tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49301420945841407512024-03-17T01:18:02.411-07:00The Inner VoiceA dialogue on the Nature of Consciousness, Alternative Spirituality, Paranormal Science, and Psychic CapacityJeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-67333346262586332652016-05-02T17:30:00.000-07:002016-05-02T17:33:03.816-07:00This Life as a Precursor to the Next<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the Old World, the
adherence to doctrine was to help prepare one’s self for entering the gates of
Heaven and receiving eternal life. To not follow the dogma as prescribed
by the hierarchy was tantamount to turning one’s back on God and committing the
soul to everlasting torture and pain.<br />
<br />
In our modern society, the purely materialistic members of the populace will
tell you there is “No such thing as an afterlife. When you die, you’re as
good as worm food.”<br />
<br />
Yet afterlife spirit research contradicts both these assertions. Over
more than one hundred years ago, the scientists and academics who headed up the
Society for Psychical Research in both England and America laid the groundwork
and brought forth incredible evidence suggestive of spirit return through such
mediums as Leonora Piper, Mrs. Chenoweth, Mrs. Gladys Osborne Leonard, as well
as others. The “cross- correspondences” convinced many in the
organization that they had obtained scientific proof of survival and
communication. This history unfortunately got dismissed, mostly
forgotten, and it wasn’t until the late 1990’s that mediumship once again was
taken seriously – at least by a minority few in academia, starting with Dr.
Gary Schwarz.<br />
<br />
In addition to the research done with mediums, modern technology has given us
unprecedented tools for reaching out to those in spirit, most notably through
Electronic Voice Phenomena (recording spirit voices on recorders). Though
both these techniques (EVPs and Mediumship) have their detractors and skeptics,
the overall data and results from skilled researchers along with asking the
right questions still point in the same direction as the earlier Society for
Psychical Research archives – consciousness survives.<br />
<br />
The next question is: what does that survival of consciousness look like?
Staying with the theme of this article, for centuries we were told that if we
follow the rules of a particular theology, it would grant us a hoped-for peace
and everlasting life (and consequently, those who didn’t …) Well … it just
doesn’t work that way. There isn’t any Hell and no one is blocking you at
the gate for not following a particular brand of theism. However, the
idea of how you live your life on earth does still hold some truth as to how
one might acclimate to the Other Side.<br />
<br />
When original Society for Psychical Research members passed away and began
communicating through mediums in an effort to prove their identity to their
earth-bound colleagues, many of them stated how their lives – both on earth and
the afterlife – would have been much better had they known eternal life was a
matter of natural existence and paid attention to what that meant (and not
in the way it had been traditionally taught). They were all adamant
about the joys of the next life, yet they stated how they still had much more
to learn. Indeed, they were saying that had they approached things a bit
differently on the earthly side of life, it would have made them less ignorant
when it came to their own existence in the afterlife, and consequently they
would be getting "more" out of it.<br />
<br />
In a way, this makes some sense. Think of it like stages in earthly
life. We now know that events in our childhood can still have irrevocable
influence and outcome on who we are and what we do when we are adults. In
this way, we can also see how our lives on earth might also have an effect on
our existence in the next life as well. How could it not? This is
not to say we must always be on-guard, or give our earthly thoughts away and
think only of the next world …. That would be akin to saying “forget childhood
and jump straight into adult life.” No, no, no. One is needed to
inform and shape the other. And this is not out fear either. Just
like our journey through childhood we learn what is needed as we move into
adulthood and society, so too is this life preparing us in ways for the Other
Side.<br />
<br />
To me, this is how we must view our relationship between our existence here and
our future existence over there. They are intertwined; one informs the
other. When we reach the Other Side, we are told that we exist beyond
Time and Space and that we cannot die – yet the nature of our experience (what
we are capable of accomplishing) falls upon the simple axiom of knowledge over
ignorance – in this case, I gather it is “spiritual” knowledge over “spiritual”
ignorance. Wherever one falls on such a spectrum plays a unique role on
what one is capable of accomplishing or where they can go right out in the
afterlife. All are granted eternal life – that is not an issue – but just
what one can experience or do in the afterlife is correlated with what one
knows or doesn’t know spiritually. This is not so different from earth –
knowledge opens doors to possibilities, whereas without proper knowledge, a
door will oftentimes remain shut until the deficit in wisdom is
corrected. In all cases, spirits coming through speak of the afterlife in
joyous and loving terms, but also acknowledge there is so much more, and that
access to this “more” is somehow related to knowledge, and that our earthly
experience can help with that foundation.<br />
<br />
In knowing this ahead of time, it forces us to examine ourselves (and primarily
our relationships) in the Here and Now. If we can master unconditional
love, compassion, joy, then when we arrive into the next world we will not feel
so much like a fish out of water – at least so I’ve been told. We won’t
have as many regrets, we will spare ourselves a sense of possible embarrassment
or exposure as the Life Review reveals our most nonsensical and ignorant
moments, and we won’t feel that we have sold ourselves short for what is
possible in the spiritual environments. We are not asked to be perfect,
but we are asked to pay attention.<br />
<br />
In other words, we can come into our spiritual life with a rich foundation
gathered from our earthly experiences. We will acclimate better; find
ourselves capable; and will be more at the ready to become true citizens in the
communities built for the spiritual realms of eternity. <br />
<br />
Enjoy and learn from our earthly journey - as it's all Spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
-- Jeffrey<o:p></o:p>Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-10209518248270080492016-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:002016-03-01T09:00:04.658-08:00A Welcome to Your Spirit this Spring<div class="MsoNormal">
Spring in the Pacific Northwest is just right around the
corner for us. Already, some of the
trees are starting to flower and I am seeing new flowers sprout from the
soil. If you’re like me, you are getting
excited. It’s time to wake up from the
cold dark winter and welcome back the light!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time of year always harkens to a sense of rejuvenation. In a way, it is not much different than what
happens to our loved ones when they leave their body to transition into the
afterlife. One could easily make the
case that while we are alive on planet earth, our senses become dull to the
fullness of our multidimensional selves and we have entered into a type of
focus that mimics a sense of hibernation inside the vastness of our souls. Indeed, those in spirit report back that when
they look at us from their vantage point, we oftentimes appear asleep in terms
of our awareness. Some spirits report
that we look “dark and shadowy” – not much different than nature looking dark
and barren during the winter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This changes when we leave this environment at death. It is not so much because we are leaving the
limited body behind (that is part of it), but also because we are stepping out
of the entire space/time framework the world works in. This departure gives the newfound spirit an
entirely new perspective on the life and world just left behind. It’s as if we have been living like a
two-dimensional painting on canvass, then suddenly peeling ourselves off and
seeing not only the canvass, but that we are really three-dimensional with
properties and aspects of being we never knew we had! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This has got to feel like waking up from a cold winter and
finding yourself being greeted by a warm and luscious new Spring. The Other Side has oftentimes affectionately
been referred to as “the Summer Land.”
No doubt, at the moment of earthly departure, we move into the Spring time
of new spiritual life and then dance into the Summer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we begin to re-awaken from our winter slumber, take some
time to go within and re-awaken your spirit.
If you have spent much of the winter indoors, head out to welcome the
new life growing all around you.
Reconnect with it. Feel its vibrancy
re-emerging and allow it to inspire a re-emergence within you. You are a vital, beautiful, loving
spirit! Let your light shine with the
new light of Spring! Stretch out your
arms, take in a big gulp of air, then feel your energy skyrocket to every
corner of creation. Know that our loved
ones in spirit see this, feel it, and send it back to us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s all about the cycle of life and its eternal
nature. Let’s embrace the coming seasons
… or rather, let the coming seasons embrace us.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember, you were born a <i>perfect</i> spirit. So be sure
to have a <i>spirited day!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-64088672292517904202016-02-01T08:45:00.000-08:002016-02-03T18:40:56.106-08:00What Unconditional Love from the Other Side Reveals ...<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I oftentimes compare and
contrast what we learn from direct spirit communication and interaction
(whether it be in readings or spirit research with the Washington State Ghost
Society) to what was written in ancient biblical texts, and to what organized
religion says about the nature of man and how it equates to
the notion of God's love for us (FYI, I prefer the term
"Great Creative Force" over the term "God"). I find
myself often at odds with the notion that the Great Creative
Force perceives us as "fallen," or "broken" or
"off-the-mark." Indeed, those in the spirit world tell us how
much we are loved, that judgment is nothing like what has been told to us, and
that we were actually born perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
"Perfect? Really?" I can hear you saying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Actually, yes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Those in spirit are telling us that we were born perfect, for the simple fact
that we have the ability to express and experience all outcomes (good and
bad) so that we may have access to all roads of learning and expression.
"Perfection" is not an "end state" of static being,
but rather the functionality inherent within our design. Only love would
grant the ability to potentially experience all possible states, positive
or negative. Those on the Other Side tell us that If we did not have
access to all these different avenues, then we would be stunted; we would not
fully learn; we would be held back in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>whatever was needed</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for us to become the greatest
expression and reflection of the Great Spirit that we can be. Without
this perfection of experiencing all probabilities and states, spirituality
would be more like a prison, rather than the unconditional love that is given
us to experience All There Is.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">So as we march
forward to that day of love this month, take a moment to reflect on just how much
you are loved from those on the Other Side -- it is truly<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><em>unconditional</em>. All paths to learning, to spirituality, to the Great
Creative Force are already being lived by you and through you. If you
weren't loved, then such capabilities would not even exist.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-73072158779573113722016-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:002016-01-06T06:31:17.781-08:00New Year and Resolutions<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The New Year has arrived, and in typical fashion each of us sit down to take advantage of the sense of being able to "start over" for the next round of 12 months. Our hopes are always the same: Initiate change so the chains we felt were binding us in the previous year somehow dissolve into dust this next year. Isn't that what resolutions are all about? To make drastic change?</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-ff7adb14-e4e8-17a6-0cc6-87865ce3177b" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the year progresses, we usually find ourselves caught in life's quagmires and either forget our New Year's resolutions entirely, or we just simply give up on them -- usually because we've lost the will or fortitude to make them happen. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But it doesn't have to be that way. Just as we say goodbye every December 31st to the year behind us, we can do this with what has come </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">even the day before</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">an hour ago</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It's called "letting go" in order to make space for what we want to come.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, the power of "letting go" ... Accepting what has happened, but no longer attaching to it in such a way that it continues to hold its power over you and robbing you of what is possible in the present and in the future -- because the truth is, the past </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">never</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> equals the future. Those in the spirit world tell us, when they first reach the Other Side and have their Life Review, they are astonished to see just how many possibilities were available to them during the course of their earthly journey, to which they refused to acknowledge at the time because they couldn't "let go" of what they were holding on to. Nevertheless, these possibilities are there, and we need only to acknowledge them and "let go" of what we are grasping inside our consciousness to begin moving in these new directions.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The other thing those in spirit tell us -- and to which many of us have experienced at some point in our lives -- is the power of our own minds (and by extension, our consciousness) in the ability to create the change we so desperately seek. This is one of the reasons we make New Year's resolutions -- because deep down, we trust that we do have the power to make them happen. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's also because we understand on a deep level, the power of the Now moment. Within the Now moment is the gateway to the nature of Eternity -- where past, present, and future blend together and collide. It's within this nexus that when we truly make a decision (decide, intend, put the foot down) that change really begins. How does that change take root? The energy and blueprint of our intentions are embraced by the power of that Now moment, and that power not only moves forward in time to start orchestrating events, it even sends the information backward into the past.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What? That sounds preposterous. But yet, this is really the case. Several Psi researchers utilizing such tools as random number generators, remote viewing, and methods of intuitive forecasting have concluded that it's not so much as the Mind being able to leap into the future as it is for the future to leap backward into the past.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's a small example of your enormous power at initiating instant change: Divine parking. You know, when you're five minutes away from the parking lot at a shopping center and you put out the intention to have that "perfect parking spot" and it magically appears? And the more times you do it you realize it is happening at a level beyond chance? That's because your intention in that Now moment is not only moving forward into the future, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it's zooming backward into the past!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How so? Because even though you're five minutes away from the parking lot, the orchestration has to take into account not only your position in space and time (including all the time you spent at stop lights as soon as you left the house, pedestrians, and perhaps even a slow down due to bad weather -- before you put out the "divine parking" intention), the intention also has to take into account the person who currently holds the parking space you will eventually get. What time they arrived at the shopping center, how long they've been in the store, how long they have to stand in line at the check-out counter, exit into the parking lot, get into their vehicle and leave -- with just enough time for you to pull in before someone else steals the spot. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that's some orchestration! So much, that to make the intention five minutes away from the parking lot requires that power to inform reality both </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the past</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as well as the future. It begs the question, did your intention inform you and the other person what time was best to leave your respective homes to make the shopping trip? </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As much as we'd like to say this is coincidence, fantasy, or way-out-there wishful thinking, many parapsychologists and consciousness researchers (as well a few people in the realm of Quantum Mechanics) are suggesting this is really what is happening. When information travels backward into the past to initiate a course, it's termed "retrocausation." Those in the spirit world agree, as they say the point of power is always the Present Moment, and our thoughts inform the past as well as the present and into the future. How's that for a holistic reality?</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So when you go about making your New Year's resolution, know that the power behind your intention is awesome. So much so, that you could harness it every day of the New Year and not simply January 1st. Perhaps your New Year's resolution could be: Every day is a new day, my intentions are eternal, and I embrace the power of my eternal spirit for health, abundance, and joy. Now that's a New Year's resolution!I</span></div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-91408777899632478372015-12-03T19:33:00.001-08:002015-12-03T19:35:19.995-08:00Tips for a Happier Holiday Season<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December has arrived! Though many talk about the joy that comes with the holidays (and indeed, there is), I feel it is also important to acknowledge that for many, it is also one of the most stressful times of year. The American Psychological Association Holiday stress statistics show that up to 69 percent of people are stressed about having a “lack of time,” 69 percent also are stressed by feeling a “lack of money” and 51% are stressed out about the “pressure to give and get gifts.” </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-401a5485-6b0c-4ed8-f58f-5833ea1b7810" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to allonehealth.com, the stress and anxiety of the holiday season can manifest in symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, fatigue, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, low job satisfaction and morale, aching muscles (including lower back pain), loss of appetite, changes in behavior while at work, and a decline in productivity and work performance. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are also facing the “end time” of the year – a sense of finality for which we look back on the last 12 months and critique the outcome. Since we are usually our own worst critics, guess which way that observation goes? It can be an incredibly “heavy” and “burdensome” time of year to many. Also, we witness nature going into hibernation, we reference the trees and plants “dying” which can also affect us psychologically. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What can we do spiritually to help us get through? Here’s a few simple things. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First, try to stay grounded and remember to cleanse yourself energetically. With all the stress, along with the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers, our auras (as well as our minds) are being bombarded with frenetic and tense energy not normally displayed by most people at other times of the year. We may observing with our eyes, but we typically ABSORB things into our energies and emotions, so it becomes imperative that we do things that will help cleanse ourselves of this abnormal energy we are diving into and swimming around in. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you shower in the morning, use the power of visualization to allow the water its energetic capacity to take hold of that unwanted energy and send it right down the drain. Additionally, wash your hands a few more times throughout the day (this is not meant to become an OCD thing). This will not only protect you from potential germs on your hands and keeping you from getting physically sick, when you wash your hands under the faucet for more than 45 seconds, that extra time can again help to draw out negative energy collecting within your field (which might later transmute into physical maladies).</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another way to combat stress – and this works anytime throughout the year – is to meditate. Sit down for about 15 minutes minimum and just let go. Focus on nothing but your breath and allow that focus to realign your system and clear you. Release your need to do anything or be anything, and just be STILL. Meditation will clear both your energy systems as well as your mind. The monkey mind goes extra crazy this time of year, so it’s important to do what we can to calm it. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conversely, instead of calming yourself, go out and do something that makes you crazy with happiness! Whatever the activity is – a few hours gathering with friends, solitude with a paintbrush, turning up the music full blast and dancing – whatever it is that can </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">interrupt the state of holiday frenzies</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Call it a “time out” if you will … and schedule as many of them as you need in order to get through the season. Heck, be an inspiration for others to create their own seasonal “time outs.” Sweat-inducing exercise can also help here - as well as assisting in keeping off those extra pounds from the yummy holidays feasts!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep in mind, as energetic beings we not only absorb, we transmit. If we can find that stillness or ability to wash ourselves clean of the holiday stress, we can then help others do the same. How much more joyful would that make this time of year?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So know that in closing, I most sincerely wish you –</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HAPPY HOLIDAYS</span></div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-69251725538370522002015-11-03T18:12:00.001-08:002015-11-03T18:12:12.091-08:00<h2>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">A Month of Thanksgiving!</span></h2>
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The month of Thanksgiving is here! I say “month” because there really is so much
to be thankful for that not all of it can fit into a single day. Starting right off, the month begins with All
Souls Day. Though classically this observance
is tied to the religiously faithful, the meaning behind it is still beautiful
and poignant even if you’re not religious.
The day was set aside to offer prayers for the deceased (In the
religious context, it was intended to offer prayers for those who had died
being faithful to doctrine). To me,
whether one was religious or not, All Souls Day is an opportunity to honor and
give thanks to our loved ones whose spirits gave us so much while alive, and
lets them know they are not forgotten while they continue their journeys in the
worlds of Spirit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next comes Veterans Day, November 11, in honor of what our
men and women in the military have endured throughout the history of our
country and their work throughout the world.
How many have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom? I’m sure all of us would agree the death of
just one person would be “too much.”
Thus, the incredible importance of this date in honoring the lives of
all our military, both living and sacrificed.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another reason to hold this day deep within our hearts is
due to its origin … November 11, 1918.
Such bloodshed and traumatic loss had not been so profoundly experienced
before during World War I, at least not in the memories of those who were going
through it. Destruction and loss of life
appeared on a massive scale, using technology developed during the burgeoning
industrial revolution. World War I was
nicknamed “The Great War,” and for good reason … nearly 38 million casualties,
ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history. The war <span style="background: white; color: #2e2e2e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">officially ended when the Treaty of
Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months
earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into
effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that
reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of <i>“the war to end all wars.”</i></span> Perhaps if we could remember that point,
someday it might come true. So be sure
to take time on Wednesday, November 11<sup>th</sup>, to be thankful for
everyone in our military, past, present, and future, for all they go through –
the fears, the turmoil, the sacrifices.
Many of us, myself included, could never be so brave.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course, like a bow to tie off a package, there’s the
national holiday of Thanksgiving. Family,
friends, and lots of great FOOD --to celebrate all that we have to be thankful
for throughout the year. To me, it’s
similar to All Souls Day, except that the focus for me is on <i>living</i> people rather than the
deceased. Why? Because it is so important to honor all our
connections. When we pass from this
life, we can’t take anything with us – all we have are the bonds of our
relationships. We take with us the love
and memories of the people in our lives, and that’s it. Yes, we’ll take with us lessons we’ve learned
from our earthly journey, but it’s our bonds to others that sustain us. In mediumship, we often deal with clients (both
living and on the Other Side) who discovered those bonds were unfortunately taken
for granted, in which death has forced to bring to light. For this reason, it’s important to reflect on
our bonds now – Thanksgiving for the relationships we have – so we don’t feel
regret when the inevitable happens.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ultimately, November is about LOVE. Love for those who have gone before us; who
have made the ultimate sacrifice and faced the ultimate terrors; and for those
whose love continues to nurture and sustain us -- a month truly about all the
lives for which there can be nothing but Thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>So let me say, I am
thankful to all of you for allowing me to be of service. It has truly been an honor. I look forward to being of service in the
years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-14083353962813941222015-09-28T19:15:00.000-07:002015-09-28T19:16:06.298-07:00The Season For Spirit - But Must We Be Afraid?It’s Halloween season again... and this means people will be looking to the paranormal (and spirits in particular) as most likely something to be weary and frightened of. Naturally, Hollywood has capitalized on this dread, creating a billion dollar industry designed to scare the bejeezus out of us! Along with “ghost hunting” shows where people are running scared -- I guess we shouldn’t be surprised.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.<br />
<br />
Please note, in writing this I am not asking anyone to go out and mingle with spirits, or leave themselves open to forces they’d rather avoid or don’t quite understand. Admittedly, spirit research is not for the timid. However, it is not something that should steadfastly be avoided.<br />
<br />
Researching spirits isn’t so much about occultism or trying to unlock mystical forces -- it is about trying to learn more about <u>us</u>. You and me. And just what the possibilities are for the nature of our existence after we leave this earthly life. The only way we can do that is with an effort to reach out to those who are already there, using the methods of paranormal investigation and mediumship (controversial, yes, but valid and necessary). With modern technology and a cooperative spirit communicator willing to interact with both equipment and a medium, information can be conveyed, examined, and looked to see if they are supportive. For instance, if the medium says they are communicating with a male spirit, and that spirit is telling them they used to haul live animals on a cargo ship, making a comment that “We weren’t no Noah’s ark,” and then a voice recorder picks up a male spirit audibly imprinting his voice stating “It was insane,” one could make the argument that the EVP could be viewed as supportive of the medium’s received information. Indeed, the spirit’s voice is male. Plus, the comments appears to match the negative impression given to the medium about not being Noah’s ark (By the way, this is an actual incident that happened to me during an investigation this last summer). Moreover, if additional EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) appear where the spirit affirms the medium’s impressions by simply saying “Yes” or “Correct,” that certainly adds weight to the evidence coming in. Using this same methodology over and over at every location where phenomena is validated to exist turns it from being simply hypothetical, but corroborative and substantial.<br />
<br />
This is when we can take it to the next level and start asking questions about the nature of consciousness. Are spirits affected by Time? If not, what does that say about us living inside physical bodies? What can spirits tell us about the nature of earthly reality, now that they are outside of it? Placed within the context of other information brought forth through the combination of equipment and mediumship, compounded by the answers from other spirits in other locations – sometimes several hundred miles apart – the possibilities for learning about the nature of our eternal beings is astounding.<br />
<br />
With any type of research – especially with spirits – there’s potential for risk. In respect to the Halloween season, one can indeed encounter mischievous spirits whose actions may appear “wicked” or “evil.” But after doing this work for over 16 years, those types of spirits are the exception and not the rule. Intention (and thus, expectation) is key.<br />
<br />
But to avoid spirit research out of fear of encountering such wicked or evil spirits would be like me telling you “Don’t go outside your house, you might run into an A—hole! Because A—holes exist! They are mean and will bully you!” Never mind the millions of caring, thoughtful, and compassionate people – avoid going outdoors because of the bullies.
No.
To avoid spirit research is to avoid unlocking some of the greatest answers to the potentials of our existence.
But admittedly, it may not be for the timid.<br />
<br />
<i>If you want to find out what the spirits are revealing in regards to the natures of our own souls while alive on earth, and how you can bring massive change to your life through the principles of your own spirit, stay tuned. Coming in 2016, I will be presenting a seminar consolidating the years of research with those in spirit on this topic. You will never look at yourself the same way again!
</i>Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-53585386207284802582014-03-22T09:02:00.000-07:002014-03-22T09:02:37.381-07:00A Response to Futility<div class="MsoNormal">
Several weeks ago I was contacted by a lovely lady on
Facebook, who was having a hard time reconciling the meaning of her life when
faced with the inevitable outcome of death.
She feared that if her loved ones were to pass away before her, then
wouldn’t the bonds of those relationships lose their meaning? That is, why do we care so much for others
when inevitably our relationships would be ruined by the spectre of death? It admittedly made her very anxious and
concerned that life – in the grand scheme – didn’t have much meaning when it
would eventually come to that inevitable end.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can understand her dilemma. In a universe that we’re being told all
happened by “chance” or “accident” and that when it’s all over we just rot in
the ground, then life does take on a sense of futility. What’s the point of such love when it all
will vanish and disappear and was only by “luck” in the first place? Or – perhaps even more torturous – our loved
ones die, move on to another dimension, and yet we are here left alone? What
does all this mean and why do we do it?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Having been working with the spirit world for over fifteen
years (and with spirit events stretching as far back as my early childhood),
the best I can do is assert that, first, we do not die and therefore there
isn’t an “end”; and two, we can still communicate with our loved ones after
they have passed. Of course, the next
natural question is “how?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The way I explained it to my friend was that our loved ones
in spirit are really only a thought away (you might have heard John Holland use
this phrase). Granted, to me that sounds like a somewhat
“pat answer,” but it is literally the spiritual truth. When you can make yourself available to your
loved ones in spirit as a vessel of love, they will return the favor – through
thoughts, dreams, and occasional “calling cards” of physical events in your
everyday life which demonstrates they are still bonded with you and care about
you. We’ve all heard stories about the
coins which mysteriously show up after a loved one has passed. Or – a story I heard more recently (and the
photo to prove it) – of a butterfly that landed on the memorial program then
alighted to the mother’s hand during the memorial service … with butterflies being
the deceased’s favorite token for collectibles ... Spirit will find a way
to make themselves known, so long as we are open to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But it is natural to fret over our time apart. My grandmother did this with the loss of my
grandfather. To me, it is normal to feel
this type of grief as the years grow longer in the empty space left from our
loss. However, as I explained to my
friend, do not worry about the time of “physically being apart” for that is
only the result of our vibration in the physical world, and Time is only
relative. That is, the energy of our beings
only allows for certain wavelengths of energetic frequencies to be filtered
by the physical body’s senses. Our loved
ones in spirit vibrate a bit too fast for our physical senses to typically register them, but they are still there, and with practice, you <u>can</u>
alter your mental awareness to become somewhat “in tune” with them, for the
mind is not bound by the confines of the body, time or space. This is what mediums do in order to make that
link to the spirit world for their clients.
Granted, the context of the relationship has been altered due to the “veil”
created by the dissonance in frequencies that the body is somewhat
stunted in fully receiving from the domain of Spirit, but that does not mean the
relationship itself is severed and that our loved ones have disappeared from
our lives, nor that the relationship was meaningless. <i>That
hasn’t happened at all</i>. To declare
the relationship “dead” “over” and “meaningless” would negate not only every
emotion and action taken with our loved ones while they were alive, but also
theirs towards us. The truth is, they
have not left us – so we should not leave them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course, this does lead to some of the deepest questions
we ask about life: Why are we here? Why do we go through this journey (if our
relationships and loves are to be separated from us by death)?<o:p></o:p></div>
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These are questions I have pondered for years. Fortunately, again my work with spirits –
both in sittings and ghost research – has helped pull out some possible
answers. What I have learned from the spirits
is that why we need to be here (as well as transition to the Other Side) is
because each place offers opportunities for expression and growth of the Self
and the God-force within us. Spirits
have told us that the purpose of life is to experience the magnitude of our
probabilities – to unfold the nature of our unique, individual spirits. Each dimension of existence offers a
multitude of avenues in doing this, to unfold and realize our innate sense of
“value fulfillment” (a term coined by “Seth” through Jane Roberts, early 1980's). “Value Fulfillment”, upon closer inspection,
makes a lot of sense to me in regards to the evolution of our spiritual
lives. It offers life meaning. That life has purpose and meaning is made
manifest by the complexity of a single cell and its cooperation with all other
cells to ignite gestalt mechanisms for the expression of a soul’s
intentions. That is, the complexity of
cellular structure to create tissue, bones, organs, intake and excrete waste
(both at the micro and macro levels), transmit data between cells and organs,
heal, and move us simply by the expression of our spirit’s willpower – without
our real conscious left-brain understanding of it – demonstrates that we are
multidimensional, filled with the power and vitality of divinity and <u>purpose</u>;
able to create equally with love, compassion, and joy as we do with hate,
jealousy, and destruction. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So many people think that their purpose must be “one thing” and
one thing only, such as “I am supposed to be a mother; or a nurse; or a lawyer.” Those are just occupations. Your purpose is to express your
divinity. What you choose, in order to
do that, is boundless, and you are not at all confined to one single avenue or
occupation. Consciousness (spirit) is
unlimited, and so are your options; you need only choose which one you wish to
experience and begin moving your intentions, emotions, and beliefs into its
actualization. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Let us never forget that we were first born of Spirit, and
then came into flesh (so you can leave behind all that nonsense of being born
“sinful” or “less than perfect,” as you are a spark of the Great Spirit, and it
all depends on what you choose to focus on for your divine expression). It is by our very design that we are eternal,
everlasting, and ultimately loving – even beyond Space and Time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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So live in the beauty of your Light. Your Spirit.
Have a Spirited day!<o:p></o:p></div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-76891069205819970482014-02-08T17:52:00.000-08:002014-02-08T17:52:29.376-08:00What About Evil Spirits?<div class="MsoNormal">
The bulk of my work as a medium is about connecting spirits
back to their friends and loved ones here on earth; to help in the healing
process and to demonstrate the eternal nature of our loved ones on the Other
Side, as well as our own immortal souls.
Additionally, I also employ this gift in paranormal research – exploring
haunted locations and businesses in order to better understand why some spirits
choose to remain earth-bound or visit certain places over and over again, or to
uncover the history of a particular geographical location. <o:p></o:p></div>
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From time-to-time, I will occasionally get requests from
people who express that they are experiencing negative events with
spirits. The descriptions can range from
the mild sense of a heavy presence, to full-blown physical attack and the sense
of a spirit trying to possess them.
These are quite frightening and harrowing experiences, to be sure, so
how to deal with them? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Typically, if the interaction is severe, I would recommend
handing it off to a team of experienced and knowledgeable paranormal
researchers, who can perform the right kind of interview with the client and
analysis on the environment to better uncover the many possible factors which
can contribute to the type of events. I
think these things require more consideration than a medium “simply” coming in,
linking with the negative energies, and convincing them to leave. There are usually factors hidden with the
client that need to be examined and addressed, as there are no coincidences in
life, and things of a spiritual nature are never by “happenstance.” It becomes even more complex when a client
believes they are at the mercy of many evil spirits (not just one) – as if they
have been targeted by a legion of demonic forces bent on ruining their life and
trying to take over their body. It’s a
tall order to ask anyone to address the situation, especially a single medium
who may be walking into an extremely complex environment of energies,
expectations, and beliefs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I recently received a request along these lines, where the
client felt they were surrounded by a host of evil spirits and that these
forces were trying to possess her.
Instead of forwarding her situation onto a paranormal organization
outright, I contemplated what other alternatives might exist. At a loss within my own mind, I turned to my
spiritual guides and asked for their opinion.
What came through was incredibly profound. I shared it with a few of my colleagues and
they felt it was so important that I should post it in my blog and also my
website. I do believe every paranormal
case is unique, yet I also feel there may be some generalities common to most
experiences, and I believe this is what my guides were pointing to, and how to
address them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I started writing as soon as the information came in. Here is what they said:<o:p></o:p></div>
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“<i>One must recognize
that though negative spirits exist, even more equally and en mass are those
spirits who are loving, protective, and nurturing. These are even greater in number than those considered
as ‘negative’ or ‘evil’ and they often exist within the same spaces. Unfortunately, thought and power is directed
more toward what is negative – which evokes the law of attraction – what we
focus on expands. In order to break the
cycle, one must lift one’s mind to the higher frequencies. Start focusing equally on the reality of love
and nourishment, and those forces and spirits are equally within your space and
in reach. Until you ‘make room’ inside
your consciousness for them, you will unfortunately not become aware of them;
you are giving too much belief in their opposite.</i> (Personal note: However, if you have a general distrust of
spirits or spirit interaction, reaching out to higher spirits could be
problematic, based on your beliefs). </div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"Also, become aware of your views on the
nature of your experience in your daily life.
Are you feeling and telling yourself such thoughts as ‘bad things always
happen to me’ or ‘it feels like the world is out to get me’ and ‘I am an outcast
and don’t feel I belong.’ Such thinking
also invites events and circumstances which reinforce those beliefs, as if you
are victim of all things bad. <u>These
are limiting and incorrect beliefs which create quite negative and unhealthy
experiences</u>. Again, you must switch
your focus and look in the opposite direction.
Results will follow, but only if you accept within yourself the validity
of goodness <u>and your own ability to grasp such goodness</u>. Wonderful spirits are here for you, and you
must allow them in through the same belief processes as you have the bad, for
until you recognize such possibility, you will not see it in your experience no
matter how hard the good spirits themselves try to make themselves known.</i> (Again, if you distrust spirits as a base
belief, this will be problematic).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Also, <u>and even
more important</u>, you must understand the vitality and validity of your own
spiritual being. No spirit, loving,
evil, or otherwise, has any direct power or control over your experience <u>unless
you give it that power</u>. This is the
law, as every spirit is a spark of autonomous divinity within the great cosmic
ocean of God’s being. That is, <u>your
soul carries the same light, life, and vitality as any of the spirits
surrounding you</u>. Claim that power
which is yours by birthright and heritage.
You exist beyond Time and Space, yet you place divisions upon your
consciousness which deny that reality and begin to create experiences and
circumstances to mirror your limited perspectives. Accept and give yourself the permission to
experience the love, compassion, and good things in life which are equally
yours. Do not tell yourself the world is
saying “no” to you, for the world is saying no such thing. Start telling (and feeling) life and the
world saying “yes” to you, for that is really the case. If it weren't, you would not have been born
into it in the first place. Realize your
negative thoughts and expectations are <u>about </u>reality, but are not <u>of</u>
reality; </i><i><span style="background: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">they are merely a filter of one’s focus, like
sunglasses altering the light of the sun.<span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span></span></i><i>However, what you focus on expands – whether
that focus is right or wrong, true or false.
Start moving your focus to the goodness in your life and the life in the
world, and you will see it come rushing back into your reality.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“In matters of
spiritual possession, it is equally important to realize that no spirit can
control or take over your body. Your
body is specifically tuned to the frequency and vibration of your own indelible
and unique spirit. Contrary to Hollywood
and tales of possession, a spirit cannot break the bonds which your soul
connects the body with. This is not to
say you cannot feel spirits affect your aura, or even telepathically your mind,
but they cannot remove you from the body and take it over, for (despite what
most believe) the body is not a glove or shell that easily comes on or off; it
is an intimate outgrowth of the spirit made flesh. The best any spirit can do is blend into your
aura, <u>which can have some physical results</u>, but they cannot take over
the body in the way most people believe.
It would only be in the presence of your own fear that your mind would
say “this spirit is taking me over and I am powerless to stop it” and so you
acquiesce your mental and spiritual strength to the energies of the spirit. However, <u>you equally have the mental and
spiritual strength of a superhero</u>, as well as a posse of loving, nurturing
protectors in those higher spirits also surrounding you. Again, accept and move your awareness to
their goodness, more importantly <u>be open to it within yourself</u>, and you
will find the mists of evil quickly dissipate in the light of the angelic sun.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“One can seek out
help, such as a shaman or other person to come and ‘cleanse’ the space or
perform some ritual to take the spirits away.
This can work. But unless you
recognize and claim the validity of your own soul and the power of your own
conscious spiritual being and your connection to those positive forces that
equally surround you, you will not necessarily remain free from experiencing
such events again in the future – and in fact may remain fearful that they
could happen again. It is only in
realizing your own sacred divinity, power, and strength, will you be assured
100% that you are immune to such forces.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“To begin, all you
need to do is affirm that goodness exists within your experience, in the world,
and that you can grasp it in the air before you, both from yourself and from
those positive forces of spirit.” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hopefully, the words of my guides can help when it comes to
negative and evil spirits. Again, every
situation is unique, but personal empowerment will always outrank someone
coming in and taking care of things for you.
I have been dealing with spirits for decades, and since adopting my own
awareness as a divine spark of creation, I have never had any problems with
negative spirits. When you account for
your own divinity and being in touch with those spirits who are positive and
are around, negative spirits cannot touch you.
I’ve had a few try, but they quickly back away when they realize they don’t
have my express permission -- or any of my fear. <o:p></o:p></div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-55201925948209528652013-08-24T12:30:00.000-07:002013-08-24T12:33:22.720-07:00On The Nature of Coincidence and Destiny <div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve all heard the phrase “There is no such thing as
coincidence.” And for many of us, we can
think of many points in our lives where – in retrospect – we can see this truth
play out. I sat down a while back and
contemplated this phrase on a pretty deep level. It made me consider the nature of how we
accept our choices, and consequently the resulting actions. What came to my awareness was quite profound –
the twists and turns which my contemplation led me in. I would like to share it with you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There first thing that came to mind thinking about this was:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there is no such thing as coincidence … then how could
there be anything other than RIGHT ACTION?
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is, if there is no such thing as coincidence and all
Time is simultaneous, why do we second-guess ourselves and the choices we
make? With coincidence being hypothetically
mythical, everything we say and do somehow is meant to have been said or
done. This means we are always engaged in RIGHT
ACTION. Though the results of such
actions may not always be positive, when we realize the past does not equal the
future (as Time is all wrapped up) and failure is simply an outcome at one
single point in Time and Space (when we break it out in a linear fashion), we
are shown that in both instances – simultaneous Time and linear Time – we are still
given to RIGHT ACTION regardless of the consequences (as odd as that may sound).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We run ourselves on the hamster wheel of second-guessing
because we want to make sure our choices have the best possible outcome through
Time and Space – Is the choice fully life affirming? Positive?
In second-guessing, we are – in a sense – not trusting all the aspects
of what we are doing and what could happen; one is trying to anticipate
potential failures based off the decision (and had it ingrained at some point
in life that such failures could be horrendously disastrous – which is 99.9%
pure myth). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This constant necessity of second-guessing, of trying to
anticipate potential failures, is a wrongful place to work from in the
mind. As this angle of perception
becomes habit, it ingrains within one’s consciousness a very real construct of
“my decisions could become major failures.”
Every choice then (or close to every choice) becomes like a man walking
upon a tightrope – hoping his decisions will keep him balanced and not landing
in the safety net before crashing to the floor.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s the beauty of the safety net. The tightrope walker can still get back up on
the rope and try again. It’s only in his
own mind that he would perceive himself a failure if he were to fall. We have this safety net, too, it is called
TRYING AGAIN. If you’re failure hasn’t
killed you, then you’re safe to try again.
And if you have paid close enough attention, you learned something from
the event which will guide you to correct yourself the next time – a piece of
knowledge you needed to gain for which the falling down event was the only way
to gain it … proving once again, there is no such thing as coincidence, and
that falling down was actually the CORRECT RIGHT ANSWER to making it to the
successful act of completion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trust that every action you make is the RIGHT ACTION for the
RIGHT TIME and PLACE you are in. If the
result turns out to be less than satisfactory, then you were meant to learn the
lesson inherent within the result, as a way of assisting you in realizing your
goal when it does come to fruition. When
success does rain upon you, you will also see why it happened at that time and
place, and why it was meant to happen at that time and not the former. Remember, as the saying goes, there is no such thing as coincidence. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which means there is always RIGHT ACTION.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In understanding that you are always taking right action,
this does not mean you still cannot pause to consider consequences. What it means is that when you do make a
decision and act, instead of worrying about how the action will unfold as you
are doing it, put that aside and accept fully that the action – whether the
result be good or bad – was the exact right and appropriate action for the time
and place which you are doing it. Trust it
fully. Re-evaluate later the outcomes,
then go from there. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even if your action is a failure and has some consequences
for others, one must trust that those consequences were the right and perfect
consequences for the people experiencing them, to propel them on their
journeys. Again, if the outcome is
positive – it was meant to be and its effects were meant to be for all who are
experiencing them. Likewise, if the
effects were ultimately negative, then accept that the results were meant to be
that way, and how others react to them was also a part of that equation. Since there is no such thing as coincidence,
we must accept that reality in regard to others and their reactions. This is not always easy for us to comprehend
or accept. But as we are all connected –
that is a scientific fact – we must realize that the outcomes we experience
from other people we were meant to experience in our realities, on some
level. We may not understand it, but it
is not by coincidence we are entered into and wrapped up with those
experiences.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you perform an action, instead of second-guessing, once
you’ve made the decision to act, then ACT.
And as you are doing the action, tell yourself “I am doing the correct
and right action for this Time and Place right now. At this moment, my actions are the correct
and right actions to be taking.” For in
truth, since there is no such thing as coincidence, your actions – whether
positive or negative in ultimate outcome – were meant to be taken. You are multidimensional. Your actions are multidimensional. Your thinking which led to the decision and
the possibility chosen in which you act upon is a multidimensional process.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of it was meant to occur, in the manner at which it
occurred. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is no such thing as coincidence. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To second-guess one’s self once a choice has been made does
not change the unfolding of reality as it was meant to be, based off the choice
taken and the corresponding actions given.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This realization is a part of accepting your god-hood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This does not mean you do not have free will. It means that once an action is taken, that
action is the CHOICE made by multidimensional consciousness for the unfolding
of certain events in an exact and specific order with non-coincidental outcomes
– events which the conscious analytical left-brain may not have all the answers
to. And that’s fine. A follow-up action can also be made as a
course correction to the original decision, creating a new set of
no-coincidence unfoldment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>How to Minimize Negative Outcomes<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is really simple:
Base your actions from a standpoint of love and compassion. If you are making your decisions through the
lens of compassion and love, that energy gets entangled with the choice; it
carries out in your actions. If the
final outcome is not the complete realization of the goal, the energy of love
and compassion mixed in with the original action will lessen the impact. And you can always move forward knowing that
the action you are taking, because you are coming from a loving and
compassionate approach, is indeed “the right action for this moment, in this Time
and this Place.” Especially in those
moments where you feel you might be lacking certain information which could
help make a more informed choice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The additional benefit of this is when you look back on what
you have done. We all love to do that –
to look back and be critical. If you
base your actions on love and compassion, you cannot be too hard on yourself;
the decision was made based on what was known at the time, directed by love and
compassion. In this way, you can be more
forgiving of yourself, versus condemning.
“Yes, things did not turn out right, but at least I approached it with
love and compassion.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
By “love and compassion” I mean the love and compassion for
all, not just one’s self. When making a
decision, yes, we must surely consider ourselves and the impact upon our
personal lives, but many decisions we struggle with often involve other
people. When we approach from love and
compassion for all – self and others – this is the crème de la crème. In some cases, we must choose ourselves over
others, but this is usually an exception and not the rule, as one comes to
realize the interconnections and inter-related dimensions we all share
throughout our experiences. <o:p></o:p></div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-60927201327938012662013-07-27T10:01:00.001-07:002013-07-27T10:01:27.497-07:00Summer Fun!<div class="MsoNormal">
The summer is here!
Spring has come and gone, and the blog has been pretty silent. It’s been quite an active time for me –
1-on-1 readings, some private home groups, a lot of personal development
(falling down and getting back up) but most of all – training from halfway
around the world! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XHOgpPNJBcE/UfP2TaTiIHI/AAAAAAAAAJg/HZsisqKWfSY/s1600/AFC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XHOgpPNJBcE/UfP2TaTiIHI/AAAAAAAAAJg/HZsisqKWfSY/s320/AFC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arthur Findlay College</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent two weeks in June at the fabulous Arthur Findlay
College of mediumship and psychic studies in Stansted, England. When I first signed up, I was told by other
mediums who had previously attended the college that two weeks was too much;
that the tutors were going to put me through boot camp (to the point I would
question whether or not I had any mediumistic ability or wonder why I got into
mediumship in the first place). After
having gone through the experience, the rumors – for me – were only
half-true. Indeed -- two weeks was too
much. By the second week, my cup had
overflowed from the first week – I had
still yet to process all of it!
Nevertheless, I pushed through week two and came out at the end
fulfilled, happy, and with a real sense of accomplishment – not only for
myself, but also for my classmates. Yes,
the tutors do work you hard, but that’s the point of being there; to learn and
stretch yourself. I walked away having a
much clearer sense of my abilities, my strengths and weaknesses, and a whole
wonderful group of new amazing and fantastic mediumistic friends from around
the world. (Thanks to my Japanese
friends, I am starting to take Japanese language courses, with the intent to
travel to Tokyo in the next few years and hopefully be able to do some readings
there).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwOtGXSLdr4/UfP2cMwHaCI/AAAAAAAAAJo/SzVq2e5ptt8/s1600/Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwOtGXSLdr4/UfP2cMwHaCI/AAAAAAAAAJo/SzVq2e5ptt8/s400/Party.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Friends from Around the World</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other half of this amazing trip was touring London. My wife joined me after my time at the
college and we spent nearly two weeks visiting castles, monuments, and
museums. I swear, the entire history of
the world is right there in London, when you factor in all the sensational
museums! (The real Rosetta Stone is at
the British Museum – how cool is that?). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMn5rtDvC9w/UfP4xHb-HoI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/DsamkE45lu0/s1600/Hampton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMn5rtDvC9w/UfP4xHb-HoI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/DsamkE45lu0/s320/Hampton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hampton Court</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few of the highlights were visiting Hampton Court (home of
King Henry VIII -- and so much other incredible history, including the commencement
of the King James Bible) and the Tower of London. Why the tower? If you check out my blog entries from
August/September 2010 (you can find those on the right-side bar), you’ll read
about my experiment to link with the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, second wife to
Henry VIII. The trip to the tower
brought additional confirmation from that reading, demonstrating the validity
of the link. (In that reading, Anne had shown me the face of the church where
they had interred her body. I was
stunned when I suddenly realized I was looking right at, with a plaque
commemorating her burial. Additionally,
I purchased a fantastic book ‘The Lady in the Tower’ which chronicled her time
at the tower and her execution, which brought further validations from that
reading). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2LCda9zD6A/UfP3GjKsQsI/AAAAAAAAAJw/0xvYrPXmgw8/s1600/Memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2LCda9zD6A/UfP3GjKsQsI/AAAAAAAAAJw/0xvYrPXmgw8/s400/Memorial.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Memorial showing Anne's execution at the Tower, May 1536<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While at the site, I opened up and asked Anne to come
forward, which she did, giving me a few more bits of data which I’ve been able
to confirm, thanks to the Lady in the Tower book. (I will be returning again next year, and
will be doing some specific work connecting with Anne and these locations. I can’t wait to see wait unfolds). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAVJfbjill4/UfP3TgcedTI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/26V8aylI42A/s1600/Annes+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAVJfbjill4/UfP3TgcedTI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/26V8aylI42A/s400/Annes+Church.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Outside the Chapel where Anne is Interred</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
London is an amazing city; a definite hub for cultures from
around the world. 8 million people crowd
the metropolis. Thankfully, their
transit system is top notch! The
underground tube stations are incredibly easy to understand, making travel to
various destinations pretty much hassle-free, in terms of logistics, so you can
avoid on-street traffic (which is a nightmare). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZbrFaZj63Y/UfP36xqomQI/AAAAAAAAAKA/Q-OgJUedPF4/s1600/Town1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZbrFaZj63Y/UfP36xqomQI/AAAAAAAAAKA/Q-OgJUedPF4/s320/Town1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">High Rise Apartments </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With history going back to Roman times, the architecture of
ancient buildings smack down in the middle of modern city blocks makes walking
the town a real treasure for the senses.
For this Pacific Northwest native, everywhere I looked, I just wanted to
gasp “Wow ...” I love history, and in
some way, the city’s past was evident on nearly every street.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FC_-jzFBVhI/UfP4Pw1ExJI/AAAAAAAAAKI/6G0lrr9qebg/s1600/Town2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FC_-jzFBVhI/UfP4Pw1ExJI/AAAAAAAAAKI/6G0lrr9qebg/s320/Town2.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Old Church Among Modernity</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that I’m home, I’m following through with what all my assessment
tutors from the college (and several mediumistic students) had told me I need
to do, as given to them in their readings of spirit for me. That is, to finish writing Volume II of the
Afterlife Interviews; I’m almost done typing the first draft now. (Actually, they didn’t say Afterlife
Interviews specifically – though a few them were spot on as to the book’s
nature and content design. In addition, it
was said that there will be a few more books relating to spirit which I will
write, and that the information will go much deeper than what is typically
presented in the mainstream). The other
thing that consistently came up from spirit – and I found this absolutely
fascinating – was to “write that screenplay.”
No one knew I had a background in screenwriting (that was my first love
of writing, and I’ve actually had the privilege to pitch to Hollywood producers
in the past). I’ve had an idea for a
script the last six months, and it came up consistently from spirit in many of
the readings to “get to work on it.” So
I’m currently in “research mode” to gather the data for the storyline. Right now, the working title is “Chasing
Echoes.” And, yes, it deals with
mediumship and working with spirit (that’s all I’m going to say about it for
now <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>). Naturally, I am also continuing to hone and
develop my mediumship skills, taking all that I have learned from the college
and stretching myself with it. That, in
combination with all the writing – I’m definitely working for spirit! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As summer turns into Fall and Winter, don’t hesitate to
contact me for your own personal reading, or to set up a private home
group. Spirit wants to communicate! I am honored and blessed to help make that
connection. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a great summer everyone!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With much love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeffrey<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-45521049660965730552013-03-30T13:40:00.000-07:002013-03-30T13:43:38.201-07:00The Thermostat of Self<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The long dark days of winter are at last receding as the sun
climbs back toward the northern hemisphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like most people, the march into autumn and the journey through winter
is an opportunity to travel within and perhaps discover roads that you might
otherwise miss were it not for the chance to hibernate with the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, I used it as an opportunity to learn
more about myself, to understand better who I am and why I do what I do; a type
of self-inventory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t my
intention to cover more ideas or learn new ways of linking and connecting with
spirit and my intuition – I wanted instead to address my “normal” everyday
existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, what I discovered is that we cannot parcel
ourselves out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s face it, we are
holistic beings -- and everything we do is somehow interconnected with
everything else about us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I worked to
better understand myself, I ended up gaining a greater insight to that side of
me which engages in spirit communication and the nature of myself as a
multidimensional expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as
anybody who follows this blog knows, I am always looking to better understand
that process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I set out to do this inner work, my goal was to
understand my fears and limitations – why do I have them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are the limiting beliefs behind
them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though my work as a medium
included some of the things I was examining, it wasn’t the full breadth or
reason behind my inquiry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, I
view each of us like an iceberg – what we are seeing is really only the tip;
what is below (or inside) may be huge, massive, and incredible, but we cannot
engage it without first understanding the part of us we are already familiar
with, which holds the keys to unlock the doors of the inner sanctum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The discovery I made was that the doors we keep locked to
this greater self … are doors we built up throughout our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I am starting to believe that when
we were birthed into the world, there were very few (if any) doors we had to
deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as we grew up – through
indoctrinated training in childhood, to peer pressures and societal culturalism
in adolescence and adulthood – we created our own closed doors and a hallway
from which we remain pacing back-and-forth through most of our existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see the closed doors we’ve built up and
ASSUME they were put before us by someone else and we are powerless to open
them, or lack the key to unlock what may be hiding behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This corridor, this architecture, we allow to
define our strengths and weaknesses, our joys and sorrows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It takes time and a willingness to face the Gatekeeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I encountered my own “closed door” I asked myself “Why
can I not open this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer
startled me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t that a voice came
back and said “You can’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, that
voice came back and said “You aren’t worth it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, at each closed door I placed myself in front of, I heard the
same rhetoric -- even to the point of this negative voice saying “Even if you
were to open it, someday you will be gone and forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t have made a difference or even
mattered.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To reflect back on this inner
voice is indeed saddening, but it has been – in the end – a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I knew on some level I created it; I
instilled the demon; and if I created him, I could also excommunicate him and
replace him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As anyone who has seen a hypnotist or studied hypnotherapy
knows, the mind is malleable and thoughts – if given enough <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">permission</i> by an individual – can be
altered and changed very very quickly, which inevitably creates new ways of thinking
and being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been my journey
these last several months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I have
not seen a hypnotist, I have been working with similar tools – relaxation to
calm the monkey mind, visualizations, affirmations, in combination with
constant reminders of my own past successes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Psychologists know that changing a habit takes anywhere from 21 to 30
days of repeating the newfound behavior, as it will also create new neural
pathways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So where am I going with all of this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, if we are constantly telling ourselves such negative
thoughts about who we are – why we cannot open closed doors – then we must
admit that this same voice is going to sabotage us when it comes to our
ultimate success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This negative voice we
have allowed to DEFINE our SELF-IMAGE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in my journey is that the
self-image acts like a thermostat – if things go too well and you have a
negative voice like mine used to be, sabotage is certain to return things to status-quo
normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Including one’s innate psychic or mediumship abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you are always second-guessing yourself or knocking yourself down in other
areas of your life, why would it be any different in something you are trying
to excel at?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wouldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beliefs heralded by the Self-Image would
not allow it, for it would force the Self-Image to be something it really can’t
perceive itself as being … In other words – you cannot become what deep down
you do not believe you can be, because you lack the Self-Image capable of
making it happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is vitally important to examine your inner demons, face them, and understand where you are
limiting yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then understand you
are dealing with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">habits of thought</i> …
and begin to change them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start
visualizing, affirming, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">believing</i>
you can be the person you wish to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Try it for at least 21 to 30 days, taking only 5 to 10 minutes a day to
do the visualizations and affirmations (try it as an experiment).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And really put your heart into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t about getting material stuff –
like using the law of attraction in order to buy a new car – this is much
greater: it’s about breaking an erroneous Self-Image which will only allow you
to go so far in life, no matter what you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our negative messages we instilled in this exact way: one
day, we started to tell ourselves something bad … then we repeated it … added
some visualization to back it up … and then let it grow naturally into the door
we keep locked before us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The same thing can happen in reverse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, you might be asking: how does this apply to intuition,
psychic functioning, or mediumship?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Simply put, it’s one thing to believe the ability exists,
it’s another to believe whether it exists or will work FOR YOU, based on your
Self-Image.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then you have to ask if
you believe it can work PROPERLY and CLEARLY for you, as dictated by that same
perception of Self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you feel on some
level you are CAPABLE?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WORTHY?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DESERVING?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Until this last winter, I believed in the ability and that I had it to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a certain degree </i>and could help others
with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, my Self-Image kept me
from accepting that I was worthy or deserving of it fully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite thousands of readings demonstrating a
clarity to link with spirits, it has always been an inner battle if I could do
it each and every time I sat with a client or stood in front of an
audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why this inner struggle with myself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because a deep inner voice – without my real inspection –
was getting away with the message “You can’t do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not worthy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since discovering and since ALTERING that, not only has my
Self-Image changed, virtually everything else has, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My days are bright, I accept “fun” into my
existence (I didn’t even give myself permission to have FUN), and my mediumship
… I now <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">trust</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And that’s what it’s all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Self-Image determines your magnitude of Trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it comes to working with Spirit, the
axiom is to Trust Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the
foundation also has to be “Trust Thyself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you cannot trust yourself, you will have an even harder time trusting
spirit … And your development – as well as other parts of your life – will
suffer for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s only habits of thought … Give it 21 to 30 days, and
habits can change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-78105189485774592572013-01-06T07:49:00.001-08:002013-01-06T07:49:21.568-08:00Resurrecting Leonora Piper - A Book Review<br />
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I have never done a book review before, but just had to do
it for a tome I finished two weeks ago.
As many of my friends know, one of my hobbies is studying the history of
parapsychology – in particular, Victorian-era psychical research and the
mediums that were investigated. My
favorite medium from the period is Leonora Piper (1857-1950). She came to prominence in the 1880’s – a
demure Boston housewife who unwittingly became a trance medium quite
accidentally after visiting a medium herself.
While in the presence of the medium, she lost complete consciousness,
only to find out later she had been taken over by spirit. Her mediumship was something which baffled
her and she relented to tests most people would run away from in order to understand
it and further the cause of psychical research.
Some of the things she had to deal with from researchers ranged from
being followed by private investigators to see if she was gathering information
about potential sitters fraudulently; she was denied sitter’s real names and
instead introduced by pseudonyms; she was even harassed by some investigators
who – while in trance – pricked her skin and scorched her tongue with acid.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The book “Resurrecting Leonora Piper: How Science Discovered
the Afterlife” by Mark Tymn took on Piper’s mediumship from the standpoint of a
lawyer arguing a case in court. Now,
I’ve read quite a bit on Piper’s work, but what made this book really stand out
was that Tymn no doubt did his research.
He quoted the actual transcripts from various cases, as if we were right
there in the room during the communication.
He then followed up with how the sitters responded and cross-examined
the data points allegedly brought through by the spirits. Through this lens, the author effectively
argued against the typical accusations charged against Piper’s
authenticity. By careful consideration, Tymn
was able to show that the supernormal information she received was not a form
of ESP with her client, or SuperPsi (information from a cosmic mind) or anything
representing fraud. He followed her
career from when she first began, utilizing a spirit control named Phinuit,
then through the years of the Imperator regime, moving between trance
mediumship and automatism -- allowing the reader to be a part of Piper’s
evolution as a medium. Other authors
have outlined this same evolution, however it has usually been a dry and
academic description, whereas Tymn brings a sense of humanity; a person who
developed as a result of her condition and the demands of spirit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The other thing which really made this book stand out was
that the author went into far more detail about cases already known about
Piper’s mediumship, such as George Pellew and the Cross Correspondences, yet he
didn’t stop there (as most pro-mediumship authors do). He found several other noteworthy cases in
the transcripts and cited them to again demonstrate the likelihood of spirit
interaction as being the best evidence for the information she had
received. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But like any good lawyer, he was aware that not every
sitting Piper conducted was a success.
As a practicing medium myself, the gem of the book came when the
transcripts revealed the spirits explaining why communication wasn’t always
easy – and why it sometimes out-and-out failed.
First, the information was introduced through George Pellew, a man that
as a reader, we only knew was an acquaintance of Richard Hodgson, Piper’s
investigator who researched her for 18 years.
Yet when Hodgson unexpectedly
died and starting coming through Leonora a week after his passing, we began to
see what the stumbling blocks for spirit communication were and still are today – plus, we are
emotionally tied to Hodgson, having direct knowledge of his work with Piper. As Hodgson’s spirit gained more ability and thus more confidence in communication, he
was able to explain the difficulty from the spirit’s point-of-view. This has helped me in understanding the
two-way street that we as mediums drive on when linking with spirits.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The finale for spirit survival was when Tymn talked
about (if only briefly) the Cross Correspondences. This has got to be the most ignored or covered
up piece of psychical research in history that – for most of the scientists who
studied it – was scientific proof for life after death, based on the evidence. Here, we have several cases where three (or
more) mediums located thousands of miles apart from around the world (separated
by oceans) received cryptic messages from the same spirit (or spirits,
depending on the case) that only made sense once all the fragments were
combined. It is considered highly suggestive,
if not definitive proof of intelligence surviving death. In one case, the investigator requested the
spirit of psychical researcher FWH Myers to draw a particular symbol when
coming through the other mediums involved in the correspondence – which the spirit of Myers did accomplish.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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After reading this book, I am so amazed that the information
is not more widely known. The mediumship
of Mrs. Piper turned many a skeptical inquirer -- physicists, psychologists,
and lay-persons alike -- into believers.
William James, arguably considered one of the pioneers of modern
psychology, considered her his “White Crow,” meaning that it only takes one
white crow to prove not all crows are black – demonstrating that psychic and
mediumship abilities can exist within the human condition. Tymn convincingly demonstrates that there was
no other explanation for the details and personalities that came through Piper
other than spirit communication. For me,
Piper demonstrated details to a much greater extent than some of today’s most
accurate and notable mediums and it baffles me that we still wrestle with the
question of “Is it real”? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Resurrecting Leonora
Piper</i>, if presented in a court of law, clearly answers that question in the
affirmative. <o:p></o:p></div>
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232 Pages</div>
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White Crow Publishing</div>
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Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Resurrecting-Leonora-Piper-Discovered-Afterlife/dp/1908733721/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357485661&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=the+resurrection+of+leonora+piper">Amazon.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Resurrecting-Leonora-Piper-Discovered-Afterlife/dp/1908733721/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357485661&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=the+resurrection+of+leonora+piper"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62uXlf9CyU4/UOmanhp1pWI/AAAAAAAAAI4/0OBcsN73LQ4/s1600/Piper+Book.jpg" /></a></div>
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Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-81728094457501059592012-12-02T16:28:00.000-08:002012-12-02T16:30:45.691-08:00The Mental and Life-Curbing AntagonistSo I'm driving along to work this week when my guides pop in with an amazing message about the struggles of life. When I unraveled this nugget, a huge revelation was made regarding the role of antagonism in our everyday perceptions. When you're faced with challenges, how often do you feel like someone is outside of you pushing for your demise, or that there is always someone (or some <i>thing</i>) looking to enact Murphy's Law at your personal expense? If you often feel that way, hopefully the following inspiration can help shine a light on the way OUT and into a much happier way of being.<br />
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____________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
Here's what my spiritual team "downloaded" into me:<br />
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The idea of a constant block of force – a counteractive
agent – is purely a psychological condition.
This stems from multiple factors; the two main contributors being a deep
mass consciousness belief system adopted by humanity over time, the other being
a representation of life through Hollywood and other entertainment
providers. That is, in any drama or
story, there is a protagonist and an antagonist. This supplies the framework which then gets
projected onto the face of reality, for which one accepts as the “packaging” of
existence. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s a very old story of “hero versus villain,” which
contributes to the mass consciousness factor.
In the old times, mankind was always at the mercy of “demons” or “forces
of darkness.” Catholicism played havoc
with the notion of an angel on one shoulder, a devil on the other, and it was a
constant battle between the two for the sanctity of one’s soul. Generation after generation. That’s a lot of belief and energy embedded in
the human mass psychological structure. But
it is only a thought, a projection, a hard-core <i>opinion</i> which unfortunately was received as a truth of
existence. It’s not. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second component – entertainment – places the same motif
within the framework of modernity. That
is, as stated, every hero or protagonist must have his or her opposite in order
to make the story or drama exceptional and exciting – to keep the interest of
the viewer. The workings of Drama takes
our plights and assigns them to a single person or organization; a simplistic
approach taken out of necessity for the sake of time and storytelling. The more we watch and get wrapped up in such
storylines, the more our own subconscious begins to supplant a loving,
acceptable reality with what our other senses are telling us from the repetitive
viewing of such dramatic structure: <i>reality
must actually be this way</i>. What we
forget is that Drama is symbolic and inspired by perceptions and thoughts of
outside reality and not the creator of reality itself. This amnesia is not something we are reminded
about, however, as it would really hurt the bottom line of businesses
worldwide, who wish to make you think their commercial is what reality would be
like if you bought their product! How
easy it is for us to take entertainment’s depiction of reality and accept such
a simple philosophy of protagonist/antagonist as being a fact of daily
existence: my proactive life versus some force working against me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact of the matter is, life is always growing,
expanding, changing, and there has never been (nor will there ever be) an
antagonist always looking and hoping to get in the way and foil our deeds. That’s the truth – the reality which we must
come to accept. The universe and Spirit,
from which we are birthed, is One and does not battle against anything. It lives, loves, grows, and expands. Anything to the contrary is simply a
perception – for life continues regardless of obstacles. Even “death” does not stop one from living
and continuing on – it is simply a path and a journey which moves one into
greater avenues of experience (in that case, death is a continuance of life’s
AFFIRMATION – ironic, eh?). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we view our world – in particularly our own goals – how
often do we see them as mountains and struggles? With obstacles we must overcome? Perhaps we place such challenges in our way
not because they are real, but because we believe they MUST be there, in order
to match our psychological framework we have accepted: the consistent presence
of antagonism.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is not to say there will never be challenges or that
there won’t be times when it appears things are conspiring against you. However, the phrase “conspiring against you”
is a psychological one – a clear sign of the Phantom Menace. Perhaps – because Life is always expanding,
growing, and Becoming more than it was before – such obstacles are not really
obstacles, but CLUES that suggest the path to enlightenment, growth, and
success, are not what you currently have in mind. Taken from that vantage point, the obstacles
are not obstacles at all; rather, they are the purveyors of success – wayfarers
who cry out “don’t tread here – it does not contain the positive outcome you
desire. Our obstructionism is meant to
help and guide, not hurt nor hinder.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The universe is a loving universe. It is LIFE AFFIRMING and LIFE GIVING. Is there anything antagonizing or stopping
the universe? No. Whenever there’s an obstruction – such as a
concrete sidewalk atop the petals of a dandelion – the dandelion still finds a
way around and out of the cracks, alighting into the brilliance of the
sun. That’s because it doesn’t know of a
power trying to stop it; instead, it knows of a power that is helping it, as it
directs it to find the crack in the cement and bloom skyward. The cement itself isn’t challenging the
dandelion to a duel, saying “I’m going to keep you under until you die”; no, it
is simply saying “The path you seek is not here. You belong and will grow better and much
happier someplace else.” I assure you, the dandelion probably doesn’t take the
blockage <i>personally</i>, which is what we
are more apt to do when we feel there’s a fight happening with our “villain.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part of the antagonist philosophy also makes us believe (on
some subconscious level) that whoever is playing the antagonist is laughing and
living things up at our expense; that the antagonist delights in a perverse
mockery of our struggles. This
contributes to taking losses so personally.
However, this, too, is an illusion, as the universe (for which you are a
child of) has no rival. The idea of a
twisted maniac celebrating our demise is again a construction of artists and
storytellers – not a truth of the universe; it is simply a philosophy which has
grown into a belief system. In the old
days, it would have seemed fitting, as tribes warred against other tribes –
life was a series of struggles and clashes between what appeared to be (and
oftentimes were) consistent rivals. But
let’s face it – that was on a societal level.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the base of a single individual and his or her life,
there isn’t an archrival or nemesis wholly designed or birthed to counter one’s
every move. There is only the energy and
drive of life and the universe – whose sole purpose is to expand and grow. Whatever obstacles or challenges we
encounter, we must do our best to acknowledge NOT as an obstruction laid on the
path of our journey by some entity hell-bent on destroying us. No. We
must examine the challenges and determine – <u>in the light of a loving and
expanding universe</u> – if the challenges are meant to steer us in a greater
direction, <i>or if we have placed them
there as the result of our inner psychological NEED for the appearance of an
antagonist. (If it’s in your belief
system, you WILL create it)</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So – what’s stopping or blocking you? It isn’t anything outside of yourself. The universe (Spirit) is a loving and
empowering force – the expansion of life and progress. Perhaps your nemesis is only an angle of your
own inner perception. Perhaps obstacles
– instead of being taken as the latest attempt by some Phantom Menace to derail
your life – could be seen as a loving universe informing you “your best outcome
will not be found here. Don’t dwell on
me, just use me as a sign. I’m not here
to destroy you, but rather empower you by showing you this is not the
way.” In that light, perhaps we should
THANK our obstacles and move on, versus putting on our boxing gloves or
reaching for the latest psychological weapon of self-defense and go to war. If it’s not the greater universe, then it can
only be yourself manifesting your own Phantom Menace. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s only a psychological structure. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Psychological structures can be changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a phrase we use in offering advice to others we see
struggling with certain issues: “You need to give yourself PERMISSION.” That’s another clue of the inner Phantom
Menace psychological structure. How
often do we apply that to ourselves? No
such nemesis really exists – it is simply our own thoughts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we set a goal, we oftentimes try to imagine what
obstacles we must overcome – which in some cases, is automatically INSERTING
the Phantom Menace! Now, there’s nothing
wrong with trying to determine where the most work might be needed for success,
but more work does not mean “arch rival pounding against me.” How self-critical
and judgmental can we be with ourselves, eh?
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you were born into the world, there was not another
being born at the same time whose sole life mission was to challenge and
obstruct you at every turn. So don’t
create that psychology for yourself.
Better yet, obliterate such thinking from your consciousness. Life will feel much more expansive and
certainly more <i>inviting</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-46484504965721244792012-09-26T19:46:00.001-07:002012-09-26T19:46:43.956-07:00Information Processing and Retrieval<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
How do you receive the information from spirit? This has been a recurring question over the
years from those who have had private readings or watched mediumship being
demonstrated on a public platform (whether the medium was myself or somebody
else). It’s a question which I – being
the left-brained analytical kind of guy – have given a lot of examination
to. This post isn’t going to answer with
the standard “It’s in the ‘clairs’ – clairvoyance, clairaudience,
clairsentience” – though those do play a part.
My goal has always been to understand it from a larger perspective, to
which the “clairs” then break it down.
As with anything, this is an ongoing process, a continuous journey, and
no doubt perceptions will change as new information is brought to light. Here’s what I have learned so far. Though this may sound simple (which it is),
there’s still a lot to it.<i> <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> Intuition</i> is the process for which
messages come into the context of one’s consciousness. By paying attention to the inner sensations brought
about by intuition, one can become “in tune” with energies and information not
perceived outside in the objective world, nor rationalized by the logical
mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Historically, the mind has been where most confusion and
inner struggle has been fought when it comes to spiritual communication. It is a losing battle. On some level, the desire to receive clear
messages from the Other Side speaks to the brain being able to decode the
packets of information sent by those in spirit.
Though this is a true statement, the error is in perceiving the mind as
having the primary functionality within this process. In reality, the mind is not the one in
charge; rather, it is subordinate to the <i>intuitive
self</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed, the mind does unravel the images, sounds, and
feelings which are piped through the intuitive self, but it is not in the focus
of the mind where these ingredients originate.
Intuition goes much further than the brain and encompasses the aura and
subtle bodies – something quite outside the scope of the physical matter lodged
inside our skulls. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When approaching readings, one needs to “get out of the
head” for it is “in the head” where he or she most likely spends the bulk of
one’s time navigating the jungles of time and space in the here and now objective
world. Thus, normal everyday “in the
head” focus must, to a certain degree, be abandoned in order to “tune in” to
other energies. The shift is to move out
of reliance on the brain and onto the reliance of the intuitive self. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Intuition requires an entirely different set of faculties to
be engaged than simply thinking and wandering around inside the mind. Intuition connects you with the environment; it
reaches out into the subtle vibrations and energies coursing around and through
you. And when one can focus their
awareness into their intuition, the door to these other realities can be
cracked open and engaged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What does my intuition tell me?” is an excellent way to
move your mind out of its role of supremacy and into an act of service. “What does my intuition tell me?” moves your
awareness off your physical senses and onto the many senses inherent within the
complexity of the intuitive self. “What
does my intuition tell me?” drives your observation off the chatter of the
physical mind and into the eternal abode of cosmic consciousness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is incredibly difficult to rationalize psychic
occurrences because they originate from intuition – a form of perception and
communication not well understood by anyone in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. We may discover that we can never pin it down
or understand it from a left-brained perspective, for the simple fact that it
may be inherently much greater than what logic can comprehend. The brain loves to use logic like a
microscope so as to have a better understanding of things – for if we have a
better understanding we can have better odds at <i>controlling </i>whatever it is we are examining. Unfortunately,
intuition may be much larger than what the left-brain can comprehend, thus the
notion of control is too far out of reach.
Nay, it may be completely impossible.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But just because we do not understand it does not mean it
isn’t real or that it doesn’t have value.
What we do know is that information outside the normal channels of
perception happens – this has been documented time and again. We know it’s not coming from the jello inside
our heads, but from sources <i>outside
coming in or by us going outside the body to bring the information back – </i>again,
leaving the physical brain behind. As
psychics and mediums, we recognize intuition as being much larger than our
minds, though we must trust our minds to be able to process it to the best of
our abilities so that our normal consciousness can gain some sort of
comprehension. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it all starts with intuition. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And not the brain.<o:p></o:p></div>
Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-59250770347139988152012-07-27T19:25:00.004-07:002012-07-27T19:27:39.965-07:00Communicating with Spirits, Part 2<br />
<h3>
The Greater Picture, The Larger Act of Awareness</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two weeks ago I talked about how, when we take into account
7 billion people on the planet, and how many of those people <i>right now</i> are receiving information from
the deceased friends and relatives in spirit, as well as spirit guides,
demonstrates that spirit communication is a natural and normal part of our
existence in the physical world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what does this all mean in the bigger picture?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the very nature of these interactions, spirits are
demonstrating that they desire to communicate with us; that we are not alone
and we do not need to fall prey to the limited visions of material
existence. Their messages, unanimously,
all speak to the same meaning: we as
spirits are here, we love you, and we can help you – provided that it doesn’t
derail you from your own purposes being alive on the earth. <i>This is
in sharp contrast to what we have been told traditionally from fearful
ideologies.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point to all this is simple: Spirits <i>are</i>
co-existing with us. Granted, while our
focus is here in the material world, theirs is focused in the spiritual. Nevertheless, they interpenetrate this realm <i>all the time</i>, based on the statistics of
people interacting and encountering them.
And chances are likely, we interpenetrate their realm, too, if given the
proper belief system, knowledge, and conditions. It is not “foreign” nor is it “wrong” or
“against nature.” It is actually part of
nature’s design. We co-exist with many
dimensions – this is a scientific fact. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are we supposed to be communicating between the
“veils”? Actually … Yes. In fact, it’s vitally important that we
do. We are here to experience the
breadth of our souls, and part of that magnificence is our ability to transcend
the physicality of what we are experiencing in the material world. In order to learn our lessons, as well as
help others learn theirs, we are given the capabilities to engage in this
communication to bring forth the guidance and information we sometimes cannot
get from the observable, material world.
Especially in a world where love is in lack – it is spirit’s greatest
goal to show us that no such lack exists; that the universe is primarily a
loving universe, and through love – positivity – we will prevail through our
lessons and continue to heighten our souls to our greatest possibilities and
potentials. After all, we were spirit <i>first</i>, and <i>then</i> human … Not the other way around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The spirits will not harm us; nor will they take over our
lives. On the contrary, they are wanting
to help us live better, happier lives ourselves, fulfilled in the knowledge
that the greater we become at being a loving, creative spiritual expression,
the more it benefits others and combines to create healing and success to so
many people, transforming the earthly experience to be a grand state of livelihood
in comparison to what it has been in the past.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Historically, such communication was seen to have dire
consequences by various superstitious ideologies – repudiation, ridicule, and
ultimate death as a “witch.” So long as
the facts remain of people’s own personal experiences with receiving
communications (no matter how sparse) from deceased loved ones or angels, then
it cannot be denied that such forces are indeed interacting with us, and that
we have the ability to receive and understand their communications, given
proper conditions. In addition, so long
as traditional books refer to “prophets” or other types of religious people
receiving “inspiration” or other angelic visitations (and many of these people
were considered “normal” people having a divine experience), then the notion of
conversing with “the devil” must be tossed aside as rickety architecture of
fear. Again, spirit isn’t trying to
control us or our reality (that would take up too much time and energy and deny
the purpose of their own existence), they simply want to <i>help</i> us – as no doubt, we would want to
help our loved ones once we have traversed the bridge of death and realized
communication back to earth was possible.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is time to wash away those belief systems and ways of
thinking that deny this. It is time to
ignore and toss out belief systems that say “It isn’t natural.” Nonsense -- utter nonsense. It is natural; it is normal -- It was
meant-to-be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tell yourself – remind yourself often – that you communicate
easily with spirit; that it was meant to be from the beginning of humanity’s
emergence into the physical realm; it is a part of our core being and heritage.
Don’t ask of yourself “<i>Why</i> cannot I communicate?” Instead you should be asking “<i>How</i> could I not communicate? It was meant to be!” Again we are spirit first and then
human. It’s all about where we choose to
place our <i>focus, </i>and hence our<i> energy</i>, creating an environment that
makes communication conducive and expectant.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to linking with spirit, all you have to do is
ask and then BE AWARE. Trust your senses
(which is sometimes easier said than done, I know). When the time is RIGHT, when the energy and
conditions are appropriate, spirit will be there with the messages they wish
to convey. It is what they have been
doing for centuries. No doubt, we will
be doing the same thing when we hit the Other Side – reaching back and sending
messages to our loved ones still on earth.
It’s going on all over the place RIGHT NOW across this planet. Accept it and <i>embrace</i> it. <i>Become a part of it</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-72038796554915213682012-07-03T21:21:00.000-07:002012-07-03T21:24:48.764-07:00Communicating with Spirits - It's Natural! Part 1<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a belief system out there – maybe it’s one you’ve
had or you know of someone who has it – that says “if spirits are real, isn’t
it unnatural for them to be interacting with us?” In other words, if there is a spirit realm
and an earth realm, doesn’t it stand to reason that because they are separate
places of existence that one should not be able to effectively interact with
the other? Almost like some kind of <i>rule </i>that says if you live in
environment “A” you should not be able to communicate with environment “B”<i>? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a belief system that has been passed down to us through
the generations. On one hand, we ask for
God or angels or some other heavenly beings to impress the earthly environment
to help us out when we pray, but on the other hand, we also hear “talking to
spirits is not right.” In the past (and
even today) it is sometimes viewed as witchcraft or leaving one’s self open to
communing with Satan if one wishes to “talk to dead people.” Here, we get the usual sound-bites “You’re
not talking to a deceased person – it’s the devil in disguise.” What I find interesting is that those who
usually make that declaration hardly have the qualitative knowledge to know such
things, as they lack any experience or breadth of study in spirit communication
since their own belief system keeps them totally isolated and sterilized from
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nevertheless, to say that because one is living in
environment “A” and should not be allowed to communicate with someone in
environment “B” is like saying you can’t have two people in two different rooms
of a house talk to each through an open doorway or some other intercom system …
or even through the wall itself. When we
really take a closer look at it, living environments are for the expression and
expansion of experience, but that doesn’t negate the ability to communicate
with others in different rooms. In fact,
as I hope to demonstrate through this first of two posts, it is not only
common, it is <i>natural </i>for
communication to take place – and quite possibly, was <i>meant </i>to happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s face it, when looking through the annals of history --
with stories of divine intervention, ghosts, portents revealed by deceased
relatives (and these are by sane, normal, rational people) -- it is clear that
spirits interpenetrate the physical realm all the time. Quite frankly, this functionality has been a
part of reality since the beginning and is considered a natural part of
existence in many indigenous cultures. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We must recall that we are <i>spirits</i> having a <i>human</i>
experience. Due to a bit of effort
(intention), we have brought our awareness into this physical dimension, yet
our home is really the spiritual realm.
We condition our awareness to be present in this earthly domain for the
purposes it yields, in terms of growth and expansion. Yet this does not negate that we still have
parts of our soul in connection to our homeland, and are therefore co-existent
with that original dimension. This
grants us continued access to it; the functionality needed to engage in
cross-dimensional communication.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we incarnate into the earthly sphere, we have asked
several of our friends left in spirit to help us along in our intentions for
being here. These helpers are spirit
guides, angels, whatever you would like to call them. That we have asked them to assist goes to
show that they have the ability to interpenetrate into this realm in order to
do their requested tasks – otherwise, our requests for their help would be
useless. In “testing” these helpers (as
many of us who are on this type of spiritual path have done), they have
demonstrated that they 1) Can communicate via the mind with verification
occurring in the objective world outside imagination; 2) Can orchestrate
physical events that work in sending a message; 3) Can protect us from harm by
either mental instruction or actual physical intervention. This demonstrates the ability that spirit is
meant to be able to interpenetrate – it is not “abnormal” or otherwise “illegal.” Let’s face it, if they weren’t meant to, <i>they wouldn’t be able to</i>, nor would we
ask for their assistance to interpenetrate on our behalf. <i>On some
level, we know this interaction is capable of occurring – and that it is all
right</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, this interpenetration is not 24/7 for each individual,
for we are here in the flesh for a reason and they are simply here to assist –
not to live their lives focused in this world, nor doing our personal
bidding. (If they were to be so focused,
they would have incarnated themselves and given us a chain to hold them
with). This does not mean they do not
spend chunks of time interacting or that they are not meant to have the ability
to interact – or that we are not meant to have the same interaction back into
their realm with them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you factor in the notion that everyone has at least 1
or 2 spirit helpers (and usually quite a few more), and that when people are
aware of them, greater communication commences … this becomes a loud roar that
signals spirit having the right and ability to interpenetrate naturally and
organically into the environment. Though
I may not be getting messages from my spirit helpers at this very moment (it
isn’t necessary), that doesn’t mean spirit isn’t acting on somebody else’s
benefit right now. On a planet with 7
billion people, guaranteed, millions of spirits are right now sending thoughts,
messages, and doing work to orchestrate their alliance with people living here. And these are just the spirit guides! But imagine that interaction happening right
now … All over the planet … <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, let’s take into account those friends and relatives who
have died -- another level of spiritual “populace” in conjunction with guides
and angels. Many people often feel their
lost loved ones nearby after they have passed.
Many claim to talk to them in dreams or receive psychic communication
from them. Moreover, in many cases,
these deceased loved ones have demonstrated interpenetration by apporting
objects and also making complex events happen in the objective “out-there”
world to the benefit of people still here.
Now, add that to the work being done by people’s spirit guides and
helpers across the planet at this very moment … <i>Millions of people are getting messages from their lost loved ones in
so many different ways … Millions are getting inspiration and messages from
their spirit guides, too.
Cross-dimensional communication and interpenetration is happening <u>all
the time</u></i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spirit is interacting with us <i>constantly. Naturally</i>. It is not <i>para</i>normal,
it is <i><u>normal</u></i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is all supposed to be happening. It is a natural part of existence and
reality. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part Two: The Greater Picture, The Larger Act of Awareness<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-51694999847299957662012-05-19T08:25:00.001-07:002012-05-19T08:25:25.241-07:00Training, Books, and Presentations … Welcome to Spring!<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>It’s been awhile since I last posted and several of you have been wondering “What’s happened?” The simple answer: Busting my a--, heh heh. <p>As always, I am working on developing my mediumship abilities. Part of that work was taking some amazing training with internationally renowned medium Lisa Williams. The bestselling author and host of the former television show <i>Life Among the Dead </i>really put me back to square one with examining, redefining, and then re-igniting the mediumship flame. It started as a four-week online course complete with homework that really took me back to the nuts-and-bolts of communicating with the Other Side and <i>how </i>that communication takes place. <p>At the end of the four weeks, I and my fellow classmates from around the world (about 40 of us) all gathered together in Los Angeles for a full weekend intensive with Lisa. The finale of the course was doing two separate one-on-one readings for members of the general public who she had invited. Throughout the weekend, Lisa was taking notes on each of us – grading us like a proper instructor – and then had the general public grade us as well! Can you say “Pressure”? (Fortunately, I PASSED!) <p>To say the weekend was intense would be an understatement. First off, to be accepted into the course, we had to submit an application and hope our credentials as practicing mediums were enough to be accepted. When I arrived in L.A., I was excited, but when class officially got started – I was <i>terrified!</i> Here I was, sitting in a room filled with other practicing mediums who had already proven themselves simply through the application process <i>and</i> I was going to be graded by one of the top mediums in the business. I know I was not the only one feeling like a fish out of water, but there’s always a part of you that says “Really? Me? Do I <i>really</i> belong here?” As the weekend progressed, this fear diminished, but I have no shame in admitting – I had a couple panic attacks at the beginning! <p>By the time Sunday came and we were scheduled to do the readings with the public, everyone had bonded as a group and our initial fears had subsided. We all were going through the proverbial boot-camp together … and surviving. <p>Lisa was incredible – not only as an instructor, but as a down-to-earth human being in addition to being a medium. She understood and honored our fears and doubts (and moments of lunacy) that we all experience in doing this work, especially within the intensity of the environment we were training in. <p>Indeed, one of the great take-aways from that weekend was the realization that everyone – all 40 students and our instructor – never competed or felt that we needed to ultimately prove ourselves to one another. There wasn’t one of us that felt we had to “outdo” or “outperform” a fellow medium for the sake of our personal ego. <p>In the end, the course simply wasn’t another workshop, it was a literal journey of discovery. Lisa’s compassion and authenticity continues to carry forward in many different ways for each of her students -- and I am delighted to return to Los Angeles come October to get more training. I am also excited to see that many of my fellow mediums from this original class will be returning as well! It will be a grand family reunion! <p>Back here at home, I have taken what I’ve learned and acted on it – booking more public demonstrations and private home groups, with more to come in the next several months. <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KNbDYxAOPz0/T7e7XDKTNjI/AAAAAAAAAFI/iNmnxPTGz9o/s1600-h/Class%252520Picture3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Class Picture3" border="0" alt="Class Picture3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZiuJM-8n3HY/T7e7XVBRNuI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/p8RqNpzzpC4/Class%252520Picture3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="310" height="186"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k8gbZyfaOPI/T7e7X_s-4BI/AAAAAAAAAFY/o_9vSiUZ7y0/s1600-h/DSCF3421-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF3421-1" border="0" alt="DSCF3421-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jAXEBUQkgQM/T7e7Yc_B-vI/AAAAAAAAAFg/2-6fRBG-l9w/DSCF3421-1_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="199" height="184"></a> <p>But … I am not done yet. I have also begun putting together the marketing and promotion for my next book <i>The Afterlife Interviews, Volume I, </i>due out this August. The book is the culmination of nearly 2 years of research where I conducted fourteen separate readings and asked the spirits who came through for my clients the same fifty-two questions about the nature of the Other Side. The result is a huge well-rounded portrait of what the afterlife is like from those who reside there. This has been such a huge project that it equally deserves a huge marketing and promotional effort, which is another reason why I have been so silent in my blog. <i>The Afterlife Interviews</i> is going to be nationwide (and potentially international), so it requires a lot of focus and attention leading up to its launch. All this right on the heels of my first book <em>Your Magical Soul</em> receiving a silver medal in the <strong>2012 Nautilus Awards</strong> in the Science and Cosmology category (previous Nautilus winners include Gregg Braden, Caroline Myss, and Deepak Chopra) as well as being one out of three finalists for the Body/Mind/Spirit category for the <strong>Benjamin Franklin</strong> award. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ddFF3oXO8Gw/T7e7Y3VXhcI/AAAAAAAAAFo/4hHmoo6geCc/s1600-h/Cover%2525201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="9781936492077-PerfectFACEROCK.indd" border="0" alt="9781936492077-PerfectFACEROCK.indd" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1uKUVLgQj2I/T7e7ZDMNj1I/AAAAAAAAAFw/1D9hmcu3TwI/Cover%2525201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> <p>Along with the continuation of the <i><a href="http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/112394">Explorers of Consciousness</a></i> radio show and the <a href="http://www.meetup.com/NW-Mediumship-Association/">NW Mediumship Association</a>, other classes (and gasp) regular day-job, I am one busy cookie! And then on the heels of <i>The Afterlife Interviews</i> will be my first fiction novel, <i>The Resurrection of Osiris</i>. Whew! To make all of this happen, I have had to push “pause” on doing individual one-on-one readings and paranormal investigations. However, if people are interested in receiving a one-on-one reading, I am creating a waiting list which I will jump on as soon as time opens up. <p>So if you’ve been wondering why I’ve been silent in the blogosphere, this is it! Training, books, presentations … With more to come! <p>‘Til next time! Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-63496721372042787702012-03-29T19:41:00.003-07:002012-03-29T19:47:46.241-07:00A Tool for Developing Energy Awareness<p class="MsoNormal">As many of you know, I am always on the look-out for stretching my senses. After all, I can only get better in my work as a medium by becoming more aware and being present with whatever might be floating around in the environment. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">How do you do that, you might ask?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A fun little gadget from yester-year is actually playing a tremendous part. Remember those plasma balls that came out back in the 1980’s? They contain a coil which shoots arcs of electricity out to the globe’s surface. When you touch the ball, the arcs amp up and coalesce at the point where you touched the glass. What makes them interesting is that they shoot huge amounts of electromagnetic frequency beyond the globe’s casing – we discovered this while doing an experiment during a Washington State Ghost Society investigation. Using an EMF detector, we found that the energy of the plasma ball can be directed by someone touching the glass and then raising their other arm. In other words, a person can act as a conduit for the ball’s energy and “throw it” in various directions which the EMF detector is able to measure. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One evening while talking about this with WSGS president, Dave King, we decided to see how sensitive the human detector could be. We turned the ball on and hovered our hands over it. It was very easy to feel the pulsing of the field at just a few inches from the surface. Then we stepped back several feet and raised our hands toward the device. Slowly, we walked toward it. Amazingly, I was able to detect the field at a whopping 5 to 7 feet away!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Intrigued by these results, I went and bought one for myself to try at home. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">First, I held my palms out, facing the plasma ball at a distance of about 12 feet away – then slowly walked toward it. This was all about being more sensitive to outside energy, so I paid really close attention to what I was feeling inside and outside my body. What ended up happening was that I felt a subtle tingling on my palms. It is so very slight, but noticeable. Then, as I get closer, I could feel “pressure” on my hands and my abdomen. By the time I was three feet away, the focus of the energy coursing through my body was so intense, my hands felt like they were being pricked by hundreds of needles. It was absolutely amazing! <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In continuing to practice this exercise, I have extended my range of awareness with the ball’s energy another 2 to 3 feet, so now I can feel it at 10 or 11 feet away. I have also done the same experiment with the ball turned “off,” just to make sure I wasn’t messing with my own mind. Eyes opened or closed, with enough focus, I could feel that energy field at a great distance.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Will this help in my work as a medium? Only time will tell. But it does reveal that with enough awareness and focus, energy fields can be detected by the human organism – and what is Spirit if not another form of energy? Already they do affect my physical body in the course of a link. If I can become even more sensitive to their energy, I potentially can become even more aware of the detailed messages they wish to convey. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s all about becoming the best conduit I can be.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you are interested in working on your own sensitivities to energy, I highly recommend the plasma ball. It demonstrates – once again – that energy can exist beyond what you see and that you can tune into it!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">‘Til next time,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWk64GsYhFw/T3Ud_6-l5HI/AAAAAAAAAE4/CWH24dTLxyM/s1600/plasma%2Bball.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWk64GsYhFw/T3Ud_6-l5HI/AAAAAAAAAE4/CWH24dTLxyM/s320/plasma%2Bball.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725515485272204402" /></a>Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-60009871766103607012012-03-08T19:43:00.001-08:002012-03-08T19:44:30.351-08:00The Face, Love, and Strength of a Spirit Guide<p class="MsoNormal">A couple of weeks ago I found myself shaking a fist and really giving my guides the third degree. I felt they had challenged me one too many times with a result I truly didn’t care for. Oftentimes, we don’t understand why our guides move us in certain directions or allow certain things to happen; but it is always in retrospect that we gain the perspective of truth about such enigmatic circumstances and then forgive, engrain the lesson, and move on. Part of that process for me a few weeks ago was to declare to my spiritual advisors that they were going to have to do something pretty extraordinary to convince me of their strength, love, and sincerity for what I had gone through. I didn’t tell them <i>what</i> they had to do, just that they needed to do something pretty impressive to convince me they really cared. (Yes, it was one of those dark times which tests your faith). <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The answer came through the night of Development Circle, a few hours after I had made my demand. We were doing an exercise called “Transfiguration.” In this exercise, you pair up with a partner and stare at each other in extremely low light while opening up to spirit. The objective is that spirit will come over your partner and begin to change his or her facial features to where you can somewhat see the face of the spirit objectively. We were doing the exercise twice, and had already completed the first round with great success and were excited for the second session.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For about ten minutes, each of us sat with our partner in silence and just looked at the other’s face. One set of partners sat in a completely different room, as we have a member who uses Skype on the computer to participate in the circle, since she lives in Portland, Oregon. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Immediately, my partner appeared as one of my lead guides, who I have seen objectively on many occasions, the first time when I was 15-years-old. He appears as a medicine man from an aboriginal tribe, with face makeup and jewelry. His bright eyes gleamed back at me during the session, and he smiled widely, expressing his love and telling me clairaudiently how proud he was of my development. He expressed that it was okay for me to have been angry at what had happened earlier and had anticipated the outburst, and that the lesson was being learned (and truth be told, I had already been given insight to the lesson a day beforehand). Then my partner’s face darkened, but lit back up with the face of another one of my guides, with curly hair, high cheek bones, and British accent (again, clairaudient). I was surprised they had showed up to be the spirits my partner became.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The real shocker was when the session was over and we all got back together to share our experiences. I held off on revealing who I had seen – <i>because everyone was talking about seeing the same aborigine male with the painted face!</i> Even Penny, our member from Portland, mentioned seeing him during the session. Wow! My spirit guide really came through on my demands. He appeared to 7 out of 8 members of my Development Circle, all within the same round and across literally hundreds of miles. It was unmistakable and truly amazing. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes we might take our guides for granted, or are completely unaware of just how much they do care about us, and what they are willing to do to make themselves known. It was an incredible moment of humility and gratitude to realize the amount of energy, intent, and orchestration to make it all happen; to appear to each member at the same time, with one member being geographically far away – all to say “We are here, we love you, and are proud of you.” <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I cannot tell you how many times my guides have proven themselves to me (and on occasion, to others as well) -- and not by doing simple things, but by doing stuff that is truly remarkable. It just goes to show that we are loved, cared for, and guided to truly realize what it is great in the universe and inside ourselves by incredible helpers who reside in the land of eternity, unbound by Time and Space. Their love is unlimited – especially after putting up with me for so many decades arguing and disagreeing with them. (The score to date in who wins the arguments: Jeffrey=0. Guides=10000. Go figure). <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Never doubt your Spirit Guides. They won’t let you down and they do truly care about you. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Feel free to challenge them – Just be prepared for the response. It will oftentimes astound you.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">‘Til next time,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">(If you’re interested in meeting your own Spirit Guide and are also interested in mediumship, be sure to come to the next NW Mediumship Association gathering in April. See Events tab for details).<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-91941304045280302512012-02-11T13:04:00.000-08:002012-02-11T13:09:27.483-08:00The Busting of the Ego and a Return to the Platform<p class="MsoNormal">Spirit introduced me to platform work back in 2003. What is platform work, you ask? This is when the medium plucks people from the audience and gives them a reading. If you’ve seen John Edward or James Van Praagh do a “gallery”-style performance, that’s what it is. When I first began doing them, I was always terrified that nothing would happen. I would get panic attacks and worry that people would find me a fool. Fortunately, this ultimately wasn’t the case and excellent information did come through, but the more I did them, the more difficult they became, and I was doing them on a monthly basis. Finally, unwilling to take the anxiety attacks anymore and struggling to get information from the Other Side, I stepped down from platform demonstrations in 2007 and re-morphed my public services into private home settings, which didn’t necessarily have me connect with the deceased, but allowed me to simply be “psychic” (which is oftentimes easier than being mediumistic).<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The new groups helped. I would still get anxious, but most of the time that anxiety would disappear after the first or second reading; and the crowd was considerably smaller. I continued to bring through messages from spirit, but it wasn’t as overwhelming, and I could jump out of being a medium and work strictly on a psychic level if I chose to. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But that’s what happens when you’re green. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For the last few years I have pounded the pavement in trying to develop, learn more, and define my mediumship. I have devoured scores of books on mediums and mediumship, as well as taken (finally) some actual courses which were able to give me much needed direction and explanation. This work has broken down a lot of barriers I didn’t know I had.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The main obstacle, of course, was my EGO. This has been the hardest to tackle, but looking back now on all the anxiety and stress before a service, this has been the culprit. When one worries about whether or not spirit will come through, what they are really worried about is looking foolish – which I was concerned about. Well, that isn’t looking out for spirit and spirit’s inspiration, that’s looking out for number one – the ego. “What if I’m wrong? What if I’m wrong? How will I look?” Yes, that is a natural thought, but if one clings to it as consistently as I did, then it becomes a HUGE distraction and disruption to the process of communicating with spirit. Even more so, if you’re also worried about how the sitter is going to respond to the information you bring through (“Will the information make me look like a fool”), that too is a distraction that will block the flow from spirit. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pretty much what it all boiled down to wasn’t a lack of trust from spirit; it was more about how I was going to appear to my audience. It wasn’t until I finally started to let go of ME and simply watch out for what was being brought through did my readings really take off. Do I give stellar readings every time now? No, nobody ever does, but the quality of my readings and how I feel going into them has certainly changed.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Case in point: I did my first platform in over 5 years on February 4<sup>th</sup> at the Venus Moon in Renton. There was close to 40 people in the audience – the largest group to date (before then, my largest audience was 30). Before, when I had no real formal training and was “fending for myself” I would have been freaking out hours before the event started. But on this night, I was completely calm and relaxed. Not even that, I was excited! I knew, so long as I got out of my own way and gave my mind over to spirit, everything would be fine. And it was! I connected with 8 or 9 different people in the audience, with excellent information from spirit – including names, personal characteristics of the deceased, information surrounding how they passed, and much more, lasting for just over an hour in the demonstration. The only distraction I had was an ongoing fire or medical emergency, as ambulances and fire trucks were screaming by the building with sirens blaring. Nevertheless, I remained committed to being a vessel for spirit and spirit came through.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When it was over, a part of me felt a bit cheated. My mind was so used to viewing platform demonstrations as being stressful and frightening, yet that night it was the exact opposite. Part of me had been waiting for the sense of “work” which the spectre of fear used to bring, but it never came. I had zero fear, and spirit came through without problems. A member of my development circle who attended said I was “inspiring.” What a gift! (And she stood up and made a connection herself, which was equally a joy to witness!) I would love to have compared that demonstration with my last platform in ’07. I bet they would have been light-years apart in terms of quality and style. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So now I am committed to returning to the platform. Spirit has amazing messages to give and they are inspiring me to give them. I am always curious these days to hear what incredible details a person’s relative comes through with that is so unique and expressive that it screams “I’m really here!” <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When it comes to doing the work of spirit, there is no room for the ego. As I heard a few years ago (and what has led me on my quest to dissolving it), the word EGO stands for Edging God Out. That is so right. As a medium, I am here to serve spirit, not myself. As a medium, spirit’s messages serve the client, and I can’t be the judge of what that information is, I can only deliver it with as much compassion and love as I can.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are a lot of messages out there. I look forward to bringing them to the platform as I continue my work and my development throughout the year. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hope to see you there! <o:p></o:p></p>Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-40389351225919746982012-01-28T14:37:00.001-08:002012-01-28T14:38:28.759-08:00Raising Your Vibration and Expanding the Aura<p class="MsoNormal">So what does it mean to “raise your vibration” and “expand your aura”? It’s something we hear about a lot when it comes to psychic and mediumship development; yet when you ask people “how do you do it”, you really don’t get a straight answer. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I had a friend ask me this question and few weeks ago. After I pondered the response, I wrote it down and said to myself: Other people have got to be asking this same question. So I decided to blog about it!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Okay … Here goes:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Believe it or not, the process of raising vibration and expanding the aura is a natural by-product of meditation. Our left-brains like to parcel things out into bite-size bits so we can look at them individually, therefore it is easy to perceive them as separate events when they are the natural growth process of letting go and quieting the mind and body.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Typically, we think of meditation as slowing down and being still, which is counterintuitive to “speeding up and raising vibration and expansion.” In terms of shutting off the monkey mind, the idea of slowing down and being quiet is an accurate description. But what happens when we shut down the monkey mind is that it allows the rest of our consciousness to be free. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When we run around in our heads with the left-brain, we actually keep our auras very close to our body; in other words, we are wrapped up in ourselves because we are so busy processing in our heads. At that point, we don’t acknowledge much beyond our beings because that’s not where our focus is. But when we let go of the chattering head, it allows our consciousness to become more receptive, and it is at that moment – when we begin to open up – that the aura starts to expand. Of course, a little intention helps, but letting go and quieting the chattering mind releases the restraints on the aura and it will begin to grow naturally. This is why “meditation” and “sitting for spirit” (two phrases which really mean the same thing, at least to me) is so important in wanting to become more attuned and aware. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The other aspect of this – raising vibration – happens in a similar fashion. Now, you might think that in raising vibration you should feel something vastly different from your “normal” vibration -- like you’re sitting there and all of a sudden you should feel like you have a rocket pack strapped to your back. Sorry to say, this doesn’t happen. But when you reach a good meditative state and with enough awareness, you can actually feel a rapid pulsation go up and down the core of your body through your chakras that is about double the speed of your heart rate, and you will also notice your breathing is smooth and equal, in terms of time spent inhaling and time spent exhaling. This pulsation, now that I think about it, does extend to your skin, too, as I have felt a buzzing sensation across my epidermis during these moments of awareness. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, if you don’t feel this rapid pulsation, that doesn’t mean you haven’t raised your vibration, it just means that you haven’t got an awareness of it just yet. That may take time. You might not have fine-tuned your sensitivity of discerning the different energies/feelings surrounding the body yet. That’s okay. With enough practice, you’ll get there. And you won’t feel it <i>every time</i> you meditate, but you will from time-to-time. If, after sitting in meditation, you feel more open, relaxed, and as if you are no longer confined to the sense of a “box around your being,” then you have raised your vibration. In changing your state from being “frenetic, chatty, running around in a maze” to being “relaxed, open, peaceful, freeing” you have changed your vibration. Changing your state of mind and feeling of your body is a changing of vibration and frequency. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes, it can be as simple as thinking more positive, uplifting thoughts. If those thoughts create more positive feelings, then you have raised your vibration (and most likely expanded your aura, too).<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And, of course, you can go in with intent while meditating: “Lift higher, lift higher, lift higher” or “raise vibration, raise vibration, raise vibration.” Once you make the intent, you have to then let go and let it happen – don’t chase after it like you’re chasing a butterfly. That just confounds things. Let it happen naturally, because it really does happen naturally on its own. Like I said, if you feel lighter and more freer after the meditation, you have successfully raised your vibration. If you feel you have more energy after meditation, you have raised your vibration. If you feel more balanced instead of lopsided and heavy, you have raised your vibration. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Also, don’t think that the level of vibration of which you are wishing to reach is so distant from your normal vibration; it’s not like you are traversing a football field – it is subtle and slight. The trick is learning to know when you are in it and becoming sensitive to the information that gets transmitted in that zone. It’s really not a huge gap. Plus, when you reach that state, that doesn’t necessarily mean an individual spirit communicator is going to step right in and start delivering information. You can raise vibration and be in the space of spirit – you can feel their presence, you know they are there – but you may not get anything more. That’s fine. A spirit communicator may not wish to communicate, for they feel there is really nothing of great importance to convey at the moment. What’s important is that you are in the space. When the time is right and when a message is necessary to give, a communicator will come in. And with practice, you will be able to “fine-tune” your vibration – stay in it with consistency – and raise it even a little higher. This, so we all believe, will allow either more or “different” information to come from spirit. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The trick is shutting off the left-brain and your ego because the two LOVE to run things; they love to control, identify, and create definition based on your personal beliefs and biases. Yes, we must identify the information which comes to us through the vibration and aura, but our left-brains and egos also try to imbue stuff with our own personal meaning. As mediums, it’s not our job to determine what something <i>means</i>; our job is simply to deliver the information as we get it. We don’t always have to understand it – because 9 times out of 10, we’ll get the meaning wrong when the recipient knows <i>exactly</i> what is being transmitted. Admittedly, I think this is the hardest part of development. I’ve heard and learned to categorize the EGO as “(E)dging (G)od (O)ut.” We must learn to ignore our personal biases and the brain’s need to label things and just pay attention to what is popping into our consciousness from spirit and then deliver only that. Spirit will, if they can, imbue the impressions with their own meaning so you don’t have to. But we cannot judge what they are giving us; we can only deliver it to the recipient.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Have a great week! <o:p></o:p></p>Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-41092460799395601242012-01-10T18:46:00.000-08:002012-01-10T18:51:02.450-08:002012 - A Paradigm Shift?<p class="MsoNormal">For decades we have been hearing this talk of a paradigm shift in consciousness; that a big sweeping revolution is going to cross the globe and affect everybody energetically, consciously, spiritually – at least that’s how I have interpreted this conversation – and people will all of a sudden wake up, as if night has suddenly turned into day. And with the onset of the Mayan “prophecy” this year, this notion has become closely wedded with the December 21<sup>st</sup> date and become the focal point for when this shift will occur. Unfortunately, I think those people who are holding out on this event are going to wake up on December 22<sup>nd</sup> very disappointed.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On a planet with 7 billion people, 7 billion minds, and 7 billion different points of view (and growing), in order for this type of paradigm shift to occur, it would require something so incredibly powerful and miraculous, it would be beyond our comprehension. Judging by our march through history as a species, shifts in consciousness do not happen overnight – they are quite gradual and filled with plenty of upheaval. The closest example that we can relate to is the Renaissance, and in no way did that shift from ideology-based wisdom to free thinking and science occur within the course of a single generation, it took several generations with a backdrop of events stretching back millenniums -- and it still hasn’t shifted the whole planet even today. There are still large numbers of people who have entangled themselves with archaic old-world belief systems and dogma; they are firmly entrenched in them; and as the planet becomes more and more populated, the larger those populations will also become – the more people you have to deal with.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We have this idea that a paradigm shift is going to radically change how people will think, act, and at last, world-peace will prevail (or at least be closer at hand). It’s a beautiful thought, until we realize mass consciousness cannot make that leap overnight – with a real good possibility that it will NEVER make a decisive shift in that direction for the very reason of why people incarnate on earth in the first place: to be the fullest expression of universal consciousness and LEARN LESSONS to become all that we can be, as a being of consciousness. Think about what it would be like if we all started to think and believe in the same way, it would become far too limiting for people’s paths and inhibit their free god-given ability to learn the lessons they have chosen to incarnate to learn <i>in the fashion they feel they need to learn them</i>. Some people NEED DRAMA in order to learn their lessons. That’s their choice. In other words, a world without all the different points-of-view which we currently have may actually be a world with Less Creative Expression for a soul to learn in. If mass consciousness were to all of a sudden align itself in one particular direction like atoms in a laser beam, think how that would actually inhibit spiritual growth and expression versus having all of these other oftentimes contradictory points-of-view.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ultimately, what we are hoping for in a paradigm shift is a change in thinking because we believe it will lead to a change in behaviors – to be more loving rather than destructive and divisive. But we all know, we cannot make other people think differently … We can’t go into a person’s mind and switch their gears for them. We can only inspire them. They have to make that mental consciousness shift themselves – we call it Free Will. We CAN force them to change behavior through intimidation – we see that all the time – but even then, though behavior might be different, the thoughts might still be the same old thoughts someone has always had. We cannot change how other people think, we can only change how WE think and WE behave. In this sense, the only kind of paradigm shift that will occur will not come from something outside people’s consciousness sweeping in and giving them a huge all-of-a-sudden “aha” moment, it will be something they experience and come up with inside themselves. The only way a true paradigm shift will occur is if we can apply the wisdom of Gandhi: Be the change you want to see in the world.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">About the only outside influence that could quickly change the way we treat each other on planet earth would be something catastrophic – something that forces us to unite. I’m thinking a planet-destroying asteroid, alien invasion, or pandemic plague. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Outside of that, spirit, consciousness, needs the varying viewpoints and philosophies in order to allow the growth of souls to become all that is possible. Our challenge is to learn to embrace these differences with unconditional love and understand that everything in the universe is not here by chance or coincidence; the universe works with mathematical precision, therefore, what we see in today’s world is supposed to be happening. If we believe that the main goal or lesson in life is to learn how to love, how can we learn that lesson? <i>Only by encountering those things which will challenge us to find that kernel, that gem, and expand from it.</i> That is going to require these challenges we face. We may not agree with what others may think and are doing, but that is because that is not our path, it is theirs, and they are simply learning their individual lessons and becoming all that the nature of spirit can be from that unique perspective. And, yes, we often cross the line in trying to force a shift upon one another to move in different directions – this is the game-plan in learning our life-lessons. You can’t learn them from sitting on a couch; you have to engage.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My prediction for the future: We will continue to evolve. Evolution is a constant. But it occurs in baby-steps. I don’t think anything is going to come sweeping in and kick that evolution into overdrive in such a way that we go from 10 mph to 120, in terms of consciousness expansion across the globe. Can we reach universal peace and brotherhood on earth? Yes, but it won’t come easily nor swiftly. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some say the reason there are so many people on the earth at this time is because of this massive, quick, evolutionary leap. I don’t. I think it’s because we have made it a biological imperative to have a family, as it has been for millennia, and so we consciously and spiritually ask and welcome more souls to come in, in order to fulfill this imperative and “standard life design.” Standard life design: get married and have children. It has nothing to do with paradigm shifting consciousness. Especially when it appears everything is quite unorganized and chaotic. Watching the news, I don’t see a movement toward consciousness shifting any time soon. I see life engaging and going on as it has been for centuries. Riots are not new. Civil wars are not new. Overthrowing and trompling dictators is not new. Ghadafi could have been the reincarnated Louis XVI for all we know. We are doing the same things we have always done.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The notion of paradigm shifting into a new form of higher consciousness is a holdover from biblical times and Revelations – “We’re right on the cusp of it. The end is nigh!” They thought that back in the 900s at the turn of that millennium, then the late 16 & 1700s when Newton had an apple knock his noggin; they thought that back in the 1800s with the advent of materialist science; around the same time, the spiritualists were advocating it when the Fox Sisters became famous and parapsychology was birthed; they thought it again in the 1930s when ESP became all the rage thanks to J.B. Rhine’s scientific research; then again in the 60s with flower power; and in the 80s with the New Age movement; and when we switched the clocks 12 years ago. It’s always been with us. It’s a social, societal, mental habit, but not necessarily a realistic outcome to expect. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are reasons why we engage in this habit … which I don’t have time to talk about here. Nevertheless, it does have to do with our recognition of our eternal consciousness and connection to all things and trying to grasp at that omnipotence within this current environment of time and space, multidimensionality, and multiple probabilities. It ain’t easy, folks … And you know what, we make it that way on purpose. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A paradigm shift will not occur TO other people without their choosing; it will occur only within the individual who desires it – and it requires no special date on the calendar to do so. So those that are espousing a paradigm shift will either experience one for themselves and not see it happen with their neighbor – because the neighbor is too caught up with paying the bills and seeing the kids off to school – or they will start to see their neighbor acting differently and will think “That’s weird. What’s up with them?” and not notice any abnormal changes within themselves. It won’t be this big switch from night to day without any form of conscious choice.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-73040117852401038342011-12-31T14:07:00.000-08:002011-12-31T14:15:14.016-08:00Peering Back, Looking Forward2011 is history! What an amazing year filled with accomplishments, education, and more work to look forward to. The year began with the publication of my first book “Your Magical Soul: How Science and Psychic Phenomena Paint a New Picture of the Self and Reality.” This, of course, was a huge milestone, as it took over two years to complete – from writing, editing, getting permissions, to finally seeing it printed. It opened some doors in learning how to talk on radio, both broadcast and internet. It also taught me about the pitfalls to marketing and PR when you are not represented by a huge publishing house who can handle copyright legalities. Fortunately, my second book will not need to deal with such hurdles and will be a better opportunity to explore the possibilities of promotion without having to pay so close attention to the permissions granted by rights’ holders.<br /><br />“Your Magical Soul” really gave me an opportunity to get myself more out into the public. I really love talking to crowds – especially if the audience can walk away with something about themselves or the nature of consciousness they may not have considered before walking in. This desire to ignite the curiosity surrounding consciousness and spirituality morphed later in the year to “Ghosts – What Have We Learned?” In this presentation, I teamed up with current Washington State Ghost Society president, Dave King, as we took a wide angle view of the nature of spirit activity from our years of investigations and contrasted it with what the public has been force-fed on television and in Hollywood movies (which has also become a blueprint for emerging paranormal groups, which may or may not be the most beneficial way to obtain results in an investigation). As we move forward in 2012, Dave and I will continue to give this presentation throughout the area – so be sure to check out the Events tab for dates and locations.<br /><br />It’s also been a year filled with education, on both the paranormal and mediumship fronts. We are learning from spirits on investigations more about what life is like as an earth-bound entity; how they can manipulate their energy to affect detectors; how they view those of us in Time and Space while they are outside of it; and just what the heck is an orb?? These are questions that we are getting some very good answers to directly from the spirits through the combination of EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) and the Society’s mediums. It will take years more research with plenty more questions and tests to reach conclusive answers, but we have learned the spirits are definitely willing to communicate and give us points-of-view.<br /><br />On the mediumship side, I finally received some formal training, lots of practice, and am growing at a decent pace. In August, my wife and I took a week long course with internationally renowned medium and bestselling author James Van Praagh, who told me I was already a talented medium and just needed to own it and go do the work. Easier said than done, of course, but I have been moving in that direction. I will be seeing James again in February for even more instruction, as he is giving the class here in Seattle. In the meantime, a friend introduced me to a UK medium, Martin Twycross. His 12 DVD instructional course has been such a fantastic eye-opener – I wish I had it 12 years ago when I got started. <br /><br />The upside to all this learning has been the creation of a weekly Development Circle which has turned into my spiritual family. Made up of a combination of wonderful people Heidi and I met at the Van Praagh course, coupled with other developing mediums in our circle of friends, this weekly gathering has given us amazing tools, allowed us to express our fears, our doubts, but above all – grow and become better at honing our talents. Without the Circle, I’d still be shuffling my feet to get out the door!<br /><br />Of course, the other wonderful addition that came along this year was teaming up with Carol Geiler to do the “Explorers of Consciousness” radio show! We have a whole load of people to thank for bringing that together. When Carol and I would get together to talk about consciousness and psychic abilities, anybody else in the room (my wife, for certain) always found the banter entertaining, and so the suggestion for a radio show came up. And since I was already working to get myself more out into the public and Carol has been emerging with her psychic gifts, it was a natural fit and we haven’t looked back since! Additionally, we also want to be available in-person, and so in 2012 we will be holding monthly psychic/spiritual support groups – one in Everett at VisionQuest and another in Bellevue at Friends, Philosophy & Tea (see Events tab for details).<br /><br />Yes, it’s been an amazing year – and 2012 is going to be even better! In this next year, I will be doing public mediumship demonstrations (known as “platform demonstrations.”) The first one is being held at the Venus Moon on February 4th. This one I am considering an “experiment” as it has been several years since I’ve done readings using this type of format. But once I’ve gone through the process, expect that there will be many more to follow throughout the region. <br /><br />Additionally, later in 2012 you will see the release of my second book, which will be Volume I of a two volume set regarding what life is like on the Other Side, as based on a series of replicated sittings done over the course of 14 months. No medium has ever done this type of research or reporting before in this manner (at least, none that I know of), so naturally, I am really excited to share it with everybody. It’s another one of those things that has been life-changing for me. There’s also the possibility of meditation CDs coming out later in the year (recording is already completed).<br /><br />So … I hope you will come and share this journey with me in the New Year. You can hear me on-air twice a month with Carol on the “Explorers of Consciousness” radio show; you can catch us monthly in-person in Everett and Bellevue (depending on where you live); watch out for me and Dave as we talk about our experiences with ghosts; and please come experience the possibilities of communicating with loved ones and friends on the Other Side at any of my demonstrations. <br /><br />Oh – and if you’re curious about 2012 predictions/viewpoints, then come out to Friends, Philosophy & Tea next Friday, January 6 at 7 p.m. <br /><br />Thank you to everyone who has been in my life throughout 2011. <br /><br />Happy New Year!Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930142094584140751.post-81717173500705197572011-12-17T11:22:00.000-08:002011-12-17T11:23:53.836-08:00From the HeartOne of the most elusive psychic functions for me is clairaudience – this is where you hear the information being spoken to you, not unlike hearing the words of a song in your mind. Those who have attended my group readings or who have had a private sitting know that I am mainly clairvoyant and clairsentient – visual and feeling – so to be able to hear information is sporadic and not the norm for me. <br /><br />Several weeks ago, I came across the story of a well-known British medium, Gordon Higginson, who was renowned in his mediumship for astounding clairaudience. He would call out first and last names, complete addresses, even telephone numbers that were being relayed to him audibly from Spirit. The story goes that, when Gordon was a youngster, his mother would place cotton or other substance in his ears to drown out the sounds of the room and force him to listen for the words of spirit. By age 12 he was already doing platform demonstrations and he went on to serve spirit until he died at age 75. He was the longest running president of the Spiritualists Nationalists Union, presiding over that post for 23 years.<br /><br />Well, since I have been working to further develop clairaudience, I bought a pair of earplugs and eye-covers to try my own meditations in bringing out this faculty. I have been doing this for over a week now, and though I can’t say whether or not my clairaudience has improved, my sense of purpose, value, and dignity has shot through the roof.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />My heartbeat. When I put the earplugs in, the sound of my heartbeat became amplified. Not only that, I could hear the blood rushing through my veins (probably just through the ear canal). Then factor in the rhythm of breathing – in, out, in, out. It was an intriguing opportunity to listen to all this from the aspect of a meditating observer. <br /><br />When one focuses on the heartbeat, it takes perception out of the monkey mind (which is usually chatting up a storm) and places it on that which keeps our body functioning day in and day out. THUMP-THUMP … THUMP THUMP. To sit back and observe the sound of the heartbeat, the sound of blood flowing, the sound of the breath, it is quite an amazing moment. We usually take it all for granted. <br /><br />For 30 minutes I bathed in that union. I was floored. I had a sense of gratitude for my body and being that I never had before. When you listen to your heart beat – steady, strong – THUMP THUMP … THUMP THUMP – and realize it beats like that not just for the 30 minutes that you’re listening to it, but for the length of your whole life … Well, it really spoke to me on a spiritual level. It shouted “You are here on purpose! You are meant to be here! You are worthy! If you weren’t, I would not be beating for so long, keeping you alive, no matter what stress you were creating in your mind!” <br /><br />Listening to my own heartbeat was like listening to the voice of God, declaring my life’s mission; that I wasn’t here as a random happenstance, nor was I just fluttering about completely oblivious to what I should be doing. Something inside that sound and the automatic pumping – THUMP THUMP … THUMP THUMP – said to me that when I didn’t know what to do or when confusion clouded my mind, just stick in the earplugs and listen. Let its cadence seduce my curiosity, for somehow it knew what my mind did not. <br /><br />There are many people who meditate using a mantra – repeating the same phrase or sound over and over. Through this repetition, it silences the mind and places one in a deep meditative state, which can then be opened up to various spiritual energies or dimensions. It can be quite effective. We come with our own organic built-in mantra – THUMP THUMP … THUMP THUMP. To me, it far exceeds any other phrase or sound we might adopt. It is also highly life-affirming – something you’d hope your mantra would be.<br /><br />The beating of the heart is currently being attributed to how the body communicates with itself. Though the brain does play a significant role, the beating of the heart creates a pulsing magnetic field which transmits information to the body’s systems. THUMP THUMP … THUMP THUMP. There is truth to the belief of living a better life if one comes from the heart rather than the mind. The mind may inform the heart, but it is the heart which informs the body -- or at least, that is what some of the current research is suggesting.<br /><br />THUMP THUMP … THUMP THUMP.<br /><br />I encourage you to put some earplugs in and just focus on your heartbeat, your blood flow, and the sound of your breath. Be an observer. Notice it happens without any assistance from your mind. And then consider this has gone on for decades and will continue to go on until you pass into spirit. <br /><br />You are here on purpose. You are worthwhile. You are a spiritual being manifested from the heart-center of life. THUMP THUMP … THUMP THUMP.<br /><br />Something tells me this is why the ancient Egyptians left the heart intact in the mummies and instead removed the brain. <br /><br />They knew the heart was the true seat of wisdom.<br /><br /><br />Oh – has my clairaudience improved? Only time will tell. I have heard some things come through in-between beats and had a very successful time catching a few names in my Development Circle last week. Was that a result of listening to my heartbeat or the realization of intention? I don’t know. <br /><br />But I will continue to listen to my heart for answers.Jeffrey Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415012179092613389noreply@blogger.com1