Do You Have a Guardian Angel?

Guardian Angels are thought to be spiritual beings that are "assigned" to assist people here on Earth in various ways. Whether there is one angel per person, one angel for several person or several angels for one person is open to question. But whether you believe in them or not, or whether you want one or not, believers insist that you do have a guardian angel.<o:p></o:p>

What is their assignment? According to "Encounters of the Angelic Kind" at Future365 (now defunct), "they intercept at many junctures in our lives and help wherever they can to make our lives run smoothly. Sometimes this is by inspiring a thought to spur us into action, at others it is to lend us super-human strength, such as in the case of a woman being able to lift a car long enough to free her trapped child. Or we hear of a runaway truck, with an unconscious driver at the wheel, inexplicably swerving sharply at the last moment to avoid a bus stop queue of people. In fact, there are many instances, which are often put down to luck, coincidence or even a miracle, but which have the touch of a hand of light behind it."<o:p></o:p>

So why don't angels come to a person's aid every time it's asked for? Sometimes, the article contends, "angels must stand back, whilst giving loving support only, as we work things out for ourselves - these are the times when we feel alone, the dark before dawn<o:p></o:p>

How Do We Know Angels Are There? <o:p></o:p>

Even those who believe in the existence of angels concede that they rarely make a physical appearance. However, there are other ways guardian angels can make their presence known, they say.<o:p></o:p>

"Some people say that they hear angelic sounds totally beyond human description," according to the article "Angels" at Future365. "Others have a feeling of sudden warmth or comfort, or, in times of sadness or grief, a gentle cloak of feathered wings wrapping softly around them. Sometimes angel energy may feel entirely different - like a sudden rush of air created by the passing by of an 'angel on a mission' at the speed of light. This is often noticed at times of impending disaster. At other times, simply an inexplicable presence is felt."<o:p></o:p>

How To Contact Your Guardian Angel<o:p></o:p>

Robert Graham, in his article "Angel Talk: Are You Listening", suggests that we all have guardian angels that are willing to communicate with us, but that most of the time we are just too busy to listen. If we are attentive, he says, and are willing to remain open to this communication, we can receive subtle messages that can help us in our daily lives.<o:p></o:p>

"If you want a clear and concise message from your angel," Graham says, "you must ask a direct question. Your angel will always answer your questions. You must ask your question out loud. Clear, concise questions will get you clear, concise answers. Answers will always be tangible and explicit, something you can put your hands on. The answers I've gotten I could pick up and examine. Asking a frivolous question will get you a silly answer. The universe will match your level of sincerity."<o:p></o:p>

Angels are always willing to help us, according to Doreen Virtue in her article "Calling All Angels" on beliefnet, but we have to be willing to accept the assistance since we have free will. "To ask for angelic assistance, you needn't conduct a formal invocation ceremony," Virtue says. The methods she suggests are likely to be much more familiar and comfortable to most people, including:<o:p></o:p>

·         writing a letter to your guardian angel - spelling out your problem and your need <o:p></o:p>

·         visualizing - "see" protective angels around you in your mind's eye <o:p></o:p>

·         call them mentally - think your plea to the angels <o:p></o:p>

·         speak aloud - state your case verbally <o:p></o:p>

"Connect with Your Angel" suggests yet another method: meditation. "Make yourself comfortable, sitting or lying down. Be aware of your breathing... Let your body become limp and relaxed. Empty your mind; create space, just as though the whole of the universe was there, inside you. Now just be. No doing. Only being. Communicate to your angel that you wish to connect with her/him. Wait in peace. Be aware of what happens. It may not seem much at first. Be patient. Subtle changes will occur. You may see light, colors or form. You may be aware of a presence. You may feel tingling sensations. You may feel emotion. You will feel love."<o:p></o:p>

You'll find even more suggestions for making contact with your guardian angel at "5 Hot Tips for Tuning into Angels," which details how you can ask or invoke, use stillness for clear reception, use "heart sensing," pay them by sending them love, and maintain harmony in your aura and home environment.<o:p></o:p>

Is all this just superstitious folly? Is the idea of guardian angels just a human invention designed to help people cope with difficult problems? Or are they real beings? The matter cannot be proved or disproved definitively. Perhaps only your own faith or experience can determine their reality for you. If you believe you have had an experience or encounter with an angelic being, please write and tell me about it. Your true story will be included in a future article.<o:p></o:p>

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