Recovering Intuition
Remembering the Future: The Path to Recovering Intuition
Colette Baron-Reid, 2006, Hay House.
Book Review by: Tonya Foust Mead
Colette Baron-Reid, 2006, Hay House.
For many years, finding a technique whereby I might silence my personal worries and professional anxieties were illusive. Sporadic ventures into Sunday church going, volunteering on formalized outreach committees seemed inconsequential. Attempts to mediate on a regular basis for extended period of time were for naught. The only thing that brought solace to me was the purchase of self help books, formalized study of psychology and behavioral science. Helping others help themselves through the practice of therapy brought some solitude. Deep within me I felt like I was scratching the surface of a bold, big, beautiful universe without boundaries. Where should I focus my search? Helping others help themselves through the practice of therapy brought some solitude.
These feelings continued until I came upon this book by Ms. Baron-Reid. Finally, I thought, I found my ‘Holy Grail.’
Reid's Background
Baron-Reid grew up in what some would consider privileged conditions. Her father was an international businessperson with land development deals across the globe. Ms. Baron-Reid was raised by a nanny and educated in the best boarding schools. She congregated with friends of with blue bloodlines. Baron-Reid experienced some psychic abilities in her younger years but they were often brushed aside by her parents for fear that she would not be accepted by her peers.
The secret she shared with her parents, though, was that she was of Jewish descent, her family name had been changed ‘Bogdanovic’ to ‘Baron.’ Many of her friends knew of this secret from their families. Additionally, Baron-Reid showed some psychic abilities in her younger years but they were often brushed aside by her parents for fear that should their daughter’s abilities become known within their community, they would be outcast. As such, her self esteem was lowered by her parent’s insistence that something was wrong with their daughter and this talent should be kept hidden. Additionally Baron-Reid’s acceptance into the upper-class, old money society was tangential at best. Because of these dark secrets, Baron-Reid began to drink alcoholic beverages by the time she reached 12 years of age. By age15, she started to abuse alcohol, she states. While in college as freshman, she almost overdosed on drugs and alcohol. The turning point came in 1985 she writes when her dad was bankrupted and lost his wealth. At this point, Baron-Reid attended the Jean Tweed Treatment Centre in Toronto, Canada and began the slow road to recovery.
Reid's Spiritual Awakening
By 1986, Baron-Reid began to immerse herself in spiritual books by Shakti Gawain, Elizabeth Blare Prophet, and Ernest Holmes, among others. Soon afterwards she had a chance meeting with a well-regarded psychic-intuitive. This meeting led to Baron-Reid’s study in reflexology, polarity balancing and deep trance meditation. Soon Baron-Reid begin her own business as a Reflexology masseuse. As her clientele grew she became further interested in the Science of Mind, attended a Unity Church and attended a weekly meditation group run by a Tibetan lama. Here below represents a few metaphysical tools that advanced and re-awakened her intuitive abilities.
Dream Board
This is a simple means of letting the universe know what the seeker wants. The seeker should purchase a Bristol board. After purchase, draw a border around the perimeter to signal to the universe you intention to manifest the images and affirmations found within its borders. Next place a spiritual symbol (angel, cross, Buddha, picture of Jesus, etc) in the top center in order to signify pure intent. Then in the middle of the board place a small photo of yourself in which you are pictured as happy and content. Finally cut images of your desired goal (taken from magazines, photos, words, etc) and place them throughout the board. At the bottom of your dream board it is suggested by Baron-Reid that you include a statement such as, ‘This, or something better, now manifests for me and for the highest good of all concerned.” The seeker is directed to meditate upon the board daily with the intention of attracting events and circumstances that will support the goal. It is recommended that the seeker release the board a year after it has been created.
Music and the Chakras
Baron-Reid also read numerous research which indicated that visualization techniques accompanied by music and meditation can be effective in healing, re-energizing and removing blockages to intuitive information. As such, Baron-Reid recorded music and spoken-word meditations that resulted in a best seller in Canada.
Unblocking Your Intuition: Remove the ‘Me’ Bubble
The author postulates that the ‘Me’ bubble represents the ego and it is used by the ego to create a sense of separation. In fact, we are all part of the universe, we are one. The ‘Me’ bubble is an attempt to maintain a unique identity that blocks intuition.
Silence your ‘Goblin’
The ‘Goblin’ represents the aggressive chatter box and loyal assistant to the ‘Me’ bubble. Further, the Goblin primary purpose is to keep the seeker distracted and focused on thoughts of resentment, greed, fear, anger, shame, guilt, sloth, envy, indifference, competition and every other expression of lack and limitation. Silence the Goblin so that you can hear the intuitive messages of the universe.
Converse with Your Shadow Side
The first step of the process of removing blocks to intuition is to converse with your shadow side (Goblin). Baron-Reid invites the reader to sit down and breathe deeply for about 15 counts. After which, the reader is directed to visualize one’s shadow side and invite it too tell you what is on its mind. Typically the shadow side is the part of you that wishes to express difficult emotions (fear, anger or anxiety). Once the Goblin is finished venting, visualize approaching the Goblin and thanking it for sharing its feelings. Hug the Goblin and imagine a white light embracing both you and this shadow. Baron-Reid further asks the reader to keep a journal to record the ravings of the Goblin to keep track of one’s transformations.
Tuning the Intuition Radio
Baron-Reid, in one of the final sections of her book writes of seven spiritual keys to tuning into a higher frequency (silencing the Ego and turning up the volume of the Universal Mind). The seven spiritual keys are: truth, reverence, humility, courage, forgiveness, stillness and love. These sections may be considered slightly redundant and uneventful to read for seekers who have already studied the concept of ego deflation, filtering out negativity and the strength of purity of intentions. However, for spiritual novices, skimming this section on the seven spiritual keys could be beneficial.
Intuition Practice Exercises
The author encourages readers to regularly practice intuition-strengthening exercises. A few are presented below.
Creating a sacred environment
Find a sacred environment whereby one might find respite from a busy, hectic day. The space should be private and secure. The sitting arrangement should be comfortable enough for a 30 minute or more meditation session. It is recommended that mediation should be conducted at the same time, same place every day.
Finding your inner sanctuary
Imagine or visualize a calming environment, nature scene, a white sandy beach, waterfall or dew embossed forest or ocean. The reader is instructed to breath deeply and imagine oneself filled with white sparkling light while in the midst of the nature scene. Sit in this sanctuary for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
Grounding exercise
There have been numerous technique for grounding oneself. Some authors suggest that the seeker focus on the mundane nuances of everyday life (counting raindrops, the number of leaves on a nearby tree, bricks or tiles, etc). This author recommends that the seeker should sit in a comfortable chair with one’s feet planted firmly on the ground. While breathing in and out for five minutes, imagine that there are roots growing from under your feet and connecting you to Mother Earth. In essence, one becomes a tree fed and grounded by the nutrients of the earth.
Opening Channels
Baron-Reid, a stalwart advocate for charka meditation and cleansing asks the reader to imagine a rainbow of light. Observe the different colors. Visualize each color as a locus, flower, spiral or swirl. One by one focus on each color swirl as it relates to the placement of the charkas. Rather than give a detailed explanation of the charkas and their placement, Baron-Reid coaches the reader to review Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss and Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.
The Net
After meditating in one’s sanctuary for five minutes, the author directs the reader to visualize standing in an ocean with a huge net. Imagine casting this net into an ocean of awareness filled with lost memories and messages of your future. Keep these messages in a journal for further exploration of your relationship to the Universal Mind.
Conclusion
This is perhaps one of the better books on metaphysical techniques that I have read in a while. Baron-Reid has found a way to blend her musical talents with her intuitive gifts to create a career that is uniquely her own. It reminds one that there is no shame to be found in a career that spans across multi-disciplinary professions, especially when this career is based upon helping others.
Dr. Mead, PhD,
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