Traditional Southern Folk Meditation and Prayer

Blessings,

I offer a weekly meditation/journey called; Cosmic Journey and Meditation, this is done in a very traditional southern folk method.  Over the last 20 years I have offered this group in homes, churches and educational venues.  I have received many emails wanting details on what the group entails.  Often folks really do not have a concept of what it is and what to expect, this blog should provide some clarification.  Since there are many variations to this technique I will just share some of the steps you may take when you come to our group.  

One of my earliest childhood memories is that of listening from an adjoining room as groups of women and men would spend hours meditating and communing with spirit. It was not unusual for this to last overnight if needed.   Sometimes it would take the appearance of an old school prayer meeting, however as I grew up I realized it was a mix of many traditions that were melded together to form a primarily geographic form of spirituality/meditation and prayer.  Learning this, and accepting the beauty in the uniqueness of this path, allowed me to continue my exploration of the complexities of spirit while holding onto and honoring my familial traditions.  

Traditional Southern Folk Meditation derives its core from a geographical belt extending from central Oklahoma east to the Appalachians and south to the Gulf of Mexico, native American practice, primarily of the Choctaw and Cherokee tribes and more mainline faith based traditions, Ranging from Catholicism to the Apostolic (from the 1900's and charismatic movements from the 1970's).  Sprinkled in will be aspects of Wicca and TM components. It has been used for hundreds of years and has evolved into a format not only to meditate in the traditional sense, it is also used to speak with spirit and journey in other realms and planes.  If you were to observe a group of practitioners in the midst of FM, it may appear more like a old style prayer meeting or perhaps a shaman led spirit journey group, with Folk Meditation it can take many faces and is only done properly when led by spirit. No two groups are the same and they will vary greatly depending on the participants, this is one of the beauties of this form of meditation.  Folk Meditation is also key in community and group building,  encouraging us to not only meditate for our own benefit, but be concerned with the well being of our brothers and sisters.  

First it is important to note that there are no rules related to folk meditation, any guidelines are ones that are handed down via family or community traditions.  In my tradition it is very much driven by the elements, astrological timing and assertive traditional prayer techniques.  Realizing there are no rules globally to Folk Meditation, there are time tested steps in each individual tradition.  Keep in mind at this time, you will not likely find groups on every corner.  This technique tended to be closely guarded among the elder of any said group.  It has only been recently that I have found others offering this outlet for spiritual expression.  This meditation is not a religion, therefore it is not unusual for a fundamentalist christian to be seated next to a die hard Buddhist or Wiccan.  There is not judgment, only acceptance only a shared desire for betterment.  

Currently this group is being offered on Thursday evenings from 8:30-9:30 at Urban Unwind.  The address is 812 Clarks Lane, Louisville.  You are always welcome and there is no charge for this group.  

A word of caution, this is not your Aunt Sallies prayer or meditation group.  We are passionate about our work and it is not for the faint of heart! 

  

Here are a few things you may notice if you were to join us for a Folk Meditation group.  

• There will be a cleansing and blessing of the space.  If done properly meditation will make you open to celestial communication and it is important the proper steps are taken to ensure purity. 

• You are encouraged to make yourself comfortable.  You may lie down, sit in a chair or take a more traditional meditative pose.  

• It is usually done by candlelight.  Meditating in this fashion is a sacred experience and the element of fire is considered a holy component.

• Incense will be used.  The incense will correspond with the purpose of the FM and will be reconciled with the other elements of the experience.  The aroma, depending on what scent we are using will also serve to help you journey within or connect with the universal mind. 

• There is often music, chosen in advance to enhance the spiritual connection.  Music not only acts to evoke emotion (water) but it also provides additional vibratory aspects.  (air)  The music may contain words or be tonal only.  

• Colors will generally be involved as they are additional ways to make the connection to spirit.  The understanding of Color in meditation is universal, but in Folk Meditation it is taken a step further by connecting with spirit and acting as a workmate when needed later. 

• A group may consist of one person or one thousand.  The efficacy of the Journey is not judged by the number in attendance, but it is judged by the sincerity of those who are there.  

• The meditation may be a general time to commune with spirit (silent) or it may be specifically driven and directed to an issue or concern (journey).  

• You will be counted down to and Alpha state to encourage the activation of the pineal gland, this is the closest physical representation of the Third Eye. (Silva and TM)

• Spirits will be welcomed and encouraged to participate, and all entities of the light will be accepted.  (Added in the 1890's as a result of the spiritual awakening of the time)

• The person who leads the group will continue to do meditation and journey work for you well beyond the session.  (This will vary and if you have questions please ask your group leader)  Also remember we encourage participants from all paths and we do not judge.  

• On any given day the meditation will change depending on the need.  What remains consistent are the physical, mental and spiritual advantages to basic meditation practices.  

• Each of the above aspects may be altered or planned around the moon or the season.  While these things are important, the need of the individual, group or global need trumps all.  It is not unusual for a member of the group to contact the leader and advise them of an issue needing spiritual attention.  Often this will be incorporated into the guided meditation.  

These aspects cover some of the ways in which we practice Traditional Southern Folk Meditation.  While I can not say each session will include them all, I can assure you that it will be a unique experience and will be good for you in many ways  

Well, I hope that gives you an idea of what Cosmic Journey and Folk Meditation involve.  Bottom line is that the meditation will provide you with spiritual and physical benefits and is a positive way to meet open minded folks on a path to enlightenment.  

If you have any questions just message me and I will be happy to clarify or expand on any of the information provided.Please join us, if you are unable to do so feel free to forward any issues or request you would like worked on during our meditation time.  We are always happy to assist. 

And so it is, 

Reverend Andrew Jaycen 

Why Meditate?

Hello Fellow Seekers,

Anyone I have provided an intuitive reading for knows one of my first questions is, Are you meditating?  If I have read for you a second time the question is, How many times a week are you meditating?  It is my own personal, magical mission to encourage everyone I come in contact with to meditate at least one time a day.  Why...I really don't have the space here to discuss all the reasons, physical, mental, spiritual and on and on so I will stick to why it is relative to meditate if you seek spiritual advice.

When you enter into an agreement with an intuitive or other spiritual advisor, you not only agree to listen with your ears, contemplate with your mind and move accordingly, you agree to open a connection of vibratory realness, hmmm "vibratory realness".

This goes for any type of advisor advisee relationship.  This does not mean that you accept everything you are told, quite the opposite, in fact you should mentally question every word.  However if you take the time to meditate, while contemplating the advice or information you are given the advantages are multiple, just a few:

1.  There is a more clear connection each time you meet with the advisor.  This allows for a more complete flow of information and spiritual connection.  You will have a constant flow of energy with your advisor that is less likely to be polluted by outside static.

2.  Your spirit guides will be more attuned to the situations and realities of your discussions and will appear more clear in relation to your next steps.  Meditation is like having a follow up session with your intuitive.  Keeps everyone on the same page as it were. 

3.  There is less likely to be misinterpretation of the advice given.

Now for my advisor friends, please allow me this indulgence to say; if we are not mediating shame on us.  While we can never be 100% on all our advice, we are not the creator and we deal with free will, we owe it to anyone seeking our advice to be as spiritually attuned and connected as we can.  There are a few things in our daily walk that we can have `100% control of, and this is one of those things. What are the benefits to us? I'm glad you asked!

1.  Meditating helps to clear the way for a free flow of triad communication.

2.  Increasing our ability to focus

3.  Places us in a reverent state of mind and makes us more receptive to the spiritual messages we receive.

OK, I know most of us would love to be sitting on a mountain somewhere or on the beach contemplating the universal mysteries, for most of us that is not possible, so how do we balance our meditative walk.  Keep in mind Andrews Axioms in relation to Meditation:

• There is no right or wrong way to meditate.  The fact that you do it is the most important step.  The correct way will be revealed to you in time, the correct way for you! 
• If nothing else closing your eyes for three minutes in contemplation will be a start.  By doing this you activate your Pineal Gland to become receptive to light without the aid of your physical sight.  This gland is the closest physical representation to the spiritual third eye. 
• Complete quite and the proper posture is not essential.  I do believe they are preferable, but you will achieve your most complete meditative return on investment by meditating as you feel most comfortable.  In my mediation groups I tell everyone this...be comfortable. 
• Incorporate words, colors, sounds and aromas into your mediation when able.  

So there, three minutes with your eyes closed, simply that is it if your goal in improved spiritual communication and clarity.  

In my tradition there are multiple meditations for specific requests, I am happy to share these with you if you contact me.  Better yet consider joining me for mediation, email me for times and locations.  These meditation groups are guided and come from a southern folk magic tradition.  Email me with questions.

My you be blessed beyond your wildest dreams!    

Many blessings

Andrew Jaycen

Planting seeds during the time of harvest!

As we move closer to the season change, I am reminded of the smallness of our world.  It was the summer of 1969 and I was a young child staying with my grandmother on the banks of the Green River.  Usually by this time in the evening Grandmother would have put me to bed, notice I didn't say "to sleep". She knew that it was the darkness and night that brought the more interesting spirits around, and her little boy blue would not miss that.  

On this particular night she stood up from her rocking recliner and said, lets go out and see the men on the moon!!!  We made our way out the front door and down the wooden steps onto the yard already moist with dew.  The night air was cool and the view of the stars was crystal clear.  I still remember the way her hand felt in mine, soft and wrinkled and stronger than any beast known to man or God.  

She stooped down and said, "look, can you see them walking around?"  Never wanting to disappoint her I said, "I think so".  She then explained to me that even though our mental/physiological capacity did not allow us to register that we saw them, we indeed did. I was only around 3 years old but I remember those words, and having absolutely NO idea what she was talking about, but she smelled like sugar cookies so she had my undivided attention.   

We then went back in the house and her phone was ringing, two short rings and one long ring, she had a true "party line".  It was a lady from the next town over in distress.  "Now you go on to bed", she said "I have work to do, and don't forget your prayers".  

As I was told I went back to my small bedroom in her shack, laying on the tiny bed and looking out the window at the large backyard.  To the right I could see the reflection of the moon on the river, to the left the wood line that held mysteries and a world of opportunity.  Directly back from my window I could see the out house with its well worn path.  On this particular night there were at least a dozen rabbits running around.  I watched them for a minute th then off to sleep. 

My dreams were full of fantasy that evening.  Perhaps due to the conversation with my grandmother, or due to the work she was doing in the next room. 

Years later it dawned on me that she had taken me out on the night of the moon landing, she had used a mundane opportunity to instill a magical truth into my developing psyche.  She had planted a seed in me, one that would take years to come to fruition but one that was potent and true. The intent is every bit as important as the anticipated outcome and it does not matter what we see with our physical eyes, its what we direct with our cosmic consciousness.   

In our small worlds it can be easy to forget to plant those seeds.  We spend so much time hunting and gathering, defending and attacking and focusing on the lack in our own lives.

One of the most effect seed planting methods is meditation.  There is no right or wrong way to meditate, it is the intent and focus that is important.  It is also important for us to be in contact with nature.  The manner in which we achieve this contact is irrelevant, it is that we do.  It can be sitting watching your goldfish, your puppy or just looking out the window at the sky.  Do this consistently and with intent to connect.   

As always if you have any questions send me an email or message and I am happy to discuss.  I wish you blessings and light.