An essay focusing on the Dedicants understanding of the meaning of the "Two Powers" meditation or other form of 'grounding and centering', as used in meditation and ritual. This account should include impressions and insights that the Dedicant gained from practical experience. (300 word min)

When I first began meditating, many years ago, it was with a system that was taught to me by the Berkeley Psychic Institute.  It consisted of six steps:  centering, grounding, drawing Earth energy, drawing Sky/Star energy, running the combination of Earth and Sky energy through each of the seven Chakras and then grounding and releasing the energies at the end of the meditation.  I loved this system as it became nearly effortless (after a few weekly classes), and did not require the practitioner to try clearing all thoughts.  One could maintain a light level of a trance state – about a -1 on a scale from -10 (completely out/asleep) to 10 (wide awake) and still be completely aware of one’s surroundings and interact as needed.  One such class we actually were required to tell jokes while maintaining that state of meditation.  And yet, one could easily drop into a deeper level of a trance state, just by increasing the concentration and depth of the energy flow.

When I first read that it was suggested that I try ADF’s meditation, I was nervous.  I had a process that worked for me – would something new do the same?  As a read through the meditation, I was intrigued with the similarities between the two.  Yes, there were a few differences – the Earth energy changing to the Underworld water energy and filling the three cauldrons versus charging and spinning the seven chakras – but for the major parts, it was very similar to what I was already doing.

For the first couple weeks of trying the new meditation format, I followed the concepts given.  Changing the Earth energy’s texture to the watery texture of the Underworld worked just wonderfully.  The Sky/Star energy was very similar to the fire energy from the Heavens.  But the three cauldrons versus the seven chakras?  Not so much.  It felt awkward to ignore those areas that were so used to receiving, storing and manipulating those energies.  After giving a couple weeks to the new format, I added my chakra section back in.  Much better!

This is the form that I am using in my daily devotions and the impressions that I get during my meditations are extremely powerful and just as intriguing.

Once the energies of the Two Powers blend within the first chakra, and begin to move up to the rest of them, it ‘feels’ almost as if I was growing.  Once the energies are spilling from my hand chakras and crown chakra, I feel transformed – and see myself as a large willow tree.  At this point I have become the World Tree – the product of the waters of the Underworld and the fires of the Heavens.  It is in that space that I am connected to everything: Land, Sea, Sky; Ancestors, Nature Spirits, Gods; Fire, Water, Tree.  It is from this state that I communicate with my Gods.  I’ve found that the connection is drastically stronger while the energies of the Underworld and Heaven flow within me and thus the communication between myself and my Gods is stronger and clearer. (511 words)