To each person, this is going to be different. For me, I first smudge myself, using cedar smoke, for cleansing. Then I enter the forest and calm my mind. A light meditative state is what I'm striving for, where my mind isn't wandering aimlessly. I CAN however focus on the life around me, since a blank mind is hard to maintain without a deep meditation. In this state, I reach out with my mind, to feel the strength of a specific place. This will shine like a beacon, and will be from the life tree. Once I feel it, I walk to it. The walk can sometimes be quite a distance. Once I find the tree, I sit, facing the tree, and give an offering...in Indian tradition, a bit of tobacco is a good offering, but water or other offering can be used. Keep a very clear intention in your mind...this is extremely important, and it is your focus, in this case, to make contact. (Naturally, all of this is far easier if you have already found your spirit guides and have them to help you, but finding your guides is something different entirely.) Give praise to the life spirit you feel, and ask for contact and ask for the sharing of wisdom.

This is a bit simplified, and it takes much longer than it sounds...usually at least a few hours.