ONE WORD

I have a lot of daily practices.  This one is one of my favorites.  It is simple - but be not deceived; if done for an extended period of time, this exercise

• Strengthens your inner listening skills
• Connects you deeply to your most authentic self
• Brings you wisdom uniquely catered to your personal needs
• Hones your intuitive skills
• Brings you into communion with whatever you hold most sacred (God, Jesus, Allah, Goddess, Nature, Higher Self, Truth, Love, Unity, the tangible mundane world, wildness, freedom, safety, growth, integrity, Clear Mind, Buddha Nature, science of brain synapses and adrenaline and cortisol antidotes, and/or whatever else. . . )
• Enhances trust in your inner guidance
• And in doing all these, prepares you for times ahead, when you may lean more heavily on your inner dialogue for peace, presence and a sense of well-being.

But what the heck is it?

I call it ONE WORD.

It is the simple practice of asking for ONE WORD of guidance - a new one each day, intimately and intricately sourced from the deepest, highest, wisest part of YOU.  Whether you call it The Divine, nature, knowledge or chance, the word that comes to you comes THROUGH you, and will carry the essence of you with it.

Here is one way to do this exercise:
Only proceed if you are committed to following through for at least 3-7 days

1. Find a quiet place (first thing when you wake in bed - before anyone knows you are awake - is a perfectly good time and place)
2. Take 7 breaths. Each will be SLOW, deep, and very full breaths - slowly in and slowly release.  It can be that simple, or you can add one statement with each breath out:  "I am letting go of worry. I am letting go of pain. I am letting go of shame, I am letting go of doubt, I am letting go of burdens, I am letting go of judgements, I am letting go of  ----------" even when the mind is clingy, the body WANTS to let go of these things - see if you can feel it happening. . .)
3. Think to yourself - and allow to happen - the following:  "I relax my scalp and ears. I relax my eyes and jaw. I relax my neck - front and back. I relax my shoulders and arms. I relax my upper back and chest. I relax my mid and lower back and also my belly and all within it. I relax my hips and groin and legs. I relax my feet and hands"
4. Breathe in and out naturally, while focusing on your mid-chest or heart area, as you call to "Source" (or God or Mother Nature or Highest Self or any other thing of wisdom you wish to call on), and then say with intention something like this:  I CALL ON YOU NOW AND ASK FOR TODAY'S ONE WORD; the one word that is the most right and helpful word I could have to guide me through this day. 
5. Be still and trust the word that comes.  This is key: TRUST what comes, even if it seems weird. (A friend jokingly asked me "what if the word is constipation?"  My reply was that I would trust it - I would then look at all the ways I could apply it in my life, both inner and outer - do I need to eat differently for my gut? Is there some way perhaps I am emotionally stuck? Am I held back mentally by some thought pattern?  Is the word applicable to a relationship or my work?  Trust your super-conscious and subconscious self - or whatever being of wisdom you connect with - to know what word you need.
6. Carry this word with you through out the day - remember it, say it, relate it or apply it to your troubles or your joys.

And that is it.  No more, no less.  I have found this practice at times to be more profound than many.
After your 3-7 days of doing the practice, notice how you are relating to your intuitive hits, how much peace or aliveness or creativity or sleep you are getting. . . Let me know how it goes - I will be curious to hear.

If you'd like to listen to me talk you through the exercise,  I will soon have a video link for you right
HERE! (be patient, I am working on it!)

Much Love to you All.
Heartfully,
Rev. Maya