gifts
Embracing The Mirages Of Life
Imagine yourself walking through a hot desert, whipped by the relentless winds, and scorched by what feels like an unforgiving sun. Suddenly, a crystal-clear spring emerges in the distance. But the closer you come to this beautiful fountain, the more you realize that its calm waters are evaporating into thin air.
Taken aback, you face the reality that what you envisioned was never real or true. It was nothing more than a mere mirage. This optical illusion created by warm air near the ground refracting the light from the sky has deceived weary travelers for thousands of years. Ancient poets even wrote verses that spoke of the delights and dangers of the mirage. Sacred texts reveal the mirage that gave hungry and thirsty pilgrims hope during long migrations or exodus.
As a spiritualist, I often receive calls from clients who have also been misled by mirages, only these mirages are not of the biblical deserts that prophets of old journeyed across. These are instead the ‘mirages of life.’ I often hear clients lament how everything appeared to line up so perfectly, but the outcome was an unexpected disappointment. My answer is always the same. There are times in life when on the surface everything seems to be falling into place, yet the desired outcome does not complete the story we had hoped to write.
I some cases, the seemingly ‘perfect partner’ stuck around for years without any proposal for marriage. In other instances, there was an awesome interview for the dream job that ultimately was offered to someone else. I could share countless examples of how expected outcomes are sometimes derailed in our world.
We have all encountered mirages in our life, as well as the disappointment and heartbreak that follow. But if you really take a step back and reflect on your past disappointments, you will soon note that Spirit always had a much better plan with your name on it. The love you thought you lost is often replaced with a better love you never imagined possible. The position you wanted more than anything was more appropriately aligned with someone else, and instead of misplacing your gifts and talents, the new job you ultimately found was much more fulfilling than you ever thought possible.
Accepting Your Psychic Abilities
I was recently asked how I became aware and started using my psychic abilities. For many this can be a complicated, challenging journey, but I was fortunate to grow into my psychic gifts quite easily.
It all began with me growing up in a small town with a population of only 8000 souls. We were a large family of 12 children, which at that time was more common than today.
From the time I can remember, my mother used to foretell events and always spoke of a person’s “inner character,” as if she could clearly see their internal mechanisms as one would with an X-ray. It was also clear to everyone who knew her that she never seemed to be wrong in her estimations.
At the same time, my grandmother, as well as my father, frequently spoke of spirits coming back to visit us from the afterlife, and sightings of loved ones who had passed on was a common occurrence in our family life.
I can remember even as a very young child that I also just ‘knew things’ and certainly it never occurred to me to question the validity of any information I perceived. In my family it was not unusual to hear talk of someone having the “third eye” or the “second sight.” No one was ever denied their gifts.
As children we simply took these ideas in our stride and accepted them as natural and normal. We never had reason to question any of it and we didn’t realize this was not something all children experienced in their families. It was as common to us as any other domestic event that would occur in other people’s homes.
Psychic ability, metaphysics and the paranormal was something that we would naturally nourish growing up and utilize to whatever advantage we needed. Maybe ones of the reasons it became so strong among the siblings, was our inherent drive to survive under extremely arduous and stressful conditions. Only later in life did we come to understand that not all brother and sisters develop this strong psychic bond, with the ability to connect and detect danger in any situation, despite the great distances that might separate us to this day.
To Live Gratitude Is To Touch Heaven
One aspect of spiritual living too seldom addressed is our lack of true appreciation and gratitude for all the blessings in our lives, regardless of our circumstances.
Some spiritual seekers tend to be very keen on beating the drum of prosperity, and becoming fixated on the Law of Attraction and manifesting abundance, which is too often merely a thinly disguised obsession with material wealth and earthly comforts.
Most of us simply take too much for granted every day. We experience so many blessings of joy, beauty, forgiveness, protection and Divine grace, which we seldom acknowledge in our lives. We always have something to be grateful, or thankful for, no matter how difficult times may be. As a species we are very good at complaining about what we don’t have, but we seem to find it difficult to give thanks for what we do have.
We seldom express our gratitude and appreciation towards those we love and cherish, and we hardly ever remember to share what we have with those who have less – not because we feel obligated, but because we feel so much appreciation that we simply want to share our abundant blessings with others. Charity is not about lending a helping hand; it is about celebrating all that we have, and to share our joy and appreciation.
Research has demonstrated an indisputable connection between gratitude and spirituality. It is no coincidence that gratitude is regarded as a much cherished and valued quality by most world religions, including the Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu Jewish, and Christian traditions. When reviewing the large body of research done on the subject, gratitude seems to play a much more noteworthy role in our happiness and well-being than most other emotions and personality traits.
Several research studies in recent years have shown that people who have a tendency towards higher levels of gratitude also tend to report higher levels of psychological, emotional and physical well-being. People who are grateful have been shown to be happier, more optimistic and more content with their lives. They also appear to have lower levels of stress and depression, and they are more satisfied with their relationships and social interaction with others.
The Miracle Gift Of Spiritual Healing
I discovered that I had the spiritual gift of healing many years ago when I went to visit my father in the hospital. He was in great pain and something told me to gently touch the knee he had just had surgery on. It was not my intention to accomplish anything, just to comfort him. But then I saw his expression change from agonizing pain to instant relief. That to me was a miracle!
The next great healing miracle happened when one of my twin daughters was ice skating when she was about 8 years old. I was watching the children enjoy the beautiful winter day when my daughter suddenly slipped and fell. I will never forget her painful scream. I knew immediately that this was really bad! By the time I got to her, others were helping her, but she would not stop screaming. Hearing her in such pain shot through my heart like a bullet.
When I got to her, I immediately saw the bone protruding through her skin. I put my hands over the fracture on her forearm and said, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Immediately she stopped crying and said, “Mommy, it doesn’t hurt anymore. I was stunned and so was everyone else.
I held her arm all the way to the hospital, and when we got there, they made me remove my hands. Again I had to listen to my daughter scream in pain and I felt helpless.
After they immobilized her arm, they let me see her. I touched the cast on her arm and immediately felt that it was not properly applied. Of course, they refused to listen to me at first, but I kept insisting that something was wrong. Finally, they agreed to take a second x-ray, which showed that my daughter’s arm was indeed not in the correct position. So she had to have it done again. One of the nurses asked me how I knew. I never answered.
Once the second cast was on, I felt that her arm was now properly aligned. But now there was another problem. This time I felt that the cast was cutting into her bent arm. Again, they refused to listen to my concerns. To this day, my daughter has a deep scar where the cast cut into her arm.
Over the years, I have come to realize more and more that I have the ability to heal. Today I feel honored to be blessed with such a gift, but I have never felt that the healing comes from me. I am just the medium or the channel. The healing comes from God. Over the years this has been an invaluable gift, but I do not flaunt it. It is just good to know it is there.
Meanwhile, my guides have been very helpful in teaching me more about spiritual healing and energy medicine. For example, they have shown me that when you lay your hands on someone to heal them, you must first “air wash” their entire aura to cleanse the energy. Then, when you feel the heat from the injured area coming into your hands, don’t release it back into the atmosphere, but imagine putting it in a jar and then sealing the lid. Also, be careful not to let it go into your own body, as some people absorb the energy they take out.
What Is The Gift Of Healing?
The spiritual gift of healing is an ancient and revered ability that has been recognized in various cultures and religious traditions. From esoteric teachings to mystical practices, the gift of healing is seen as a profound connection to divine energies, enabling the healer to channel these energies to restore balance and health.
The universe and our existence within it are the result of a complex interplay of energies, and each of us is a microcosm of this greater whole. Spiritual healing involves restoring harmony and balance within the energetic systems of the body, mind, and spirit. The healer acts as a conduit for divine or universal energy, facilitating the recipient’s return to a state of equilibrium.
The spiritual gift of healing is a miracle gift due to its profoundly transformative and supernatural nature. It transcends conventional understanding and taps into the realm of faith and divine intervention. Those who possess this gift are able to channel divine energy or power to bring about physical, emotional, or spiritual restoration to people in need. The instantaneous or inexplicable recoveries witnessed through this gift often defy medical explanation and profound impact of these healings often leaves recipients and witnesses in awe.
Modern Healing Miracles
Here are just five examples of people who reported experiencing miraculous spiritual or faith-based healing:
Andrew Strom: Andrew Strom, an evangelist, recounts his own experience of healing from a chronic eye condition. Despite medical prognosis suggesting irreversible damage, he claims to have experienced sudden and complete healing during a time of prayer.
Anita Moorjani: Anita was diagnosed with terminal cancer. During a near-death experience, she reports encountering overwhelming feelings of love and acceptance. When she revived, she felt a newfound peace and her cancer was inexplicably in remission. Anita attributes this healing to her spiritual awakening.
Bruno Groening: Groening was a German healer who channeled divine healing energy. Thousands of people reported healings from various ailments after attending his gatherings. While medical explanations exist for some of these healings, the sheer number and variety defy easy explanation.
Delia Knox: In 2005, Delia Knox was paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident. She attended a healing service where, during prayer, she felt a sensation in her legs. Subsequently, she stood up and walked, astonishing both herself and the audience.
Harold Fuller: Harold was born blind. Raised in a religious household, he fervently prayed for sight. He reports experiencing a dramatic healing during a religious service, regaining his vision completely. There is no documented medical explanation for this event.
Jaxon Buckley: Jaxon, a young boy, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. Doctors gave him weeks to live. His family turned to prayer, and Jaxon reportedly experienced a vision of Jesus. Shortly after, scans showed the tumor had shrunk significantly, and Jaxon went into remission. There is no scientific explanation for this dramatic turnaround.
Jean-Pierre Bely: Jean-Pierre Bely, a Frenchman, suffered from multiple sclerosis, which left him wheelchair-bound and partially paralyzed. He visited Lourdes in 1987 and bathed in the waters of the Lourdes Grotto. Following this, he reported a gradual improvement in his condition, eventually leading to his complete recovery. ourdes, a town in France, is famous for its reported miracles associated with the Virgin Mary. Pilgrims visit the site, particularly the Lourdes Grotto, seeking healing from various afflictions. Numerous cases of unexplained healings, verified by medical experts, have been documented throughout the years.
Kathryn Murray: Kathryn was paralyzed from the neck down after a car accident. Confined to a wheelchair, she turned to intense prayer and meditation. Over time, she regained some movement and eventually was able to walk again. Medical science cannot fully explain the extent of her recovery.
Mireille D’Allance: Mireille D’Allance was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, which had metastasized to her bones. After attending a healing service at a church, she reported experiencing a sensation of warmth and energy, followed by a complete disappearance of her cancer upon subsequent medical examination.
These stories represent firsthand accounts of individuals who attribute their healing to spiritual or faith-based experiences, providing evidence for miraculous healing interventions beyond conventional medical understanding. It’s important to note that these are just a few examples, and there is not always scientific consensus on such miraculous healings. Some may be due to misdiagnosis, spontaneous remission, or the placebo effect. However, for the people who experience them, these events are deeply meaningful and a testament to their faith.
Famous Spiritual Healers
Many important figures in various religions and spiritual traditions have been associated with the spiritual gift of healing, including:
Jesus Christ: Considered the ultimate healer in Christianity, Jesus is said to have performed numerous miraculous healings throughout his ministry. From healing the blind to raising the dead, his actions are seen as a manifestation of God’s love and power.
The Buddha: Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is revered not only for his profound spiritual teachings, but also for his healing abilities. The Jataka stories, which recount the Buddha’s past lives, describe various instances in which he healed people through compassion and wisdom. The Buddha’s approach to healing emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of suffering, which often arise from ignorance, attachment, and aversion.
Krishna: A revered avatar of Vishnu, Krishna is considered a divine healer. His teachings in the Bhagavad Gita emphasize detachment from worldly desires and finding solace in devotion to God, which can bring a sense of inner healing.
Hazrat Ali: The son-in-law and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, Ali is revered in Shia Islam for his wisdom and spiritual authority. He is also associated with miraculous healings and is often called upon for intercession in times of illness.
Saint Peter: One of Jesus’ disciples, Peter is believed to have inherited the gift of healing after Pentecost. The Acts of the Apostles records instances of Peter healing the sick through prayer and faith.
Padre Pio: A 20th-century Italian Capuchin priest, Padre Pio is known for his stigmata (wounds resembling Christ’s crucifixion) and for reports of miraculous healings associated with his prayers and blessings.
Hildegard of Bingen: A 12th-century German Benedictine abbess, Hildegard was a prolific writer, composer, and visionary. She is also known for her herbal remedies and holistic approach to healing, which integrated physical treatments with faith and prayer. She wrote extensively on natural medicine and holistic health, incorporating her mystical visions into her healing practices. Hildegard believed that health was a balance between the elements and humors in the body, and she used herbs, diet, and spiritual practices to treat illness. Her approach integrated spiritual insight with practical knowledge, making her a pioneer of holistic healing.
Sai Baba of Shirdi: Sai Baba of Shirdi, an Indian spiritual master revered by both Hindu and Muslim devotees, is known for his miraculous healing powers. He has performed numerous healings, curing diseases and ailments considered incurable by modern medicine. Sai Baba’s healing methods included the use of holy ash (vibhuti), prayers, and his mere touch or presence. His healings were not only physical, but also aimed at spiritual upliftment, guiding individuals on a path of devotion and self-realization.
Yogananda: Founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship, Yogananda brought the practice of Kriya Yoga to the West. He emphasized the connection between physical health, mental well-being, and spiritual growth, promoting a holistic approach to healing.
Paramahansa Yogananda: A direct disciple of Yogananda, Paramahansa Yogananda is known for his lectures and writings on Self-realization and Kriya Yoga. His followers believe that he had the ability to heal through prayer and spiritual attunement.
Jesus Christ: The Divine Healer
Jesus Christ is one of the most famous figures associated with the gift of healing. The New Testament of the Bible records numerous instances of Jesus healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, and even raising the dead. His healing miracles are seen as manifestations of divine power and compassion. For example, the Gospel of Matthew (8:16-17) says, “With one word he drove out demons and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.'”
Jesus did many incredible healing miracles. He healed a man blind from birth by making mud with his saliva, applying it to the man’s eyes, and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man received his sight. A paralyzed man was lowered through the roof of a house where Jesus was teaching. Jesus forgave his sins and told him to pick up his mat and walk,
Jairus, a synagogue leader, asked Jesus to heal his dying daughter. Although he had been informed of her death, Jesus went to her, took her hand, and told her to get up. She came back to life, demonstrating His power over death.
A Roman captain asked Jesus to heal his lame servant. Jesus marveled at the centurion’s faith and healed the servant from afar, demonstrating that faith, not proximity, is the key to healing. Jesus also healed ten lepers who were crying out for mercy. He sent them to show themselves to the priests, and they were cleansed on the way. Only one returned to thank him.
Jesus is a great role-model for the modern spiritual healer. The many healings he performed, as recorded in the Gospels, demonstrate his compassion, spiritual authority, and divine connection. They also illustrate his ability to heal a wide range of physical, emotional, and spiritual conditions, offering hope and restoration to those in need. Through these acts, Jesus affirmed the importance of faith, the power of God’s love, and the spiritual potential for miraculous transformation in our lives.
The Wounded Healer Archetype
The wounded healer archetype plays a significant role in the spiritual gift of healing, influencing how healers perceive and approach their practice. The best healers typically draw on their own experiences of suffering, trauma, or personal life challenges to empathize with and heal others.
The wounded healer archetype emphasizes the healer’s ability to empathize with others who are suffering. Having personally experienced pain or adversity, healers can better understand and connect with the struggles of those they seek to help. This deep empathy allows them to offer genuine compassion and support, which are essential components of healing. Through their own wounds and experiences, healers undergo a process of transformation and growth. They learn valuable lessons, gain insight, and develop resilience that can be applied to their healing work. This personal healing journey equips them with wisdom and understanding that can benefit others on their path to wellness.
The wounded healer archetype encourages healers to embrace their own vulnerabilities and imperfections. By acknowledging and integrating their own wounds, healers cultivate authenticity and humility in their practice. This openness creates a safe and trusting space for healing to occur as clients feel understood and accepted without judgment. The shared experience of overcoming adversity is also a powerful catalyst for healing. When healers share their own stories of struggle and resilience, they inspire hope and offer encouragement to those they serve. This shared journey fosters a sense of solidarity and connection, reinforcing the belief that healing is possible for everyone.
While healers may often draw from their own wounds in their healing work, the ultimate goal is to transcend personal suffering and facilitate healing for others. By channeling divine or universal energy, healers act as conduits for healing forces that transcend individual pain and suffering. In this way, they serve as beacons of light and catalysts for transformation in the lives of others.
In essence, the wounded healer archetype enriches the spiritual gift of healing by infusing it with empathy, authenticity, and transformative power. By embracing their own wounds and vulnerabilities, healers tap into a deeper reservoir of compassion and wisdom that empowers them to guide others on their journey toward wholeness and healing.
Signs Of The Gift Of Healing
Do you feel a deep desire to see others healed, both physically and emotionally? Are you naturally drawn to environments or practices that focus on healing, such as prayer groups or faith-based healing services? Do you often find yourself drawn to people who are sick or struggling, feeling a nudge to offer support or prayer? Have you witnessed or experienced positive results after praying for someone’s healing? It’s important to note that this does not guarantee a gift, but it can be a sign.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be blessed with the spiritual gift of healing. Here’s a checklist of signs that you may have the gift of healing:
Unexplained Healing Abilities: You’ve experienced instances where your presence, touch, or words seem to facilitate healing or relief for others, even when you didn’t consciously intend to heal. This is usually the most important and obvious clue that you have a spiritual healing gift.
Intuitive Insights: You often experience intuitive flashes, gut feelings or inner knowing about people’s physical, emotional or spiritual conditions.
Strong Energy Sensitivity: You are sensitive to subtle shifts in energy and may feel tingling, warmth, or vibrations in your hands or body during interactions with others.
Healing Dreams / Visions: You have vivid dreams or visions related to healing, receiving guidance, or being in a healing environment.
Strong Empathy: You easily feel and understand the emotions and experiences of others, often feeling deeply connected to their pain or suffering.
Comfort With Touch: You have a natural inclination toward touch and find comfort in providing physical support or comfort to others through hugs, hand holding, or gentle touch.
Desire To Relieve Suffering: You have a strong desire to help others alleviate their pain, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and may feel called to assist those in need.
Healing Environments: You feel uplifted, energized, or at peace in environments conducive to healing, such as nature, sacred spaces, or energetically balanced rooms.
Feedback From Others: You receive positive feedback or acknowledgement from friends, family, or acquaintances about your ability to provide comfort, support, or relief during difficult times.
Spiritual Purpose: You have a deep personal connection and keen interest in spirituality, faith, or a higher power and feel guided by divine wisdom or inspiration to pursue a healing practice.
Interest in Healing Modalities: You feel strongly drawn to exploring various healing modalities such as Reiki, energy healing, massage therapy, or spiritual counseling as a way to deepen your healing abilities.
Past Life Memories: You may have a strong resonance with stories or memories of past life healing, or feel a sense of familiarity with healing practices from other cultures or time periods.
It’s important to remember that these signs are not definitive proof that you are a gifted healer, but rather indicators that you may have natural healing abilities. If you resonate with many of these signs and feel drawn to the path of healing, consider exploring the teachings of your preferred religion or spiritual tradition on the subject. Talk to faith leaders or healing mentors, and look for opportunities to serve others in a way that aligns with your values.
My Childhood Psychic Awakening
Being gifted from an early age, I had lots of questions, and wanted specific, detailed answers about psychic phenomena, spirituality and the paranormal. This later became my norm to everything, and the world around me. The why’s and how’s continue to fascinate me in every aspect of my life.
My spirit guides have been very helpful over the years, as I found that humans can seldom answer my questions clearly, nor adequately. Over the years, my guides provided me with the stepping stones for my personal psychic development.
My guides assured me early on that they would never give me more than I could handle. They also made it clear that the truth of anything can always be confirmed by simply asking. I believed them, and each time I had an unusual sense or feeling, I asked for confirmation. I still do.
My first paranormal encounters and psychic experiences were with the animals. Their energy and communication is easier to understand, just like my guides, and they always communicate with unconditional love. This also led to a special bond with nature, and especially the trees. Soon after came the wind, and the water, their sounds so soothing and calm. As a child, I always experienced a deep, tranquil feeling of well-being, serenity and inner peace whenever I was outside in nature. I still do.
My next extra-sensory experiences were of premonitions and forebodings concerning the safety and well-being of others. At such a young age these presentiments were tricky to relay to adults. I would sense that someone was in danger, or shouldn’t go on a trip, or should not engage with a certain person who had dark energy around them. These apprehensions seemed to constantly haunt me. How do you share such warnings with grownups who will not listen, or take your seriously?
The True Value Of Psychic Insight
There is so much more value to accessing psychic insight than simply seeking to see what the future holds. The true value of life, in fact, is not in the future. It is occurring now, in the moment. This is where eternity is truly touched.
The Bhagavad-Gita (Song of God) is a spiritual manual for humanity, spoken over 5,000 years ago, between the infallible Lord Shri Krishna and His dear devotee Arjuna. It offers timeless wisdom to appreciate the value of the present, the now.
This conversation is said to have taken place neat the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the current state of Haryana, India. In the capitol, known as Hastinapura (present day New Delhi), the blind king Dhritarashtra sat with his minister Sanjaya, inquiring about what was occurring between his sons (the Kurus) and their cousins (the Pandavas), as they gathered with their respective armies to fight for the throne.
Dhritarashtra’s nephews were the rightful heirs and righteous rulers, whose kingdom was usurped by the intrigues of their evil-minded relatives. Refusing to go in peace, the Kurus incited war. As it was set to begin, Dhritarashtra was anxious and restless to know what was transpiring between the two parties.
The king’s clairvoyant, Sanjaya, tuned in to what was happening, as if by transcendental television. By the grace of his spiritual teacher, Sanjaya had received this ability to see and hear from afar.
Sanjaya’s guru gave him these gifts of clairvoyance and clairaudience in order to render a great service, not only to the king, but to the world for centuries to come. For, what he relayed to Dhritarashtra included divine instructions imparted by Krishna to Arjuna (one of the Pandavas) when he was bewildered by the situation before him.
Although Arjuna was, in fact, a fully-realized soul beyond the influence of illusion. He merely played the part of an ordinary conditioned human, so that these immortal words would be spoken for the benefit of all those seeking to navigate their way through the troubles of life, and reach its ultimate purpose.
Astrological Forecast November 23 – 29, 2020
The only significant astrological event on the agenda this week is Neptune turning direct on Saturday, after a five month retrograde cycle. Since it’s a subtle aspect, it should pass almost unnoticed! Although Neptune is a karmic planet that tends to move in the background, it has a higher purpose to direct us spiritually, allowing us to connect with our higher self, as well as our magical powers. As it shifts direction, this is a wonderful time to explore our intuitive, psychic and mystical gifts.
It may feel like we’re running in circles under today’s Pisces Moon, but as it grounds itself in Aries tomorrow, we’ll have three days to gather our wits about us, and prepare for Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend. We’ll greet the traditional ‘Black Friday’ shopping rush under a Taurus Moon, which bodes well for finding great bargains or regrouping after over-doing it on Thursday.
Our best bet this weekend is to focus on intellectual and social pursuits, as the Neptune shift on Saturday and the Gemini Moon on Sunday encourages thinking and dreaming big!