I find it very interesting that in all of the indiginous shamanic practices that I am aware of, we always bring in the directions before proceeding with our sacred work. Bringing in the directions is the inviting of the beings such as angels, Boddhisatvas, Buddhas, and guiding beings who have dedicated their existence to being there for us.
This morning I was making direct prayers to the Buddhas regarding the wish to accumulate more positive Karma and purify negative karma I have accrued in previous lives. Buddha says that a good way to do this is to give to and cherish others. I was praying out loud just to make it more personal and so, in a sense, that it would be loud and clear.
