There are common themes running through everything I teach. Now, that doesn’t mean all of my workshops and the whole catalog of courses at the JVP School of Mystical Arts are the same, not at all!

What I am saying is that in any spiritual pursuit –  from starting a career as a psychic, medium, healer, or spiritual coach to simply living your own best life –basic principles apply.

It comes down to this. As a spiritual being living a human existence on earth, there are some things you need to know. The good news is that they’re simple to understand.

The first step toward raising your consciousness.

People waste a lot of time on what I call the complexity of simplicity. They have the belief that anything significant requires effort to understand. But here’s proof that’s not true.

“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

You probably learned it as a child. Could anything be simpler than treating others as you would like to be treated? And how much more peaceful and loving would the world be if everyone committed to living by the Golden Rule?

When you mindfully apply empathy and compassion to your day-to-day interactions, the golden rule becomes second nature, and its effect is life-changing for yourself and everyone you interact with.

Letting go.

Another thing that gets in the way of embracing the “soul basics” is trying to control every little detail.

As any medium or psychic knows, that’s not the way you receive messages from Spirit! You have to be open and receptive to what comes through, and that’s the complete opposite of controlling.

You’ve probably seen the quote a million times “you are exactly where you need to be.” How much of a stress reliever is that! Life gets a whole lot easier when you have faith and trust that the universe has a plan for you, because you know deep inside it ALWAYS does

There are a few tricks that will help you release control and trust the universe.

• Let go of fear
• Stop comparing yourself with other people
• Listen to your gut
• Stay present in the moment

That might seem like a tall order! After all, you’ve probably been conditioned since you were a child to be competitive, be the best, try to please your parents, teachers, bosses (and the list goes on). But what if you let go of all that – just for a minute.

Let’s try an exercise…

Sit still, and take a few deep breaths. If possible, do this outside or near a window.

Think of something you’ve been worried or frustrated about. Imagine the problem, and allow yourself to feel the energy of the situation and the effect it’s having on your body.

Now try to see this issue just as it is. Visualize yourself as a sculptor, and the problem as a block of stone. Chisel away any past feelings or beliefs you’re applying to your problem. For example: if you’re unhappy at work, chip away any feelings of inadequacy or insecurity that you’ve been holding onto and that you’ve brought with you into the job.

See your block of stone getting smaller.

Now look forward and ask yourself “What am I afraid of?” In our example, you might be worried about getting fired, not being able to pay bills, never getting another job, having a gap in your resume (see how this goes?). Release all that. You could just as easily find a better job, be happier and more successful than ever. But that’s ahead of you. You’re focused on the NOW.

Observe how your stone is smaller because you’ve stripped away worries about things that may never happen.

Finally, look at what’s left of your problem, and imagine chipping away any part of it involving comparisons and judgments regarding other people. “I won’t be able to afford a home like my sister, my friends will think I’m a failure, my parents won’t be proud of me.”

Chip, chip, chip away.

All that is left is your vision of the actual dilemma. Notice how without old baggage and beliefs, future predictions and fears, and concern about other people, that big block is now reduced to a tiny pebble.

Say to yourself, “I trust the universe to guide me!” Imagine all the forces of nature wearing down your remaining stone until it’s reduced to a pile of dust, and let the wind blow it away!

Open your eyes. See how much lighter and happier you feel now that you’ve eliminated fear, negativity, and judgement.

This is just the beginning. There are more principles that are part of the spiritual building blocks. Gratitude, forgiveness, self-love. But at the end of the day, it comes down to the choices you make.

• Will you mindfully choose compassion and love over fear?
• Will you hold onto old defeating beliefs and keep making the same mistakes, or will you let yourself and others off the hook, and allow yourself to be joyous and fully present in the moment.

It really is simple to live a soul-based life on earth. In fact, when you embrace these principles and live them every day, you’ll find that one mindful choice makes the next one easier. So as you practice kindness, love, mindfulness, gratitude, and forgiveness, instead of your journey getting harder each step flows naturally and effortlessly.

I’ll be discussing these spiritual building blocks further during my Facebook live broadcasts. There’s also valuable material on my YouTube channel that I know will inspire you on your journey!