A lot of information has been written on the science and practice of meditation. In teaching meditation over the years, it's been my experience that many people don't really understand what they're supposed to be accomplishing through meditation. Many people also become easily frustrated with the process, which causes them to give up. I don't want you to be one of those people, so let's try to demystify the meditative process enough so that you can reap its many rewards.

There are many reasons to meditate. In our society today, with all the noise, speed, and stress, there is a need for quiet, peace, and relaxation. Remember that the Universe is all about balance. You can't have light without dark, male without female, positive without negative. The same is true of activity, whether it be in your mind or in your body. To balance activity, there must also be stillness. This is where meditation comes in.

The primary purpose of meditation is deep relaxation. From this relaxation we can achieve stress relief, inner calm, and a sense of profound peace. This peace can lead us into releasing anger, grief, fear, or other negative emotions that hold us back spiritually. As we progress in our meditations, we may find solutions to problems, more creativity in our lives and work, access to physical and emotional healing, and the ability to contact higher powers. All of these wonderful scenarios can be ours if we master this skill called meditation.

Regular meditation practice is an essential part of mediumship development. I suggest to my students that they try to meditate once a day. To be successful, you need to be diligent about this. Remember, you're making a commitment here to your own spiritual growth and enlightenment. Meditating for ten or fifteen minutes a day is not asking a lot, even though time is usually precious to most of us. We are all busy. (I live in the real world, too, you know.) I guarantee, however, that if you give yourself this quiet time to center and balance in meditation, these fifteen minutes will make the other sixteen waking hours of your day more peaceful, more productive, and more balanced in every way...

Chakra-Cleansing Meditation
(Every day for one full week—ten to fifteen minutes)
Begin by sitting comfortably in your chair, closing your eyes, and starting to breathe deeply. Do your deep breathing for several cycles, feeling your body relaxing with each breath. With each exhalation, more tension and stress leave your body, and with each inhalation, positive energy and relaxation enter your body.

Now bring your attention to the base of your spine in your body, and see there the circular orb of energy that is the root chakra. It is red in color. Look at the chakra closely and notice any dark areas, any patches of negativity that you see. As you watch, allow these dark patches to clear away; let the negative energy drain out of the root chakra, leaving only a beautiful, vibrant ruby red color. When all of the darkness has been cleared from the chakra, watch as it begins to spin, slowly at first, then to a nice, steady rhythm. As it spins, the chakra begins to open, unfurling its petals like a flower in the sun. It shines with its beautiful red light, and you know this chakra is clear and balanced.

Move your attention up your torso to the navel chakra, which is located directly under the navel. This energy center is orange in color. As you look, notice any dark areas of this chakra that need to be cleaned. Allow this dark energy to drain out of the chakra, leaving only bright, beautiful, vibrant orange. Watch as this chakra begins to open and spin, blossoming and shining with the prettiest orange color you've ever seen. You know that your navel chakra is balanced and clear.

Now allow your attention to travel up to your solar plexus chakra. It is located above the navel, in the center of your abdomen, and this energy center is yellow in color. Notice any dark patches in the yellow, and allow this dark energy to begin to drain out of the chakra. All of the negative energy trapped in the solar plexus chakra drains away, and the chakra begins to spin with a beautiful, vibrant yellow color as bright as daybreak. You know that your solar plexus chakra is clear and balanced.

Watch as your attention moves up to your heart chakra, located in the center of your chest. This energy center is green in color, but you notice any areas that seem marred by dark patches. Allow that negative energy to drain out of the heart chakra, until it brightens and pulsates its breathtaking kelly green color. The chakra begins to spin as you watch, and you know that your heart chakra is balanced and clear.

Now your attention moves to your throat chakra, in the middle of your neck. This energy center is blue in color. Notice any dark areas in this energy center, and allow those to begin to fade away. The chakra begins to spin, a bright blue beacon of light, and you know that your throat chakra is clear and balanced.

Next bring your attention to the center of your forehead, to the third eye chakra. As you watch, any dark, negative energy shading this chakra begins to drain away, and the chakra starts to spin, revealing its true, deep blue-purple color. The indigo of the chakra is strong and vibrant, and you know that your third eye chakra is clear and balanced.

Now move your attention up to the top of your head, in the center. Here you fill find the crown chakra, which is violet in color. As you watch, allow any dark energy to drain out of the crown chakra. The crown chakra begins to spin, casting its clear violet light as it unfurls on your head. You know that your crown chakra is balanced and clear.

Bring your attention back out so that you can observe your entire body. See all of the cleared chakras spinning and casting their colorful lights around them as you watch. Note the feelings you are having as you realize that all of your chakras, your energy centers, are cleared and balanced.

Now it is time to come back into your physical body. Take your time, and begin to feel the chair underneath you, the floor beneath your feet, your hands, and so on. When you feel as if you are truly back in your physical body, slowly open your eyes.

Excerpted from So You Want to be a Medium?, by Rose Vanden Eynden