free will
Life Lessons From Spirit That Make Us Stronger
As we wander through life, we often face many roadblocks, many stumbling blocks and many disappointments. There are many questions that arise as we walk our path and at times it feels like the entire world is against us, as we progress on our journey.
Many people blame God, Source, Spirit, the Divine, or other people for the situations they are in, and cannot get past. This simply an illusion that we create in our humanness. Spirit does not want us to fail in life. Spirit does not want us to be unhappy. Spirit does not want us to live a pauper’s life.
It is time to sit down, take a look at all what has happened to you and discover two things about each situation. Why did it happen, and what was the lesson you learned from it? As you look at the examples of pain, suffering or disappointment in your life, what do you see? Were they life lessons from spirit?
For example, you have been with the love of your life for many years. One day your your beloved unexpectedly abandons you for another person. What could you have done to prevent this? What could you have done differently? Why were you not enough? You were in love, totally and unconditionally devoted to this person, and you thought they felt the same way about you. Why did they do this to you?
In almost all cases where this happens, there is nothing you could have done to prevent this. It was not you who walked out of the relationship or marriage; it was your partner. And all people have free will and free choice. This was not your decision to make.
The Magical Possibilities Of 6,000 Thoughts
According to a 2020 study at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, we have more than 6,000 thoughts a day. From a spiritual perspective, this is fascinating, but also potentially troublesome.
Those of us who are metaphysically aware know that our thoughts create our reality. Not only do our positive or negative thoughts determine what will manifest in our lives, but also how we choose to feel and act based on those 6,000 daily thoughts!
In addition, we tend to have lingering thoughts and nagging worries that we obsess over throughout the day. The more we repeat those same toxic thoughts, the more they gain energetic momentum and manifesting power. Thoughts are energy vibrations, and thoughts become things.
We all have the innate spiritual freedom to act of our own free will. Every thought we have comes with choices and options. It can range from a simple decision to stop thinking a particular negative thought…to making a life-changing decision.
Unfortunately, most people make the same choices over and over again. They stick with what is safe, comfortable, familiar, or predictable, while ignoring the other options that may be open to them. This is often how we get stuck in comfort zones, or struggle to manifest the things we dream about.
In order to manifest new things and invite change into our lives, we must carefully examine our thought patterns and habits. If we choose the same responses and actions to the same thoughts every day, we cannot expect to move forward, or create a new reality. Often the problem is not the thoughts we think, but how we choose to feel and act in response to those thoughts.
Karma Is A Teacher, Not An Avenger
People often talk about karma as if it’s some form of divine punishment or retribution that will eventually be visited upon those who have wronged them. Letting karma “take care of it” is a comforting reassurance that we may be rewarded for being the ‘bigger person’ in unfair situations. And certainly it is always advisable to do the right thing when others are being petty or behaving badly.
But this is not karma.
The universe is not in the business of handing out ‘karmic punishment,’ for we are not judged as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for our choices and actions. All of our choices and actions have value and teach us lessons. So, why would there be any need for a universal system of punishment? Or reward, for that matter?
This is not to say that karma does not exist. On the contrary, we can see karma at work all the time in everyday life, down to the most mundane things we choose to do. However, karma is not a force of reckoning, but the cause and effect of energy, which is a universal law.
When we live a heart-centered life, doing good deeds and being kind to ourselves and others, we will feel joyful, happy, fulfilled and at peace. We thrive in the vibrant flow of positive energy. On the other hand, when we live a heartless life, do things that are wrong, destructive, and evil, and we are unkind or cruel to ourselves and others, we will feel miserable, hopeless, dissatisfied, depressed. We suffer in the thick mud of negative energy.
Happiness Is To Follow Your Path With Joy
Discouragement, failure, heartache. Poor Moses did not have it easy. He went daily to the throne of the Pharaoh to ask for the release of his people. His life hadn’t started out very well. His mother had to hide him in the bulrushes, so he wouldn’t be killed right after his birth.
Then he went to live in the princess’s house, and knowing he was different he often felt alone. Adopted by royalty, his biological mother and sister were still living as slaves in the fields. He wasn’t happy. He should have been in high spirits, because he had everything a young man could desire…except he knew he didn’t belong.
Then, before he realized what had happened, this young man had killed an Egyptian soldier! So, here he was, a sought criminal, running away and going into hiding.
He had a stutter when he spoke, so he was a quiet man. But then Great Spirit puts him on his true path, instructing him to “go talk to Pharaoh, tell him to let my people go.”
What! Look, this path can’t be right? Yet, reassured by the prophets, the messengers, he embraced his task of getting the Israelites out of Egypt. With his brother by his side to do the talking, Moses finally went to the Pharaoh, and kickstarted the dream of freedom from slavery.
God helped Moses by creating problems for the Egyptians. He sent plagues and calamities. At first the results were disappointing and there was no change. Time after time, ten times in fact, just as the release seemed to be granted, the Pharaoh snatched it back again. But eventually see the plan finally work out.
Spirit Is Like A Lifeguard
I used to work in a Wisconsin tourist town in the early 90s, holding down two full-time jobs to pay my way through college. One of my employee benefits was a free admission pass to all the city’s water parks and other tourist attractions. I rarely had a day off, but whenever I did, I would relish splashing around in those lazy rivers and wave pools with childlike enthusiasm!
A popular feature at my favorite water park was a towering waterslide. At the top sat a lifeguard who would give the go-ahead for you to safely start sliding down, after the slider in front of you had cleared enough distance.
Our spirit guides are kind of like those water park lifeguards.
I remember doing a reading for myself around New Year’s Day 2016, regarding my wishes and goals for the future. I wanted my midlife crisis to be over after my divorce, and I craved to immerse myself full-time in my spiritual work to gain respect and personal fulfillment.
Seven years later, I’m still working on some of those 2016 resolutions, but I have meanwhile realized that Spirit has held me back from achieving these goals earlier in my life, as I had karmic obstacles blocking my progress.
I used to be in a loveless marriage that was a karmic ball and chain around my ankle. For example, when I faced a major health challenge years ago, all my ex could focus on was the economic loss, since I wasn’t able to work at the time. I recall someone in an online support group asking him, “Don’t you love your wife? Then support her!”
Mistakes Are Necessary For Spiritual Growth
Have you ever felt like you made a wrong choice or bad decision that caused everything to fall apart or steered your life went in the wrong direction. Maybe you knew it was the wrong choice, but you did it anyway? Well, every mistake is an opportunity for growth. There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. Without mistakes, there is very little personal and spiritual growth.
Let’s say you choose to date a guy with a bad reputation. Then, as your gut feeling had warned and your psychic advisor had predicted, he cheats on you, and ultimately dumps you for someone else. Your inner guidance told you it was not a good idea; spirit advised against it. Yet, still you chose to find out the truth the hard way, by experiencing it for yourself.
But then you still do not learn the lesson. You go and do it again. You take him back and trust that he has changed as he has promised. Then he does the same all over again. Do you continue to stay and have him hurt you and take advantage of you? If you do, you still have not learned the lesson.
So, what is the lesson here? Well, the first thing you would have to recognize is that the lesson is not about him. It is about you. It is about establishing your self-worth and building your self-esteem. It is about accepting the fact that you, like anyone else, deserve to be loved and to be happy. And it is about learning to trust your inner guidance and pay attention when spirit guides you.
I have worked with many clients over the years who find all kinds of excuses and justifications for staying in a bad relationship, a toxic workplace, or a dysfunctional family environment.
Are You Consciously Guided By Spirit?
Our guides are constantly directing us toward our highest good and the fulfillment of our soul purpose, whether we are aware of it or not. Their guidance is all the more effective and efficient when we are consciously aware and open to it on a daily basis.
We are all here to fulfill our soul’s mission in this lifetime. We have agreed to come to Earth for a specific purpose or calling. I also believe that if that mission is not accomplished, we will keep coming back to this plane of existence until it is.
Our spirit guides are with us every step of the way to assist and support us in achieving these life goals. These non-physical beings are an essential part of our spiritual journey. Just as we have teachers, mentors and protectors in the physical world, our guides provide support and encouragement in the metaphysical realms.
Everyone has one or more spirit guides assigned to them. These guides are aware of our life’s purpose, challenges and lessons, and they help us navigate these aspects of life. Every day our guides nudge us in the right direction with signs, synchronicities, gut feelings, hunches, ideas, dreams, visions, inspirations, insights and warnings as we navigate life’s challenges and pursue our goals. They are also sources of unconditional love and understanding.
There are several types of spirit guides, all of which have different roles and functions. Some are the spirits of deceased loved ones and ancestors, or even nature or animal spirits. Others are guardian angels, ascended masters, or other spiritual beings or entities who have lived many lifetimes and reached a high level of spiritual evolution and enlightenment.
Spirit Guide Teachings & Traditions
The concept of spirit guides or similar beings who assist us on our spiritual journey is found in various spiritual and religious traditions around the world. While the specific names, forms, and functions of these beings can vary widely between cultures and belief systems, the underlying idea of benevolent spiritual beings providing guidance, protection, and support to individuals is a common theme. The following are some of the promiment teachings and traditions:
Shamanism: Shamanic traditions from various cultures, including Native American, Siberian, African, and South American traditions, often involve working with spirit guides. Shamans communicate with spirit helpers, often in the form of animals or ancestral spirits, to receive guidance, healing, and insight.
Indigenous and folk traditions: Many indigenous and folk traditions around the world believe in spirit helpers or guardian spirits to assist individuals in their daily lives and spiritual endeavors. These traditions often involve rituals, ceremonies, and prayers to invoke the help of benevolent spirits.
Neo-paganism and witchcraft: Modern pagan and witchcraft traditions, such as Wicca and Druidry, may include the concept of spirit guides, familiars (spiritual animal helpers), or deity guides. Practitioners may establish relationships with these beings through ritual, meditation, and spellwork.
Spiritualism: Spiritualism, a religious movement that emerged in the 19th century, emphasizes communication with spirits of the deceased, including spirit guides. Spiritualists believe in the existence of spirit realms and advocate mediumship to connect with spirits for guidance and messages.
Esoteric traditions: Esoteric traditions, such as Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and Rosicrucianism, often include the concept of spiritual beings or guides. These traditions explore hidden or mystical aspects of spirituality and may include practices for communicating with spiritual beings for enlightenment and spiritual growth.
Occult practices: Occultism encompasses a range of mystical and magical practices that often involve contact with spiritual entities. Occultists may work with ceremonial magic, divination, or astral projection to connect with guides or entities for spiritual insight and empowerment.
New Age spirituality: New Age beliefs encompass a wide range of spiritual practices and ideas, many of which include the concept of spirit guides. In New Age spirituality, spirit guides are seen as wise and loving beings who assist individuals on their spiritual journeys through intuition, dreams, and synchronicities.
Eastern spiritual traditions: Certain Eastern spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, include a belief in celestial beings, or bodhisattvas, who serve as guides and protectors. Followers may invoke these beings for help and blessings on their spiritual path.
Judaism: Angels (malakhim) are considered divine messengers and servants of God in Judaism. They are believed to carry out God’s will, deliver messages, protect individuals, and assist in spiritual matters. Although they are not personal guides in the same way as in some other traditions, angels play a crucial role in Jewish theology and mythology.’
Islam: In Islam, angels (malāʾikah) are considered beings created from light who serve as messengers of God and guardians of creation. They perform various tasks at God’s command, including delivering revelations to prophets and recording the deeds of human beings. Angels are believed to play a role in guiding and protecting believers.
Christianity: In Christianity, angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve as intermediaries between God and human beings. They are often portrayed as messengers, protectors, and guides. Some Christians believe that each person is assigned a guardian angel for protection and guidance throughout life. Christians also believe that the Holy Spirit is God’s presence and power active in the world, guiding believers, inspiring spiritual growth, and providing comfort and wisdom. The Holy Spirit is seen as a personal divine guide who dwells within believers, helping them to understand God’s will and empowering them to live the Christian life.
Are You Consciously Guided By Spirit?
Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the daily guidance of spirits and do not recognize the messages they send. Often the messages our guides send are lost on us because our lives are too busy and our minds too busy. To make matters worse, we also tend to ignore signs, synchronicities, and intuitions. This often leads to poor choices and decisions, and sometimes to disastrous, even life-threatening situations!
Spirit can only suggest, encourage and recommend. Our guides cannot force us to do anything against our free will. Nor can Spirit interfere in our lives and direct our choices without our participation and consent. In other words, our guides can only help us if we are willing to help ourselves. For the best results, we must ask for guidance and support, and then be open to receiving it.
When we are consciously and willingly guided by Spirit, we become more empowered and begin to believe in ourselves and our ability to make the best choices. Once we begin to believe, our highest good begins to unfold and we begin to manifest what we need to fulfill our mission and live our best life.
When we are open to Spirit’s guidance in making the right choices and decisions, more things begin to fall into place easily in our daily lives. Spirit can provide the pieces of the puzzle that we need. All we have to do is ask and then pay attention when the answers come.
Connecting With Your Spirit Guides
It is important that we strengthen our connection to our guides through spiritual practice and increased metaphysical awareness. We will be better for it in the end, in this life and the next.
Cultivating stronger and clearer communication with your guides involves developing your spiritual awareness, openness, and sensitivity to subtle energies and messages. Here are some spiritual practices and techniques that can help strengthen your connection with your guides:
Automatic Writing: Sit quietly with pen and paper and allow yourself to write freely without consciously directing your thoughts. You may receive messages or insights from your guides through this practice.
Candle or Crystal Work: Light a candle or hold a crystal with the intention of connecting with your guides. Focus your attention on the flame or crystal and invite your guides to communicate with you.
Divination: Use divination tools such as tarot cards, oracle cards, runes, or pendulums to communicate with your spirit guides. Develop a personal practice of divination that feels resonant and meaningful to you.
Dreamwork: Pay attention to your dreams. Before going to sleep, set the intention to connect with your guides. Keep a dream journal by your bed to record any guidance you receive during dream states.
Intention-Setting: Clearly state your intention to connect with your guides. Affirm your willingness to receive their guidance and support. Setting clear intentions helps to align your energy and focus your attention on connecting with the spiritual realm.
Intuitive Development: Engage in exercises that develop your intuition, such as guided intuition meditations or workshops. Trusting your intuitive senses can strengthen your ability to perceive your guides.
Journaling: Keep a journal to record your spiritual experiences, dreams, and any intuitive insights you receive. Writing down your thoughts and experiences can help you identify patterns and messages from your spirit guides over time.
Meditation: Regular meditation practice is key to quieting the mind, enhancing intuition, and deepening spiritual awareness. Set aside time each day to sit quietly, focus on your breath, and create a calm inner space where you can be receptive to the guidance of your guides.
Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness throughout the day helps you stay present and aware, making it easier to notice subtle signs, synchronicities, and intuitive feelings that may be messages from your guides.Prayer: Set aside time each day to pray or speak directly to your guides. You can use traditional prayers or just speak from your heart. Ask for guidance, protection, and clarity as you connect with them. Prayer is a beautiful way to express your intentions and gratitude to your guides, fostering a deeper connection and sense of awe in your spiritual exploration.
Prayer: Set aside time each day to pray or speak directly to your guides. You can use traditional prayers or just speak from your heart. Ask for guidance, protection, and clarity as you connect with them. Prayer is a beautiful way to express your intentions and gratitude to your guides, fostering a deeper connection and sense of awe in your spiritual exploration.
Self-reflection: Spend time in nature or in quiet spaces where you can reflect and connect with your inner self. Being in a natural environment can increase your receptivity to spiritual energies and messages.
Signs & Synchronicities: Make it a habit to ask your guides for signs or symbols that they are present and guiding you. Be open to receiving these signs in unexpected ways, such as song lyrics, animal encounters, or meaningful coincidences.
Visualization: Listen to guided visualization meditations to invite your guides into your consciousness, or do your own visualization exercise in which you imagine a sacred space where you can meet and communicate with them.
Before connecting with your guides, invoke spiritual protection and set clear boundaries. State your intention to communicate only with benevolent and loving energies that have your best interests at heart. It is also important to express gratitude for your guides and their presence in your life. Thank them for their support and guidance, even if it’s not always obvious. I like to start with a prayer:
My beloved Spirit Guides, I open my heart and mind to your presence. Please guide me with your wisdom and love. Help me to recognize your signs and messages. I am grateful for your support on my spiritual journey. Thank you for being with me always.
Remember that developing a strong and clear connection with your guides is a personal journey that unfolds over time. Be open to experimenting with different practices and approaches to discover what resonates most deeply with you and strengthens your spiritual connection. Trust your intuition and inner guidance as you explore the realm of personal spiritual guidance and communication.
Your guides are always with you and working for your highest good, even if you don’t immediately sense their presence. Cultivate patience and openness to receiving guidance in divine timing. Consider working with a trusted psychic advisor, spiritual teacher, or intuitive mentor who can offer guidance and techniques for strengthening your connection with your guides.
Spirit Guides In Psychic Reading
One of the best ways to receive messages and guidance from your spirit guides is to request a reading with a psychic, medium, or trance channeler. Many of my clients seek guidance from spirit guides for personal growth, healing from trauma, or making important life decisions.
Spirit guides play a significant role in authentic psychic and medium readings by providing valuable assistance and information for the reader to pass on to the recipient of the reading. Spirit guides are involved in readings in the following important ways
Facilitating communication: Spirit guides act as mediators or facilitators during psychic and medium readings. They help connect the psychic or medium to the spirit realm and the energies of deceased loved ones or other spiritual entities.
Provide information: Spirit guides relay information, insights, or messages through the psychic or medium during a reading. This information may come in the form of thoughts, feelings, images, or symbols that the reader interprets and communicates to the client.
Interpretive assistance: Spirit guides also assist the psychic or medium in interpreting the information received from the spiritual realm. They may provide additional context, clarification, or guidance to ensure that the messages are accurately conveyed and understood.
Protection and guidance: Spirit guides play an important protective role during readings, ensuring that only benevolent and helpful energies are allowed to communicate. They also guide the psychic or medium in maintaining a safe and respectful connection with the spirit realm, and help to create a sacred and harmonious space in which to conduct readings, infusing the environment with positive energies and spiritual protection.
Professional guidance: Spirit guides serve not only the recipients of readings, but also the readers. They provide ongoing guidance and support to psychics and mediums in their spiritual development and professional practice. My guides continually assist me in honing my reading skills, expanding my psychic awareness, and deepening my connection to higher consciousness.
Setting boundaries and ethics: Spirit guides help establish ethical boundaries and guidelines for conducting readings. They help ensure that the reader approaches his or her work with integrity, compassion, and respect for both the living and the deceased.
Overall, spirit guides play an integral role in psychic and mediumistic work, serving not only as sources of information and guidance, but also as supportive allies and teachers for readers, channelers, healers, and other spiritual practitioners. Their presence and assistance enhance the quality and authenticity of readings and foster meaningful connections between the spirit realm and people seeking divine guidance or communication with loved ones beyond the physical world. Working in partnership with spirit guides allows psychics and mediums to offer profound insights, healing messages, and spiritual guidance to those they serve.