I notice I use this phrase a lot. It is an important one for me, one I have used for many years. It seems to describe purpose or simply the guiding light at decision points on the path to next steps leading to a goal.
It can be challenging “to listen” in the midst of all the noise and distractions in our lives today. So much competing for our attention -- technology, the media, important others’ needs, our internal fear, grief, and pain -- to hear that “still, quiet voice”.
Following the divine breadcrumbs can also be what people call, “God moments”. These moments can be defined as a personal encounter where you may experience God's purpose, presence, and love. “God moments” are sensed in a conversation with a friend, through listening to music, in prayer, during meditation, or as simple as an email, text, or an animal in nature.
Others may describe divine breadcrumbs as synchronicity. Defined by Carl Jung (a pioneer of modern depth psychology and psychoanalysis) as a meaningful coincidence or set of coincidences that can provide us with insight into our lives and our essential purpose.
How do I describe these experiences?
Sometimes it’s hard for me to find words to describe my personal experience with divine breadcrumbs. From my encounters, it can be like an intuitive hit. At times, a word or phrase can spark a divine breadcrumb, bringing goose bumps (a friend described it as truth bumps) or a “knowing” in the gut. I’ve experienced these moments and feelings related to both my own path or for others.
How do you access that “still, quiet voice”?
We each tap into this awareness in different ways depending on our personality and style. A colleague and friend, Jill Smith, Enneagram and Contemplative Prayer teacher, uses a short 7-minute meditation to deepen awareness with the 3 intelligence centers: the heart, the head, and the body. This is a meditative, reflective practice from the Enneagram to get in touch with all three centers. Everyone has all three centers of intelligence, but everyone has a different relationship with each of them. This calm, thoughtful meditation practice allows us to ‘be’ present with each part of ourselves in a conscious, non-judgmental space. You can find this practice outlined below.
7-Minute Meditation Practice
Spend 2 minutes getting in touch with yourself, to be present to yourself. Always start with feeling the sensations of your body. The physicality of it.
After 2 minutes do the same but drawing attention to your heart. Breathe in and out through your heart space, knowing this is the intelligence of your emotions and connection to the world and your own heart.
The next 2 minutes move your focus to your head space, your mental intelligence. It may feel calm, open, and spacious. This is the space you want to make decisions from, clear, calm, and in touch with the heart and the body.
The final 1 minute, draw attention to all 3 centers together, giving thanks, feeling grateful, and loving what you bring to the world, your full authentic Self.
In Summary
Be mindful and on the lookout for the divine breadcrumbs, allowing them to emerge organically. Once you have some “rear view” mirror perspective of what you have just experienced or walked through, you will begin to see pattern and purpose.