We often seek guidance and messages from spiritual sources.  Some people long to be told what to do from a Guide, or Angel, or God. There is however a caution to pay attention to when asking for guidance – our ego!

I have seen people marry, or make major life decisions, based on nothing more than their own certainty of receiving a “message” that later proved to be merely an ego or desire-based thought. It takes true detachment to separate true spiritual messages from mere thoughts and ideas that only reinforce what we (our ego) wants. This can be particularly challenging, because real spiritual guidance often does not make sense at the time, or may go against what we want.

I shut my eyes in order to see ~ Paul Gauguin

Western spirituality teaches us to imagine, visualize, affirm, pray, meditate in order to get what we want. We must manifest what we want, or feel we deserve, or should have. And usually that “wanting” is a desire for something external: money (often mistakenly called “abundance”), losing weight, finding a soulmate, getting married, career promotion. It is however rare to meet someone whose desires are focused on an inner wanting, such as visualizing themselves as detached, or enlightened, or living in serenity.

Psychics who do readings need to be constantly aware of the potential for someone to misinterpret metaphysical information, simply because they want something so badly that the message given to them gets re-interpreted through the waves of their own desires. I have, for example, during a reading given someone disturbing, even horrifying information about a lover, and after a few minutes of listening to some extremely clear and blunt warnings, the person would say, “Okay, but when will he call me again?”

It is humbling. I am reminded that all humans run the danger of having a blind spot. We can find ways to re-interpret Guidance to reinforce our desire to get what we want at the time, rather than moving us forward in our development, or on our Path.

So how should we seek Guidance? Ask questions such as, “What am I learning, or what is my focus?” If the focus is placed on the learning and expansion, then the outcome information is place in a larger context. This helps one to keep focus on the bigger picture, rather than focusing on fulfilling a trivial attachment.

Sometimes one is in an emergency situation and you just really needs to know a future outcome. In those cases we really need someone to throw us a ladder to get out of the hole. I like to consult with people who have been in that hole and know some of the ways out. But that could just be my preference.

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? ~ Corrie Ten Boom

I typically do not trust those who do not have a history of working on themselves, in addition to their spiritual gifts. I like healers that, in addition to their gift or talent:

1) Have a long-term and current spiritual practice.

2) Can share personal life challenges they have successfully worked through.

3) Have studied or educated themselves in such things as alternative psychology therapies, nutrition, alternative medicines, Ayurveda, homeopathy, Quantum medicines, and so forth.

Readings or Guidance can come from a human, the Other Side, Angels, or other non-physicals. There are a number of reasons one would get a psychic reading, or ask for Guidance, such as getting emergency assistance; or to learn something we don’t know; or to get confirmation of our own perceptions, intuition or inner guidance.

The last one can be tricky. Some readers will tell you only what you want to hear – sometimes for commercial reasons, often because that is as deep as they can read … your desires.

One might interpret a message in a way that feeds your ego, or your desires. What can you do about that? If you have a great deal of attachment to the outcome of a situation, or the answer to your question, try the following strategies:

– Don’t get a psychic reading until you are more detached. Work on your detachment first. If you cannot do this and seek Guidance because you are “losing your mind” then proceed with caution.

– Move slowly. Ask questions. Ask Spirit for a clear sign after a reading.

– Choose a psychic you feel is honest and blunt. Wait and then get another reading on the same issue.

Don’t ask the Lord to guide your footsteps . . . unless you’re willing to move your feet ~ Unknown

Ultimately remember we are here to learn, as well as have fun. We will make “mistakes” and learning means falling down and getting up again. If that happens, don’t just blame the reader or the Guidance your received. Learn from it all. Examine your interpretation. Look at why you chose that path, at that time. There is something to learn there.  Was your choice part of a pattern, or a single event? And remember, we do survive falling down. Perhaps this mishap was a softer preliminary version of what was coming anyways!

Psychic readers are like doctors, car mechanics, priests, and lawyers. There are good ones and bad ones, and they have good days and bad days. Even when they channel from another source, it is coming through a human… and humans are not perfect. So, instead of becoming a cynic, or blaming a reader, or being a victim, look for the lesson in it all! Learn and move forward.

Do not give up on receiving Guidance. After all, Guidance comes whether we ask for it or not. Being humble, forgiving yourself, and having a sense of humor about learning will be your best allies in life.

About The Author: Nonna lives in Southern California, and is a professor of psychology and a teacher of psychic development, energy work and meditation, who has recently finished her PhD. She has been a counselor for both humans and animals for thirty years, removing energy blocks through her expertise in the spiritual arts. She also has numerous years of study and practice with classic psychological therapeutic models, family work, twelve-step processes, nutritional and body/mind/spirit healing, complementary, alternative, and quantum medicine. Nonna is brilliant at unearthing the gems in every client’s soul and polishing them to a fine finish. To release your own soul’s sparkle, contact Nonna at PsychicAccess.com.