What Type Of Reading Is Right For Me?

(Written by A Happy Medium, Amanda)

Which type of reading is right for me?

When I'm having conversations with friends and clients, I'm often asked about the difference between card readings and mediumship readings and which is "better."



 
There are a lot of different forms of divination: tarot cards, oracle cards, mediumship, dowsing (pendulum), runes, sticks, you name it!

It's hard for me to tell you what type of reading is best for you right now. You really need to decide what it is you are looking for to make a better-informed decision. Have you lost a relative or friend that you are looking to connect with? In that case, I'd recommend a mediumship reading.

Once you have a purpose in mind for the reading or the information you are seeking, you can make a more informed choice on the type of reading you need at this time.

What is a Medium?

 A medium is someone who channels spirit. What does that mean? Mediums can work in lots of different ways. Some are clairvoyant (they "see" things in their mind's eye), some, like me, are clairaudient (they "hear" information), some are clairsentient (they "feel" information), some are claircognizant (they just "know" information), and some work with a combination of the "clairs". My clairvoyance is developing the more I use it.

I can only really speak for myself as a medium, but mediums work with the past and the present, not so much the future. At least for me, that is true. If you are looking for a reading that's going to give you messages about lost loved ones, you want to see a medium.

Generally a medium clears their working space, sets an intention for the reading, grounds and protects and asks for spirit to come in and speak through them with any messages that are needed at this time.

It's interesting because I will ask for this information before a client comes and for me, it's like switching on a light. I may sense a male energy, I can tell what age it is, and usually, they tell me how they died because that's how a lot of spirits identify themselves. So for example, I could have a client sit down, and I could say, "The first energy presenting for you is an older male energy. This feels to me like a father or grandfather. I'm having difficulty breathing, which is an indication that the cause of death had something to do with the lungs."

Many of the messages I receive in these readings are about gratitude and their safe passage to the other side. Sometimes they tell me who came to get them. As I start with the first energy, others will often step forward. This man I sensed in my example may have his wife standing slightly behind him. If you have a huge family, I could have a room full of people that I can see inside my head.

Mediumship can be useful for finding things which are lost as well, although I haven't had a ton of success with it, but I did find someone's passport once! That falls more into the realm of remote viewing, which is different and very cool. I don't know a ton about it, but am just learning about it now.  You might also want to see a medium if you have a lot of activity happening in your house and you are looking for insights into who it is and why they are there. Maybe you'd like someone to sage your house and bless it. Mediums can do this as well.

What is a Card Reader?

If you are looking for a reading based on the future, I would recommend a tarot or oracle card reader. These are people who have tarot or oracle decks which are shuffled, drawn and placed into spreads to answer specific questions.

I read oracle cards regularly and incorporate them as a value add to my mediumship. I use them at the end of my readings to confirm the things we have discussed in your reading. Tarot readings are more structured, and readers will use card spreads that can lay out an overview for the next year, or specific to a certain situation including the outcome.

There are very gifted tarot readers out there, and most of them use a mix of intuitive hits and the cards in concert with each other. If you like logic, tarot cards may be for you. The cards are right in front of you and can be read right side up or reversed. Usually, when tarot cards are reversed, they signify a blockage or the card is read for the opposite of the meaning. I guess what I'm trying to say is that tarot is versatile and can have a lot of variety in the types of readings.

Which Is Better?

Okay, okay. You've explained the two types of readings - which is better?

Only you can decide which type of reading you need. The rules are basically the same. Come in with an open mind and walk out the same way. Figure out what you are looking for in the reading. Don't know anyone who has passed away? Not looking for information from those on the other side? I'd suggest going to a card reader at that point. However, even if you don't have people on the other side you know, mediums can connect to your guides, guardians and angels and your higher self.

Divination has been around for as long as people have been around and it's very personal choosing the type of reading you resonate with. I've said it in prior posts, and I'll say it again: Take the time to look around at potential readers. Look at photographs, read their blogs, view their social media platform. See how you feel about them, and feel free to call them and ask questions, ask for references and testimonials if you like.

You can always tell the reader what you are looking for and they will tell you how they feel about the reading. A reader working in integrity will refer you to a different reader who will fit your needs if they are not able to do the reading for you.

Good readers want you to get what you need, and they will help you get it by referring you to others in the community. Also, they may have good insight about what type of reading you may be looking for, so it never hurts to reach out, and we are always willing to talk about this work!

You want to talk about my mediumship activities? Do you have all day? *wink*


Until the next time!

 - Amanda (A Happy Medium)

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What Should I Expect When I Book a Reading?

(Written by A Happy Medium, Amanda)


A lot of people ask me this question, or tell me at the end that they had no idea what to expect from their reading. Most often, they are pleasantly surprised when they come in with no expectations and really enjoy the experience.

Maybe you've been to a carnival and gone into a psychic tent and had a reading. Maybe you thought it was nothing to write home about. Maybe you've been watching the well-known mediums on TV like Tyler Henry, John Edwards or Theresa Caputo and you are intrigued about what Spirit may have to say to you, or maybe you think it's all a bunch of garbage and you want to go to someone just to test them out.

Choosing A Reader

Choose someone who resonates with you. Check out their website and social media platforms. Maybe they are doing readings online so you can get a feel for their style of readings. Trust your gut when you choose your reader. Don't be afraid to call them up and ask them how they work.

If I use myself as an example and you call me about a reading, I will tell you that I am a clairaudient medium (meaning I "hear" my information from Spirit). My specialty is mediumship readings, so I mostly work in the past and the present.

If you are looking for a concrete future reading (though readings are not concrete at all - free will!), I may not be the reader for you. I might refer you to someone else or advise you to seek out a reader who works with Tarot or other divination platforms.

If you are looking for future readings from me, I can tell you how I feel about situations or possibilities, but I always reinforce that you have so much free will and that you are in charge of your life. For example, I can tell you traits about your children and the directions I feel they may go in their lives, but I can't really "predict" what they're going to do with their lives. They have so many choices to make!

When booking a reader, don't tell them too much about yourself or motivation for booking unless they ask. I prefer to be kept in the dark so I can do the work myself!

Once you are happy with the reader, their rate and you've booked an appointment, now you should be setting the intentions around your reading.

Setting Intentions

I can only speak for myself as a reader here because I use my own style when I bring in the energy. When you're booking with a medium, you generally have a purpose in mind. Maybe you are looking to hear from someone close to you who has passed away. Perhaps you are looking for clarity in your next steps or whether the decisions you are making now are the correct ones for you at this time. Maybe you need to ask about the lessons you are meant to learn now.

Think about your reading carefully and what you want to draw in. Jot down a few questions you want to ask. If you want your grandmother to come through, ask her to come to your reader. In this action, the reader will actually have an easier time picking up the information.

I am usually able to get the "red herring" (the reason my client has come) and the energies they most want to hear from. The reading is YOUR experience, so I want to make sure you own it and get as much out of it as you can.

Arriving For Your Reading

There's a lot of pre-work on the reader's behalf that goes into a reading. Please arrive on time. Take a few deep breaths in the car to ground and center your energy before you come in. Open your mind and be prepared for anything.

I can only speak for myself in what you see when you come in the room for a reading with me, but I assure you my house is completely normal. I do work a professional job and live a very normal lifestyle. I like to create a safe and comfortable atmosphere for my readings.

When you come in, you will see two chairs and a table in between. On the table I have candles, a salt lamp, various stones and usually an oracle deck spread out and at the ready.

You will probably smell sage. I burn sage to clear my space prior to readings. Let your reader know if you are allergic to pets (I have two cats in my house that like to be present for readings) or are averse to the smell of burnt sage. We have workarounds for the smells and can probably put our pets away for the duration of the reading.

I offer my client a glass of water before we start and give them my intro about myself and the opportunity to ask any questions before we begin and then we are off to the races!

I generally channel for my clients before they come, so I always have a notebook with a few items jotted down as a place to start and we go from there.

Making The Most Of Your Reading

It's YOUR experience!

Please don't feel like you have to hold back information from your reader to "test" them. If you are coming in with the belief and intention that readers are a bunch of crap and that we won't get anything, guess what? That's what you'll manifest.

If you come in open and willing to hear the messages, it will be a positive experience all around. If you're going to block the reader just save your time and theirs and don't book until you are open and willing to receive information. I am not here to meet your expectations, but to deliver the information you need at this point in time.

I encourage my clients to stop me and ask questions whenever they like. If we are going somewhere in the reading you don't want to go, let me know and we will change course. This is your experience and I want you to get what you need from it.

Some information received may not make sense and you may need to refer back. Bring a pad to take notes. Alternatively, a lot of readers (myself included) will allow you to record the reading so you can refer back to it later. Things might make more sense once you've had time to reflect on them.

Keep an open mind and have fun!

The more open you are and the higher the vibration, the greater the experience will be. Keep it light.

Remember that readings are not intended to be something to base serious decisions on. They are for entertainment and may open the way to beautiful messages from your loved ones and a different perspective on your life.

My goal is to have you leave feeling empowered, inspired, refreshed and on course.

Take care until next time!

 - Amanda (A Happy Medium)

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Don Shetterly and Amanda

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Things To Remember About Psychic Readings

(by A Happy Medium, Amanda)


I recently read a column by a famous medium where she stated that before she came out of the closet and started practicing, she had a reading which made her fearful to date again after her marriage ended. Out of fear, she stayed out of the dating scene. I’ve heard this story before where people have had readings where the reader has foretold or predicted a less than desirable outcome.

I think it is sad that this person decided to hold back from living based on messaging delivered from a psychic reader. I don’t want you to fall into this trap, so I’m including some tips below for those instances where you may feel like you haven’t gotten the most out of your reading or you’ve heard something you don’t want to hear.

Here’s what I want you to remember:

• Readings are for guidance only. While we do speak to the divine, especially when you see a medium, we are reading the energy around you at the time. Use this guidance as advice, but please do not let us make your decisions for you! We don’t want that burden, and it’s unethical for any reader to advise you to make any financial or medical decisions.  That being said, I don’t want to take away from the validity or comfort a good reading can provide, but walk in with an open mind and walk out the same way.

• We can be wrong! Any reader that tells you they are 100% correct all the time is full of it and you should run for the hills. I am up front with my clients that at this point, you are getting the information you need to hear. I could read you today and read you tomorrow and get different messaging depending on where you are and the choices you have made. Take your reading with a grain of salt and as what it is – guidance based on the reader’s perception of the energy at this point in time. Use it to guide you but remember, nothing in a reading is written in stone.

• Frequency - Readers who are willing to book sessions for you frequently are most likely reading for the wrong reasons. I advise my clients that I will not read them more frequently than every six months. I like enough time to pass to allow things to change and allow you to do the self work you need to do. I want you to maintain your independence and ability to make your own choices. I don’t want to disempower you from making your own choices and I certainly don’t have the energy to be your personal oracle.  That would be exhausting!

• Gifts - Any reader who asks you to bring them money or gifts on a weekly   basis does not have your best interests at heart. Sadly, there are “lightworkers” out in the world who will tell you that you have bad energy attached to you and to release it you will have to visit them weekly or bring them items to pray over such as gift cards. This is an actual thing, believe it or not! I have heard a couple of clients who have told me stories about people who will remove dark energy or  curses from them as long as they visit and pay $150 per visit.

Remember  that you always have free will. You could walk out of your reading and decide to change the course of your life radically. If you hear something you don’t like in a reading and it doesn’t ring true for you, you can always use intention and your choices to alter the path in front of you. Trust that the universe allows things to unfold for the best possible outcome and that you are the co-creator of your life. I don’t think I would ever tell a client that they would never be happy again. There are always ways to come back to a positive outlook and work that can be done to change things around.

When you leave a session with me, I want you to feel empowered and perhaps have a different perspective on your life. Maybe it is a fresh outlook that you need.  It could just be that you need a conversation with someone who is unbiased to the situations in your life who will listen and has your best interest at heart.

Please don’t ever let a reading disempower you. Know at all times that you are in the driver’s seat of your life and you have the free will and intention needed to change the course of your life and move it in a better direction. Sometimes readings can be useful to open our eyes to the right path.

I’ve said it here a couple of times and I will say it again. You should feel comfortable with the person you choose to do your reading. Check their website, look at pictures and testimonials and ask for references. You should be able to ask any questions you may have prior to the reading. Go with your instincts when choosing a reader. Pick someone that you resonate with and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!


Take care until next time!


-    Amanda (Metaphysical Musings.Wordpress.com)

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Amanda is a regular columnist on Mind Body Thoughts.  She writes A Happy Medium monthly column.  This article is written by Amanda.

To learn more about her and see all her other articles, go to Amanda's Page, A Happy Medium.

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Don Shetterly and Amanda

• Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
• You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  

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Psychic Development – Where do I start?

(by A Happy Medium, Amanda)


Rumi says it best – “Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.”

For me that silent pull comes from mediumship and being a messenger for spirit. I’m truly amazed and honored to have the ability to provide so much help and closure to other people. Every reading is an adventure. You never know what is going to come in.

You may have had gifts for mediumship and psychic work all your life, or you may just be wondering how you can start to develop these gifts in yourself.

I tell people that not using your intuition is like deciding you don’t need one of your legs. You have one leg that you can hop around on, so who needs two? All of us have intuition and the choice of whether or not we use it.

I was doing a Facebook live broadcast the other day over at my Facebook Page  (shameless self-promotion), and I asked the audience what they wanted to hear from me in a blog post. Someone commented that I should talk about my journey specific to my own development. That would be a long story, and we’d be here for a long time, so I’ll keep it to the Cole’s notes version.

I have always had the knowledge of my own intuition. As a child, I would see entities and spirits. Of course, that was traumatic and I shut that down in myself at a fairly young age. Throughout my life, I felt drawn to mediums in particular, and there was a little voice inside my head that would say, “I can do that!” As life tends to speed along at breakneck pace, I didn’t pay a ton of attention to it, but I always knew I could ask for help and help would arrive. It was always very clear when I was going on the wrong path. I would hear the advice in my head and change course. I also can remember some definitive quantum moments (when spiritual time and linear time meet) through the course of my life.  Anyway, it was when I got pregnant with my son in 2012 that my journey really got serious.

If you had told me back then that I would be as successful a medium as I am now, I’d be incredulous. I don’t think I believed I had it in me back then to have the type of confidence to welcome people into my home and read them.

Here are a few steps to Psychic or Spiritual Development:

1. FIND A MENTOR
   This is important. Dr. Wayne Dyer used to say, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” This was very true in my case. I met my mentor in November of 2012. I had some unfinished stuff that I needed to resolve around the death of my grandma, and I finally took the initiative to find a medium in my area. I looked at a few sites, and the first one that popped up looked quite welcoming and I emailed and booked a reading. I went for the reading and low and behold, that person is now my mentor. She has been for the last 5 years. She is incredible. Honestly and truly, I thank the Universe every day for her, because without her, I wouldn’t be where I am in this journey.
   
   In choosing a mentor, it’s important to find someone who you really resonate well with. This person is the person that YOU choose to walk this path with you. This person will guide you in your spiritual pursuits. You want to make sure that they are genuine and have your best interest at heart. You also want to make sure that they are worth their salt as a medium/psychic/whatever. Get a reading, ask questions, check references if you choose. I didn’t have to check references with mine because she is just fantastic and I knew off the hop that she was the right teacher for me. When you are ready, ask the Universe for the right teacher and they will appear for you. Trust me on that!
2. SELF WORK
   Before you start wading into other people’s lives and trying to help, you need to make sure that your own life is in order. I spent 3 years on self work with my mentor before I proceeded on to reading others. It’s really important that you take the time to look through your own closet and put any skeletons to rest. Now in saying that, please know that I am not perfect and I still struggle with some things as they arise, but by doing all the self work I have done, I’m much better equipped to deal with challenges, setbacks etc, since I can see things in a different way and I really think I bring that to the table in my interactions with my clients.  Be prepared to go within. This will involve a lot of quiet introspection and meditation.  You need to learn how you communicate with Spirit, whether you hear, see, feel or whether it’s a combination of things. You need to get clear on how you receive guidance, how you ask for it, and the ability to distinguish positive energies from negative ones (a hint is that negative entities often use flattery to get your attention!) Anyway, self work really continues through your career as an intuitive, but it’s one of the primary steps before you start reading others.
3. LEARN, LEARN, LEARN
   Become a sponge for spirit. Listen to and use your mentor for advice. Read everything you can get your hands on. I started with some of these:
   
   
   • You Are Psychic by Debra Lynn Katz
   • Ask And It Is Given by Esther and Gerry Hicks
   • Be Your Own Shaman by Deborah King
   • Lightworker by Sahvanna Arienta
   • The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
   • You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
   • Ask Your Guides by Sonia Choquette
   • Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
   • Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat Zinn
   
   These are just a few of the books I thought of off the top of my head that were important in my journey. Be sure that you get a good cross section of topics that interest you (clairvoyancy, clairaudience, self development, healing, etc.)
   
   
   
4. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
   This is important. Someone said something on the internet one day about how much you read and how much you practice. If you don’t practice the things you are reading, you can’t really expect a ton of development to take place. You need to commit yourself to practicing what you are learning, otherwise you can read all the spiritual books in the world and not develop at all.
5. INVITE MORE SPIRITUAL PEOPLE INTO YOUR LIFE
   Ask the Universe to bring more people into your life that believe in this stuff and will support you. You are not crazy! You’d be surprised how many people there are out there walking their own paths as healers, empaths, mediums and psychics. You are certainly not alone and there are a lot of people out there who are happy to help and support you. Heck, they’re glad to invite another spiritual person into their life to help and support them as well. I often picture the world as a black and white photograph where people are wandering around with their heads down. Every now and then a person walks by in full technicolor with their head up looking around and waving emphatically at other technicolor people. We love to meet and support each other.

That’s a good start for your own development. Try it out and let me know how it’s going. Don’t give up and don’t let anyone’s judgement dissuade you from your path. I want you to know that you are loved, you are divine and you are deserving of all the best life has to offer at this moment, as you are.

Take care until next time!


-    Amanda (Metaphysical Musings.Wordpress.com)

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Amanda is a regular columnist on Mind Body Thoughts.  She writes A Happy Medium monthly column.  This article is written by Amanda.

To learn more about her and see all her other articles, go to Amanda's Page, A Happy Medium.

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Don Shetterly and Amanda

• Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
• You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  

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Being Real Is Being Human

One of the things I keep trying to help people understand is being balanced in life.  I want people to be real and human.  Its okay to think great and wonderful thoughts full of happiness and love.  However, if you are hiding your head in the sand, you're not being real.  You're not being human.  You're not being anyone that others can relate to in this life.  We all need relatable people.

I grew up in a church background where everything was pray to God and God will solve all your problems.  God will always provide.  The funny thing was that these same people had more illness and problems then the population at large.  If God was helping them through their prayers and beautiful words of love, then "Houston, we have a problem".  I'm not saying the belief in God is bad and you should abandon it, but I just saw how abused and unreal it was.

When Healers Miss The Big Picture

Every new age spiritual enlightened person out there most likely would easily agree that healing does not come from humans.  It comes from a power greater than ourselves.  Each one might have a different name or terminology for what brings forth healing, but I'm almost certain that everyone agree it does not come from any particular individual.

Of course, when you look at many modalities, healing practices and organizations, anything but what I just wrote becomes the truth.  Usually no one will admit it or even acknowledge that it happens within them or their group.  There is a blind eye that is turned towards the truth.  Although it remains an unspoken thing within individuals and groups, it is present.

All too often in the bodywork field we build up organizations and put certification procedures in place.  While that may sound like a worthwhile cause and justifiable at the time of its creation, it often comes from a place that is not as pure and conscious as the individual would hope that it does. It may start out with good intentions, but at some point it degrades into the human ego making decisions and forming committees to take care of man-made issues that arise.

At some point an organization or individual may realize that in order to validate the healing work that they do, procedures need to be put in place.  In many ways this is admirable, but more often than not this process goes awry.  Soon humans are evaluating other humans and passing judgements based upon factors outside of their consciousness.  As time goes, more procedures are put in place to help balance the process out, but of course they are made up by individuals who are judging what needs to happen.  At the end of the day, more committees and procedures reflect very little, how the initial process that begun with the healing modality.

Religious Experience and Brain Scanning

Principles Of Neurotheology
By Dr. Andrew Newberg

In the movie, Religulous, Dr. Andrew Newberg was interviewed on his work in Neurotheology.  He studies show how religious experiences and practices impact the brain by doing brain scans of various religious people.  Gone are the days that we have to guess about what happens in a person when we can see it first hand through a brain scan.  This field of study is called neurotheology detailed in a book called "Principles of Neurotheology".

While people are in a very deep spiritual or religious state, these researchers do brain scans.   Some of the people they have studied include a Buddhist meditating, Sikhs chanting, and nuns praying.  They compare these brain scans to that of the person at a state of rest and observe the difference.   This research has given them a big opportunity to really see what happens within the mind and body when someone is taking part in a religious or spiritual practice.

What Is A Spirit Guide

This is a short excerpt from some class notes on a workshop I took, "Meet Your Spirit Guides". It was presented by Nicole Bowman.

WHAT IS A SPIRIT GUIDE?
A spirit guide is a highly evolved soul that once lived on earth as a human being. When we choose to come to earth in human form we also select a spirit guide that supports us from physical birth to physical death.

Often times, spirit guides are people that we knew in past lives. Their knowledge of what it is like to be human makes them fantastic teachers. They can empathize with the human experience and understand a full range of human emotions. Yet, they also have clear knowledge of the spirit realm, one’s life purpose, and the bigger picture at hand.

So, their advice is expansive and always for our highest good. They never leave us and are always there when we call.


Blog Post & Images (c) 3/09/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only
http://www.donshetterly.com

MD Anderson Cancer Center Labyrinth

Today, I went to a class at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Orlando on labyrinths. While I had already walked this labyrinth two times before, I wanted to learn much more about them and understand a little more what is behind this spiritual tool. My friend, Trish Kalhagen does labyrinth workshops and until she started doing them, I knew nothing about labyrinths. Of course, up until 6 months ago, I did not even realize MD Anderson Cancer Center existed in Orlando.

One of the things I find very refreshing is that every employee and person I have met in the MD Anderson is so polite, friendly and overall warm and caring. They go out of their way to make you feel good and welcomed and cared about. I have never seen a medical center like this before and it warms my heart that the compassion exists within this center. Many of the people who are patients here are most likely going through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

The class was so informative and I learned a great deal there. This is the first time I have walked the labyrinth with other people present and so it was different. I found myself preoccupied with other people around me and making sure I did not run into them. At the same time, I felt like there were many more around me walking than just the people there. The instructor, Jeanne Miller-Clark, told us that as many times as she has walked a labyrinth, no two times were the same. In the 3 times I have done this, I can definitely agree with her.

As we walked today, I almost tuned out everything going on around me or any noise, if there was any present. I felt like I was off in a world disconnected from everything going on, even the traffic on the street. Sometimes I am not able to do that but today I could.

When I first started out on the walk, I focused on my breathing as I like to do. It helps me center myself in my body and in the present moment. Almost immediately I began to hear the communication that I get very frequently now and while it was very distinct, it was very simple in what was being said to me. As I began to ponder the question on my mind walking into the labyrinth, I realized that the communication I was receiving was helping me find the answers I was looking for. It brought tears to my eyes and made my heart feel so warm.

As I reached the center of the labyrinth, I could feel so much being shown to me, and my understanding of the answers to my question were making sense. At the center, I just paused for several moments taking in all that I was getting. It was a beautiful moment filled with peace and love and connection.

Once I began to walk back out of the labyrinth, I noticed that my steps were easier, my breathing much more relaxed, and my pace had picked up. I felt a smile on my face coming from a joy within me and I felt like I could go jump 500 feet into the air. I felt so connected, so peaceful and just like I was doing what I needed to do at this moment in time. It was so healing to just feel all of what I was taking into my life.

I am now hooked on labyrinths. They are special places to me to help take myself deeper into my own awareness and consciousness. I know that if I stop and slow down - look, listen, and feel - that is where I will find my truth and the core of who I am. There is something about allowing myself to walk through the labyrinth that just gives me a moment of stepping back and connecting within.

From my own work that I do and the table-work that I experience, I understand this. Yet, what sometimes seem so difficult to get to in life is not as difficult as I make it out to be sometimes. Where this experience will take me, I'm not completely sure and I'm fine with not knowing the answer to these questions. All I know is that there is a connection between me and the labyrinth and in some way, I feel there is a connection between myself and the cancer center. I cannot explain that one, but I know what I feel inside.

If you have never walked a labyrinth, I urge you to give it a try. You can find labyrinths through the labyrinth locator and most likely there is one close to you. There is no right way or wrong way to walk the labyrinth. Just step in and follow the path to the center and then follow the path back out. As you go in, you may want to ponder a question or think about a concern you have. Then as you come back out from the center, integrate what you have learned. I find it helpful to journal about my experience because it helps me integrate more what has happened.

Further Reading:
1) My First Time Walking The Labyrinth (Jun 28, 2010)
2) Labyrinth Communication From Angles (Nov 16, 2010)


(c) 12/1/10 by Don Shetterly - Use by permission only

Thanksgiving From A Bird's View

Kevin Kalhagen and his wife Trish and son Tommy are great friends of mine. Kevin wrote this in an email and sent it to me the other day. After I read it and saw the picture, I knew that this was perfect for a post on Thanksgiving Day. Fortunately Kevin and Trish allowed me to post the picture and what he wrote. They and their son Tommy volunteer with the birds and Tommy is known as the budgie whisperer.

So here is what Kevin sent to me and it is really meaningful about what we can be thankful for in our lives. Let the bird teach us what thanksgiving is really about. Thank you Kevin for sharing this with me and I hope each person that reads it is touched deeply.

• Tommy's Website (Budgie Parakeet Whisperer)
• Trish's Website (Sacred Moments)
• Fine Feathered Friends Sanctuary (Website)

I was helping at the bird sanctuary Saturday. They have a separate room with the big white Cockatoos in it, they are very noisy and give off a dander like dust from their feathers that some of the other birds react to. I have very limited knowledge on these birds so I am not in there as much.

Recently a 12 year old cockatoo came in that was in bad shape, I would say half of its feathers are gone from plucking (when a bird is bored or not given proper attention or good food they can pluck most of their feathers, if bad enough they do not grow back).

This bird was out on a stand with alot of people around, then I was left in there alone with it. I decided to sit with it before putting it back. I had seen this bird out before and it is very gentle. This bird actually cuddled with me. It tucked its head under my chin and talked gently to me, then started to kiss and nibble on my beard. I have to say it was a spiritual moment I cannot explain.

I told Trish about it and she wanted to see this bird. We went out Sunday afternoon, the bird did the same thing to her (see photo of Trish Kalhagen holding the cockatoo). The person running the sanctuary said the bird will do that with anyone.

It got me thinking, this bird had been neglected for 10 years (that's how long the people had it that brought it in) and it has not given up, still has a loving spirit, could I do that? I do not know. The photo hides how bad this bird looks, it has no wing, back, or chest feathers.

(c) 11/23/10 - use by permission only

I Just Know

Deep within my body is a place where I go that helps guide me and helps me determine that which is unseen but felt. I know there are people who are skeptical about others who pick up other things in life. I pick up so much at times and none of it is spoken or written or exhibited. I just pick it up.

Often though, when I pick things up, I check it against that innermost place in my body. That place is deep within my gut which may also be referred to as the enteric brain but I have no idea if science really would establish that link or not. It is just a place that I feel it deeply and know without a doubt what is and what is not. It is a place that I just feel, sense and know. However, if you were to ask me to describe it, I would struggle immensely.

There are times when I pick things up that I don't get any internal bodily confirmation of it. So during those times, I'm more reluctant to give whatever information it is, much credibility. There are other times that when I get the information, I feel it strongly and immediately. There is no doubt within my mind of the significance of what I am receiving. Even in those strong reactions deep within me, I have times that without a shadow of a doubt, I know whatever it is, I am picking up.

Then there are the times that I hear something from someone or am asked something and immediately, I know, see, feel or sense what is true and what is not. I have had situations where someone was being told something and emphatically, I am hearing in my mind something that completely contradicts what others are telling them. Again, I have no way to prove this. It is what I feel and pick up deep within me.

I really try to pay attention to these insights as well because I'm finding that they hold very useful information for me or for others. For a long time I discounted all of this thinking it was my wild imagination and yet I had friends telling me that they were surprised at what I knew and that somehow I just knew things. I never thought about it much and if I did, it scared me so badly that I wanted nothing to do with it.

Of course I see people that give themselves titles and designations claiming they are psyhic or mediums or they can pick up things about others. And while I know there are many out there that can do this, there are many who struggle to pick up a clear signal. All too often, I see people claiming to know things but the information they are giving does not match up and many times, I feel that deep within myself. Who is to say, I'm right though and they are wrong? I try not to look at it that way.

One time at spiritualist organization, I had a great 5 minute reading by a lady who was a medium, that hit the nail on the head and was more accurate than I thought was possible. It was amazing just how much she shared with me and how much she picked up. All of it was extremely accurate as well and really did help me. I was never able to find out who this lady was of course because I would have liked to meet with her again. I know she existed but doing a search of her name turned up no contact information.

Of course, another time at the spiritualist organization, I had one of the mini readings by a medium and the lady used holding my hand to notice that I didn't have a wedding ring on. So she began to tell me that I needed to go out and meet women more, blah blah blah. She was so far from the truth if she was even connected to it. I am in a long term relationship and I have no desire to go out and meet women for many reasons. If that would have been my first experience with this type of information, I would have never gone back. Fortunately, I have experienced people that are not full of themselves but really do connect with a source that is unseen. A friend of mine ended up with a similar experience as well. In these situations, I'd rather have the person just look me in the eye and say, I'm sorry but I'm not picking anything up instead of performing in the way that they think I want them to. It would bring much more credibility.

Of course, when you connect with things that are unseen, it is sometimes hard to truly know what is real and what is not. Even if you know it is real, you have to be so careful in how your life's experiences and your own filters of the mind, influence that information and mold it into words that you share. Ego has to be really in check and one needs to be well grounded and connected to themselves in a deep way. Otherwise, who knows how the words of the information will come forth. Sadly, there are many who do not understand this but continue to act as if they do. Fortunately, there are true ones out there that really do understand this and have done the intense healing work on themselves.

In my mind, many of these things that people pick up and we look at as being special or strange, they should be more normal to the population as a whole. In our society though, we concentrate on working as many hours as we can to please the boss, running to this meeting or that meeting, enabling our children to be over involved in as many activities as they can and basically just making life into one busy long day after another. We fail to stop and connect to the earth, to things around us and to each other because that doesn't fit in our day. If you add into it, all the interference from electronic devices, cell phones and our world around us, we leave little room for the signals of the information to get through to us. In addition, there are many people who have been so hurt in life and are so stressed out, that their lives are anything but grounded.

Being grounded and in touch with the core of yourself gives you a true connection to things that much of this world just does not connect with. Indigenous cultures pick up on these things all the time as if it is as normal as a conversation with someone they meet. If we as a society stopped and became more grounded, connected and healed, we would experience so much more.

One final note in all of this is that so many who do pick things up try to package that up into a nice little set of beliefs and rituals which just get in the way of what is going on. The dogma people subscribe to or use to replace some other set of beliefs is so rampant in our society. It has no use in all of this. It is not founded upon anything but a person's belief system. Just because someone ditches the mainstream religions and is into the new age philosophy, it does not mean they have rid their life of the dogma. Often times, they have just replaced one set of beliefs for another and again, it serves no purpose in this. I'm sure many will argue that point with me but I just ask that people really question all that they believe and search for the true source of those beliefs.

My hope is that each person will be all they can be and discover all that they are. Today, you may be standing at the crossroads in life wondering which way to go but if you just allow things to unfold, you'll be amazed at all that is out there. Find the ultimate truth in the things that tug at your heart strings and see what things are at the core and what things are part of a belief system. We all have a belief system but if we allow it to cloud our views and thoughts, than it becomes a chain around our neck dragging us to the bottom of the ocean. Look for the truth. Search it out and don't stop until you do. Don't just settle for what someone else tells you. Find it out for yourself!


*For more articles, check out the Mind Body Thoughts Blog

My First TIme Walking The Labyrinth

To learn more about what a labyrinth is, please see my earlier blog posts on “What Is A Labyrinth” written by Trish Kalhagen on April 27, 2010. Also check out the blog post on “Walking The Labyrinth” posted on May 12, 2010. This particular account is of my first time walking a labyrinth. It was an experience that I will cherish forever.

Today, I walked the labyrinth for the first time.

“I don’t know what they are doing but it looks nice,” said one lady.

“It looks like a nice maze or something,” said another lady.

Of course, these were the words I heard as I walked a portion of the labyrinth today at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Orlando, Florida. There was a group of ladies that came out to stand on the terrace, not knowing that we were walking a labyrinth as a spiritual healing practice. They did not realize what this was about and so I heard what they said, but just patiently focused my mind and continued my walk.

After all, it was not that long ago, where I would have probably said the same things and thought this was one fancy maze. I had no idea it was rooted in spirituality (note that I did not say religion) and is part of one’s own personal journey into reflection on life, releasing things not desired and integrating your life with what you receive. Even though I remember posting a blog entry on April 27, 2010 titled, Labyrinth Experience, I did NOT remember that these were the parts of a labyrinth experience – the releasing, receiving, and integrating. So now, any doubts I had about the experience have just been reduced to zero! I’ll explain more about this as I write this about my own labyrinth journey today.

I was the first to start walking and to be honest, I was a little nervous. I really wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do other than walk slowly and stay open. My fear of maybe getting off the path and getting mixed up weighed in as well as people were most likely watching me from the windows of the building that surrounded us. Of course, my friends were there and I was a little self conscious about them observing me, in case I might have been doing anything wrong.

So planting my feet firmly at the start of the path into the labyrinth, I just stopped and focused my mind, breathing in to my body and just feeling my body as it was grounded to the stones below my feet. I knew that it was all about putting one foot in front of the other and just following the path laid out before me. As I took one step after another, my legs felt so wobbly that I could barely walk, let alone stand up. I began to get fearful that I would not be able to walk which of course triggered many fears within me. In my mind, I began to rationalize that walking like this should be no different than walking in any other way during my day. Yet, I was really struggling to get my feet steady on the ground. It felt as if hurricane force winds were blowing me from side to side, yet the wind was gently blowing on me.

Finally, I just stopped and took some deep breaths, trying to honor and respect my body and just connect with my legs. It felt good to stop and just take in what I was feeling. Whatever it was, I knew it was very strong. Soon I was walking again, but as I did my feet became wobbly and I struggled to get my feet on the ground. Why was I having such a difficulty in walking, I pondered? I didn’t have an answer to that but I soon realized that I would just need to go slower and allow myself to be there with my wobbly legs and uncertainty and all my fears.

My breathing was somewhat difficult as well and I kept stopping along the path before me to just focus on my breath and keeping my feet planted firmly on the ground. At some point, I began to notice that walking became much easier, that my feet were much more firm than they had been. Yet, I was puzzled in my mind as to what changed? It was all the same material and all the same stones. The patterns changed in length but were all basically the same. I could not come up with an answer but knew that something had shifted. As I began to notice this, I realized that my breathing was becoming much easier. Up until this point, I felt as if a heavy weight was bearing down on my chest and diaphragm, making it difficult to truly breathe.

I kept my eyes on the path ahead of me and kept walking. I felt the ease of the moment increase which brought joy to my body. Then, all at once, I felt as if the sun was beaming down upon me and just as if I was getting a lot of information from some source. It was almost like a computer download. I could not make out the specific information but I could feel it as energy waves coming into me. It was a strange sensation that I felt but in many ways, there was a familiarity to it.

As I continued to feel all of these, I noticed that each step I took, it was easier and my walking was freer. I was not as concerned about where I was on the path or how I would stay on it. It just felt natural to continue walking. It was a feeling of freedom, of ease and everything coming together.

The more I walked, the more I felt almost like a child wanting to skip along. It was as if I could hear children laughing and giggling although none were present. It was as if I felt like a happy go lucky person with no cares or concerns in the world. It was a good feeling. It was a welcomed feeling.

Continuing along the path, my attention began to turn towards the building I was surrounded by and the people in it who were undoubtedly dealing with some of the most difficult forms of fear that they would ever deal with which was cancer. While I personally don’t know what that is to deal with, I’ve had enough experiences in my life to understand so much about fear.

Automatically, as if following some unknown script, my prayers began thinking of these people. I began to ask for strength for those that faced these things and for support for them during these times as well as their loved ones, the doctors and caregivers. As we were walking out to the labyrinth on the terrace of the building, a patient was walking out the door with a caregiver and exclaimed “Oh it feels so good to see the outside”. My heart heard that and connected with some of my old fears of the past as I was moved to tears. For this person and the others, I offered the prayer of support and love and healing to them. I was a guest in their building.

My next prayer drifted to the thoughts of the meditation prayer Dr. Masaru Emoto had asked the world to contemplate. It was the prayer for the Gulf Of Mexico and the oil spill. I offered my own version up to the labyrinth and the universe asking that the reefs be protected and the oil be contained before it did any more damage.

As I continued to walk, my prayers turned towards all those around me in the world. It was a collective group of people that I focused on, asking that they open their eyes and become aware of more than they currently see. I long for people to wake up and connect with a part of life and the universe that they now treat as a stranger. The hearts that have closed, the anger that rules while the bodies and minds are at two opposite worlds. I cry for the hurt and pain inflicted within humanity. I weep for the people who struggle to see with eyes that are closed. I weep for the hatred and fear that has infected the lives of many. My prayer is for all the people of this world who are still trying to find their way along their own paths.

The next prayer then turned towards myself knowing that I have been struggling through some intense times of wondering what’s next for me – where do I go – how do I get there? Filled lately with so many questions and not allowing myself the time to ponder the answers that most likely lie before me. I want to know – where do I go? What steps must I take?

As I began to ponder that prayer, my attention turned toward the labyrinth. Here I had entered the beginning point, not really knowing where or how the path would get me all the way back to the starting point. If I looked at it carefully, the labyrinth seemed very confusing and yet, it had a particular flow and shape to it. You really didn’t have to worry about where to go because if you just followed the path and put one foot in front of the other, you found yourself moving through the patterns. It wasn’t a difficult thing to do but yet, if I had stopped to worry too much about how to get through this maze of geometric shapes, I would have never taken a step. Yet, all of it unfolded as I journeyed on. I really didn’t have to think about it. It just unfolded as I moved forward. It happened as I needed it to happen and if it was coming to fast, I could slow down. If I wanted to go faster, I would just pick up the pace. It was a path. It was a journey and all I needed was right in front of me the entire time.

Much is like my life. As I look back on the path that I’ve already walked, I can see how it is connected. At the time, I could not see that but then if I just continue to walk the path, I will be on my journey. I need not worry about what is coming up in the next section or how I will get around the next bend. All I need to do is put one of my feet in front of the other and keep following the path. That’s it. That’s all I need. The rest will be waiting on the path as I approach it. It will not come a moment too soon nor will I walk by it for it is all on my path. It is all part of me to hold, honor and cherish. It is there to sustain me, give me direction and help me on to the next bend, twist or turn in my path. How hard is that? How easy is that, I ponder to myself?

As my thoughts grew to a close, I noticed that I was coming upon the beginning point. It was where I had started this particular part of my journey and where this part of my journey came to a close. What comes next is as unknown as walking on the labyrinth path. Does it matter? Most likely not! For if I get worried and concerned about having to know all what lies ahead, what do I profit? I’m just robbing myself of the useless energy of trying to control something which is not ready to unfold or appear to my consciousness. Instead, if I use that energy to welcome all that I’ve been given and all that I’ve learned, realized and grown through, than there is the possibility that I am taking giant leaps on my path rather than small baby steps. There is so much that I’m realizing that the “now” is the most important thing I have. It is more precious than gold. It is all I have. The next minute, the next project, the next income source is beyond my grasp. It is in a moment we do not have and cannot obtain. In much the same way, if I focus upon the moments gone by, than, I am taking away from the joys of my current moments. It is best if I can remember to live with the “now” because it is what I have and it is what is the most important for me.

Walking the labyrinth was my first time and I’ll be forever grateful for the experience, the wisdom and the courage that I had to do this. It was a very spiritual experience with friends that helped me to see what lies before my eyes. I’m honored to have walked this labyrinth. After I began to write this experience up, I realized that I had went through the stages of releasing, receiving and integrating without being aware that these were the stages you would experience. What a wonderful gift to realize just how this was manifested when I was not consciously aware that it would happen in this way. I am forever humbled by this experience.




*For more articles, check out the Mind Body Thoughts Blog

Labyrinth Experience

I know that my friend Trish loves the Labyrinth Experiences that she has done but to be honest, I wasn't fully sure what they were. So I asked her to write about what they are. The following article was written by Trish Kalhagen and you can learn more about the work she does through the link at the end of the article.

What Is A Labyrinth?

They are usually a rounded path that can be created in different patterns. There is one way in and one way out, unlike a maze. They can be walked outside and inside. There is mystery that surrounds this experience. Each person brings their own individual, personal story with them that is unlike any other as they walk this journey. It is a way to feel the present moment, feel your breath and each footstep. It is an invitation to slow down our fast paced lives and just breathe, just walk, one moment at a time. Some people speak silently from the heart what they are trying to figure out ~~ what is my main question at this time that I would like an answer to? Some people speak a mantra, a repeated phrase as they walk. Others speak just one word that has meaning for them as they move along this path.

The labyrinth has three stages ~~ Releasing: From the first step to the middle is an invitation to let go of worries and concerns. The second stage is Receiving: This is within the center of the labyrinth where there could be an answer, some clarity, creative idea, maybe some focus, or just a wonderful sense of peace. The third stage is Integrating: As you walk back out the way you have come, you may feel grounded and begin to embrace any ideas or answers you have received.

Giving your labyrinth experience a voice with someone is important if you are able to do this. Journaling about it may be extremely helpful as well.

Each person is moving toward the same destination in the center. All will have different and individual labyrinth journey experiences. Opening your heart is the key.

Trish Kalhagen
Reiki Practitioner/Spiritual Director
Sacred Moments
Edgerton, WI 53534




*For more articles, check out the Mind Body Thoughts Blog

A Body Is

A body is a multi-dimensional field that extends into the space beyond the physical. It is an organized dynamic of 'material substance' integrating with 'energy fields' incorporating physical, mental, emotional and spiritual essence.

Quote taken from my Textbook at Educating Hands, "Touchabilities - Essential Connections by Iris Burman, LMT and Sandy Friedland, LMT.

For more information: http://www.touchabilities.com/about.html