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It’s Only Natural, by Elizabeth Owens

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Many people would like to communicate with spirits, but do not think they have the ability. My response to that is: It's Only Natural.

As children, we are all fresh, open and new to this world. We are so close from the other side that we still carry memories of past lives and the spiritual side of life. Therefore, we are wide open and oh so very receptive to the spirits who reside there. We can talk to our grandparents, communicate with our spirit guides, and receive visits from master teachers. That is, until someone tells us we can't.

Many children experience scenes with their skeptical parents where the parents convince them that they really aren't seeing Grandma, Aunt Myrtle, or the gardener, all of whom are in spirit. With enough pressure applied, the child will soon forget that he or she ever could see, hear, or feel the presence of spirits. It is so unfortunate that some parents are not more open themselves to the idea that their children really do see Grandma. What the parents don't realize is, they, too, can communicate with Grandma.

I do not remember seeing spirits as a child, probably because my rigid parents told me I wasn't seeing what I was claiming to see. As an adult, I was always fascinated with astrology and anything mystical. I was so impressed after receiving my first spiritual reading that my reaction was, "I want to do that too!" So, I began development classes with the medium who had given me the reading. After a short time, some of the sensations I experienced felt familiar. It was then that I realized I had encountered spirits as a child, I just didn't consciously remember the events. As adults, we can go back and reclaim our natural abilities; we can reconnect to that spiritual cord.

My students are frequently surprised when they deliver a message to another member of the class and that person relates to the message. "You mean, I was right?" they ask. Yes—it's only natural. What a pleasant surprise!

I liken communicating with spirits to dancing: everyone can do it—some people just happen to do it a little better than others. Some people choose to dance professionally, others for their personal amusement, and still others just barely move around the floor—but they're still dancing. It is the same with communicating with spirits. We can all dance—we can all communicate with spirits—some are just more proficient than others.

SECRETS OF THE SPIRIT WORLD

The spirit world is eager to communicate. Your loved ones and friends who are now in spirit would like the opportunity to talk to you, and frequently will make attempts. It is common for spirit relatives to drop in to see how things are going in our lives. During special holidays, anniversaries, graduations, and birthdays, the family gathers—in spirit as well as physically. Your spirit family joins in on the festivities, whether you are aware of their presence or not. They want to know what's going on in your life and be a part. They still love you and care, so why wouldn't they want to hang around? It's only natural!

Sometimes we ignore their attempts to communicate, passing it off as coincidences, so spirit relatives will come to us in a dream state. While dreaming, your conscious mind does not interfere with the communication. Often they will speak with you, giving you advice or the answer to a problem you are experiencing. Sometimes they simply want to express their love. Other times they are involved in a scene in your dream, a dream that probably has a message for you.

We can consciously choose to use our dreams to talk to our loved ones. It's called programming. Be sure to place a tablet and pen beside your bed before you retire for the night. Write the question you want answered on the tablet. Choose the most appropriate relative suited to answer your question. Page 43 in my book How To Communicate With Spirits explains how we retain our personalities when we cross over. With that in mind, when I am concerned about business matters, I always call upon my father because he was a businessman, for example. So, select the person you feel would best be able to answer your question. In the stillness, take several deep breaths and visualize your chosen relative. Ask silently that he or she visit you in your dreams. State the question you want answered and thank them for helping you. Also, program yourself to remember the dream by saying silently to yourself, "I will remember the details of this dream with perfect clarity when I awake." Go to sleep, and when you wake up, write down as much of the dream as you can remember, including your feelings. With a little faith, this method will work the first time. If not, keep trying; practice makes perfect.

Some of the inhabitants in the spirit world elect to serve as personal guides to those of us on the earth. We have many guides who oversee our endeavors and creations and assist us through every crisis. They are but a breath away, closer than hands and feet. All we have to do is call out to them in order to receive. We are meant to communicate with our guiding forces in spirit. They are there to protect us, guide us, inspire us.

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS

When we ask our guiding forces for an answer to a question, sometimes we think we should receive the answer in a bold manner. Perhaps we imagine a booming, masculine voice saying, "YES, you should change your job!" But it doesn't happen that way. That would be too simple, and spirit doesn't usually work in the field of simple. Sometimes when we ask a question the answer will be felt immediately. No loud voice, just a feeling. We "feel" with our intuition that this is the correct choice, the wisest path, to take. Other times the answer will come several hours later by various means, several days later, or perhaps several weeks. The point is, we do receive an answer, it just might not be at the particular time we think is appropriate to our impatient needs.

Spirit expects us to be aware of our environment, otherwise, we will not recognize our answers. It has been my experience that spirits sometimes make us work to receive an answer so that we learn to pay attention to our surroundings. If we are wondering if we should change jobs, for instance, and then read in the morning paper that a particular well-known store is opening and needs managers, that could be our message to apply for the job. But if we are not paying attention, we miss the answer intended to help us. Then again, even if we recognize a potential answer, the normal response for us is usually, "Oh, it can't be that. This is a coincidence." We deny the answer that has been put right in front of our face. Spirit is testing us to see if we are paying attention. If we are working on an awareness level, we will understand immediately that the advertisement is our answer. However, if we want to view this as a coincidence, we probably will remain in our old, stale job for many months to come.

Spirit can assist us with inspiration, but sometimes it is tricky. Those who are artists, lyricists, or writers will understand that sometimes the inspiring thoughts we are seeking seem to be avoiding us. Try as we may, the word doesn't come, the musical bar escapes us. Spirit can assist in this hunt for perfection, but we must be wide open as to how we will receive. Peaceful surroundings and meditation are usually the suggestions we are given to facilitate inspiration. After all, this is the most conducive environment in which to receive inspiration. However, don't close the door on other means spirit may choose to impress you.

I GOT THE MESSAGE

One time in particular, I asked for direction during my morning mediation on a writing project, the details of which can be found on page 33 in How To Communicate With Spirits. I did not receive the answer I was seeking during the meditation (no booming voice). Later that day, while driving to Daytona Beach, I was playing rock and roll music on the radio. Despite the racket it produces, I frequently receive inspiration while driving with loud music blaring, and this method did not disappoint on that day. A song came on the radio titled "Got My Mind Set On You," by George Harrison. When George came to the chorus, he sang repeatedly, "Do it, do it, do it!" If that wasn't obvious enough, to make sure I got the message, just as George was singing the chorus, a motorcyclist rode by on my left. On the back of his white tee shirt were the words, "Do It." Mission accomplished, message received. Most of my answers are not received in such an obvious way, and your answers probably won't be either.

Sometimes we get what I call "teasers." We think we just received the answer, but when applied, it doesn't work out. So what gives? Sometimes I believe spirit's purpose is to get our attention, not give us an answer. The real answer comes later—if we pay attention!

THE VALUE OF JOURNALING

Keeping a journal of the messages received during meditation is a very worthwhile practice. In our busy world, we can't be expected to remember every single message. It is also wise to keep a record of what we are asking guidance about. If we are experiencing a repetitive situation in our lives, it means we aren't paying attention to the message being given. It would be wise to refer to the journal to see if this recurring situation is a message relating to one of our questions. We have to remember that spirit will try some very unique ways to impress us with the answer.

Journaling is also very therapeutic. Over a period of time when we journal about a dilemma in our lives, we can come to a resolution through the journaling process. As we write our thoughts, spirit has the opportunity to impress us with answers. And even if we do not feel we have received an answer, we should feel better for having done the exercise. It's cleansing to put pen to paper, expressing our emotions and concerns.

There was a time when I was single and lonely due to a break up in a relationship. I received the inspiration to journal my feelings everyday. I poured my heartbreak out onto the pages of my journal, knowing that I didn't understand why this was happening to me, but trusting that it was for my highest and best good. I always ended the passages with the phrase, "Thank you, God, I'm learning." Showing gratitude for whatever circumstance we find ourselves in assists in our spiritual growth. When the time is right, spirit will make it clear to us why we had to go through a trauma or heartbreak. But in the meantime, be thankful for the opportunity to grow.

DEALING WITH OTHERS

People react in one of two ways when I tell them I am a medium or psychic. Either they are overjoyed and think it's a wonderful thing, or they become rigid and make a speedy exit. People who don't have an understanding about spirits frequently are afraid. I wouldn't recommend sharing information about your communications with spirits with people in general, but especially avoid doing so with those who may be skeptical or ignorant of the facts. Some people may think you're nutty, have an active imagination, or an inflated ego. Our spiritual activities are best kept in the silence.

I remember, as a child when something exciting was expected to occur, such as going to the circus, if I talked about it, somehow things didn't seem to work out the way I had anticipated. When this would happen, I always felt I had jinxed the event by talking about it. From these childhood experiences I learned to shut my mouth. What's between you and spirit is private. Don't talk about your experiences with people. You don't want other people's energy interfering with you or their personal skepticism destroying your belief in the development of your abilities.

There's a whole world of spirits out there waiting for you to reach out to them. They are there to assist, guide, protect and love you. It's only natural!

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2011. All rights reserved.

I was blessed to experience the dying process of my fiance. We were soul mates and dated for 10 years. He waited until his mom, best friend and I had left his side at hospice before he made his transition. A few days later, I began to notice flickering lights, light bulbs sparking, the TV going out, the TV and computer monitor dimming, the radio coming on by itself and playing Need You Now by Lady Antebellum. I was told by the wife of his friend to expect this. I am a Christian, so it was a life-changing experience for me to see how God prepares his children to come back home. My fiance was not religious but he was a believer. The most unforgettable part of his process was when he acknowledged his grandmother's presence in the hospital room. She had been deceased for five years and really loved my fiance. Here's my question: since his passing, I have experienced a spiritual awakening within myself. I sometimes get physical sensations I had not experienced before such as tingles and chills. I also wake up at three a.m. every night and can't go back to sleep until five. I know that the grieving process can affect all aspects of our lives, but would like to hear what you think is going on with me. How do I sharpen my spiritual skills without violating my religion? By the way, my fiance was gifted with the ability to see things before they happened; he just couldn't put a time stamp on them. He also said there were benevolent spiritual presences in his home. He would hear voices and they would turn on things. Is it possible that some of his abilities rubbed off on me?

K.

Susyn:

The experiences you describe are common to those of us who have lost a loved one. When a person crosses over, they have many different ways of letting us know they are safe, sound and thinking about us, many of which you have mentioned here.

Some of the first signs that a loved one's spirit may send include flickering lights, computers dimming, interrupted radio signals or a specific song playing on the radio, as you mentioned. Because spirits need a lot of energy to make their presence known, they will often draw this power from a nearby electrical source.

Losing a loved one can often evoke a spiritual awakening, much as you described. Our awareness is heightened and our sense of the world transformed. As you say, this is a wonderful gift that your fiance gave you in the wake of his passing. You can also attribute the chills and tingles you get at certain times to him letting you know he is near.

Your sleeplessness is definitely part of the grieving process, but it also may happen because your fiance tends to come to you during those particular hours. Most spirits will appear in the middle of the night when the world is quiet and we are free from outside distractions. If you give yourself permission to hold conversations with him during these times, you will soon be able to hear his responses as well.

Many people mistakenly believe that their spiritual experiences are in conflict with their religious beliefs. You don't mention your particular denomination, but I assume it is based on the Bible. If so, there is nothing in these experiences that is at odds with your beliefs. The Bible is filled with stories of visits from spirits and angels and the idea that our souls carry on after we die. If you place your trust in what is written in the Bible, these experiences will actually make your religious beliefs stronger instead of troubling your conscience.

There are many ways to sharpen your spiritual skills and abilities. Spending more time in prayer and meditation is a wonderful way to expand your spirit and discover more. Because we all have a personal relationship with the God of our understanding, we can enlarge it in the same way we build our human relationships: by devoting time to it and cultivating bonds of trust and love.

You can also count on being guided to explore other aspects of spiritual living, for once the door to your awareness has been opened, it will naturally start to grow bigger. You may want to join a spiritual group so you can discuss your concerns and share your experiences, for people who have had similar journeys can support you and validate what you're going through.

******

Mata:

What you describe is perhaps the most common way people are led to a conscious spiritual path: they have an extraordinary spiritual experience that totally blows their minds and leads them to start questioning everything they've always assumed to be true about the nature of life, death and reality.

Even when the loss of a loved one is not accompanied by amazing phenomena, it tends to cause a person to question things they've never deeply questioned before, especially if this is the first significant loss they've had to face. As your mind and heart reach out for comfort and for answers, the Universe and the spirit world will respond with all sorts of signs, messages, synchronicities and wondrous experiences.

When we start asking deep questions, we are naturally led to greater understanding. Over the years, I have heard from many people who have gone to a book store in search of a book that will address some deep spiritual question they've been pondering, only to have the perfect book fall right off the shelf in front of them as if trying to get their attention.

The same sort of thing happens in all sorts of ways. For example, if we ask if it is really true that we continue after death and we pray for knowledge of this with every fiber of our being, we may begin to have experiences with spirits or stumble upon books, stories, ideas and research that address this very subject. This happens naturally because we are engaging the Universe in conversation.

Just longing for spiritual experiences and thinking about spiritual subjects can and will lead to an awakening. Even if you're just aware of missing your fiance and want to be able to connect with him, it could be that you're experiencing this awakening so that you will be able to fulfill this desire. Your fiance may even be behind a lot of these experiences, working from his side to help you rise in vibration, knowledge and wisdom so that the two of you can connect even though you're now worlds apart.

Your own awakening side, one thing is clear: your fiance is trying very hard to reach out to you from Spirit, most likely to let you know that he is all right and there for you still, and to encourage you to keep on believing. It sounds like he was far more open to direct, personal spiritual experience than you are because he hadn't been taught to be fearful. Perhaps in blessing you with direct psychic experiences of someone you love and trust, he is trying to counter your religious concerns and tell you that there is nothing wrong about opening up to new realms of spiritual experience and developing a personal relationship with the Divine.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.