Mediumship Development: How to Connect with the Other Side
As a Spiritual Medium, I spend most days with one foot in reality and the other in what many would term “the other side.” I connect people with loved ones who have transitioned, their spirit guides, and their own soul to bring peace and clarity about their personal life lessons.
It is far from a conventional career, but I’d like to think that this is changing. As our religious ideals soften and we continue to tap into our inner being, we help to lift the veil between the physical and non-physical. The recent trends in yoga, meditation and new age spirituality are encouraging people to go within and tap into their own divine identity and intuition. TV shows about mediums are quickly reaching millions across the globe and causing people to ask, “Is mediumship real?”
Let’s start by defining it.
Mediumship is the ability to connect and communicate with the departed and the metaphysical realm using the energy that is felt beyond the five physical senses.
The Nature of Psychic Abilities
Perhaps it is most helpful if we discuss the nature of psychic abilities for it is within these that mediumship abilities are derived. We all have some psychic intution . It’s a survival tool. We’ve all had times in our lives when we clearly “know” something in our gut. Have you ever experienced having an immediate connection with someone when you first meet? Or have you ever just known when someone was lying to you? These unexplainable inclinations are a part of the psychic realm and the metaphysical connection; the energy between things that we don’t experience with the first five senses.
The truth is, everyone has some psychic ability but we’re just not accustomed to using it.
And in some, like with any skill, it’s more developed than with others.
Mediumship Misconceptions
I came into the world quite psychic. I wasn’t raised with any religious influence but by the time I was 4 I had gathered enough vocabulary to talk about God, the angels, why I came to earth and why I chose my parents in this life. I saw things that others weren’t seeing so as a child I learned quite quickly to cut off my intuitive sight. Fear promptly capped these abilities until later in life as an adult when I decided to open them up again, but it didn’t happen over night. I had to get over a lot of fears, doubts and misconceptions about developing mediumship abilities and what it meant to communicate with “the dead.”
People have been taught to fear the ethereal, mostly because we don’t completely understand it and partly because so many religions have taught that it was evil. By changing our perspective about “the other side” and simply considering our eternal nature, we inadvertently open ourselves up to link the bridge between heaven and earth Like anything in life, moving past fear enables us to discover new aptitudes and reach higher levels of consciousness.
As we detach from old societal paradigms, and welcome new ways of seeing our “reality,” it creates space for us to connect with the ethereal.
Because of our collective shift in consciousness, many are becoming more sensitive to receiving messages from the other side. I can’t tell you how many times a client’s suspicions of their loved ones visiting them in the physical have been confirmed. Usually if you feel like they may be visiting you, they indeed are.
I may not be able to give you the scientific expertise that you might be looking for, but I have witnessed the incredible shifts that take place within my clients by communicating with loved ones who have passed over. I have seen the light in their eyes as their beloved offers irrefutable confirmation that it’s them. We’ve had gut busting laughs over the departed’s new-found perspective and take on things from the other side.
I’ve seen incredible weights lifted from clients leading to profound change in their own lives after making peace with a family dynamic by communicating with a loved one has passed.
Even if mediumship wasn’t real, doesn’t it feel better to think that someday we’ll be reconnected to those who have passed? Doesn’t it bring comfort to think that they are at peace and relieved of their suffering? Opening yourselves up to this idea stimulates the feelings of being connected energetically and eternally, and the profound lesson that love has no walls.
We often need our own experience to really know something. So are mediumship abilities real? I encourage you to test the waters with these simple exercises. Acknowledge your ability to receive, recognize your connection to all things, and express gratitude when you do get intuitive “hits.”
Mediumship Development: How to Access the Other Side
Here are some ways to begin to open your intuition and bridge the gap between the physical and non-physical:
Meditate
Meditation is the quickest route to strengthening your intuition because it is from this place that all messages come through. You don’t have to be a yogi or guru to meditate. Simply finding quiet solitude through intentional breathing, a guided meditation or even a moving meditation like yoga or waking in nature helps to open your pathways to your intuitive communication.
Relax and Enjoy the Present
Find time to relax and enjoy the present moment. When we’re busy with our thoughts and continually responding to the physical conditions, it’s hard for us to receive information. When we can slow down the pace, when we are not chasing after things, we are more present, awake and aware. We are also more able to meet the vibration of the other side, which is based in love, peace and gentleness.
Release Sorrow
Release sorrow and the misconception, that they are “dead.” From my experience I have witnessed them being them more alive, rejuvenated and vibrant than ever before.
Our perception that they are unattainable blocks our ability to receive their messages. There are many ways they can come in to communicate with us and we can open the doorways by recognizing their eternal self and our infinite connection. We often think we have to hold sorrow in order to honor them, but this can keep us blocked from feeling them. By feeling the eternal love we share, we create more space for us to feel their presence.
Honor Signs
Honor the signs you receive. Pay attention to your dreams, they often visit us this way because we’re in a state of utter relaxation and receiving. Don’t bat these experiences away. They can even reach us through the physical. Pick a sign for you and your loved one to share, maybe a symbol or a word, and watch to see how quickly it can appear. You will be surprised of the ways they can reach you if you open up your heart and have fun with the process.
Create Connection, Find Soul
Creating this connection is easier than you think. After all, we are more soul than anything. We tend to be so focused on the physical. It just takes a little redirection in noticing the infinite ways that life is woven together, the perfect ways solutions are provided, and the seemingly coincidental ways you meet people at the right time. Have you noticed that when you look on back at life, it all makes mores sense? That there always seems to have been a reason for the events that have taken place even if you didn’t se it at the time? It doesn’t hurt to believe that things are working out for you and that somehow this beautiful tapestry of life is woven together through and with love.
If you are curious about the afterlife, there are plenty of books out there on past lives. There are confirmed studies of children remembering their previous lives and personal accounts of mediumship that are soul rocking. The studies are endless, but it has to resonate with you.
About the Author
What Is Spiritual Mediumship and How Does It Develop?
Mediumship is an ability that allows some people to act as a channel between the physical plane and the spiritual world. This ability manifests itself in various forms and has been recognized in multiple traditions throughout history. In this article we explore what it means to be a medium, how this faculty is developed and what its purpose is within the spiritual path.
Table of Contents
- What Does It Mean to Be a Spiritual Medium?
- What Is a Mediumship Session Like?
- What Kind of Messages Are Received in a Mediumship Session?
- Who Can Be a Spiritual Medium?
- How Do I Know if I Have the Gift of Mediumship?
- How Does Mediumship Develop?
- History and Origins of Mediumship
- Literature and Resources on Mediumship
What Does It Mean to Be a Spiritual Medium?
Mediumship means having the ability to act as a channel between the physical world and spiritual dimensions, facilitating the exchange between human beings and non-corporeal entities such as spirits of the deceased and spirit guides. This ability manifests in different forms, including clairvoyance (seeing spirit entities), clairaudience (hearing spirit messages) and psychometry (reading information from physical objects).
Mediums are instrumental in the process of providing comfort and understanding to those seeking closure with past events or beings. Through their unique connection, they facilitate communication that allows people to receive important messages and signals, offering a spiritual perspective that can be important for personal growth and emotional healing.
In the series Channeling: A Bridge to the Beyond, available on Gaia, the connections between mediums, channelers, and other forms of contact with the spiritual world are explored. Throughout the episodes, the series delves into how these practices allow access to higher planes of consciousness and receive messages from other dimensions.
What Is a Mediumship Session Like?
A mediumship session usually begins with the medium establishing a calm and protected environment where both the querent and the medium can feel safe and relaxed. It is common for the medium to ask the spirit world for permission to communicate and to request the presence of spirit guides to facilitate a clear and protected connection. The intention is to create a sacred space that allows for fluid and respectful communication.
During the session, the medium enters a state of concentration or light trance, which allows him/her to tune into the frequencies of the spiritual plane. Messages may come in the form of images, sounds, sensations or even intense emotions. The medium interprets these signs and transmits them to the person consulting. Not all communications are verbal; some may be impressions or feelings that the medium describes to his client.
At the end of the session, it is customary for the medium to offer a moment for the person consulting to ask questions or seek clarification on the information received. The session is then closed with a prayer of thanksgiving to the spirit entities for their guidance and protection. It is important that both the medium and the querent take a moment to anchor and clear their energy, ensuring that the spiritual connection is properly closed.
What Kind of Messages Are Received in a Mediumship Session?
In a mediumship session, the messages received can vary widely, depending on the needs of the person consulting and the entities communicating. These messages are intended to provide guidance, comfort, or resolution of unfinished business. Often, they are personal and meaningful, designed to aid in healing, understanding, or personal growth.
- Advice and guidance: Spirits often offer advice in dealing with personal challenges or important decisions. They may provide insights or suggestions based on their broader view of the person’s life plan.
- Messages of comfort: It is common to receive messages from deceased loved ones seeking to reassure family members that they are at peace and still present in some way. These messages can help ease the pain and encourage the grieving process.
- Warnings and cautions: Sometimes, messages contain warnings about future health problems, poor decisions or negative relationships. These warnings are intended to protect the person and guide them to a safer path.
- Validations and confirmations: Spirits can provide information that validates past emotions, situations or decisions. These types of messages reinforce the feeling of being connected to the universe and being on the right path.
- Resolution of pending issues: Messages may also include apologies or explanations about past conflicting situations or misunderstandings. This can be essential for emotional closure and healing for both the receiver and the spirit.
Who Can Be a Spiritual Medium?
Mediumship is not limited to a specific type of person; people of any age, culture or background may find that they possess this gift. While some people may show natural abilities from an early age, others may develop them later in life. What is essential is a willingness to connect with the spiritual plane and the ability to open the mind and heart to experiences beyond the tangible.
The predisposition to mediumship may be innate or may be stimulated by significant life events, such as a near-death experience or a deep personal crisis. These experiences often act as catalysts, awakening a sensitivity to subtle energy and spiritual dimensions. However, having a natural inclination is not a requirement; with proper training and practice, almost anyone can develop the ability to mediate between worlds.
How Do I Know if I Have the Gift of Mediumship?
Recognizing the gift of mediumship often begins with perceiving signs or receiving messages that others do not detect. These experiences may manifest as strong intuitions, vivid dreams, or even voices with no apparent source. If these perceptions become more frequent or intense, it could be a sign of underlying mediumistic abilities.
In addition, a tendency to feel the emotions or thoughts of others intensely or a special, unexplained connection to certain places may also indicate mediumistic potential. The key is in conscious observation of how these experiences affect and integrate into daily life. Those who find that these events bring clarity or comfort, rather than fear or confusion, may be discovering their path to mediumistic practice.
How Does Mediumship Develop?
Developing mediumistic skills often begins with education and practice in spiritual and energetic development techniques. Meditation is essential, as it helps to calm the mind and strengthen the connection to the spiritual plane. Attending workshops or classes with experienced mediums can also provide the tools necessary to understand and master these skills.
Constant practice is crucial for any aspiring medium. This includes not only meditation and energy exercises, but also participating in spiritual circles where one can practice receiving and delivering messages under the supervision of professionals. These environments allow a safe space to explore and hone mediumistic skills, learning to discern between different types of energies and messages.
History and Origins of Mediumship
Mediumship has been an integral part of many cultures throughout history, with evidence dating back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece and Rome. In these cultures, mediums were seen as bridges between gods and humans, providing essential guidance and revelations. These figures were often revered and feared, depending on local beliefs and power structures.
During the Middle Ages, the perception of mediumship changed considerably due to the influence of the Church. Mediums were often labeled as witches or heretics and persecuted accordingly. However, in secret societies and among certain esoteric groups, mediumship continued to be practiced and passed from generation to generation as a profound spiritual art.
Modern interest in mediumship resurfaced in the 19th century with the Spiritualist movement, particularly through figures such as the Fox brothers in the United States and later, Allan Kardec in Europe. This period marked the beginning of a more formalized study and practice of mediumship, leading to widespread recognition and the formation of Spiritualist societies throughout the world.
Literature and Resources on Mediumship
For those interested in deepening their understanding of mediumship, there is a variety of resources and literature available, offering everything from practical guides to historical and philosophical analyses.
- The Spirits’ Book by Allan Kardec: First published in 1857, this book is considered the cornerstone of modern Spiritism. Kardec presents a series of questions and answers that he claimed were communicated by spirits, offering a systematic view on morality, philosophy, and the nature of the soul.
- So You Want to Be a Medium: A Down-to-Earth Guide by Rose Vanden Eynden: This modern guide provides practical tools and advice for those wishing to develop mediumistic abilities. The book also addresses the ethics and responsibilities that come with this practice.
- The Wanderings of a Spiritualist by Arthur Conan Doyle: The famed author of Sherlock Holmes, also a fervent spiritualist, explores the history of mediumship from antiquity to the 20th century. Doyle offers both personal accounts and documented cases that examine the veracity and challenges of mediumship.
- Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson: This book provides a personal and profound exploration of how the author balances her normal life with her extraordinary abilities. Jackson shares her experiences and the lessons learned, aiming to guide others who may be awakening to their own abilities.
