It’s hard to find joy when so much time is spent aligned with the values of others, with things that are not truly important to them.

When people tell you the intimate details of their lives and what truly gives them joy whether they are alone in the world or not, it is: a sense of purpose, a sense of belonging, the freedom to express themselves, and the will to do good for themselves. Then they can be know happiness even in harsh conditions, and even if they’ve got just one of those circumstances.

People are always advising “just be yourself”, in answer to the question, “what’s going to make me happy”. This is empty guidance to young people who likely already have college debt, and not supported by society whose unwritten law is to conform.  Moreover, the tool that can help guide you to your uniquely fulfilling place in the world, your intuition, is questionable. If you are taught to disregard your intuition and doubt what comes naturally, it’s easier to acquire the habit of conforming and doing what’s expected. The depth and extent of social rigging against one’s unique self can be hard to see. Only your heart’s desire can cut through it all and help you make the choice that brings you joy. 

Some societies help people, not hinder them, to fulfill their dreams and live heroic lives, even if they don’t have material well-being. The ancient Papago lived in southern Arizona, peaceful relatives of the ancient Mexican Aztecs. Their chief characteristics were that they never raised their voices, their movements through the desert were slow and deliberate, and they were always laughing.

What did they believe? They believed if they did heroic acts for others in the tribe, the supernatural world would grant them a dream, and in the dream they might be given a song . The words to the song always described something desirable like more rain, and the Papago believed in the power of these songs that were gifts from spirit: if the words were sufficiently vivid and beautiful, whatever was being sung about would actually happen. Their cultural and personal myths helped the people create beauty, be powerful, belong, have a purpose…and they were happy even though by ten oclock in the morning, it was broiling hot and the only crop that could stand up to the heat were beans.

More and more people in today’s culture are getting used to the importance of daily practices to clear the mind. The positive belief underneath these practices is that, when you clear away the accumulated debris,  what can emerge is perfect health and well-being.

In metaphysics there is the belief that the natural laws that operate in and around us create in perfection, and that all we need to do to regain health is to remove disharmonies and our natural state of health and flowing energy will re-establish itself. Similar to the daily need to brush your teeth and wash your face, however, a person must regularly release the accumulation of energy from the day before.

The need to take a breather from the rat race and counterbalance society’s expectations and constrictions is stronger than ever. Although it’s not a good idea to skip from practice to practice and never fully explore one, I’ve been trying a new one as a daily practice to clear myself out. It’s channeled  by Rae Chandran, an internationally known spiritual teacher and healer. It’s an easy chant, just a few syllables. Doing something to clear yourself out will help lighten psychic burdens heaped upon you. Cleared out, you get a better understanding of what lights you up. This little meditation just takes a few minutes.  Any practice will do that helps keep you in touch with your own values and what’s important to your heart. 

The first chant, Uuaa Tatt Isk. helps your body release energetic blockages. The sounds release cellular material, according to Rae. The second chant, Sa Me Hey Yaa Koo , helps heal your emotional body.  The healing sound for the mental body is Kuu Maat Tatt Mmmmmm.

Chant the first one, “Uuaa Tatt Isk”, for twenty one days, at least twenty-one times each day. You can hold in your mind while you chant, a part of your body or life you want healed. Typically, you might notice your voice free up, and a feeling that there’s a healthy flow to your energy. You might also experience past events or past life events that come up to be released. After chanting each twenty-one days, twenty-one times each, see if you are more receptive to your own good, and on a higher vibration! Repeat the 21 day cycle with the other chants.    (A recording of the chants will be online here around July 9th , and if you want to try chanting yourself to music, there is a music-only soundtrack uploaded as well.)

Elissa Heyman has a private psychic counseling and healing practice in Santa Fe, NM, and by telephone internationally. Elissa’s  website  offers educational articles, a weekly psychic horoscope podcast,  free guided meditations recommended by Spirituality/Health magazine, and an award-winning newsletter. Contact Elissa for a private psychic counseling and healing telephone appointment at 505-982-3294 in Santa Fe.  New: A tarot workshop and healing circle weekend in Santa Fe, July 16-17 and August 13-14^th.