How to Communicate With God and Hear God's Voice

How do you actually communicate with God?

This question brings up another for me - is it anything like communicating with another person?

Yes indeed. The skills we use for communicating with God are the same ones we use for communicating with each other.

So what defines good, effective communication?

Great communication is a two-way street right? I mean communication isn't too great if you're doing all the talking! If of course the other person is doing all the talking - you're in for a lecture - which isn't communication either.

How do you establish two way communication with God? You desire to hear God's voice and you want God to hear yours as well. A few years ago I learned that communication has more to do with listening than I had ever realized. Think about it. You want someone to listen to you when you speak - why is it so hard to return the favor?

You want to be fully understood when you talk to someone - why is it nearly impossible to put the effort into understanding the other?

This is where the breakdown occurs in communicating with God - and anyone else for that matter. God is not a spiritual Santa. So don't think you can offer a daily goodie list to God and get showered with everything you ask for. If you've tried this technique you know it doesn't work. That may be the reason you're reading this right now!

To avoid explaining further what doesn't work I'm going to give you something to try. The reason I'm giving you this exercise is because it works for me! It's outside the scope of this article to go into extensive detail but it really is easier to communicate with God than you think - in fact - that may be the first hurdle to get over!

It does take commitment and determination - and the rewards are great!

Okay here's your exercise:

1. Find a quiet spot where you can relax and you will not be disturbed for an hour or so.
2. Sit comfortably and allow your mind to do whatever it does, but for this hour don't engage with it. Let it play and don't chase it. Just observe from a distance - don't get totally absorbed in observing either.
3. When you're relaxed and not thinking about anything in particular - begin to formulate the question or request you have for God.
4. Now just wait in that state. Don't try to think. Don't try to come up with the answer or solution. As they say - Let go and let God.

Expect a miracle!