Start At The Ground And Work Your Way Up
Many of the articles appearing in The American Dowser are directed toward members who are already experienced in the art of dowsing. These members have perhaps taken classes, read books and are, hopefully, American Society of Dowers chapter members. But this leaves newer dowsers with a variety of questions on how to proceed in order to obtain the necessary knowledge so that they, too, can begin their exploration into the world using dowsing as their primary searching tool.
The purpose of this series of articles is to provide newer dowsers with vital information that is necessary to proceed up the dowsing ladder. Indeed, there are numerous viewpoints on how to accomplish the many tasks that dowsers are credited for; yet, at the root of it all are certain basic skills which every dowser must learn and apply if they are to advance into the higher levels of the art.
A few words of advice before we begin: Proceed slowly and cautiously. As adults, the normal tendency is to think, “Hey! This is easy!” Or, “I don’t need to learn this since my interest isn’t in this area.” These are two of the most common errors new dowsers face, which can easily slow their future growth. Why? Because both of these statements come from the “ego” and not from a relaxed, balanced state of mind. Briefly, let’s take a look at these statements one at a time.
First — “This is easy!” Yes, dowsing is a simple art, meaning that it is not complex. However, when your instructors tell you that your mind needs to be completely clear of all extraneous thoughts, well, this can be a bit more difficult since most of our minds are normally very active. Various thoughts occupy almost every waking moment. Being able to clear the mind completely requires patience and practice and is one of the most essential of all dowsing requirements.
Second — “I don’t need to learn this since my interest isn’t in this area” is another common misconception, probably the most common misconception of all. As adults we tend to think we can bypass or ignore certain learning experiences because it doesn’t apply to us or we consider these experiences a waste of time and just want to get on with things. While both of these statements may be true for the individual, if one takes time to reflect on them, perhaps the realization will set in that, indeed, both of these statements are coming from the ego and not from the required relaxed and balanced state of mind.
As a newer dowser and potential ASD member, know that picking and choosing what you wish to learn should be reserved for those who have already gone through the early learning stages of dowsing and are experienced in certain simple, basic dowsing searches like accurate location, evaluation, and depthing of water veins and domes.
I can already imagine eyes rolling, but let’s explore this logically for a moment. When you first started school as a youngster, did your teachers start you off writing short stories? Or were you first introduced to the ABC’s, then spelling, writing words, sentences, paragraphs, then cohesive paragraphs and then short stories? Why should learning how to dowse be any different just because we’re older?
Locating water may not seem like an interesting or glorious search objective, yet when you think about it, few things are of more importance for life itself. Many (if not most or even all) other species of animals are able to locate enough water to survive, even in drought-stricken areas. If they can do it, why can’t humans?
Indeed, the dowsing skill itself may have originated with our ancient ancestors locating hidden sources of water. In today’s world we just turn a tap or, even easier, buy a bottle of water at the local grocery store! While this type of reasoning may be correct, it is also drastically flawed. The assumption is that the water, in both instances, will always be supplied by an outside source. That’s all well and good (excuse the pun), but suppose our “outside source” dries up? Then what?
The original purpose of the ASD in its formative years was to promote and preserve the dowsing skill for exactly that initial purpose — the ability to locate water.
Dowsing, like other skills, is a progression. New dowsers, indeed all dowsers must start at the bottom and work their way up the ladder. One cannot bypass or ignore simple, basic learning experiences and still expect a smooth path to one’s goal. Attempting to start in the middle of the ladder is shaky at best and can lead only to discouragement when the desired results are found lacking. Start with the basics. Learn your lessons well before reaching for the next rung.
>> Read the next column in the series “The Dowsing State of Mind“.
Learn more about the 2014 American Society of Dowsers Convention, June 4-9 in Lyndonville, VT.
The Beginner Dowser Series: Learn to Dowse
Read Greg Storozuk’s installment series for the beginning dowser. For best dowsing success, read the columns in order, starting with number 1.
- Start at the Ground and Work Your Way Up
- The Dowsing State of Mind
- Preparing and Practicing the Dowsing Mindset
- Asking the Proper Questions
- Choosing a Dowsing Instrument
- Locating Practice Targets
The late Greg Storozuk, an ASD past president, was a professional dowser who concentrated his dowsing in the areas of water, geopathic zones, oil, minerals, clearings, and map dowsing. He authored A Dowsers Series. See “Tributes” at www.MileHighDowsers.org.
