I have connected with my spirit guides - here are my experiences....
In one of Doreen Virtue's books she describes how to connect to your angels (sorry I am not sure which one). She says you can get a guardian angel's name, even. I tried her suggestions and I got a name! I have two strong angels around me. I don't know if Erin will sense these during my reading so I don't want to say their names now. After getting the name of my guardian angel I asked for a sign. I had been reading the book at Barnes & Noble late at night and my contacts were bothering my eyes. They were red, itchy and cloudy. I went to put the book back (after asking for a sign) and there right in front of the New Age section was a bottle of Visine. If you believe in coincidences, then no big deal. I saw it as my sign. BTW, I did not use it, I was tempted to.
I just smiled and put it on the shelf.
I connected with my animal guides while listening to a shamanic drumming CD. This CD/Book combo (I think it was
Shamanic Journeying: A Beginner's Guide by Sandra Ingerman) teaches you how to find your animal guides. So I know those, too. Since then I have a new one.
I got the answers to both the first time I asked. I don't know why - if it was an open mind or the music (in the case of the animal guides) or some other reason. I say just keep trying.
Oh, and has anyone heard that you are not supposed to share your animal guides with anyone or they lose power? I heard this from someone who is very involved in shamanism but I wonder if it is true? It seems like the belief in power loss would cause it.