Channeling Spirit in Your Everyday Life
If you want to develop your abilities to communicate with spirit, to become a vessel for grace, to channel the wisdom of the divine — act like it. Instead of being a dead-end receiver, the last stop on the tracks, become an amplifier, a signal repeater, a delivery mechanism. This is the very definition, the linguistic origins of the word angel – a concept found in all world cultures with startling universal similarity.
Acknowledge everyone. In my offline and online classes, workshops, and healing circles, I teach an exercise I call soul counting — one of the most effective ways to raise your spiritual/psychic awareness is by expanding your sensitivity to the embodied spirits all around you. It’s entirely counter-productive to try to hear your spirit guides, which are so wispy and subtle and ephemeral, when you are moving through the world blind, deaf and dumb to the spirit entities right here with you in the physical plane — other, “real,” living, flesh-and-blood entities called people!
Look people in the eyes. Push through your shyness, your bubble, the vacuum of your interior world. So many people have a tendency to look at the ground when they pass someone on the sidewalk, to stare at a non-point in the distance… This is the opposite of channeling spirit.
When you ask someone How are you? — mean it. With people you know, train yourself to ask alternative questions to How’s it going? Include details that display your awareness of their lives. This morning the chef at the café personally ran my breakfast to my table after she prepared it. Instead of simply saying Good morning and How are you? I remembered that she had been excited about her vacation to the Georgia coast last week — “You are so tan today! Was the beach amazing?” She beamed, happy to relive the trip for a minute or two, even back here at work so early on a Sunday morning.
Hold doors for everyone, regardless of your gender or theirs. I can’t think of an instance where this does not raise your vibration, even if it fails to impact the other person.
Let people out/in while driving in traffic. Cars are an extreme physical incarnation of our private bubble worlds. They enhance aggressive, selfish behavior, and detachment. Not to mention, the escalating physical danger this creates and perpetuates. Being passive and receptive to the flow of traffic enhances safety. Take away the desperate stress for at least one other person who probably needs it more than you.
Send encouraging emails to strangers. Or leave comments on their blogs and be specific about how their words have impacted you. I can’t tell you how seriously powerful it is to be on the receiving end of this. I often present prayers, questions, issues, or intentions to my spirit guides and guardian angels and one of the most frequent ways I receive answers come in the form of a “random” email from a reader. The divine timing of these messages never fails to make me smile in wonder, even though I am no longer surprised that this happens.
I encourage everyone to obey the impulse to share a positive message of support like this, even with people you don’t know, because by doing so you are often allowing Spirit to work through you. People can be shy, or you may think “He doesn’t need an email from me” but you never know how that may impact someone.
Often, there are tiny little phrases or specific words you choose that are direct answers to questions I need answered. You may look at what you wrote and see only a nice pat on the back, but the percentage of times when your messages convey so much more than you realize… Wow. I truly believe on some level you are reading my mind.
Collectively-powered prayer requests. When you pray, try powering your prayers by asking for what you need or desire or require on behalf of everyone. Allow God to act with greatest efficiency.
Listen. Even when you don’t know what to say, how to advise someone, or have any useful suggestion to offer. Many times, someone just needs a witness — to be heard, to feel visible, to say what they need to say to themselves through conversation with another. This is advanced acknowledgment.
Tell-tale Signs of an Empath
Does the Universe seem to position you in the role of counselor? Do you sometimes feel like you must be walking around with a sign on your forehead that says “Tell me your story”? It’s because you are. The majority of communication between two people occurs sub-vocally or even non-vocally. People consciously, subconsciously, and even unconsciously read your energy — lightworkers, healers, or those with high empathic vibrations give off a signal that even strangers can interpret with startling accuracy.
So, if you are walking around with this aura, this halo, this sign, this signal, this energy bubble around you, what’s the best way for you to see it yourself? Look in the mirror. We act as spiritual, energetic mirrors for one another.
The same techniques work well with abundance — all energy flows and cycles — money doesn’t come to closed fists; rivers stop and pool when they hit a dam… Everything you encounter in the physical and non-physical world is participating in a near-infinite dance, a relay race, a dominoes of matter and energy — nothing wants to stop with you, to come to you and end; everything wants to move through you on to somewhere or someone else.
You know, intellectually, to pay it forward — have you developed this ability and incorporated it into your existence in such a way that it works habitually, effortlessly, automatically?
It all sounds quite goody-goody, I know, but communicating with spirit works well behind smiles, hearts, and flowers — bring your own bad-ass spin where appropriate. Tattoos are a fantastic spiritual conversation starter. Next time you’re discreetly studying some heavily-inked individual, ask him about what his tattoos mean. You may be surprised by the significance, the story, and the deep life purpose these symbols communicate — and you may not know how important the opportunity to share this meaning can be to someone.
Tell the girl in line in front of you how wicked her shoes are if the impulse strikes you. A few days ago, a curator at the local museum approached me with a petition and information about a fund-raising event. She had a happy face on, but her energy was full of grief. My guides said “Ask her about her locket.” She was wearing a large, antique locket — it had belonged to her grandmother, who had passed away the week before… She immediately opened up to talk to me about her grandmother. She gushed, her energy shifted. She looked at me in surprise and said, somewhat embarrassed “Thank you for listening to me — I feel better to talk about her… But how did you know?”
“You’re wearing her love,” I told her.
I didn’t need to tell her I was a practicing psychic. I didn’t explain to her how or why I knew or where the impulse came from. I did not project my vibration. I didn’t feel a need to prove my gifts. But I did obey the impulse to receive hers; to hold the mirror for her.
I am eternally grateful for your returning that favor. Remember that the absolute best source for the answers to your prayers, for messages from your guides, are other people.
Contacting Your Spirit Guides - 101
Free resources for Shift Your Spirits subscribers:
- Read the ebook by Slade Roberson especially for beginners who want to know who/what spirit guides are and how to communicate with them
- Listen to the teleclass Let's Talk about Spirit Guides
recorded by Andrea Hess of Empowered Soul - Download the free guided meditation Meet a Guide
created by Jeff Lily of Druid Journal
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So many times I have had the urge to talk to someone, sometimes I’ve followed the urge, but mostly I’ve been too afraid. It’s funny, even leaving this comment, I’ve almost erased it a few times thinking it silly to even bother, but the part of your article that said to leave comments is ringing in my head. Often when I’ve resisted the urge to keep eye contact or pay a compliment I’ve regretted. I feel comfortable doing this with people I know, but rarely with strangers. I’m inspired, as I often am with your writing, to really make an effort. I’ll let you know where it leads.
Slade I love all the beautiful “how-to” examples you interspersed in this message. Here’s my favorite. “Collectively-powered prayer requests. When you pray, try powering your prayers by asking for what you need or desire or require on behalf of everyone. Allow God to act with greatest efficiency.”
Often I’ve requested and outcome of highest good but only when I’ve been in a negotiation or disagreement with another. It feels really expansive to request the same thing I want for all others who may benefit from it as well.
You have me whistling a happy tune as I consider myself a newly appoint Divine Efficiency Expert. Cool!
GREAT posting today!!!
(and I was going to post that before I got to the part about the “posting on blogs” section of your article).
What made me want to post today? I will tell you.. the words “act like it.”
Sometimes we all need a coach…
Sometimes we are trained that it is more “humble” to hide our gifts and keep things to ourselves.
I like the blog! I am glad you decided to write it.
It is a good thing to do.
Hi Slade, I absolutely loved this post! I certainly felt when I read it that you had been reading my thoughts! Reading it may me realise just how many ways I WAS getting my prayers anwered! You have made me more aware, and more open to this new revelation!, and you also reminded me of how I could benefit others by included them in my prayers also. Thank you so much for all your great words Slade, Joan
Fantastic topic.
I think most people in the world are very lonely, so when you talked to the girl about her grandmother it just shows how important it is to connect with people. We all want to feel acknowledged.
Let’s all make an effort every day to get out of ourselves and give to each other and that raises our vibration and then we can connect with spirit on a whole new level.
Slade,thanks for your words of wisdom.
I’m learning every day.
Jodi
My favorite is the “pay it forward” idea. I have lived by it for years. I had no clue that I was an empath. Slade, you just keep giving us more and more useful information. Thanks.
Slade,
Yes! This happens to me all the time: people always come to me with their problems. My mom calls me “everybody’s psychiatrist,” but I have never minded being a trusted counselor/advisor for people. It’s just part of who I am, and I’ve never questioned it. Mostly all I ever do is listen. It amazes me how many people in this world just don’t listen to their friends or family. I would never even consider not lending an ear where needed!
You startled me, though, with the word “empath.” I never really thought of myself as an empath. I also looked over the definition of a lightworker a while back, and I don’t seem to fit all the “criteria” — some things apply to me, but not all. Now you’ve got me wondering. Am I an empath??? It would certainly explain a lot….
Thanks again for the awesome post! I’ll continue to look into this more.
Love & Light,
Jewels
Hi Slade,
What I think I liked best about this article is you taking the woo woo out of things like channeling and spirit guides whispering instructions to you, that some may or may not believe they are hearing, think they have the capaility of hearing, etc..
Certainly all of us can relate to the stream of traffic and how good it feels to be allowed in the line, finally. Or that guy who holds the door open at the bank, not only for the elderly lady, but the next three people waiting behind her. And of course the fact that we’ve been the one in those positions of assistance, generosity, allowing. It is at those times I think we approch the knowing of the concept of being one or a more common concept, all of us alike at a certain level. The level that powers empathy, compassion, forgiveness and all other things we wish to not only embody and embrace but impart.
If I think about it in those terms, how simple these steps to get me to the greatest ones.
Jazzy post, by the way.
What I find most wonderful about you’re posts and the criteria in this post in particular Slade, is that you don’t realize how much you’re blogs impact us, or at least me in particular. Everytime I seem to hit a stop, slow down, or begin to question, there you are with you’re posts, answering me again, so thank YOU for that. Haha its amazing, I am also coming into my channeling abilities, and was working with a spiritual guide/teacher today who is teaching me about reading Runes, (which my by the way Slade if you haven’t checked out, you totally should), and so much has to do with intuition and channeling spirit. I was asking my teacher today how I can expand that, become more confident in my abilities, and here you are with your post! Amazing, keep it up Slade, you are serving your purpose with a finesse and humorous attitude that never ceases to put a smile on my face :^)
Now that’s a beautiful post by a gentleman who’s emitting lots of love! And I feel that’s just what we all need to do if we want to channel Spirit in our lives - be a gentleman (or woman) and allow love to flow through us. Slade, this was the message I got very clearly when I read this post and it’s been articulated beautifully - in the most practical way. Thank you!
This is a fantastic post! It is a good reminder to all, including myself, who would like to communicate with our Spirit Guides more, not to ignore the obvious - the beings around us. Since no one is in, I feel like rushing out of the door right now, to make a difference in my neighbourhood!
Thanks for sharing,
Evelyn
As others have mentioned, it is great that you gave such specific how-to ideas on channeling spirit. We all need reminders like this, as they form triggers in the mind. When I see someone approaching a door, I can remember to open it for them because of the trigger, for example.
Thanks for writing such a great article.
What a beautiful post, Slade - so full of spirit and humanity. Thank you for this.
I’m one of those people with a sign on my forehead that says “talk to me”
. People will talk to me anywhere, any time, and often tell me very personal things. I’ve always been grateful that I’m available to listen when people need someone to talk to.
So nice to see that I am not the only one who seems to have a sign that says “talk to me”! I have met some of the most amazing people just by a simple hello and a VERY sincere How are you today. Now if we can just work more on those that are in such a rush through life that they forget other people are there!! That is the hard part here - remembering that everyone has something to tell us despite their not so nice ways of doing it. (the joy of retail)!
Keep up the awesome job here! I look so forward to your posts !
Some of these suggestions I have not tried (like making eye contact while out and about!) and am anxious to see what shift might occur once I do. I’ll admit I’ve lived in large cities for so long that this could be harder than it seems, ha.
I think it’s neat how you could see the energy change in the girl after talking about her grandmother. While I cannot see that per se I can sense a shift in energy. While I admit to sometimes getting so wrapped up in my thoughts that I’m not as mindful on certain days (or ‘open’) those also happen to be the times I notice my energy flagging. It manifests in more than general grumpiness, I feel sluggish and tired. Then I remember it’s time to get back to basics and give energy (in the form of a compliment to a stranger or just chatting with someone in a long line at the store..) and it turns around immediately. I also sometimes get people who might tell me a little more than they bargained for and I can see they’re appreciative to unload some things but I sometimes they look slightly puzzled at the end of the exchange like ‘what just happened here?’ .
I agree with a comment above; these things make the world that much of a smaller and less lonely place.
Ps- your sense of humility is heartening and rather rare in most circles. It makes your writing that much more powerful for us readers.
Wow, you guys — I’ve received TONS of email replies to this post, in addition to these comments. The timing is pretty awesome actually, as my birthday is Wednesday, July 23. I just realized yesterday’s article, and all the correspondence and connection it will generate this week, coincides beautifully.
April,
I know exactly what you mean about regretting when you have NOT obeyed those impulses — that’s no doubt because it is denying that deeper channel of the higher self, the same vibe that carries your access to collective consciousness, your spirit guides, your guardian angels, even just your simple gut instincts and common sense. When you do follow that impulse, even if it’s a bit outside your comfort zone (so often true of growth) you become more and more confident, aware of how much of a difference it CAN make. Then it becomes harder to keep something so important to yourself. Thanks for leaving the comment, to a virtual stranger — I am very grateful to hear that my articles inspire you. There’s few messages that I would find more meaningful.
Tom | Divine Efficiency Expert,
(love that!) I’m glad you caught that little example — I’ve intended for about two years to write a follow-up post to The Right Way to Pray — and that item is essentially it, in a nutshell. I’ll be interested to hear how your prayers change as a result of that technique. Keep me posted.
Char,
Thanks! You know, about three or four years ago, my private working title for the content/concept that evolved into Shift Your Spirits was Act Like God. It shows up once in awhile among what I refer to as my “bumper stickers” — “You are God — act like it!”
:-)
Joan,
That’s awesome — when I hear that you feel I’ve read your mind and put your thoughts in words, I consider that a Mission Accomplished! The cool thing is, it’s a truth that resonates with you, not because it’s a new thought, but a recognition of a facet of yourself that’s already there.
Jodi,
Something I’ve noticed when I am grieving a loss is that people actually avoid you, or they especially tiptoe around the person or pet you have lost — because they’re afraid of making you feel worse. But in my experience grieving people often want the opportunity to talk about their loved one more than they want to hear how “sorry” you are. Next time you encounter someone who’s grieving, and you don’t know what to say (because there often is no perfect thing TO say) try a simple “Tell me about her.” If they can’t talk about it, they won’t; but you’d be surprised how much that is exactly what they need…
Patricia,
I feel that nearly everyone who reads this blog (and others like it) probably has a strong foundation in empathy. Empathy is the bedrock layer of Senses 6 - 9.
Jewels,
(And maybe this speaks to Patricia, too) Sometimes the empathic characteristics are mistaken or occur under the radar of your consciousness. I run across a lot of empaths who are simply unaware that they absorb the emotions of other people, as if they are their own… Just knowing this is a possibility — being consciously aware that not all the emotions you feel are YOUR emotions — goes a long way toward handling the energy more effectively. The shadow side of this trait is that many empathic people suffer and must make an effort to regularly clear their energy of all the hitchhiking vibe residue you can pick up and carry around unnecessarily.
It seems that clinicians — psychotherapists and medical professionals — are often more skilled at creating a healthy detachment. Some of them even over-correct — the most caring, sensitive, benevolently motivated people unconsciously build walls out of an instinct to protect themselves.
Barbara,
The most effective way to “possess” a desirable quality is to be a vessel for it — then, as you illuminate for others, you experience the illumination as a kind of wonderful side-effect.
Thanks for the comment about taking the woo-woo out of the experience — I am always seeking that deepest of all Woo-Woo that wraps back around full circle to the Super Common. That’s where I find the magic!
Travel far enough in toward the center and sometimes you discover you’ve passed through a tunnel to the other side.
Angelic,
What an amazing compliment! I am truly humbled by that. If you were the only one reading, then I would consider it entirely worthwhile to make the effort.
Irene,
Gentlewoman — practical woo-woo is the intention! Thank you for the Message Delivery Confirmation.
Evelyn,
Your response — your desire to rush out into your neighborhood — is terribly cute, and made me smile. I know that joy, of wanting to run up to people in the street like some kind of crazed, joyful character in a big Musical number…
Morninghawk,
Yes! What you describe as triggers I often teach, in the context of intuitive development, as cues. I like your word-choice — the triggers and cues and intuitive impulses are flashes, they are like switches — a button appears, a door knob, a key, a pull chain… All invitations to DO something, right? The more you respond, the more you take those actions, the more the Messages reveal themselves to you. You are so right — it is a very simple, practical process to build upon.
Mags,
I work with a psychotherapist who first described what he “does” as being a professional listener. When I asked him about how he views his particular mission, he defined it for me as “Walking with someone where he needs to go.” I love that. I felt you might too…
Tracy,
You are certainly not alone. I have a corporate background in retail, which seems like a past-life experience at this point! But looking back, I realize that environment gave me so many opportunities to engage, to practice, to bring a sense of purpose into a somewhat unlikely place… Thank you for holding that space in the Mall — it’s greatly needed!
Slade,
Your words about the importance of giving to and positively connecting with other people reminded me of one of my favorite parts of the movie the Moses Code. It is when one of the interviewed authors speaks about how there is a part of our brain that is completely non-referential- it cannot tell the difference between itself and another person. So to this part of the brain when we give to others, we experience it as no different than if we were being given to. So, while it has always been a spiritual tenant that in giving, we receive, I think its pretty cool that there is a biological basis for that statement as well, a part of the brain that realizes/ remembers our connection with all. Thanks for this great post!
Adrianne,
I have not seen The Moses Code, and I don’t know if Wayne Dyer is in that film, but I have heard him speak about the point you bring up — about the mind’s inability to distinguish between itself and someone else.
He goes on to reference a study of serotonin levels in the brain during 3 different situations — 1) receiving a gift; 2) giving a gift; and 3) just observing an act of kindness or generosity.
The researchers found that all 3 situations produced greater serotonin levels than prescription pharmaceuticals for depression. In each of those 3 scenarios, the serotonin levels increased in the same order — the bottom-line being that just observing or witnessing an act of kindness between 2 people produced the greatest benefit of all… Talk about the best things in life being free!
I love hearing about the scientific evidence that supports spiritual truths. I feel that we will continue to advance in our understanding, with science and spirituality corroborating one another…
Thank you Slade. I needed that nudge. You have certainly made a difference in how I”ll conduct my life dealing with people.
On a side note, I’ve always intuited that my spirit guide’s name is “Angelica”. I’ve also been seeing the numbers 444 and 1111 constantly, like many other people have. I couldn’t help but notice the time of “Angelic’s” comment on July 20. I used to be amazed at things like this, now I expect them.
Happy Birthday.
Glenn
Slade
You Rock ! And you never fail to rock my world.
I love you.
It’s a day late, but I bless the day in October
that started you on this life path…….
And……. July 23rd the day of your birth.
XO XO
Debs
Right on, Slade! You hit the nail on the head. We gain so incredibly much from our interactions with others. I know it is almost cliche, but who else are our teachers but other people? You basically said, “so let them teach you!” They have so much to give, and I can give to them, too.
Yes, I feel I’m always being cast in the role of counselor. Even my ex-wife turns to me for help!
And one final thought: I’ve started outwardly and inwardly bowing to people. To most people, I do it inwardly or subtly because, well, they would freak if I was obvious. But I find the shift in energy to be amazing. By bowing, I pay respect, I honor them, I acknowledge that whatever they’ve got going on is perfect, just perfect, and I bow before that. It is amazing to do.
Namaste (bow)….. Tom
Slade,
Things make so much more sense now. I’ve often had a sense that some emotions I’m experiencing are coming to me and not from me, but I could never quite put my finger on why. Until now! — That’s a great big thank you with a hug & a kiss wrapped up in that exclamation point, in case you missed it.
And, yes, I am guilty of building walls when I get overwhelmed. I think that’s why I relish my “alone time” so much; I go through cycles of reclusivity before I’m able to put myself out there again. Any specific suggestions for heading off the overwhelming vibes before I reach the point of meltdown? I’m still learning about this, and still in a little bit of shock that I’ve got this gift….
Love & Light,
Jewels
Glenn,
444’s are definitely associated with the angels. I have a spirit guide named Angela, which confused me for the longest time…
Thanks Deb — Much love to you!
Tom,
I’m fascinated by the inner bowing… Very cool. I work with something similar, which is a constant awareness of whether or not I’m required to be in a Receptive/Left Hand state or a Projective/Right Hand state in any given situation… The thing that I’ve constantly found to be increasingly true is that the Receptive state nearly always has a more desirable, powerful effect when dealing with other people.
Sounds simple, but I’m naturally inclined to be “mercurial,” uber-protective, willful, and extremely out-spoken… It’s been a long, hard road programming myself to be more receptive, passive, and non-confrontational… All things that I would associate with the inner bowing you describe…
Have you written about this practice on your site yet? I feel a lot of people would benefit from incorporating that. You have a wonderful, original Naming power…
Jewels,
The conscious awareness that this Energy Sponge/Cord Collecting may be happening in your world is usually enough to shift it completely. The trick, for me anyway, is to learn how to connect when I consciously choose to, do it fully, get in and get out and let it go. Regular prayers to my angel clinicians before bed allows a lot of Energy Clearing to take place while I sleep. Tell your angels you’d like for them to perform this maintenance regularly and automatically unless instructed otherwise. Which is not likely to be necessary — though I have encountered a few scenarios, such as receiving attunements or special Reiki treatments, where I choose to “pause the programming” so no wires get crossed…
Ok - so I’m another one of those people who feel the need to compliment strangers - but 9 times out of ten I hold it back and fight with my “inner dialogue” about why NOT to tell them. So thanks to this website (which I stumbled on by “coincidence” I am going to make sure I don’t hold back anymore..well I’m going to try my best to overcome my ego anyway. It was really interesting for me to read about the reason why people always seem to be telling me their problems! Thanks so much for the information, it was great to see something so easy to read and in plain english language! xoxo
[…] Despite my SA, I managed to hold down a job for three months. Rather than describing myself during this period, read Slade’s post over at Shift Your Spirits: Channelling Spirit in Your Everyday Life. Basically that was what I was like! I wasn’t totally fearless. I wasn’t Jesus after forty days in the wilderness, or like Buddha after his encounter with Kama-Mara; I still had my Social Anxiety, but it wasn’t controlling me as powerfully as before. […]