Answers About the Afterlife: Discussion Three, Questions About Death and Dying

   We know that the way we think of dying isn't really dying at all, it's simply moving to another dimension, if you will.  The spirit plane, or the heavenly realm are two names I personally like to use.  Here on earth we consider it dying because we no longer have a body and are no longer able to see with our "eyes" the person who has "died".  

  Our soul never dies. We are not humans with a soul, we are souls who are experiencing being human.  There's a big difference.  Our consciousness is the spirit, or is the soul, and it goes on for ETERNITY. So, what is it that determines when  and how we "die"?  There are so many elements that go into this.  Before we are born, the way I like to explain it, (as it has been shown to me over and over again), we sit down with a "guidance counselor", an elder,  our team of spirit guides, and we decide what are going to experience in this lifetime.  What are the life lessons we wish to learn? When we decide the lessons, we also make agreements with other souls to experience certain lessons with them.  This is  why we come in contact with some people and we feel a certain magnetism, or draw to that person.  It's because recognize the soul, even if we don't actually recognize the person.  It's that feeling of, I've known you forever.  In reality, you have known them forever. We travel in soul groups and we change up the relationships we have the souls, depending on the lessons and the agreements we make prior to incarnating in any given lifetime.  As hard as it may be to imagine, we make choices to experience certain illnesses, or to have certain trauma come into our lives, so we have the experience of it, and see how we handle it.  It's all about choices that we make and how we handle those things that show up.

  Don't get weighted down with the idea that only thing we are here to do is learn lessons.  We also incarnate to enjoy life itself.  As you know though, deciding to enjoy it is a personal choice.  I know you've probably run across a person or two in your life who is perfectly happy being miserable.  They wouldn't know how to behave if they didn't have something to complain about.  That aside, we can as souls decide that we are going to be happy and really enjoy what we have been gifted with. 

 There are souls who are here for the primary purpose of helping other in reaching their goals and life lessons.  This is a reason why soul stays is to help another. Another factor in death and dying is opportunity. There are situations where a death can occur, but a spirit guide steps in and stops it because the souls has other things to accomplish while they are here. I can personally attest to this, because I've had a number of time when I've walked away from a situation that was surprising.  I will share one with you now just so you can get a feel for what I'm talking about. Back in 1993 I was in an automobile accident.  I was making a left turn out of a shopping center on a very busy local road.  After I looked both ways, I proceeded to make the turn, and a BIG concrete truck that I didn't see came flying over the hill.  He hit my car in the front (driver's side) quarter panel.  The car was brand new. We get the car off the road into the shopping center. A state trooper shows up to investigate the accident.  At the moment I wasn't feeling any pain, was just sort of stunned.  Well, the driver of the concrete truck was pacing back and forth, and very nervous and upset.  He knew how bad the accident could have been.  The driver's door, mine, was missed with less than twelve inches to spare.  Had he hit the door, I would not be here telling you this story.  Well, I could hear as the trooper was questioning him.  He kept saying, "Something turned the wheel of the truck.  Really, something turned the wheel of the truck. I don't know what or who it was."  He was probably coming too fast over the hill, but I was charged because he clearly had the right of way.  But that didn't happen until after the trooper finished giving him field sobriety tests to be sure he wasn't under the influence.  The poor guy was so shaken, I really felt bad for him.  Had the car not been brand new it would have been considered totaled by the insurance company.  There was 12,000 worth of damage to the car, and yes, my insurance company cancelled my insurance after the accident. Having experienced a few times in my life where there was Divine intervention, I wasn't as shocked or as confused as the truck driver.  I knew by this point, I am well protected.  There was a knowing that God has some things planned for me that required me staying on earth for a while.  Don't get me wrong, I don't go out here and intentionally put myself in harms way, but this is not by far the only thing I've ever been through that I might not have walked away from without those special protections.  

  Another thing that plays into our death and the timing of is is our own free will.  There have many people where the doctors say, oh, he has three months, she has two weeks; only to be proven wrong by the person who is just not ready yet. In the most dire of situations one can have a strong will to live and it override what is a possible out for them.  

People often ask about karma, or the reap what you sow factor.  There is some of that involved in our lives and we can't minimize it's effects on our lives. We should all try to live by the rule, do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  I've also been asked a number of time if a loved one felt pain during their death.  This is a troubling prospect for many. I've been told and shown that when death is imminent, that the spirit guide or loved one there to meet the person, brings them out before the pain can be felt. I've also been told they don't feel fear or anxiety with it.  Sometimes people who have had a near death experience will feel pain when they return to the body, but not during the "death" portion of it. I hope that makes sense to you.  

 

  There are others who wish to know if death is dark and scary. Our beliefs can play a part in what we see when we first arrive on the spirit plane.  This is why we have soul family that meets us, to help us transition to Light.  Once a person transitions they no longer feel the pain of any illness or trauma that they have experienced.  They can, however, feel our sadness and grief.  Our loved ones can visit us in dreams, and they can make their presence known to us during our waking hours.  One thing I have seen over and over again that blocks this is the pain of the person grieving.  We never stop missing our loved ones, but we can allow our pain wall to recede so they can make the connection with us.  Grieving is a process, and it is a very individual thing.  I've dealt with people who missed a loved one after they were gone, but they knew that the soul was a very good place so they didn't have a pain wall at all.  And I've seen the other end of the spectrum, where someone had died ten years before and it was as though it had just happened and the person's pain wall was so high that I could physically feel it.

   I'd like to close this particular discussion with the fact that we are able to communicate with our loved one in spirit.  You can do so through a gifted psychic medium by having  a reading.  But also to let you know that you can communicate directly with your loved ones.  They can hear you when you speak aloud to them, as well as when you think of them. If you get a sign from a loved one, acknowledge it.  We have a tendency to logically explain away the signs they bring us.  If something happens, a song comes on the radio, you smell a certain scent, you see something that was special to a loved one and the first thought that pops into your head is of a specific loved one, just acknowledge that it is from them. When you do this, you will start to see more signs and feel their presence even more.  Remember, we don't die, we just move to a new location.

Meditation, The Answer to Your Prayers.

     As we move into March and get closer to the spring and warm weather, I know everyone is looking forward it.  Most, if not, all of us are over the winter.  We seem to have been blasted really well with the snow, sleet and ice.  Now it's time to melt not only the cold weather, but our hearts and listen for the answers we are seeking.

    

     Often I am asked, how can I get my own answers?  Or, how do I get in tune with my spirit guides?  The key to this is always meditation.  Many people attempt meditation, but then quit out of frustration and an inability to quiet the mind and listen to that internal guidance.  I understand this frustration and the throwing up of the hands.  I'm brought back to a time in early adult life when I was asked by a gentleman, one I had a great deal of admiration and respect for, "How do you know when God answers your prayers?"  This question was a little surprising to me, but it was also an eye-opener to me.  The thought immediately running through my head was, "What do you mean, how do you know when God answers your prayers?  I hear him just like I hear you."  Then the voice in my head said, "Wow, God picked me!  I hear and see things other people don't hear."  Now, for some they consider it to be a curse, for me, I've always viewed it as a blessing.  Again, that feeling of "Wow, God picked me."  But then further, what did God pick me for?  To get the answers to that question I knew I would have to listen closely.  

     There are those that can go into a meditation and journey without a moment of thought.  Then there are those who I will call, "wheel spinners".  What is a wheel spinner?  My definition of that is a person that when they try go to that place of quiet, calm, and relaxation in order to listen for their guidance, or their answers, they immediately start thinking of all the things they need to do.  This list can range anywhere from buying groceries, fixing meals, doing laundry, going shopping for something they need for the home.  It's the place in our mind where we've stored our to-do list.  In meditation we are not trying to access our to-do list, we are trying to access our spirit guides, and our higher-self, if you will.  

     First, I would like to say that prayer and meditation go hand in hand.  One is useless without the other.  Prayer is the method by which we let our needs and desires be known.  We are asking or requesting, that can be for something material, something emotional, an answer that seems to elude us, a need for a loved one to be healed, guidance on how to proceed in a desired goal.  The list can go on and on, it's endless the things that we pray for.  But make no mistake about it, prayer is just as essential as meditation.  For without making the request, or asking the questions there is no need for answers.  The answers come through the meditation.  

     So, now we proceed with going into a meditation.  Our environment for meditation is just as important.  You wouldn't or shouldn't meditate in a car while driving, or in a subway while riding the train.  These are examples of places that you need to be completely aware of what's going on around you at any given time.  Though there have been times in everyone's life when they have ended up in a place, and couldn't remember how the trip.  My opinion is that you should have a place to meditate that is calm and serene, you feel totally comfortable.  When getting ready to meditate I like to light a few candle,  and burn some incense.  It adds to the peacefulness of what I'm about to do.  This is totally up to each individual.  If you are a person who i s a wheel spinner, I'm sure you can understand why you wouldn't do a meditation in the middle of a coffee shop.

     Now to decide can I listen to metaphysical or new age music and get to where I want to go.  When a person meditates they are attempting to reach an alpha state in their mind.  This i s a state of your body, more or less, being asleep, and your mind is fully awake and aware.  After doing meditation for a period of time, you might actually feel the vibration in your body.  Some people hear their answers, and some actually see images, similar to having a dream, but in a completely awake and aware state of mind.  This is the type of meditation that everyone seeks to have.  If you don't get there on your first attempt, do not be discouraged.  It sometimes take a "wheel-spinner" up to two weeks to get there.  Do not fret, because with continued practice even the biggest "wheel-spinner" can accomplish.  Normally what I suggest to people who have a hard time quieting their minds is to start with a guided meditation, whether that is in a group setting, or by purchasing a CD that has a guided meditation on it.  Usually, you can get a CD like that for less than $20.  There are many guided meditations on the market.  Some of the people who have made guided meditations are James Van Praagh, Dr. Brian Weiss, John Edward, and that's just to name a few.  I have had great experiences with Dr. Weiss's CDs.  His are the ones that I recommend most often to my friends and clients.  You will find that once you have mastered the guided meditation, which basically guides you through the steps of relaxation, and journeying in your meditation, then you can move onto an instrumental piece to work with.  The reason the guided meditation works so well, is because instead of going right to your to-do place, you go to that alpha state by focusing on the guide's instructions.  

   When you get to the point where you wish to use instrumental pieces, then you will find pieces like Anugama's Shamanic Dreams II to be very nice to work with.  There are so many, and you need only do a little practice to find the pieces that you resonate with.  I suggest that you try several different artists before settling on the one that works best for you.  Enya, Enigma, Steven Halpern all have very nice pieces that have helped a great many people.  Find what works the best for you and use it.  

     As you meditate your answers can come to you through hearing what is being said to you, or even having psychic visions.  The more practice your meditation the better you will become at it.  As with anything, practice, practice, practice.  

     Remember, pray and make your requests, and then meditate to get your answers.  When you have reached a place of true connection, you know when the answers come you can trust them.  When you start trusting them and following that guidance you get more and more guidance and it be more and more clear.

    It is my hope that you find the answers you are seeking and that continued reading and following of this blog helps you find the love and light you are looking for.  Until we blog again, keep reaching for the stars and searching for your answers.  Don't forget to follow the blog and look me up on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter.  You can visit me at www.heavencallingearth.com.  

    

Are the TV shows about Psychics and Mediums Accurate?

  Hello again to all my loyal friends, and fans.  A subject that has come up a number of times in the last few months is about televisions shows involving psychics or psychic mediums.  I've been asked if the ways things are shown is real or is it all made up.   The main purposes of my blog is educate those interested about psychics, psychic mediums, and all things associated with psychic readings and psychic medium readings.

   My earliest memory of psychics being on TV was Miss Cleo and the Psychic Readers Network, and then there was Dione Warwick and the Psychic Friends Network.  I don't know what your opinion may have been of those infomercials, but mine certainly weren't of a positive nature. Both were commercials and infomercials about call-in lines for psychic predictions, and psychic readings.  Of course, there were many jokes and generalizations about psychics and the work that they do.  This was not a good foundation for psychic phone readings to be based on.

  We've come a long way since that time, in both education about psychics.  As I have written before, not all are good, not all are bad.  And since the timing of Psychic Readers Network and Psychic Friends Network, there have been several psychic mediums who have done television shows that has done as much good for the reputation of the work, as those first two did to damage it.  John Edward's show, Crossing Over, and then there was Beyond with James Van Praagh.  People were able to watch members of the audiences get readings from these two mediums and see how connecting with their loved ones worked.  Not only were the members of the audiences brought to tears, but television audiences wept as well, hoping to possibly to be able to make that connection with their own loved ones.  

  And then came the television series that were put on.  They were put on as entertainment, but my belief is that they also helped to educate people.  Keeping in mind that there is, of course, the "Hollywood" aspect of the show, and there is also a foundation, if you will, of truth in some of it.  And how much reality there was in the show depended on which show you might have been watching.  Let me start with Charmed, which was a show about three sisters who got their powers back after the death of their grandmother, "Grams."  Phoebe was the psychic sister, who was able to see things that were yet to come.  She had the gift of precognition, which means to see things before they happen.  The way in which her precognitive abilities were shown is by her touching someone or something and seeing the impending trouble.  Because the premise of the show was that the girls were always fighting against demons, Phoebe rarely saw good things coming in the future.  The act of touching something or someone and getting a premonition is the element that is not necessary.  I'm not saying that it is not possible, I'm saying it's not necessary.  Touching someone or something and getting information about the object or the person is called psychometry.  As the girls grew closer, their gifts grew as well.  Phoebe then received the gift of empathy.  Being an empath means feeling what another person feels.  Having this gift can be overwhelming, especially if you are unaware of having it,  and that in turn causes an inability to control it.  An example of how an empath picks up things from others is, an empath can be in a room full of people, everyone is happy and having a good time.  The next thing that happens is that another person walks into the room and she happens to be very angry, the energy in the room changes dramatically.  The empath will pick up on this and feel the anger raging in his or herself. I'm sure you have felt something similar to this in the past.  This is one of the ways that a psychic or medium gets information, either about the person who has died, or the person having the reading.  The psychic is able to differentiate what they are feeling is associated with the dead person, or the person having the session.  I'm not going to go into the gifts that Piper, or Prue had in this blog.  While they did have some gifts that psychics and mediums have, the vast majority of theirs were for show, literally.

  The next show I would like to talk about is Ghost Whisperer, with Jennifer Love Hewitt as Melinda Gordon.  Melinda was able to see, hear, and communicate with "ghosts" in the show.  In reality there are some souls that have not moved into the light because they have unfinished business.  Psychic Mediums are able to see, hear, and feel things from a soul that is communicating with them, so this is the part of the show that was real.  Again, the "Hollywood" aspect of this show is that number of times that this happens in one small town.  James Van Praagh was the Co-executive Producer on this show.  Having him on board certainly helped to keep this show closer to psychic mediums experience.

  Then we have the show Medium, which is based on the life of Allison Dubois.  Allison is another psychic medium.  In the show when a case needs to be solved Allison had a "dream" which gives her clues to lead to what happened.  Reality is that mediums do at times get information that can be helpful to law enforcement in solving a crime, or helping to find a missing person.  For the most part, mediums do not have dreams every night that are connected to their readings.  There are psychics and mediums who at times get information about things that either have happened, or are going to happen, and the information can be helpful to law enforcement.  Just as there are in all walks of life, there are law enforcement officers who believe in the gifts that psychics have, and are willing to use those tips to help solve a crime or find a missing person.  For many reasons, most of which are obvious, law enforcement will not come out and acknowledge that this is a practice that is used in their departments.  but psychics are used in situations similar to that of a confidential informant.

  All in all, the more recent television shows that have been based on, or feature a psychic or a psychic medium as based on some foundation of truth. In other words, some of the things that are portrayed are true and accurate, others are exaggerated for entertainment purposes.  And if you are thinking about having a reading you should decide what is the purpose for having a reading, if it is for entertainment purposes, you and a few of your friends are doing it just for a "hoot" as they say, then you can just pick any one you want, and "remember" you were doing it for fun, and keep it perspective.  If you are, however, doing it because you have lost a loved one, or you are experiencing a life situation that you need guidance in, then do your research first.  Talk to a friend who has spoken to one, search on-line and read as much as you can about the person you are going to make an appointment with.  Learn what the tell tale signs are of a scammer, Is Your Psychic Real or a Scam?  You can also visit a site that Bob Olson has created to help people find a good psychic or psychic medium, http://www.bestpsychicdirectory.com.  Seeing a psychic for fun is one thing, and seeing one for healing and help is completely different.  Make sure you select the right one for you.

  Until next time, Love and Light to you all.

When to Have a Reading

  To have a reading or not to have a reading.  Some are not sure if they want  a reading, or even if it will help.  Then there are those who would like to, but it goes against their religious beliefs, and they're not quite sure if they will end up in hell if they do.  Let me state outright, my purpose is not to put anyone's religion down.  We all have the right to believe what we choose, and should be able to do that without anyone judging it.  I would like to state that my personal belief is that all religions have a foundation in truth.  Not only do they all have a foundation in truth, but rooted in love, compassion and understanding.  Through years of man's interpretations those foundations have drastically changed.  It's kind of like reading a book, and telling someone what you think the author meant when he wrote it.  If you ask ten different people, you are likely to get different interpretations.  So, on the aspect as it applies to having a reading because of what your religious views are, I say, if it feels right to you, then have one.  I can assure you that there is no punishment for having a session.  You won't be arrested, no ads in the newspaper are taken out to let others know you have done it.

  Now, I would like to address timing of having a reading.  If you have lost a loved one, and you are hoping to connect with them there is no specific amount of time that must be waited out before you can have a session, or that you will be able to get through to them.  As for the timing on your end is another factor to be considered.  When someone passes people are in a great deal of pain from the loss, and very emotional.  This is normal and won't hinder the contact, but you may have a better experience if you wait a little bit until you have time to adjust per se.  Not that we ever adjust to being without someone we love and care about, but the emotions will calm down.  This is a very personal thing, and for each individual it may be different.  My opinion on this is to go when it feels right to you.  I have souls come through to me right after having left this dimension, before there has even been a memorial service.  Whether you decide to have a reading right after, or wait a period of time, a session with a good medium usually brings through some very comforting information.

  How about if you are going through a life situation, such as a financial situation, or the break up of a relationship, or you are having a medical issue?  Is this a good time to have a reading?  The answer to that question purely depends on whether or not you do your research and find a reputable genuine psychic to do the reading for you.  All too often people don't do enough research and end up having a session with a charlatan or a scammer.  When you are going through a situation like any of the ones I have mentioned, you are vulnerable.  The charlatan can smell it, and they will use it to their advantage.  They can end up doing more harm than good in these cases.  If you have gotten a referral from a friend, or you have researched, a reading can be very helpful.  Read my previous blog about signs that you are being scammed.  When you have a session with a reputable psychic, or psychic medium he or she can help you quite a bit.  But rest assured a genuine psychic, or psychic medium will never try to make you dependent on them.  They never tell you must return to them, or that you should buy some expensive item to get rid of whatever is going on.  A suggestion may be made about doing meditation, or attending a workshop.  Or you may even be referred to someone who does genuine healing work.

  All in all, whatever the reason for having a reading, be it to speak with a loved one who had died on the earthly plane, or any type of life situation, the most important aspect is doing your research, or get a good referral from someone you trust.  Psychic readings and or psychic medium readings are very helpful in many different ways to many people.  Only you know if the time is right for you.  There is no specific time that is better than another to have a reading.  The most important part is getting someone to do your reading that is working in the light, and only has your best interest at heart.

Good or Evil

Periodically the question comes up whether or not what psychics do is good or evil.  There are people of certain religious backgrounds that believe that getting a psychic reading is dabbling in evil, or the "devil's work".  Some people feel this is a taboo subject to even approach, but I've never been shy about approaching a difficult subject.  Personally, I think this is a subject that needs to be addressed.  The way I choose to address this topic is based on my own experience.

What I have been shown through my meditations, and through experience with others, is that we are all born with intuitive abilities.  This is what I call our own internal "GPS".  The reason for this internal "GPS" is because we are all spiritual beings.  I heard a quote once, and I cannot remember who said it, "We are all spiritual beings having a human experience, not humans having a spiritual experience."  And I read in a Brian Weiss book, "It's not a matter of finding out who we are, but a matter of remembering who we are."  So, in that we are all spiritual beings having a human experience, all things that we are given, are given by our creator for our use.

What is a GPS?  It is a guiding device, to give direction, to help when you are not sure where you are going.  Our "GPS" is that gut feeling you have, or that small voice you hear.  A lot of times people aren't sure why they are feeling something, or where that voice is coming from, so they either choose to ignore it, or follow it.  I'd like to give an example of the kinds of things that we feel or hear.  Let's say you are getting ready to go out for the day, and you hear, "take the umbrella, it's going to rain this afternoon."  Or, you are driving down a familiar road and you get a feeling, "Don't take the regular way, the road is backed up, go over to the alternate road."  So do you choose to follow that guidance, or should you ignore it?  If you ignore it, slowly you turn off that God-given intuition.  If you listen to it, you are saying to your guides, "I want to hear more."  And they stand up and cheer, and it's like a little cheering session saying, "We have his/her attention, let's tell him/her more."

Now that you have an understanding that we ALL have this inside of us, let's talk about whether or not it is good or evil.  Firsts, it's given to us by our creator/God.  God doesn't give us gifts that are evil.  There are those who use their gifts in ways that they were not intended to be used.  That does not make all psychics or psychic mediums "evil".  It is a matter of how they choose to their gifts that determines whether it is good or bad.  There are readers who use their gifts and are not operating in the light, and are using them to scam people.  One way in which this is done is by telling someone, "You have a curse on you." Or, "You have a black cloud of negative energy around you."  Then they will offer to lift the curse, or get rid of the negative energy for you for a sum of money.  Anyone doing such things is not using the gift for the purpose in which it was intended.  You can rest assured that there is Universal Law that takes care of such things.  I'm sure you have heard it, "What goes around comes around. Karma, what you put out is what you get back. You reap what you sow."

There is too much good that is done by people using their gifts in the light, and in the way that it was intended to lump all psychics and psychic mediums into the same category and say that they are all evil.        When a medium connects a person with a loved one that has left the earthly plane, and there is no doubt  that is what they have done, this is not evil.  It helps to heal grief and helps the people left behind that are in so much pain from their loss.  Another example is when a psychic sees a young woman with a child, and the doctors have told her that she will likely not be able to have children, it gives her hope to move forward in her life.  These are good things and ways that the gifts help people.

Good versus Evil.  It's not all black or white.  It's about intent.  It's about the way it is used.  Don't let other people's fear of something that they don't understand rule what you do, or you think.  Make your decision about whether or not having a reading is the right thing for you.  By all means, do your research and be sure to connect with a psychic or psychic medium who is using their God-given gift in the way it was intended to be used, and they are operating in the light.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and I hope you have enjoyed this one.  Love and Light to you.