perhaps
a spot where you once sensed the Goddess.  Look around, let the
essence of the life in this place enter into you.  This is your
sanctuary, your sacred place, a place of security and well
being.  

Your sacred place is dynamic.  You can change this place to
better reflect you, to add special qualities ~ a mint plant, a
waterfall, a significant tree... add what brings this place
closer to the spiritual within you.  Let this place become fixed
in the mirror of your mind.  Let this place become your place.

Here, in this sacred place, your sight is unconfined.  This
sanctuary is your vision.  Look around your space; brighten the
colors you see.  Now, make those colors fade gradually to the
tones of muted earth.  Brighten the colors again.  View your
sanctuary through the eyes you saw with at three years.  See
again, through your eyes as they will be at one hundred and ten
years.  Use the sight of the blind cave fish to know and
understand what is around you.  Change the clarity of your
vision to that of a hawk - sharp ~ acute ~ attuned to the
smallest movement.  See and experience what you may have missed
before.

All places have a scent.  There is an aroma in your sanctuary
that signifies home and security for you.  Imprint that odor on
your memory ~ the smell of the plants, the smell of the season,
the smell of an animal that comes here often.  That aroma is the
scent of that which you love.

Hear the sounds of your sacred place ~ a splashing waterfall, a
fast moving stream, the roar of the waves, the wind moving the
leaves and branches of the trees, the digging of claws burrowing
in the Earth.

The breeze that filled the trees touches your body and ruffles
your hair.  The soil and grass, the leaves and stones leave
light impressions on your skin ~ a tactile memory.  Splash water
on yourself and feel the rivulets run down your body to rejoin
the Earth.  The sun can warm you, a fog may cool you, the wind
can tickle you, moss can comfort you.  Your place, your home,
your sanctuary.  Whatever you want to feel or touch or sense can
happen in this magical place.

Knowing ~ truly knowing ~ is becoming; being both within and
without.  Become the knowing of your sacred place.  Taste, eat,
lick, and chew your sanctuary; its grasses, its water, its
leaves, its soil, a rock, a bit of bark.  All of this place is a
part of you and you are a part of this place.

Now, find a spot in your sanctuary, a very special spot that you
create for centering, grounding, meditating.  This spot can
always be there or you can create it anew each time you visit.
    
As you settle into your meditation spot, begin "The Call of
Request" for the visual aspects of totem beings.  Send your
voice out through your sanctuary, naming your need.  Don't
censor; allow what wants to come to appear within your sacred
place.  Respect these spiritual beings who answer your call. 
Consider that the spiritual guides who visit you are independent
entities who have a spirit-time that may seem strange or
different to you.  Rise, go to meet them as they come to you. 

Greet them, talk to them, ask them if they are one who would aid
you in your quest for understanding and knowing.  Let them see
and know who you are.

There is one spirit guide that is right for you at this time. 
You will know your ally when you meet.  Now, is the time to ask
a question or state a problem.  Your guide will probably take
your in ~ into a cave, into a tree, down a hole.  Go with your
guide.  Watch what happens, listen carefully, and follow the
advice or directions that you receive.  Usually the advice is
direct and to the point, though now and then your understanding
of the advice may not become clear until sometime in the future.
 
When you have received your answer, thank your guide and follow
the same path back to the meditation spot within your sanctuary. 
This helps you remember everything that has happened.  When you
are ready to "awake," recall where you are.  Move your body,
open your eyes, and write your account of your journey.

-- 
                          * * * * * * *
"It is possible to join forces, to identify common goals, and to agree on
 common action." - U.N. World Commission on Development and Environment
		       casspa@jacobs.cs.orst.edu