Intuitive psychologist Susan Apollon says spiritual healing means learning how to focus on what makes you feel good or better. It's all about choices—choosing to release the old "stuff" that attracts undesirable energetic consequences and to replace it with positive thoughts, images, and activities. When you clarify your intentions, remember your "ABCs," (The ABC's of Spiritual Cleaning) and make the following choices, you'll create an internal positive energetic shift that leaves you feeling lighter, more peaceful, and more content.

Create Harmony and Balance through Breath Meditation. Choose to start each day by practicing the breath meditation technique for 15 minutes: Visualize your breath coming in from God or the Universe, merging with you (your body, thoughts, feelings), and filling you with healing energy. On your out breath, visualize your breath gently nudging out all your negative or painful thoughts or images. Do this for a few minutes while waiting for an appointment, in the car, in your office, or in school. Feel your breath shifting you energetically, leaving you feeling greater warmth, relaxation, and peace.

Become Conscious of Your Power through Journaling. Choose to journal for 15 minutes a day about situations, times, and incidents when you could feel and/or were aware at some level of your power and how great it felt. Then note your fears, insecurities, their roots, whether they make sense or are completely irrational, and how they have stolen your power. Finally, write of ways in which you can begin to reclaim your power (via actions, self-dialogue, affirmations, breath, meditation, taking courses, getting counseling assistance, etc.).

Affirm Your Power throughout the Day. Write affirmations and both visualize and feel the power within you as you daily make these high-vibrational statements to your cells: I Am worthy, I Am wise, I Am beautiful, I Am intelligent, I Am compassionate, I Am loving, I Am forgiving, I Am strong, I Am lovable, As I breathe in, I Am a part of God, I Am always protected and watched over, I Am that I Am. I Am, I Am, I Am! Write them on sticky notes and place them all around to remind you of your power, with I Am ... everywhere. (Yes, says Apollon, you should think of "I Am" as a capitalized phrase ... it's a powerful affirmation that is actually given to us in the Christian Bible!)

Choose Forgiveness. Choose to consciously detach from and surrender to the Universe any attachments to old hurts, resentments, betrayals, and so on. Bring to mind the person or issue that creates pain for you, then Face it, Embrace it, Breathe it out, and Choose to say I forgive you or I surrender you to God, Source, or the Universe, because I choose to move on with my life. Remember to forgive another for you and not for him or her. "Visualize a cord between you and the person with whom you have issues and see yourself cutting the cord," suggests Apollon. "Feel the relief. Visualize your power returning to you."

Practice the Art of Visualization. Envisioning what you want is a tremendously powerful technique. Because we think visually, picturing what we want in our mind's eye—good health, Divine protection for ourselves or our children, and so forth—helps us co-create that outcome. "When you create a mental image of, for example, angels holding up the airplane that your son is traveling on, it helps you feel a sense of confidence instead of a sense of worry and fear," explains Apollon. "Obviously, you feel better. And when you feel better, you vibrate at a higher level, which attracts good things to you."

Perform an Act of Compassion, Caring, Kindness, and Service Daily. Choose to Make a Difference. Choose any activity in which you do something for another person or group of people with authentic feelings of compassion and love. This needs to be more than signing a check. Do a physical deed that impacts on the quality of life of another person or being, whether it's bringing dinner to one who is shut in or helping the elderly, blind, or others in need of assistance.

Choose to Be Inspired. Choose to read or listen to materials that inform, soothe, entertain, and connect you with your own soul. Apollon's own book, Touched by the Extraordinary: An Intuitive Psychologist Shares Insights, Lessons, and True Stories of Spirit and Love to Transform and Heal the Soul, is one such work. It's available with a set of CDs on which Apollon reads the book in its entirety. Others she recommends include: Conversations with God, The Secret, Many Masters, Many Minds, Messages from Water, works by Deepak Chopra or the Dalai Lama, and similar books and CDs.

"It's amazing how reading and listening to inspirational works can keep you on track with your spiritual practice," reflects Apollon. "It's good maintenance and it can yield all sorts of insights you'd never gain otherwise."

Take Action Regarding at Least One Intention. Choose to gather your courage each day and take action toward the creating of at least one intention. For example, if you intend to get a degree, contact the universities of your choice and ask for a catalogue; then make an appointment to speak with the admissions department or heads of programs in which you are interested. Each evening, before sleep, consider several possible intentions for the following day—or future. Write about these the following morning—or the same evening, if desired. As you visualize your intention, feel excited about fulfilling it.

Create a Sacred Space for Prayer. Create a sacred space in your home or office. On a small table or part of your desk, have a candle, a picture of a loved one, or even a lovely figurine or crystal. Use a soft blanket or a small, pretty rug or mat to create feelings of warmth and sacredness. In your sacred space pray daily, expressing gratitude and/or asking for assistance or on behalf of others in need of help.

"Of course, you don't have to limit yourself to your sacred space," says Apollon. "Know that you can pray anywhere. The simplest prayer—Please, help me—is often the best."

Remember Your Blessings. Choose to show gratitude when you address your higher power, be it God, the Universe, your angels, Jesus, Mary, Buddha, or any other deity. Thank you is a high vibration. Throughout the day, express appreciation for every one of your blessings. Visualize each blessing and give thanks for it; as you say it, picture it and appreciate it.

Love Yourself First; Then Love Others. Pampering yourself may seem like odd spiritual advice, but Apollon swears by it. Choose to love yourself every day by devoting at least a half-hour to an hour or more doing something for yourself. Find your passion and pursue it! Perhaps you might want to take a bath, get your nails done, visit with a friend for lunch, coffee, or breakfast, take a class, learn to play an instrument, or go shopping and buy yourself something pretty or frivolous.

"People tend to think they 'should' deny themselves and lavish attention on others, but they're wrong," says Apollon. "You are God's creation just like everyone else. Why wouldn't you honor yourself? You really can't love others if you don't first love yourself. You are your most significant other. Do not forget this—ever!"

Smile, Laugh, Tell a Joke or Funny Story, Watch a Funny Movie or Video, Dance Your Favorite Dance, or Listen to Your Favorite Music That Makes Your Heart Sing. Laughter and music are good for the body, for raising your energetic vibrations, and for you. Remember, you are here for joy. Choose what makes you feel joy and you shall attract good things to you.

"Spiritual healing feels good," reflects Apollon. "Yes, it takes work and practice, but it's not some tough, rigorous discipline. Why else would we do it?"



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Susan Apollon
Author of Touched by the Extraordinary: An Intuitive Psychologist Shares Insights, Lessons, and True Stories of Spirit and Love to Transform and Heal the Soul (Matters of the Soul, 2005, ISBN: 0-9754036-4-8, $19.95), available alone or in a set with 11 audio CDs read by the author.

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