by April Bender





Folks have written in recently expressing an interest in learning how to better communicate with their own Higher Selves. I highly applaud these inquiries, as learning to commune with your Higher Self (HS) is the most important thing you can do for personal soul growth and development.





While I can't give anyone a "sure-fire" technique or way to connect with their HS, I can easily share with those who are interested, what has worked well for me over the years. But first, a little background information. . .



What/Who is my Higher Self?



First, know that you do already hear from your HS on a daily basis but probably don't realize or consciously register it as such.



In the most basic (awareness/mindfulness) sense, Higher Self is the fair-witnessing or objective mind, that space of stillness and non-judgement that sees the entire picture/landscape of any given situation without attachment - as it simply IS. It is the you that can step "outside" of all earthly roles, masks, and dramas - who simply watches, observes, sees or acknowledges without judgement of - what IS. Therefore, it is also the you that exists outside of time/space that sees and understands the larger patterns of life - the many cycles and seasons, the ebb and flow of the tides, etc...



In a deeper (heart-based) sense, your HS is that small voice in your head or heart that knows the difference between "right" and "wrong" and encourages you to do the "right" thing. It's that internal tug of compassion or righteousness that tells you to forgive or make amends with someone despite the fact, that they have wronged you. HS is also your inner truth meter and where your sense of "intuition" originates from. It is the voice, or part of you, that when you're sitting alone and quiet - "knows" when a loved one is about to call or stop by. It is the you that then receives them with your gifts of love, wisdom, compassion, generosity, and non-judgment. HS is also that part of you, which responds to the cries of another in need or to those who are suffering. Therefore, encompassing all these descriptions - Higher Self is the "angel of your better nature," and/or your ultimate divine expression of LOVE.



In the deepest sense, your Higher Self is your inner divine spark of creation. It is your Soul/Spirit body. It is the WHOLE, ETERNAL and INDESTRUCTIBLE YOU that contains all the various fragments, incarnational personalities, and your multi-dimensional selves, along with the knowledge/wisdom of your soul/star families and lineage and even something of the inner workings of Creation itself. It is the you that knows the lap, the embrace...and therefore, the love of the Creator. It is the you that is on a timeless experiential soul/spiritual journey of adventure, growth, joy, and exploration of great love and divine service. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this is also the part of you that quietly and persistently guides, directs, and leads you from one life experience to the next - to those experiences that will stimulate your inner growth/development in order that you may learn, grow, awaken and even evolve into all that you were meant to BECOME. But make no mistake, your Higher Self's greatest expression and gift to you is one of UNCONDITIONAL love, support, and understanding without judgement.



Your HS is all that I have described. . .and MORE.



Deepening Your Relationship with Higher Self



The way I began deepening my relationship with HS was to first enter into a meditative/mindful state and then journal with Her. First I would set a sacred space by smudging, lighting a candle, and stating my intention to connect with that part of Self as described above. Next, I would write a question I had on the first line of a clean sheet of paper. Then I would calm, relax, and center myself either through meditation or mindful breath-work as I held that question within my mind and heart. I would then consciously call forth that part of my wise, objective, and compassionate self to answer the question (the same "Higher You" that you call forth when assisting a friend in need), and then just allowed my pen to write and answer.



Don't over think it, instead simply let the information flow. Simply answer yourself to the best of your ability. Remember, you are having a conversation with you, your own best friend. Your inner or HS sense of "knowing" will naturally take over the more you are able to relax and let go of any outcome. Which means, don't try to rationally make sense of what you're writing until you are finished writing. The logical mind will inhibit/interrupt or distort the flow of information from HS, as will ego, so it's best to wait until after you're done channeling/communing to try and analyze or rationalize your work.



It took a little time for me to trust the information I was receiving at first and that's natural, but I stuck with it and over the course of that entire first year of such activity, my HS led me step-by-step to a wonderful new job opportunity, that was in much better alignment to the skills, passions and gifts that I bring to this world. And she helped me to do that, by simply answering one question at a time. Some of my initial, clumsy questions were things like, "Why do I keep feeling this way?" or "What sort of work should I be doing?" and "How can I best contribute to the Divine Plan?"



Now that I've honed this ability, after years of good practice and discernment, I no longer need the journal or even individual questions though I could still begin that way. Instead I simply open a sacred space, center myself, and sit down at my laptop - and the information flows. I also find because of this ongoing practice, I now embody more of my HS throughout the entire day. And it's much easier for me to know when I'm acting out of my Big Self (HS) or Little Self (ego driven self) in any given situation/trigger. That's not to say that our relationship is perfect or complete, as with all things spiritual, it is an ongoing journey/evolution.



There are many other similar techniques and practices that can be utilized as well. If you find the journaling too difficult at first, you could try simply drawing or doodling images, and then looking up their symbolic meanings online (like a circle means this, a flower means that, etc...) and receive your messages/information that way. Or you could try becoming still/quiet, stating your question aloud to HS and then opening any random book on your bookcase to any page. Skim that page for anything that jumps out at you and read it. Most likely you'll find the answer to your question with relative ease. You can also commune with Higher Self through self tarot card or rune readings or even by sitting quietly alone in nature. Again, there are a variety of contemplative practices to build up confidence, skill, intuition and your overall sense of communion with Higher Self.



Also, know that the current energies are working with you in this endeavor, what took me years to accomplish/hone can be done much more quickly these days in the accelerated energies, if you but only reach for it.



Conclusion



I wish you the best of luck in the discovery of and communion with your Higher Self. And remember, a persistent effort will never disappoint. For the moment your Higher Self sees you reaching out to him/her nothing will ever be the same again for you. Your inner life will BLOOM.



Please keep me posted on your progress, as I would love to hear your stories and personal accounts of such inner communion. Also, let me know if you found this article helpful and/or if you have more questions that perhaps I did not address.



For those who are reading this, who have already established a connection with their Higher Selves or I AM Presence, please share any additional thoughts or suggestions you might have in this regard, as others may find them very helpful.



Love and Light,

April





Related article: Communing with Aspects of Self - Including Higher Self (newer)