The Mining Process

This week we dive into the core processes used in Gold Mining. These are practical tools that will become part of your ongoing practice.

Active Listening

Probably the most basic functional process in Gold Mining is Active Listening. This can be surprisingly difficult. It evolves into listening skills for ourselves and others without the intrusiveness that our minds can be prone to.

Introduction to Positive Intent

Positive Intent is one of the primary processes we use in Gold Mining. We can find positive intent even in many things that on the surface are negative. Once the positive intent of something is seen clearly, we can work on integrating and transforming it.

If something we are coming up against does not have a positive intent, it is not ours — meaning it is conditioning that we have taken on from outside, and it needs to be released. For now we will focus on positive intent since that is the case 90%+ of the time.

The Essence Process

Essence is a process from the Gold Mining Adventure that sets up mission development using journaling rather than visualization. The intention is to distil down to what wants to come through you at a soul level — your essence.

If visualization has never worked well for you, start here instead. This is the same destination by a different road.

What you'll need

• A quiet place where you will not be disturbed for at least 30 minutes
• A journal, paper, canvas, or any writing medium of your choice
• A pen, marker, or any other writing utensil of your choice

Grounding first: box breathing

Begin by grounding yourself with box breathing, or any breathing exercise that helps you settle into your inner self. Sit in a comfortable but upright position:

1. Breathe in, counting to four slowly. Feel the air enter your lungs.
2. Hold your breath for 4 seconds. Try to avoid inhaling or exhaling.
3. Slowly exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds.
4. Repeat until you feel re-centred.

Repeat for four to six breaths, or until you feel calm.

The journaling

Now open your eyes and write in your journal:

Write the answer to that. You can be as superficial or as deep as you like, but complete the statement. Spend some time with it — let your critic and editor take the day off, and just write a stream of consciousness.

After you have written for a while, step back and look at what you have written. Is there a pattern forming? What word or few words concisely describes the pattern you see?

Then ask: if you had that, what would it do for you? Repeat that question until you get down to the core essence that is desired.

Turning essence into a mission

Next, consider what actions in your life best create that vision. Then play with this form:

Consider turning your mission into a poem if that is inspiring to you. Write your mission somewhere regularly accessible and meaningful to you.