[Ok Markus, I tried this last night. Took a blueberry candle (love the smell) and a pillow to sit on, and a prayer I found to protect me from evil.

Excellent! Forgive me for not thinking of suggestion the pray first, I often spend time fighting off pushy holier than thou Christians (too much time if you ask me since I don't take the energy to do that to them) and for that reason, I obviously am not thinking in that line. but... Congratulations on adding it yourself! You seem to be getting a good start in blending the different paths.

[I tried concentrating on the flame for 2 minutes then closing my eyes and envisioning it for 2 more. It was really quiet, but twice I was startled.]

May I ask what startled you?

[Finally settled down and got to it. It was really weird though, there was no breeze whatsoever in this room, but the flame kept going nuts. It was one of those candles that are in a little glass cup.]

Aye, this happens.. there are two explanations. 1) when a flame is in a small closed area and there is even the Slightest wind passing over the top, it will flicker. It will NOT however typically reach Above the rim of it's container! (again, not typically, sometimes it depends on the shape of the container and how the air reflects off the side, but I hate physics so I'll spare us both a detailed analysis ;) 2) Your energy does have an effect on the flame, sort of an astral fuel. For this reason (and I should have said this before!) It is wise to keep all books and flammable substances away from the candle during these practices and also rest the candle container in a basin of water , preventing any accidental tippings :)

[Anyway, after trying to do a little concentrating, I tried messing with the flame. Kinda funny you write me about this, been there, done that!!!]

:) great!

[Markus I do have to admit though, I sure had an uneasy feeling, kinda scary. Is this natural?]

Absolutely natural, and don't let it discourage you. You are battling your previous belief system and it is much akin to the first time you forced yourself to look under your bed or open the closet door and peek in to make sure the Boogie Man isn't there. You were raised to believe this practice is evil, but like any type of power, it is only as evil as you take it. (Certainly if we search the Church History, I'm sure we can find an large number of occurrences where power was abused at the price of innocents... actually a very large number of such events!) Again, don't fret, it is natural and will pass as you become more comfortable with it. You remember your first time swimming? Was pretty frightening huh? But, I'm sure you had mom or dad there to hold your hand...

Peace of Mind and Enjoyment,
Markus