Meet Your Spirit: Candle Light How-To
Adapted from Shamanic Spirit, by Kenneth Meadows (Inner Traditions, 2004).

Simple Solution
A candle flame has been used in religious and mystical ceremonies throughout the ages as a symbol of the Spirit, because both are associated with light and flame. The flame may be likened to the substance of the Soul.

Contemplation of a single candle flame can help to trigger enlightenment about your own individual Spirit. Experience this yourself:

You will need for this Experience a candle and candleholder, matches, your rattle, and a notebook and pen. It is best to undertake the following Experience in a darkened room.

Emanations of the Spirit
Place the candle in its holder on a table or flat surface immediately in front of you. Make sure you are seated comfortably.

Rattle around yourself for a few minutes to prepare your ‘space’ sonically and to relax and prepare you.

Light the candle and stare into the flame. Just be aware of the candle flame itself. Its appearance. Its texture. Its activity. Don’t attempt to compose thoughts about it. Just allow it to be, and experience its existence.

After a while, half close your eyes until you are aware of beams of light stabbing outwards from the flame in all directions. Some upwards. Some to your left. Others to your right. Some coming directly towards you. Some seemingly into you.

Scan all those radiant beams. Put a number on how many you are seeing. Close your eyes a little more and watch those fibres of light change and fresh rays appear.

Identify with just one of the fibres of light coming directly into you and linking you directly with the candle flame. Consider its uniqueness as an emanation of that one candle flame---a radiance from that single source. It is there. Perceive its existence as an energy-expression of the candle flame itself.

Liken your Spirit to it. Your spirit as an emanation from a greater Source. As a thought, perhaps, in the mind of the Great Spirit? You, enabled to have your own independent expression. Mediate on this for a while. Make a note of what inspirations come to you.

Return your gaze to the candle flame. This time, regard the flame as your Spirit--the Real You. Half close your eyes again to generate those fibres of lights and choose one to identify with. Now liken it to an emanation from the Source that is your Spirit. Repeat, choosing other beams, for your physical body, your mental body, and your soul body.

Write an account of any realizations that come to you. Extinguish the candle.