Spring and Life...

I've been away for a long time, dealing with family business and taking care of family. Dad passed this winter and we feel as if we're waking from a long and strange journey. Much has happened. Much has been learned and much remains to work through.

Spring has spronged and our family is coming to terms with the death of my father. What was an insurmountable pain that consumed our days has become an acknowledged reality and it is enough to remember good memories and to incorporate those into our thoughts over and above the hard times.

It has been surprising to me to see how things have changed. In Dad's hour of need, I was so glad to see family pull together and row the same direction for the good of not only Dad, but ourselves as a family. For this, I'm glad. My deepest hope is that this continues forward.

I've been meaning to get back to my mediumship studies and also to work the ranch and begin examining where to go from here. My plans to begin readings are back on, but first, I'll be getting back to my meditation practices. The intent now is to just spend the next months re-establishing my contacts, getting back to paranormal investigation as a secondary line of research and doing what I love.

Health has been on my mind. Working out, maintaining positive habits and views are important new considerations. Years of being on call for trips to the hospital at a moment's notice are now over and we're focusing attention on our ranch and getting things back into shape. I'm heartened by the fact that we're making progress a little at a time and that we're going to be in a far better place by next fall. Plumbing, electrical, landscaping and more will all be on solid tracks to improvement. A lot of this will take time, but we're able to function now and in this, I'm pleased to say we're moving ahead.

And yes, the negatives are there. There are days, when someone passes, that you miss them terribly. These days are becoming less intense and less in number, but I always remember in the back of my mind who isn't with us. The trick is to remember, especially on this Easter day, that life is eternal and that I, of all people, know this to be fact with all of my research and forays into the paranormal.

Hope and sticking close with people you trust and love. That is the answer. We're doing fine as a family and you'll see more good developments in the near future.

God Bless...

Jon

Mediumship and Study...

One of the things my guides on the Other Side are very keen on is to have me meditate daily. It is a constant thing with them to have me meditate and also to continually read and absorb knowledge about the Other Side and about what it is to be human and aware of the many levels and functions of our physical, mental and spiritual bodies.

For example, I was very surprised to learn recently, in reading "The Projection of the Astral Body" by Sylvan Muldoon, that human beings are not simply a chemical process with a spirit just happening to reside in the body, but that the "ghost" within us is the very life force by which the body organizes and maintains itself. It is not so much a case of the spirit simply taking up residence in the body that could maintain itself without the spirit, but the spirit itself IS the life force of the body.

I suppose I had the knowledge already summed up in already having learned about the various levels of the body, from physical to mental to astral and beyond, but to see it in such an old book with such clear and well-written material really brought the concept home to me.

If the spirit energy form (or soul) leaves the house of the body, the organic form cannot hope to last long without the underlying processes of the spirit managing and maintaining the crucial bodily functions. It is striking to me that this is the case in humans for this also means that other life forms must have similar arrangements and therefore, logically, must have a form of Spirit within their makeup.

Think about it... All life is animated by "ghosts" if you will. From a bacteria to a blade of grass, a whale or a human. And if this is the case here on Earth, it is logical to assume that, given the assumption of the rules of physics being the same all across the Universe, it is likely this arrangement plays out in other alien species of life that must surely exists out there.

I highly recommend constant learning and reading for those who study mediumship. It is not simply enough to learn a system and apply only it's tenants and to forget that there are many other worthy views and means of accessing knowledge and different levels of the Spirit world, but also to understand the why and how of the application of these systems in our own seemingly "mundane" world which is certainly anything but mundane.

It is tempting to look at the more recent publications of metaphysical literature and yes, you should look for the best of the most recent and critical original documentation that is coming in from Spirit, but do not forget that the 19th century and early 20th century authors, who came to observe the Spirit world from a viewpoint free of the constant interruptions of television, radio and the Internet, wrote powerful and very enlightened works that are classics to this day.

I suggest you read Dion Fortune's books. These are excellent factual and fiction writings that will prepare your mind well to be aware of just how complex things were back in the day when she wrote these in the 1920s through the 1940s. Take a look at Leadbetter's writings and also read Muldoon as well as many of the great writings on astral travel, mediumship and spirituality from the Spiritualist viewpoints that are now freely available for download.

In my classes I'm conducting, we're studying these books to insure that the students are grounded with a clear and wide-ranging view of the field of metaphysics over and above simply learning mediumship or psychic skills. It pays to understand the "lay of the land" so to speak. An understanding of classical views of the phenomena of paranormal and supernormal phenomena as well as the peculiar ethics and history surrounding the various kingdoms of existence around us is not only helpful, but essential to develop the proper skill sets and mental attitude to be successful in growing a proper awareness.

I am leading a small group of students who will be going through these learned writings to gain these appreciations of the how and why of things. One of the only requirements is that the assignments of reading be completed on-time and then each student will communicate their understanding of the writing to the group during our review sessions. We've begun our sessions already, but have room for two more in our local settings here in my local area and will accept others on a periodic basis for Internet learning when the students complete their coursework.

It is time for my meditation... See you soon!

Readings

I generally read for people on Saturday evenings on my radio show and went through a period of alternating decisions about reading for people as a side business or to do it as a gift.

A very good friend of mine pointed out that the fact that so many psychic-mediums do this work successfully and for the *right* reasons indicates that this ability can and should be used to not only help the sitter who reads with a medium or psychic, but for the benefit of the person doing the reading.

This is a Spiritual calling, this deciding to read a person off-air and personally, whether this be a phone reading or an in-person meeting. I will ask certain of the people I've read if their story might be, with modifications, used as a lesson to be written about for the benefit of others. Some will answer to the affirmative and others in the negative with the wishes of the Sitter being respected at all times.

Mediumship is a sacred gift, both for the Sitter and the Medium. I have recently become aware of just how sacred this trust and bond is. I've come to a point where I realize that, to advance, one must embrace the community and to read with people who wish to be read privately.

I will, however, donate readings to those who cannot afford it and also will give of my time accordingly and generously to help others. This is part of the calling and it shall be embraced.

Thus, for readings with me, one can visit my radio show to share in a chance to work with myself and those wonderful Mediums who visit my show and, on occasion with the right influences or to visit my readings link to schedule time with me for a private reading. 

I trust in the Grand Design of the Universe and the Great Architect to direct these individuals to me and for the Work to be done in the name of all that is Good.

The road less traveled...

When I was a young child, I remember reading a poem that has always stuck with me. And I find it has practical advice and utility, even in these strange and interesting times. So I thought to myself, why not post it for the blog and hopefully inspire a few others to see as I have from the eyes of Robert Frost ;>)

The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,   
And sorry I could not travel both   
And be one traveler, long I stood   
And looked down one as far as I could   
To where it bent in the undergrowth;           

Then took the other, as just as fair,   
And having perhaps the better claim,   
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;   
Though as for that the passing there   
Had worn them really about the same,           

And both that morning equally lay   
In leaves no step had trodden black.   
Oh, I kept the first for another day!   
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,   
I doubted if I should ever come back.           

I shall be telling this with a sigh   
Somewhere ages and ages hence:   
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—   
I took the one less traveled by,   
And that has made all the difference.            

Believe in yourself...

It struck me today, while at work, that there are those who spend a lot of time trying to make you feel bad about yourself. And they try to pull you down, to make you doubt yourself and to use bluster and threats to push you to a direction you may not wish to go willingly.

You yourself may have experienced such events. In these difficult times, realize that the problems of the times and the symptoms like those mentioned above are just that... symptoms. They do NOT define YOU.

Important realization to truly internalize. What someone else says and thinks about you, or even does to you is THEIR problem. Not yours (almost). When it does involve your life and energy, then you must choose a valid and profitable response.

The Other Side has weighed in on this little topic in forceful ways recently and I find myself realizing that important spiritual lessons are to be learned from such interactions with seemingly important figures who "appear" to wield power but often only imagine they do.

The real power is within you... the individual. Never forget that and Never give up on yourself and your dreams. Be the dreamer, the fool and the one who thinks outside the box and you will prosper and eventually be rewarded ;>)

Until next time...

The passing of a legend...

On the Passing of a Legend...

Steve Jobs human form died yesterday. On the face of it, he was a human being and had all of the normal trappings and failings that 7 billion of us now have and of the many 56 billion people who have EVER lived.

But from there, the differences emerge. I believe that each human soul can reach it's potential by just living their dream and going for it. However, precious few of us ever do. Of these, a certain number have a certain "something" in our makeup that provides the right balance of personality, stamina and talent factors to make that person truly unique and different.

Einstein, Newton, Tesla, Socrates, Edison and so many more had this special "something" in abundance. And I believe that humans of any age can wake up that special talent and discover their capacity to excel, if they would only believe!

Steve Jobs is the modern example of this special quality of these amazing human beings who have walked this planet as inventors, scientists and free-thinkers who march to the beat of a different drum. He is a shining beacon of how it is to be spiritual (he is a Buddhist) and a technological and marketing genius whose likes will be hard to see coming for awhile.

You can tell when you are in the presence of one of these highly evolved humans. There is a *feel* that one gets. Almost a magnetic presence and charisma that cannot be denied. Steve exudes this energy in great abundance in his presentations, his messages and even text. It cannot help but come to the surface. He, like the other greats I mentioned in this article, is an original.

You'll notice I speak in the present tense about Steve. My belief is that his soul is just fine, that he continues to exist and that he will likely make his presence felt, whether it be in the halls of Apple or with those he cared for in his circle of close family and friends.

Apple will go on and I hope that they understand that while Steve's mortal self may be no more, the spirit of the man will push one of their number to be his or her own unique self and lead in a similar way. It does no good to be a carbon copy of the man, but perhaps to listen to his wise counsel from messages from the past, or the Other Side as the case may be. I suspect, that within Apple, such a person may reside and whose inner spirit and originality will carry the company forward with bold new visions that excite and create anticipation.

What else to expect but excellence and to expect others to be their best. Steve did it his way and now the next leaders of America and it's industries should learn from that example...

Well done Steve... You inspired us all and showed us how to dream and how to succeed. I, for one, intend to use that example wisely. God Bless and Namaste to you my friend...

Jon

October thoughts

Life has a funny way of shifting your priorities through the year. Our family had the good fortune of having my cousin out to help us with our property and I learned a great deal about how to do critical things on our ranch just by seeing how he did things. Seven weeks of having him here opened my mind to new skills and I'm all the more prepared now that I've seen his way of doing things.

So... plans I had made were put on hold for a bit, but plans they are and now some new gears are shifting. That is how it is when the seasons shift and when life's lessons come to you. Roll with the changes, flex and shift, feel the feelings and then have the courage to change your approach and be willing to shift your position, even cherished views if they no longer serve you.

Part of the plan has already been achieved. I worked hard, studied and become a certified medium. It has improved my confidence in my reads, given me a basis and framework from which to read and has opened doors that otherwise wouldn't might never have opened. I give my thanks to the Other Side for their help and continued support. I never would have made it without them and it is because of their continual presence and love that one can walk this path.

And now... they've been rather insistent that I continue to evolve down that path. So... they had to take a baseball bat to my mind per se', but I eventually got the message!

I'm about to open my mediumship practice as an evening side venture and will soon be making changes here on the site. I decided to continue with the show as it has been going forward, but I'm NOT going to advertise to start, save to mention on occasion that I do read privately and let it ease in to what will be. This first year will be about learning how to do this in this new venue. Where-ever it goes from there, I will place my trust in the process and my team and go from there.

Brenda Orr has been joining us as a regular medium on the show every other week and we've had a great time working together and reading people on-air - I want to thank her for her belief in what we do on the show and for her gracious time and talent in being a regular on the show. She is following a very similar path to mine and she has become an extraordinary medium and I've seen her develop and grow a lot over the course of the past few months of working together on-air. 

As for me, some other sidelines and life dreams are also being pursued and I feel change in the air, not only for me, but for all the people I love and care for. One can live in fear of change, or embrace it and plow forward headlong into the next big thing. Best to be driving the boat, don't you think? Despite this economy, it is possible to succeed and I feel great and positive changes in the world in the coming year. Best to be well placed and ready to take advantage of these shifts by being ready.

So... my friends... a grand journey is underway.

We'll be having a full schedule with radio shows this October. Scott Wise and GASP will be on the show on October 2'nd to share their cases with us, I'll be making an appearance on my friend Chris's show on BlogTalkRadio on October 8th and will be hosting a whole range of special guests and mediums who are very talented on the show. On October 30th, we'll do a Halloween special and have a lot of fun as we wind down into the end of the year.

Watch for more paranormal activity as the veil thins... This is the time of year that things will become extremely busy in our business and I suspect we've got some extraordinary events occurring this month. So... watch those corners, look around and you yourself may see a spirit or two as they pierce the veil ;>) They might just have a message for you ;>)

Until next time!

Jon