Tools for Transformation
by Lyndra Hearn Antonson, CPCC, MSW
Who am I?
What is my purpose in life?
How can I find true happiness?
Do you find yourself asking these questions? We all do. I’ve found that the answers come from a deeper level than the every day, a level I call spiritual. To me, spiritual unfoldment means recognizing and expressing this level of connection with the divine nature in each of us.
Spiritual unfoldment requires attention to all of our selves – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Many tools assist us with this journey. I’ve found the following particularly useful:
Dreaming
Dreams are an incredibly rich resource for transformation. They’ve been used since ancient times. Awareness of dreams can help with every aspect of our lives, even health, career and relationships. When I pose a question before I go to sleep, I often receive an answer in my dreams. I record my dreams into a tape recorder when I wake during the night and then transcribe them into my journal the next day. Anyone can do this. If you are not remembering your dreams, there are simple things you can do that will help. It’s important to simply have the desire and make the request to remember. Through practice, you can even learn your individual dream symbols and make use of the wealth of information your dreams contain.
Journaling
Benefits of journaling are significant. They have been documented through medical research. For me, I know when I express my negative feelings through writing, I often feel better. I can also ask questions in my journal. I may start by writing, “How can I find happiness?” and simply list whatever comes to mind. Insights I receive almost always bring some direction and guidance. I also use a gratitude journal every day. It can assist us by helping us focus on what we have rather than what we don’t have. It helps create more of what we desire and opens our hearts. Most mornings I list five things I am grateful for, from the previous day, as simple as: a cozy home, two great cats, delicious leftovers, sounds of birds, indoor plumbing, and work I love. Try this – it’s easy and you’ll see the benefits very quickly.
Praying or Asking for Guidance
We all have times when we are at our best and other times when we aren’t. To me, prayer is a spiritual tool that helps me connect with something greater than myself. Prayer also connects us with “the best” within us. I pray about anything I am having trouble with. Examples of prayer include: “Please help me to let go of this fear that I know is getting in my way.” Or “Please help me to learn greater patience and be less judgmental.” Or “Please help me to understand the purpose of this difficult relationship in my life.” When we ask with a sincere heart, not trying to control the outcome, assistance comes.
Singing HU
Research has shown the healing power of sound. For centuries, religions have used songs and chants to evoke the Divine. HU (pronounced hue) is an ancient name for God and a love song to God. It can be sung by people of all backgrounds to connect them to their best. Sing it silently or out loud, alone or with others. It can be beneficial in any situation. I use it when I’m feeling stressed in rush hour traffic or when my heart is heavy with grief. I like to sing it in the morning to set the tone for my day. It helps me to access a higher viewpoint. Try it and see what it can do for you.
Serving
Have you ever noticed that when you are completely immersed in helping someone else, you often forget about your own worries, at least for awhile? Or you give of yourself to another only to find that you are the recipient of unexpected and amazing gifts? Coming to the aid of someone else opens our hearts, helps us learn more about ourselves. Being of service to someone else is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves as well as to others.
Coaching
Coaching can be an incredibly powerful tool for transforming lives. I am privileged to see it daily. When we partner with someone whose sole purpose is to assist us in allowing our true self to shine forth, amazing things happen! We have the opportunity to be the best we can be. Then we have the freedom to create true happiness from within.
Life is an amazing adventure. Tools to assist us on our spiritual journeys are there for the taking.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I love assisting others in their transformational process. It is one of the many things for which I am grateful!
