Mediums

[cainam_nazier]

You know I kinda had that complaint with John Edwards also.  However it is possible it is just the wording he chooses to use.

But you should check out James Von Prag(sp). The show is called Beyond.  He is really accurate about a lot of stuff.  He is kinda scary in that respect.

[ravenmoonmyst]

you know i have seen both shows james von prague does make me wonder though.
if you think about it why is the info so vague like i have a name that starts with an j sound if the spirit tells him something like there was a flood in the kitchin 22 years ago why cant it ever say its full name?
i watched a show about this once and its kind of like fishing for information i am sure they do not show you ALL of the readings just the better ones and some so so once in a while to keep you going.
I have also thought about this one what if in the audience or before the show they place "plants" so to speak of course most people would be talking about the person whom they wished to contact what if these"plants" in turn let the medium know.
I am not discrediting anyone here just trying to think about all of the ways here. allthough I do think some brains are more highly developed and certainly after a near death wouldnt you basically have one foot on the other side? I had a near death but i cannot talk to spirits allthough since then i do occasionally see them (scares the crap out of me)
 has anyone ever seen silvia brown or read her books> what is your opinion on her?

[sublime]

Personally (this is completely just my opinion) I feel that anyone who posesses these abilities and uses them on a TV show? to make money? I'm not buying it... I think if anyone really had these abilities, it would be a sacred thing for them and they would not try and benifit financially from them.

[wildbank]

(this is a copy from one of my postings in another thread)

I wish to comment on the Beyond stuff we see on TV, with these amazing psychics reading from a random audience member to their enthrallment or disbelief. What I am noticing pathetically is how many people are looking for their "Herbie" or "Fifi" on the other side, and feeling so flattered they are remembered back. What I am getting at is that this physical form is not who we really are, as it dismisses that greater Self we are. I prefer to feel "connected" to the entire wonderful being unmanifest, and it is quite great and awesome. I have had fortunate encounters with living or departed beings who know how to give me their fullest self over a distance. It feels trancelike, if I am asked to describe the feeling, and usually accompanied by great overwhelm, and occasionally, an effervescent rush all over the body. If we can do this, it could mean that we have untapped vast resources to do all the finer techniques that we are discussing in the forums. We are here! It means we are ready! Eager teachers and eager students! Awake and very much on the cutting edge! You will all have not just your OBE sooner or not much later but a plethora of many tricks. This vibe here is bound to open up more new vibes and delightful ramifications of our multidimensional gifts.
Aloha!
The greatest pearl was once a grain of sand.

[wildbank]

The TV psychic I really like is the Pet Psychic woman. In watching enough of her readings in one evening, I started to feel griefy and then a picture formed in front of me: a pet I did not know in this life that moved me so deeply. Instantly, with that partial awareness, I started to feel many portions of this perception, that it was a dear horse of mine, I knew its name to my amazement, and it explained why recently I had a sudden interest in horsebackriding in Europe.
There is something very tangible in the air and these mediums know it. How accurate they are is not nearly as important as FEELING the presences or aliveness of our spiritual connections, be it a being or an incident. They all have a measure of gravity in the hearts. That is why we feel them or get emotional. It is rather healthy as long as a great appreciation for LIFE at large is present in perspective. Fixations need not be part of the scenery, but in witnessing these TV shows, the audiences could use some release of such emotional blockages. I much prefer that the audience are TAUGHT how to do these connections on their own, and not treating the mediums as someone greater than themselves. That is how these TV shows mainly turn me off. On the other hand, they increase my desire to develop my mediumistic skills. So far, so good, I won't complain much.

[Person]

That's a really good point.. I'd never thought of that.  I did always wonder why a happy spirit would care to hover around the family for 20 years or more though.  The dead spirit seems to always be described as having a 'strong personality' or is very important to the family ties.  
As for accuracy.. I think the more accurate, the more false.  If psychic senses were accurate, science would have accepted them by now.  Anyone watch the superbowl a few weeks ago?  Before it started, two magicians made predictions about what the final score would be and who the MVP was.  They locked it in a container, then in a pickle jar, then had it held up and surrounded by Marine guards the whole game.  At the end, they broke it open, and the results were dead on.
Sounds very psychic, but every time the two were mentioned they said they were 'magicians,' and I recall that trick being done often on magic shows.
I havent seen James' show so I can't judge, but when you say 'very accurate' it makes me picture a televangelist, with a hidden earpiece, miraculously diagnosing and saving people from the audience, who just happened to fill out information cards before the show.
I think events come across stronger than names because the spirit/shell is emotionally linked to the memory.  Not many are traumatized by their own name, and it can't come across as strong as how they died.  
As for ouija boards and lying spirits, provable facts won't come across (as far as i know).  The spirit has no way of getting that information, unless one member already knows soemthing and transmits it to the spirit.  So that wouldn't be too hard to discern, especially if you were on live tv surrounded by skeptics looking for that type of empty response.
wildbank- John Edwards did write two books.. I havent read them so I don't know if he imparts how-to knowledge, but it's more than most.  I agree that the focus should be more on how to do these things yourself.  Never saw a show on developing ESP... wana make and market one? hehe

[wildbank]

Mediums are real to me but I believe everyone has this opportunity to develop their own mediumistic ability. I have been around mediums and they have "guessed" many pictures by feeling perhaps my emotional body. As for future, I tend to avoid psychics because it is usually what they want the future to be and I can always change it once I am aware of the future or the inclinations of consequences of my actions in the whole picture. Lots of variables out there constantly shifting our dimensions daily.

So, yes, I feel better if the mediums are not 100% accurate or I wouldn't believe they got the information honestly.

When we have enough exposure to these mediums through national TV, I guess it shall become household and then our children shall take it for granted and manifest these abilities. It is real.

Long ago, "blockages" meant only your kitchen drain. So, our perceptions have changed and broadened.

We are here to improve such ability in ourselves through this extra perception exploration.

[silva]

Well I dont necessarily agree with if a person was really a medium they wouldnt profit off of it.  I mean unless they only want to do it as a side thing and work a regular job.. but to really focus all your energy on your talent and make a living out of it i'd think would be great.

Honestly is it anymore of a god given or spiritual gift than being a mathmatical genius or having a god given talent for art?

I personally think van praugh is a fraud if you really watch his show anyone who stands up to varify what he said he says "thats for you then" also to get on his show you have to be a believer and they ask who you're hoping to hear from...etc.  Read his website for the beyond show.  Also the audience isn't chosen at random they're hand picked because as the website says "james can function with the right crowd of people better." Another thing for his private readings he always choses murders and very sensationalized things.  And they record the video tape of the family saying what happened to their loved one BEFORE the reading.  They say James hasn't seen the tape but he often comes out and says "they tell me you're hoping to hear from your son "(sons name" who died in ______ .  He was trying to be an actor before he became a medium and ive just seen too many really bad readings.

For example once he said "i see scissors like someone's cutting a cloth" and the lady said "i went for a haircut two weeks ago" instead of admitting its way too vauge he said "shes saying she was there">

If you really watch john edward he very often says "no thats not it" and tells some people he's not with them even when they verify everything he says.  Hes very specific and the only reason van praughs stats are higher is he ALWAYS says "he loves you very much" or "he had a scar" i mean to me its laughable how broad he makes it.  He once said "i see videos on a friday night" and the lady cried and said "we used to rent videos on friday njight!" wow what are the odds of that.

They're very different and van praugh only has like two readings and now fills the remainder of the time with his host talking to guests.  Or talking to some author.  Its because so many find praghs readings hard to watch.  I personally am disgusted by the amount of cheating he does.  He also says "shes standing right behind you with her hand on your shoulder" or "the fifi just jumped on your lap.. hes licking your face" give me a break.  Most of what he said cant be verified and he also says things like "she wanted more children".  Or if hes wrong he says "well he/she wanted that kind of job".

I dont mean once or twice his whole readings are this type of thing.  

Anyway about the money thing i think through his show John edward really has reached a lot more people than he would have.  He also in a way is opening people's mind to the possibility people dont just die.  I think compared to all the crap thats on tv i mean reality shows.. "fear factor" where they torture people and exploit them in order to show how desperate people are for money. His show is refreshing.  Im sure if he said he's not going to except money NBCS or whatever channel it is producers would be more than happy to take their share and his.

[James S]

I can share two positive and one negative experiences regarding mediums or mediumship.

The first was my wife's visit to a medium she was referred to by a close friend. This was a year or two after the death of my wife's mother in a car accident. The medium was quickly able to establish a connection to two people - one my wife's mother, which was verified authentic by the medium recalling an occasion and a phrase that shared by my wife and her mother many years ago, and was totally private. Absolutely nobody else knew about this moment. My wife's mother stated that she want's to keep an eye on things, and drop in from time to time. She does indeed do so, as every now and then my wife will just stop, her eyes wil grow distant, she smiles and says "mum's here". My wife has some psychic talent, so I have no doubt of what she says. The second person was my wife's guide, whom her mother introduced as an elderly native american indian man who is keeping an eye out for my wife.

The second account is one where I had not long learned of the death of my oldest brother. I set out meditating and phased to a place where I have met with my guide a few times. She brought my brother with her. He greeted me in a way that he used to, something I'd forgotten. I wanted to speak with him, ask him questions, but he told me that he wasn't hanging around. He has some exploring to do and that I should go looking for him. I'd only just learned phasing at that stage and it was a bit of a shock. It was real enough that I don't question the experience.

The third account predates the last, to a time when I was just starting my spiritual quest. I went to see a clairvoyant. She was hopeless! She tried directly channeling something, but got nothing, so she resorted to Tarot cards. She was vague, gave a wishy-washy message from them, predicted a bit of doom and gloom and a bit of good fortune and the usual "you'll meet someone" or "come into some money", and started to contracdict her own earlier readings.

What I've found is that true mediums are not at all vague. It's solid information from real spirits in the astral. If a spirit really has something to tell you and can use a medium to get the message to you, they don't beat around the bush. The message mightn't always make sense at the time, but there's never anything vague about it. The vague ones are the people who quite likely have had clairvoyant episodes, so think they can cash in on it, use their gifts for some income, and generally tell people either something really cryptic, or can read the person well enough to tell them what they want to hear.

BTW, I don't like mediums who use devices. I know many see it as an accepted practice to use Tarot cards or other items for guidance, but A true medium should be able to channel the information directly from the source and not use devices that can be very much influenced by the feelings or moods of the medium themselves, and how they interpret them.

James.

[kakkarot]

well, why doesn't someone try getting him to channel YOU to another person? [] try interupting a person's link with "the beyond" and try establishing your own link to the person? that would be funny.

especially for those who can oobp. go to a medium and try making yourself scary and see what they do. []. or if they even react at all. see how many times you can get the medium to walk right through you as though they "didn't notice you there". or try shielding them and see if they can still communicate with spirits. there are so many ways for those who aren't faking it to prove whether a so-called medium is faking it.

it just takes a bit of time, effort, and location, i guess. after all, if you can't get to the person to try these things, i guess it's pretty useless.

i've had one person try reading me. she claimed she was 98% accurate and that she had even gone down to the states to get tested. what she got from me was that she saw "three stars", or something. i forgot what i asked her to check for, but her answer was kind of significant. depending on how you look at it.

i'm still not sure whether to believe in her or not, but whatever. i don't think it matters that much.

~kakkarot

[PeacefulWarrior]

Spiritual mediums are not a good idea.  I think good things have come from them, but spiritual leaders who I respect greatly have said time and time again that one should not seek them...

Too many negative energies and spirits are involved.  If someone who has passed on wants to communicate with you, they will do it naturally and in their own way...and most importantly, in a way that will help you the most (whether through dreams, impressions or contacts to the higher self through OBE's)

-DT

[gerble king]

I think John Edwards is a fruad a phony and is just using the technique of cold reading.

[silva]

I disagree.. I have watched many shows of John edward and so much of his information is right on.  I really see it as kind of a pointless thing to argue though as many critics dont really watch.  I am perfectly open to the idea he's somehow cheating but ive seen many cold readings.  First off that term is often used by people like "the amazing... randy" or whatever his name is who really believes everything supernatural is fake.  I can only imagine what he'd say about astral projection.  Though im sure he's said stuff about it before.

Its too easy to call something a cold reading.  Thats usually when people throw very general information out.. but they say "you know someone that has a J" but JE everytime i've seen him has said "your aunt on your moms side.. is ___ he purposely stays away from things like jewelery.. saying how the dead relative feels about the person he's reading.  As well as other general stuff.. of course some general stuff will come up..

Anyway I stopped watching but i have to admit the fact he's on television.  I mean not just cable or sci fi anymore, he did get me more curious about the supernatural.  He always states.. its not a gift.. everyone has the potential to do what he does.  His purpose is also to "demystify" all of this psychic stuff.  And if nothing else he is helping to open some minds.  Any high profile psychic though is going to get criticism.  I mean that one.. sylvia browne.. oh brother.  "you're going to get married".. "no not to the guy you're with".  One person said they thought they had a curse.. and had a doll someone made of them that was on her doorstep.  Her husband died a year after they found the doll.  And sylvia browne.. (on montel) yes i regretted seeing that show i try to avoid all those.. anyway she threw the doll into the audience and called it nonsense.  She also made fun of the woman for believing in that.  

I think a psychic really would have respect for all energies.  I dont think it has to do with a psychic staying poor.. doing free readings.. or avoiding all publicity.  I mean i for one am grateful i was exposed to some of this psychic stuff.. it brought me here eventually.

[silva]

Okay high profile mediums like john edward or really any medium.. I actually believe theres a chance he's  really channeling something.  But this is my question.. isnt it very possible he's not actually channelling the entity but maybe another entity or an astral shell type thing? that has information but isn't the person.  I mean how can a person be sure its really that person.  The information is always vague and also if you've ever read stories on ouija boards often times the entities pretend to be someone you know.

This isn't really a psychic attack question but im not sure if entity questions are appropriate on this forum.  But thought maybe some here will have an opinion on psychic mediums and how you really know what you're chanelling.