Post by Mysti on Sept 27, 2007 6:14:32 GMT -5
4. WORDS OF POWER AND ASTRAL IMAGES
THE ASTRAL IMAGE
Your Path and Your Image
Let me talk first about your astral appearance or your inner planes image. What we are concerned here with is to establish and develop a firm image or three-dimensional picture of yourself that you will use and project as your astral body. It is my hunch, my best guess, that the astral image, when established and locked in will not only be the form you take for your excursions into astral, but will be your form or appearance in the astral plane at your departure from this world at death. It will be an enduring form or appearance you will carry into the astral. So you do want to think carefully about what you may want as a spiritual image. If you create and use a specific spiritual or astral image, it will gradually grow in strength, becoming something that you will carry with you constantly as if you are wearing a sort of invisible suit.
For those of us not concerned to establish an image for our astral bodies, the appearance we carry into the astral is usually pretty much what we look like now or perhaps looked like just a few years ago. And, even after death, we'll appear very much as we appeared in the physical. You don't need to pick a image. In this latter case, the image you carry into the astral will be simply you as you are, very probably as you looked a few years before death. Among the spiritual guides you may come into contact with are the ancient wise men from the American Indian tribes. These teachers most often elect to simply appear much as they did towards the ends of their lives, simply as wise and venerable old men. They are frequently seen in spiritual visions as sitting together around a council fire. However, many on the Path of Light will want, even require, a spiritual image that reflects their own special spiritual path.
If your path is that of a Celtic Shaman, you might want to establish the astral image of a wizard like Merlin. You might find the image of an angel or of a witch like Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, or of a princess to be more appropriate to your true inner self than is your ordinary everyday "street" appearance. You might be drawn to appear as a prophet or a wise man or as an Indian Medicine Person. If your life purpose is to be a healer or a spiritual counselor, a spiritual reader or a teacher, you may not be drawn to any magical image. Or, you may wish to appear in a simple white robe or toga.
Almost all who are drawn to the warrior path will find that they do want and will need some form of astral warrior image. This image will include the weapons that the individual has picked to carry. If you are on the American Indian warrior path, you might carry a tomahawk or a bow and arrow or even a spear. However, American Indian warriors do generally pick an animal as their astral image. And, then in astral excursions they may appear in the form of that totem animal. There's nothing wrong with that as I see it. Do you feel that you were a soldier or knight in a previous life? Are you still called to that path? As astral combat usually involves the attempt by the opponent to impose his mental projections on you, it is well to have a very strong image of your own astral body, an image that cannot be distorted or altered by your opponents.
So you do get to play "dress up" if that feels right to you. But the image you pick should be in close harmony with your own special spiritual path and should reflect the dharma or spiritual call of your own inner being. Again, you are seeking to fulfill your destiny, to embrace your dharma, with deliberate, conscious effort. You are accelerating your spiritual progress and taking matters into your own hands. You are in fact saying "I'm not waiting for karma to push me along, I'm reaching to my dharma, my spiritual destiny and I can't be bothered with karma any more." But, it is not necessary to select a magical image. It is merely a suggestion, but something very useful for those who expect to do much astral travel.
This is my own thinking and I could be dead wrong on this. But, it seems to me that when we pass away to "the other side" we are not in physical bodies anymore and, therefore, do not have physical eyes and ears, etc. So, we no longer have the stability that a physical body gives us. The new world is mental and we need to carry an image of ourselves firmly implanted into our minds. Most who have died do carry an image of themselves, usually as they were a few years before death. But, perhaps, you might wish to carry an image that is significantly more dynamic than the one your present body presents. So, maybe, you might think about how you'll like to look in the afterlife.
The Purpose of Astral Images
There are many who feel that an inner planes or astral image is unnecessary. For others, the development of an astral image is essential. The better psychics will tell you that, in the astral and higher planes, the basic appearance of a human being or of an angelic being is an oval or egg-shaped body of light or energy field. That is, having no physical body, a being is simply an encapsulated field of consciousness or a "mental" energy field.
While physical age and physical impairments are not factors on the inner planes, those who have passed over do not appear to us as egg-shaped energy fields, but rather, for our convenience, appear-or project themselves-most often as they remember themselves in their physical life and as we remember them: Grandfather still comes to us with his cane, Uncle Jeff appears with his crippled arm, and Aunt Emily is still obese. My spiritual teacher in the astral still appears to me as she did in her physical life-as a kindly grandmother-like lady in a rocking chair. Grandfather has no use for a cane; Jeff no longer has a crippled arm (or any arms as far as that goes); and physical rocking chairs do not exist in the higher planes. These astral images are for our convenience and for our easy recognition of who is contacting us.
Many of us would like to see which angel or kind of angel we might encounter. The appearance that an angel projects usually reflects the meaning of the name of the angel. The Angel of the Christ Light appears looking much as paintings of Jesus represent Jesus during his teaching years, but with huge wings that will seem cover a good third of a good sized room when unfurled. Healing and nurturing angels often appear with a kindly maternal appearance. Those who have seen the Virgin Mary would not have recognized her, had she appeared as an oval energy field.
Saint Michael, the Archangel, as the commander of the Heavenly Army, often appears as a mighty winged figure clad in armour carrying an impressive sword; at other times as a mighty winged figure in a white robe or toga carrying a golden cup or goblet. The name "Michael" can be translated from the Hebrew as either: "The Likeness or Image of God" or as "The Benevolence of God." The Archangel Ariel often appears as a young man carrying a flaming torch of gold, at other times with lion-like features. The name "Ariel" can be translated as either "The Fire (or Light) of God" or as "The Lion of God."
Interestingly enough, entities from the dark side often project their appearances or identities as if they were some entity from the Light. However, these projections universally seem to incorporate some distortions or malformations. Sister Teresa of Avila was troubled by a demonic entity who appeared as Jesus, but with a club foot. I've seen an entity from the dark side who appeared to me as a young man, but with a patch over a missing eye.
NAMES OF POWER
Selecting Power Names
We will definitely need to discover our own personal words, our personal names or phrases of power. If you are Islamic, at least one of the hundred names of Allah should work well. If Christian, certainly "the Lord Christ Jesus" or "the Light of the Christ" will be a most effective power name. If you are Catholic, perhaps "the Blessed Virgin Mary" will work as well for your power name phrase. Those on the American Indian path will find that the Name of the Great Spirit said in their own tribal language or dialect will be a most powerful Word of Power. Any of the ten Hebrew names and titles of God found in the Torah, that is, in the first five books of the Old Testament, may be used by Jews and by Christians as well. For those of Jewish background even "Ha-Shem" (which translates as "The Name," referring to the sacred, not to be spoken, Name of God) can be a powerful word of power. For the atheist, a phrase like "Bountiful Universe" or "Ultimate Source" or "My Own Inner Being" may work quite well.
So that you can understand the need to discover your own particular names or phrases of power, let me jump ahead to show how these Names of Power will be used. In future lessons, I will be teaching you a large number of spiritual affirmations. Each of these affirmations will utilize those Names or Words of Power which work for you, which are compatible with your own chosen soul path or your Path of Light. These spiritual affirmations are, in general, to be said standing erect and aloud, rather forcefully (like any Army Drill Instructor would speak out). The universe is releasing to you the right to take command of your spiritual growth. And, now it is up to you to take command and to issue your commands.
The Spiritual Wall of Fire
A strong affirmation called "The Spiritual Wall of Fire" looks like this in its generic form:
In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of [the Power Name you select], I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround me and my loved ones and to protect us from all harm whatsoever. And I thank [the source of your Power Name or the Power Name itself] that whatsoever I ask [in or using the Power Name] is granted, AMEN.
In the Christian context it can take this form:
In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of our Lord Christ Jesus, I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround me and my loved ones and to protect us from all harm whatsoever. And I thank the Father that whatsoever I ask in His Son's Name is granted, AMEN.
When you say this affirmation aloud and dynamically, much like an Army Drill Instructor, and if indeed "our Lord Christ Jesus" is your power name, you will feel a tingling sensation, a very strong tingling sensation or perhaps a very dynamic shivering feeling. Some will feel it throughout their bodies; I feel it up and down my spine. This is really a signal that your little one inside is saying "Wow, now that is power!" If you don't feel a strong tingling then that's not your power name or phrase.
For those psychically gifted, you may see this wall of spiritual fire circling whatever you are protecting. It may appear as a solid ring of dancing pure white or bluish-white flames ranging from about four to six feet in height. You will probably also see flickers or flashes of the various rainbow hues here and there, moment by moment, within the flames.
Picking Power Names
If you are on the American Indian path, you will want utilize your tribal Indian name of the Great Spirit for your power name. The Lakota could use "Wakan Tanka"; the Cheyenne would undoubtedly find "Ma'heo'o" very effective. If you are Jewish, any of the ten names and titles of God in Torah will surely work; try them all out and pick the ones that give you the most tingle. You might even find that "Ha-Shem" by itself will work quite well. If you are an atheist, you might try 'The Glorious Future of Mankind," "My Own True Being," or "My Own Human Destiny," or any similar phrase that appeals to you. Sufis can draw from any of the one hundred sacred names of Allah. If you are a Druid, then use a power name drawn from Druid lore-you might try "Hesus," the name of the promised teacher to come, described in Druid legends. If you are of the old religions, try the names of your god or goddess. If your path is Buddhist, certainly some of the titles for Buddha will work well as your power names. Use what works for you.
An American Indian Example
For example, if your path is that of the Cherokee, try this formulation of the same affirmation:
In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of "Uneque," I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround me and my loved ones and to protect us from all harm whatsoever. And I thank the Grandfather that whatsoever I ask in His Name is granted. AMEN.
The Cherokee might equally as well use: "E Do Da". If you are of another American Indian path, be sure to substitute the actual Indian name of the Great Spirit as it is pronounced in your own tribal language or dialect. You may actually, if you desire, translate the whole affirmation into your Native American language.
USING AFFIRMATIONS
Construction of Affirmations
Note carefully that these affirmations that I am and will be giving you are invariably composed of three parts:
First: You invoke or call the Power. We will use the phrase "In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of [your Power Name]."
Second: You state what is to be done. In this case, you call for the protection given by the Spiritual Fire: "I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround me and my loved ones and to protect us from all harm whatsoever."
Third: You give thanks to that Power for being there for you. "And I thank [the Power Name Source] that whatsoever I ask [using that Power Name] is granted, AMEN."
The Universal Source is giving you a great gift, the ability to use the spiritual white fire. You now have taken on the authority to use it and the responsibility to use it wisely. And, you should, you must always, express your gratitude for being given this tremendous gift.
An Affirmation for Travel
This particular affirmation may be used to protect you, your pets, your family, your friends, etc., while traveling in an automobile or airplane, or sent to anyone or anything you feel needs protection. This protection usually lasts or has a staying power of from four to six hours, after which it must be renewed. To protect you when you are driving, you should say this affirmation when you sit down in the automobile:
In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of the Lord Christ Jesus [or your own personal Name of Power], I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround this automobile [or this airplane, bus, train, ship, etc.] and all of its occupants and contents and to protect us from all harm whatsoever. And I thank the Father [or the source of your Power Name] that whatsoever I ask in His Son's Name [or your Power Name] is granted. AMEN.
Just remember to say this affirmation out loud, forcefully, like a drill sergeant. Later after you have used this affirmation aloud many times, you may be able to use it silently, but effectively. But, say it aloud whenever you can, as this reinforces the strength of the affirmation. The test is the tingle. Do you feel it as strongly when you say the affirmation silently?
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
1. Develop your astral image. This first part of your homework assignment is to find out whether you do have a desire or a need to develop your own astral and spiritual image. What do you feel you really are or should be inwardly? What is your unique spiritual path? What should you really look like? Try to dress your image. What sort of clothes does your image wear? Does your spiritual self have wings? What weapons, tools or symbols does your image carry? Will a spiritual image enhance your feeling of being on your spiritual path? Is this an image that your inner child seems to respond to? Enter the image description into your Spiritual Journal.
2. Discover your Names of Power. The second part of your homework assignment is for you to discover your Name or Names of Power-to find out which Names of Power work for you. Just one caution: I want you to test the affirmations given above and see if they work for you with what you feel your Names of Power to be. You will probably find that you have a selection of possible power names, so try them all out. Pick the one or ones that are most powerful-the one or ones that produce the most tingle. Don't take my word that what I say will work for you or that it is the way you should do it. Always, test these things and find out what really works for you. Remember that an effective Power Name will, in almost every case, produce a strong tingling sensation as you intone that Power Name aloud. Write down your Power Names in your Spiritual Journal.
3. Visualization. Be sure to continue the visualization exercise. If you are able to find a picture of the spiritual image that feels right to you for your own self image, you might change to using that image in your visualization practice.
Extra Credit: I challenge you to use the "The Travel Affirmation" whenever you get into your car to drive somewhere. Call for the Wall of Spiritual White Fire to surround your automobile. Then, watch how the other traffic on the highway behaves. I think you'll be surprised.
THE ASTRAL IMAGE
Your Path and Your Image
Let me talk first about your astral appearance or your inner planes image. What we are concerned here with is to establish and develop a firm image or three-dimensional picture of yourself that you will use and project as your astral body. It is my hunch, my best guess, that the astral image, when established and locked in will not only be the form you take for your excursions into astral, but will be your form or appearance in the astral plane at your departure from this world at death. It will be an enduring form or appearance you will carry into the astral. So you do want to think carefully about what you may want as a spiritual image. If you create and use a specific spiritual or astral image, it will gradually grow in strength, becoming something that you will carry with you constantly as if you are wearing a sort of invisible suit.
For those of us not concerned to establish an image for our astral bodies, the appearance we carry into the astral is usually pretty much what we look like now or perhaps looked like just a few years ago. And, even after death, we'll appear very much as we appeared in the physical. You don't need to pick a image. In this latter case, the image you carry into the astral will be simply you as you are, very probably as you looked a few years before death. Among the spiritual guides you may come into contact with are the ancient wise men from the American Indian tribes. These teachers most often elect to simply appear much as they did towards the ends of their lives, simply as wise and venerable old men. They are frequently seen in spiritual visions as sitting together around a council fire. However, many on the Path of Light will want, even require, a spiritual image that reflects their own special spiritual path.
If your path is that of a Celtic Shaman, you might want to establish the astral image of a wizard like Merlin. You might find the image of an angel or of a witch like Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, or of a princess to be more appropriate to your true inner self than is your ordinary everyday "street" appearance. You might be drawn to appear as a prophet or a wise man or as an Indian Medicine Person. If your life purpose is to be a healer or a spiritual counselor, a spiritual reader or a teacher, you may not be drawn to any magical image. Or, you may wish to appear in a simple white robe or toga.
Almost all who are drawn to the warrior path will find that they do want and will need some form of astral warrior image. This image will include the weapons that the individual has picked to carry. If you are on the American Indian warrior path, you might carry a tomahawk or a bow and arrow or even a spear. However, American Indian warriors do generally pick an animal as their astral image. And, then in astral excursions they may appear in the form of that totem animal. There's nothing wrong with that as I see it. Do you feel that you were a soldier or knight in a previous life? Are you still called to that path? As astral combat usually involves the attempt by the opponent to impose his mental projections on you, it is well to have a very strong image of your own astral body, an image that cannot be distorted or altered by your opponents.
So you do get to play "dress up" if that feels right to you. But the image you pick should be in close harmony with your own special spiritual path and should reflect the dharma or spiritual call of your own inner being. Again, you are seeking to fulfill your destiny, to embrace your dharma, with deliberate, conscious effort. You are accelerating your spiritual progress and taking matters into your own hands. You are in fact saying "I'm not waiting for karma to push me along, I'm reaching to my dharma, my spiritual destiny and I can't be bothered with karma any more." But, it is not necessary to select a magical image. It is merely a suggestion, but something very useful for those who expect to do much astral travel.
This is my own thinking and I could be dead wrong on this. But, it seems to me that when we pass away to "the other side" we are not in physical bodies anymore and, therefore, do not have physical eyes and ears, etc. So, we no longer have the stability that a physical body gives us. The new world is mental and we need to carry an image of ourselves firmly implanted into our minds. Most who have died do carry an image of themselves, usually as they were a few years before death. But, perhaps, you might wish to carry an image that is significantly more dynamic than the one your present body presents. So, maybe, you might think about how you'll like to look in the afterlife.
The Purpose of Astral Images
There are many who feel that an inner planes or astral image is unnecessary. For others, the development of an astral image is essential. The better psychics will tell you that, in the astral and higher planes, the basic appearance of a human being or of an angelic being is an oval or egg-shaped body of light or energy field. That is, having no physical body, a being is simply an encapsulated field of consciousness or a "mental" energy field.
While physical age and physical impairments are not factors on the inner planes, those who have passed over do not appear to us as egg-shaped energy fields, but rather, for our convenience, appear-or project themselves-most often as they remember themselves in their physical life and as we remember them: Grandfather still comes to us with his cane, Uncle Jeff appears with his crippled arm, and Aunt Emily is still obese. My spiritual teacher in the astral still appears to me as she did in her physical life-as a kindly grandmother-like lady in a rocking chair. Grandfather has no use for a cane; Jeff no longer has a crippled arm (or any arms as far as that goes); and physical rocking chairs do not exist in the higher planes. These astral images are for our convenience and for our easy recognition of who is contacting us.
Many of us would like to see which angel or kind of angel we might encounter. The appearance that an angel projects usually reflects the meaning of the name of the angel. The Angel of the Christ Light appears looking much as paintings of Jesus represent Jesus during his teaching years, but with huge wings that will seem cover a good third of a good sized room when unfurled. Healing and nurturing angels often appear with a kindly maternal appearance. Those who have seen the Virgin Mary would not have recognized her, had she appeared as an oval energy field.
Saint Michael, the Archangel, as the commander of the Heavenly Army, often appears as a mighty winged figure clad in armour carrying an impressive sword; at other times as a mighty winged figure in a white robe or toga carrying a golden cup or goblet. The name "Michael" can be translated from the Hebrew as either: "The Likeness or Image of God" or as "The Benevolence of God." The Archangel Ariel often appears as a young man carrying a flaming torch of gold, at other times with lion-like features. The name "Ariel" can be translated as either "The Fire (or Light) of God" or as "The Lion of God."
Interestingly enough, entities from the dark side often project their appearances or identities as if they were some entity from the Light. However, these projections universally seem to incorporate some distortions or malformations. Sister Teresa of Avila was troubled by a demonic entity who appeared as Jesus, but with a club foot. I've seen an entity from the dark side who appeared to me as a young man, but with a patch over a missing eye.
NAMES OF POWER
Selecting Power Names
We will definitely need to discover our own personal words, our personal names or phrases of power. If you are Islamic, at least one of the hundred names of Allah should work well. If Christian, certainly "the Lord Christ Jesus" or "the Light of the Christ" will be a most effective power name. If you are Catholic, perhaps "the Blessed Virgin Mary" will work as well for your power name phrase. Those on the American Indian path will find that the Name of the Great Spirit said in their own tribal language or dialect will be a most powerful Word of Power. Any of the ten Hebrew names and titles of God found in the Torah, that is, in the first five books of the Old Testament, may be used by Jews and by Christians as well. For those of Jewish background even "Ha-Shem" (which translates as "The Name," referring to the sacred, not to be spoken, Name of God) can be a powerful word of power. For the atheist, a phrase like "Bountiful Universe" or "Ultimate Source" or "My Own Inner Being" may work quite well.
So that you can understand the need to discover your own particular names or phrases of power, let me jump ahead to show how these Names of Power will be used. In future lessons, I will be teaching you a large number of spiritual affirmations. Each of these affirmations will utilize those Names or Words of Power which work for you, which are compatible with your own chosen soul path or your Path of Light. These spiritual affirmations are, in general, to be said standing erect and aloud, rather forcefully (like any Army Drill Instructor would speak out). The universe is releasing to you the right to take command of your spiritual growth. And, now it is up to you to take command and to issue your commands.
The Spiritual Wall of Fire
A strong affirmation called "The Spiritual Wall of Fire" looks like this in its generic form:
In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of [the Power Name you select], I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround me and my loved ones and to protect us from all harm whatsoever. And I thank [the source of your Power Name or the Power Name itself] that whatsoever I ask [in or using the Power Name] is granted, AMEN.
In the Christian context it can take this form:
In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of our Lord Christ Jesus, I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround me and my loved ones and to protect us from all harm whatsoever. And I thank the Father that whatsoever I ask in His Son's Name is granted, AMEN.
When you say this affirmation aloud and dynamically, much like an Army Drill Instructor, and if indeed "our Lord Christ Jesus" is your power name, you will feel a tingling sensation, a very strong tingling sensation or perhaps a very dynamic shivering feeling. Some will feel it throughout their bodies; I feel it up and down my spine. This is really a signal that your little one inside is saying "Wow, now that is power!" If you don't feel a strong tingling then that's not your power name or phrase.
For those psychically gifted, you may see this wall of spiritual fire circling whatever you are protecting. It may appear as a solid ring of dancing pure white or bluish-white flames ranging from about four to six feet in height. You will probably also see flickers or flashes of the various rainbow hues here and there, moment by moment, within the flames.
Picking Power Names
If you are on the American Indian path, you will want utilize your tribal Indian name of the Great Spirit for your power name. The Lakota could use "Wakan Tanka"; the Cheyenne would undoubtedly find "Ma'heo'o" very effective. If you are Jewish, any of the ten names and titles of God in Torah will surely work; try them all out and pick the ones that give you the most tingle. You might even find that "Ha-Shem" by itself will work quite well. If you are an atheist, you might try 'The Glorious Future of Mankind," "My Own True Being," or "My Own Human Destiny," or any similar phrase that appeals to you. Sufis can draw from any of the one hundred sacred names of Allah. If you are a Druid, then use a power name drawn from Druid lore-you might try "Hesus," the name of the promised teacher to come, described in Druid legends. If you are of the old religions, try the names of your god or goddess. If your path is Buddhist, certainly some of the titles for Buddha will work well as your power names. Use what works for you.
An American Indian Example
For example, if your path is that of the Cherokee, try this formulation of the same affirmation:
In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of "Uneque," I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround me and my loved ones and to protect us from all harm whatsoever. And I thank the Grandfather that whatsoever I ask in His Name is granted. AMEN.
The Cherokee might equally as well use: "E Do Da". If you are of another American Indian path, be sure to substitute the actual Indian name of the Great Spirit as it is pronounced in your own tribal language or dialect. You may actually, if you desire, translate the whole affirmation into your Native American language.
USING AFFIRMATIONS
Construction of Affirmations
Note carefully that these affirmations that I am and will be giving you are invariably composed of three parts:
First: You invoke or call the Power. We will use the phrase "In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of [your Power Name]."
Second: You state what is to be done. In this case, you call for the protection given by the Spiritual Fire: "I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround me and my loved ones and to protect us from all harm whatsoever."
Third: You give thanks to that Power for being there for you. "And I thank [the Power Name Source] that whatsoever I ask [using that Power Name] is granted, AMEN."
The Universal Source is giving you a great gift, the ability to use the spiritual white fire. You now have taken on the authority to use it and the responsibility to use it wisely. And, you should, you must always, express your gratitude for being given this tremendous gift.
An Affirmation for Travel
This particular affirmation may be used to protect you, your pets, your family, your friends, etc., while traveling in an automobile or airplane, or sent to anyone or anything you feel needs protection. This protection usually lasts or has a staying power of from four to six hours, after which it must be renewed. To protect you when you are driving, you should say this affirmation when you sit down in the automobile:
In the NAME, through the POWER and by the WORD of the Lord Christ Jesus [or your own personal Name of Power], I call forth a Wall of Living White Spiritual Fire to surround this automobile [or this airplane, bus, train, ship, etc.] and all of its occupants and contents and to protect us from all harm whatsoever. And I thank the Father [or the source of your Power Name] that whatsoever I ask in His Son's Name [or your Power Name] is granted. AMEN.
Just remember to say this affirmation out loud, forcefully, like a drill sergeant. Later after you have used this affirmation aloud many times, you may be able to use it silently, but effectively. But, say it aloud whenever you can, as this reinforces the strength of the affirmation. The test is the tingle. Do you feel it as strongly when you say the affirmation silently?
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
1. Develop your astral image. This first part of your homework assignment is to find out whether you do have a desire or a need to develop your own astral and spiritual image. What do you feel you really are or should be inwardly? What is your unique spiritual path? What should you really look like? Try to dress your image. What sort of clothes does your image wear? Does your spiritual self have wings? What weapons, tools or symbols does your image carry? Will a spiritual image enhance your feeling of being on your spiritual path? Is this an image that your inner child seems to respond to? Enter the image description into your Spiritual Journal.
2. Discover your Names of Power. The second part of your homework assignment is for you to discover your Name or Names of Power-to find out which Names of Power work for you. Just one caution: I want you to test the affirmations given above and see if they work for you with what you feel your Names of Power to be. You will probably find that you have a selection of possible power names, so try them all out. Pick the one or ones that are most powerful-the one or ones that produce the most tingle. Don't take my word that what I say will work for you or that it is the way you should do it. Always, test these things and find out what really works for you. Remember that an effective Power Name will, in almost every case, produce a strong tingling sensation as you intone that Power Name aloud. Write down your Power Names in your Spiritual Journal.
3. Visualization. Be sure to continue the visualization exercise. If you are able to find a picture of the spiritual image that feels right to you for your own self image, you might change to using that image in your visualization practice.
Extra Credit: I challenge you to use the "The Travel Affirmation" whenever you get into your car to drive somewhere. Call for the Wall of Spiritual White Fire to surround your automobile. Then, watch how the other traffic on the highway behaves. I think you'll be surprised.