Spirit Guides...

[TaoPath]

I’m not sure I believe in this aspect of spirituality, yet people talk about them a lot so I’ve got a few questions to those who do believe in them:

- How do you ‘meet’ yours?
- Is there a relationship between you and them (similar to the ones that we have in everyday life)?
- When people say they are being told something by a spirit guide, is not really just themselves saying it? How do you tell the difference?
- Can you have bad/naughty spirit guides?
- What are the benefits of having one compared to not having one?
- What's in it for them? Are they bored or something?
- What are some experiences people have had with theirs?

Thank you!

[Horizons]

I'm also interested in this and don't know much about it so I'm interested in hearing the response.

I'm interested to know what is the possibility is that they are a metaphorical symbol generated by the subconscious of the 'helpful guide' self?

[royster]

I'm sort of surprized no one has responded here, TaoPath.

I get this question all the time, and truth be known, my answer changes every five years. And I am of the idea that no two people have the same "kind" of guide spirits.

Very simplified, we can imagine a universe where the older and wiser that have gone before us return in a service position; those of us on the spiritual path do the same thing. We exchange our experiences in hopes of assisting a fellow sojourner. In the higher realms, service isn't required as much as it is necessary for the individual. It's contributing to the general health of the universes.

- How do you ‘meet’ yours?

Difficult to answer, because I'm an OOOOOOLD soul, and they've been with me for eons. My best advice is to invite them, and yes: be careful and discerning. I've always said that your guide spirits EXPECT you to be wary, cautious and nit-picky. Even after a good establishing of communication, we all watch out for the wolves.

- Is there a relationship between you and them (similar to the ones that we have in everyday life)?

I am starting to wonder how personally involved I am with my guides...if in fact they're my chakras, or I'm one of THEIR chakras, etc. Ponder all you want, the basics are still there: they see what you can't, and have experienced everything you have. You can't find better friends.

- When people say they are being told something by a spirit guide, is not really just themselves saying it? How do you tell the difference?

Inside our minds we have a definite frequency we recognise as our own thoughts. Spirit guides are define-ably seperate yet access the inside of our minds...their frequency is different. Sometimes we have almost the idea, and they nudge it to fruition. In this case, it IS us, with guidance. It has long been my speculation that a completed, healthy mind is at least five entities.

- Can you have bad/naughty spirit guides?

I think not. You have mischeivious ghosts, demons and the like, but guide spirits have to adhere to some pretty stringent rules. They are, after all, entrusted with our well-being, which affects their well-being.

- What are the benefits of having one compared to not having one?
Good navigation, avoiding pitfalls, they remind you of stuff...they are sort of like the missing part of your brain.

- What's in it for them? Are they bored or something?
I'm confident my guides are NEVER bored. Their pay-back is of little use for us to know; they're giving back what they, themselves, have been given.

- What are some experiences people have had with theirs?
Mine have been right-on-the-money countless times, an "inner radar" that has helped me not only steer clear of danger, but point out things i would have obliviously missed.

[Erin Pavlina]

I've written a lot about spirit guides on my blog.

Go here:
Erin Pavlina Articles

And do a search and find on "spirit guides" and there are several articles that will answer your questions and then some.

[royster]

Very comprehencive and well-worded, Erin.
Spirit Guides: Who are they and how do you connect with them?

[pianoperformer]

I definitely believe that we have spirit guides. I've met with and talked to mine before.

How you tell the difference is very difficult to explain. It's just kind of something you eventually learn to differentiate. Eventually, you will receive information from them that you couldn't have received otherwise, though. I think Erin has a post on how to tell the difference.

[TaoPath]

Thanks Royster and pianoperformer for letting me know your experiences

Thanks Erin for the articles...i'll look through them properly later

x

[Kab2012]

To me, spirit guides are an aspect of myself that I turn to for advice or guidance. They are not separate entities from myself that are outside of me, they are a higher part of my being. In essence they are me.

[insanezenmistress]

Originally Posted by royster

- Can you have bad/naughty spirit guides?

I think not. You have mischeivious ghosts, demons and the like, but guide spirits have to adhere to some pretty stringent rules. They are, after all, entrusted with our well-being, which affects their well-being.

- What are the benefits of having one compared to not having one?
Good navigation, avoiding pitfalls, they remind you of stuff...they are sort of like the missing part of your brain.

- What's in it for them? Are they bored or something?
I'm confident my guides are NEVER bored. Their pay-back is of little use for us to know; they're giving back what they, themselves, have been given.

I have a guide and been thru a few, but i am still having trouble since i read the Screwtape letters.

I enjoyed the statement about them being the missing part of my brain, and this seems true fro me also, except i might add that part of the brain that can hold you accountable in truth, like a mirror. But exactly like simple conscience but a sharp razor.

I wonder sometimes if we are meant to absorb the guide....which brings back the screwtape letters.......

*anyone got a zoloft*

[Mato Kinze]

Just read Erin's articles. They are quite comprehensive and though we may use different terms based on our particular traditions or experiences, what she describes is essentially the same thing I've encountered and continue to encounter.

[Nimue]

- How do you ‘meet’ yours?
Visually, you mean? I met my first after reading an article about totems. I soon chose to forget him as a part of my imagination, but he came back to help me at a time I had problems. After 3 years, he comes one day saying he had nothing more to teach me and introduced me to the next one. After 3 months only my new guide introduced me to the next, and so on. I met 4 animal guides that way.
Now I just need to ask them in order to meet them.

- Is there a relationship between you and them (similar to the ones that we have in everyday life)?
My first one, the "totem", used to be something between a psycologist and teacher, now he's a friend that pays a visit sometimes.
The two next are still teacher-like in their relationship with me. They have finished their actual teachings and mostly give me advice to think on instead of homework. The fourth barely communicates with my conscious self so I'm not sure...she's really sweet, though.

- When people say they are being told something by a spirit guide, is not really just themselves saying it? How do you tell the difference?
They act in ways I wouldn't. They would also sometimes give me signs. For example, my lion guide (my 3rd guide) once told me to pick a certain tarot card: it was the "courage" card, which shows a lion walking along with a lady. When I finished all "Basic Education" of my guides, they told me that my teacher would now be the World. Guess what showed the tarot card they showed me to pick: exactly. "The World".

Of course, I'm kinda intuitive, so there's a chance all that is a creation of my subconscious (I mean, talking animals guiding me? It's crazy) but since they help me I don't really bother to question their nature.

- Can you have bad/naughty spirit guides?
I think yes, bad entities can guide you down the wrong path. But you can usually tell the diffrence. There is a naughty entity I've known before my spirit guides, he hasn't guided me as they do but I've come to understand some important things because of him. (He's the probably the biggest psychic-showoff of them all, too...)

- What are the benefits of having one compared to not having one?
You get a helper that makes you realize things you wouldn't otherwise, and also maybe help you in unexpectable ways in times of need. And: reminds you of stuff. Awesomely helpful, a real life-saver sometimes. The naughty entity I mentioned is the best on that, when we were on better terms he even predicted what extra things I would need to get before going out.

- What's in it for them? Are they bored or something?
My first guide IS bored. If I weren't like "what? you're leaving? Nooooo, please don't leave meeeeee!" when he introduced me to my next guide he wouldn't consider coming back (maybe because I was such a whiner ) He said others need him and he's right. He drops by about once a month and we eventually became friends (after I dropped my whining ).
The 2nd likes to teach and prove his ideas right to me, the 3rd likes to teach but in a more relaxed and fun way. The 4rth is a cute, playful monkey that likes loving people and kind company.
The "naughty" one likes to surprise me, make me be in awe about him, and put me in troubles or cause me depression (that's why we're not in goot terms anymore)

- What are some experiences people have had with theirs?
Generally speaking? They helped me find myself, regain my self-confidence, beat depression, put goals in my life, find love, embrace my fears right before beating them, and grow as a person. In short, they helped me to get a life!
I remember when I met my second guide, a snake. I didn't even want to speak to him at the beginning (I mean, he is a snake!), but when I realized I really needed his help and accepted it suddenly my life got better. In these three months I got at a whole new level as a person.

[TaoPath]

Thanks Nimue for your detailed response.

And to all others: Its good to see different perspectives on this.

I think I once contacted mine after reading Creative Visualisation. I’m going to go meditating and visualising later in the week to see if he wants to hang out


x

[reiki717]

I do spirit guide readings for people: connect with them, get their names (sometimes) and get channeled messages for the person I'm doing readings for.



Spirit guides are always with you. In fact, they are so much a part of our lives (especially our primary guide) that they often feel like an extension of us. They are very eager to be in touch with you.

[TaoPath]

So just meditated for a bit, went to my sanctuary and found my path that leads me to my guide.

Last time I did this, a few months ago I met a tall guy named John. Didn’t say much that time and was quite blurry.

This time though, I saw an old Chinese man, got this name shoe or chu and asked where John was. And he said lets go, we veered off the path onto the grass and he told me to sit down. He sat down in front of me and said I need to do something. I wanted to say “what” but I was scarred/anxious so I just said “okay”. He quickly got up and scurried off saying I wasn’t ready. I jogged after him (he was fast) and he went up the path. I got a good feeling from him, he was definitely quirky in some respect.

I turned around thinking ‘what the’ and John was there. Much clearer than before, kind of middle aged but young looking. Strong character. I asked him who I saw and he said something. I thought ‘master’ but john said something else, can’t remember if he had said that or I did. Blurry
Anyway, John said I could ask him one question. So I thought of a few things and ended up with saying “Is the real”, he replied “Yes”

I asked if I could ask another one. He replied I got what I was after. He left down the other direction of the path saying I should meditate more.

So I did and I think I got my answer after a while: I have to have the experience of helping one person (that I don’t know) in the real world, like person to person. I get the sense it will lead to other things.

If I’m honest I’m still sceptical as it seemed was just thinking all of it and what they were saying (as if it was all in my head ) plus at times I was seeing it from a 3rd perspective. Thoughts about this? Is this my ego speaking?

I’ll keep meditating more nonetheless, and do what I was advised. maybe it's a test

x

[Erin Pavlina]

Not in your head. do what he says and see how you feel.

When you talk to or see guides it uses the same mechanism as your imagination. That's just the wave it rides. but the energy is different than something internal.

[angievb22]

I'm a spiritualist and have been going to a church for about 3 months now. i am taking a mediumship class with my church and i think it is a great way to put myself out there and get comfortable.

the pastor at my church keeps asking me why am i scared? i keep telling him, becuase i am not comfortable and idk. idk seems to be my answer to everything.

i need guidance with what i am opening myself to. i do meditations, but not at home. i feel as if my home should be my place of quietness where i am not bothered. specially my room.

if i open myself up fully to spirits, will i be given messages non stop to the point where i cant sleep??

[TaoPath]

Thanks Erin, much appreciated for your response. I'll do what I'm told

x

[Nimue]

Originally Posted by reiki717

Spirit guides are always with you. In fact, they are so much a part of our lives (especially our primary guide) that they often feel like an extension of us. They are very eager to be in touch with you.

Really? That explains why my "negative" guide clings on me like an obsessive bf (he's my only human guide too)

Do you think having talking animals as guides is normal? Or they are just hidden/suppressed personifications of ourselves? Or could they be humen in disguise? (The one guide who has really spoken as someone else is my first, the negative one. From the rest, I thought at least the 2/4 to be real, but in second thought I'm not sure. I've seen my subconscious doing several strange things the time I've been in the forums)

[Mato Kinze]

Originally Posted by Nimue

Do you think having talking animals as guides is normal? Or they are just hidden/suppressed personifications of ourselves? Or could they be humen in disguise? (The one guide who has really spoken as someone else is my first, the negative one. From the rest, I thought at least the 2/4 to be real, but in second thought I'm not sure. I've seen my subconscious doing several strange things the time I've been in the forums)

First of all, there is no such thing as a "negative" Guide. They are all here to teach us something. Thus the label "Guide". A Guide may cause us to feel some emotion that we would normally consider "negative" such as fear, anger, grief, etc. but that is merely a way to get us to examine the nature and source of that emotion. One would not call a Teacher "negative" because they gave you difficult assignments.

Also, I make a distinction between "Guides" and "Allies".

Guides are dedicated spirit helpers committed to aiding and teaching us as we go through this particular experience. They are with us from before we are "born" until after we "die". They never leave us, they never stop helping us, they never judge us, become frustrated or annoyed... they are the truest manifestation of unconditional love there is.

Allies, on the other hand, provide us with aid and assistance as THEY see fit. They are not committed to us as our Guides are. They may or may not provide us with aid and assistance, they hold no special connection to us other than the basic connection that all energetic beings have with one another. They come and go throughout our lives as they are called, needed or as they desire.

As for Animal forms, Indigenous Peoples throughout the world and throughout history have recognized their Guides and Allies in animal form. Our Guides take whatever form they feel they can best communicate their message to us with. People who live close to the Mother and recognize her cycles and the interconnectedness of Humans to the rest of Life around them, will more likely understand a message of careful planning and patience by seeing a spider spin and then wait in a web than a bar chart of a well executed 401K plan. Likewise, seeing a Bear will likely communicate "Dreaming" better to someone more familiar with Bears and their winter hibernation patterns than posturpedic mattresses would.

If you are encountering talking animals, you should think about what that animal itself represents to you. If you are dreaming of a talking fox, perhaps you need to be more cunning or less direct - depending on how you view the nature of "Fox".

But the biggest thing you can do for yourself is to stop second guessing and doubting your experiences.

Either these things are coming from an external source that is trying to help you, or they are coming from your own subconscious. Either way, you should listen and act accordingly - in my humble opinion, of course.

[Nimue]

Well, "demon" (as I call him) was with me since I were a kid. That guy did teach me things. He's the first that made me believe in supernatural, he planted the seeds of me believing in my own abilities too. But I were too good to survive in the real world, so I needed a tough guide. He played the role of the bad, deceiving guy, which taught me things, but also caused me several problems including depression and antisocial behavior. By facing him and his ways I became stronger, and it was a part of finding myself. It was rough, though. Right now we still talk, but I keep him in a corner cause he'll cause me needless problems if I take my eyes off him. I'd say he is bad in a good way-or good in a bad way. Not your average mary-sue angel, in any case.
Being the oh-so-good kid I were, I'd probably be screwed up if he was all-angelic instead of showing me the other side of life. Gotta give him credit about that

Maybe you are right. I can't be sure about the real form of anything that is in my brain. My guides did help me and keep doing it, so I follow what they say all right (Ok, not blindly-sometimes they test me so that I won't turn into a sheep!)

[Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi]

I have always had them. I don't know how to explain it. I can't rememeber not having them with me. When I was very young I talk to them out loud. The one with me the longest is female, I started calling her Angela when I was in kindergarten, but that was just a name I gave her. I have a lot of animal spirits, though, I don't know why. Almost all of my guides are animals. Other than Angela and the animal spirits (crow, otter, fox, bear), there is an ageless being that has appeared as either gender. I usually just sit with that one, and when I do I see myself as I was when I was 3 years old. Weird.

[Nimue]

So you also have a human guide and four animal ones? Interesting...

It sounds like your guides are lovely! (I like crows) Do you talk with them in general, or they teach you certain things?
My guides are a tad more cliché (really like them, though): a wolf, a snake, a lion, and a monkey. The snake and lion have their own names, which have told me themselves, and which later turned out to be relevant to what they were teaching me. I named Demon and the monkey myself too, though. Wolf doesn't seem to care for having a real name

Could the ageless spirit be your way to communicate with a higher existence? When I "graduated" from the basic teaching sessions of my guides they told me that my teacher would be now the World. In analogy, it sounds like your ageless spirit, in front of which you see yourself always as someone really young.

[Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi]

Originally Posted by Nimue

So you also have a human guide and four animal ones? Interesting...

It sounds like your guides are lovely! (I like crows) Do you talk with them in general, or they teach you certain things?
My guides are a tad more cliché (really like them, though): a wolf, a snake, a lion, and a monkey. The snake and lion have their own names, which have told me themselves, and which later turned out to be relevant to what they were teaching me. I named Demon and the monkey myself too, though. Wolf doesn't seem to care for having a real name

Could the ageless spirit be your way to communicate with a higher existence? When I "graduated" from the basic teaching sessions of my guides they told me that my teacher would be now the World. In analogy, it sounds like your ageless spirit, in front of which you see yourself always as someone really young.

Hey that is really interesting I never thought of that. I never ask the ageless spirit anything, and that entity doesn't come when it's "called" per se. Just that sometimes I go into the garden within to have a pow wow and that's the guide that shows up.

When I had my menarche, my first period, my Dad told me that psychics have a strong power surge during the crossing over of the threshold into adolescence. He went into the forest and gathered some herbs, and I had to fast for 3 days while burning the herbs in a little brazier. I had to go into nature and find 3 signs to "anchor me." One of the signs I found was a heartwood of an oak tree, another was three crow feathers that fell from the sky and pierced a leaf in front of me.

He told me to waft the smoke over my face and ask for a vision.

In my vision, among other things, I encountered a murder of crows roosting in a linden tree and two of them flew down onto my shoulders and slid their beaks into my ears!

The only spirit guide that I ever "talk to" is Angela. But even then at this point I rarely ask questions, when we talk it's just to mull over issues that my ego muddles. When I chill with her, though, everything becomes clear.

They were...not absent...but silent, and unwilling to interact with me, when I was addicted to any kind of stimulant drug in the past. Never judging or telling me to stop. I think it was part of the process I had to go through.

[Nimue]

The World doesn't really speak straight in my brain, either-but will always help me to be taught what I need, as long as I keep my eyes and ears open. It's not something 100% internal, so one has to be open to the external truth, at least thet's how I see it The snake was the only one of my guides who wouldn't appear if I didn't ask (he does it on purpose). The others would be around whenever they saw it fit, wether it was after me asking or not. (okay, maybe not the wolf-he kept coming almost whenever I asked. Great guy!)

Your crow vision gave me chills! Wow...the proccess looks a little too complex, quite interesting too. So you have a tradition of psychics in the family...
It's interesting you mention adolescense, because I actually started growing up about the time I met them. The time between my childhood and my 20 has been a quite weird and messy for my inner self. Now I feel like getting "together" and passing my delayed teens. You're lucky you met them sooner-if things are the way they look, you saved yourself a lot of time.

My first meeting was triggered just by reading some shamanic text in the net- but there's something that may have played its role. I didn't really have someone of my age to speak at as a kid, so I kept trying to "listen" around (I would even sometimes dress up as indian and call spirits, and make up personal spiritual rituals ) It's possible I was training myself without realizing, spending so much time far from people. Or maybe not. I guess it's diffrent for everyone.

[Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi]

everything happens for a reason. we pass through the thresholds that we must. the less sense it makes, the more intuitive you are.

I think the thing about the symbols or anchors was that my father always said the key was not to lose your self. Like, the mind that wanders around the corner is unwise. I can be good to have these symbols at first because too much too soon can literally crack open the pineal and then conscious control of the passage between levels of awareness is lost.

All the roads lead to the same end. Some like the direct route. Others like to tire themselves by going in circles for a bit, there's no way better than the other though. Insights are gained, in the circling, too.

[Nimue]

Originally Posted by Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi

I think the thing about the symbols or anchors was that my father always said the key was not to lose your self. Like, the mind that wanders around the corner is unwise. I can be good to have these symbols at first because too much too soon can literally crack open the pineal and then conscious control of the passage between levels of awareness is lost.

Happened to me before meeting my guides. For longer than it was good for me. You DID save yourself some time!