religion
Spiritual Awakening ‘Turns On The Light’
What exactly is a spiritual awakening, and is there a way you can tell if you are having one? Here are some ways to be aware of what is happening to you.
The first sign is usually when you are no longer living in a ‘dream world,’ where you used to see everything through your human ego and you were overly focused on the future and your past.
This is a clear sign that you are becoming more spiritually aware. You have a greater awareness of your individual self and the connection between that and everything else. Things start to come into better focus in your life and make more sense.
When you closely examine various religions and faith traditions, there is usually a common thread that describes this state of heightened awareness as nirvana, enlightenment, or awakening.
This new consciousness happens when you stop being the observer, and instead ask yourself, who is observing?
Many people go through life on ‘autopilot,’ because that is what they were taught, or they simply fell into a routine without giving much thought to who they really are, or what they truly need or desire to make their life meaningful.
Asking such questions about yourself is important for your personal growth and self-realization. It is ‘turning the light on’ so to speak. The first step in growth is always the awareness of the present moment followed by an impulse to change something. Continue reading
Simple Guidelines For Real Spiritual Growth
Spirituality is a wide-ranging concept with many diverse perspectives. In essence it is the process through which our inner being seeks to relate to something bigger than ourselves. It is the search for the meaning and purpose of our human existence.
Spirituality is about our soul or spirit, and the unseen realms, as opposed to material things and physical life. It is also the life-long pursuit of inner peace, unconditional love, and existential wisdom and understanding.
Many people believe that the secret to spiritual growth and development can only be found in a book, a lecture, dogmatic belief system, or some other product or service that will magically unlock the doors to spiritual insight, happiness, joy and fulfillment.
However, spirituality is a unique, personal path that each of us can explore on our own, from within. The following guidelines may be helpful on your journey towards spiritual fulfillment.
Reflection
The first step in personal spiritual growth is reflecting on your life journey. To be spiritual is to be questioning and inquisitive. Spiritual growth is a process of constantly learning and improving. One must be willing to open yourself to personal and spiritual growth, and by doing this your world opens up and things become less scary.
Holding on to past events keeps us from experiencing new adventures, and the emotional baggage will only weigh you down. Accept your past mistakes and learn from them. Reflect on what changes need to happen for you to move forward.
We are all teachers. We are either teaching someone, or they are teaching us – both good and bad. Learn from your experiences and move on with life.
The Spiritual Power Of The Words You Speak
Have you ever stopped to truly consider the words you speak? Most of us talk all day, every day, without realizing the impact of each syllable we send out into the world.
Words are much more than just communication sounds. They’re vibrations, frequencies, and intentions. Whether spoken softly, shouted out loud, or whispered quietly to yourself, every word carries mystical energy.
In many spiritual traditions, the spoken word is seen as a powerful metaphysical force or divine power. It is a force of creation and transformation.
From magical incantations to sacred ceremonies, words have long been used to shape everyday reality, influence the world and improve life.
The earliest recorded reference to the power of speech dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. In the city of Uruk, magical incantations were found carved onto clay tablets dating back to approximately the 5th century BCE. These spoken spells were used for protection, healing, and influencing others, revealing a deep understanding of the energetic and powerful nature of speech as early as 2,500 years ago.
Around the same time, the ancient Egyptians believed in the concept of heka, which is often translated today as “magic” but really means “divine creative power.” They believed the gods used heka to create the world, and that humans could access this same creative power through sacred words called hekau.
Walking In Faith Through Life’s Ups And Downs
Most of us go through life like it is a roller coaster ride. We have our ups and downs, our good days and our hard ones. Sometimes we catch ourselves saying things we probably shouldn’t, or reaching for that chocolate chip cookie even though we promised ourselves we wouldn’t.
Temptation is everywhere. That little voice in our head tells us to go for it, even when our gut or intuition says it’s not a good idea. It can leave us feeling torn and unsure of what the right choice really is.
And then, on top of all our personal ups and downs, there’s everything going on in the world around us. Lately, it feels like we’re living through constant upheaval: wars, natural disasters, political division, economic stress, runaway technology, and so much uncertainty about the future. All of it adds to the pressure we already carry.
It’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed or tempted to numb ourselves with distractions. When everything feels unstable, it’s easy to lose our sense of direction or forget the spiritual tools that keep us grounded.
That’s why staying connected to faith, however that looks for you, is more important than ever. It becomes an anchor in the storm, something solid to hold onto when everything else feels like it’s shifting.
Faith helps us pause, speak with care, and make better choices. It gives us insight and direction. When we turn away from it or get stuck in negative thinking, that’s usually when life starts feeling harder and more complicated.
My Surprising Journey Into Spirit Mediumship
I had my first encounter with the spirit realm in the summer of 1987, during an evening of mediumship at a spiritualist church. That night changed everything. From then on, I regularly attended Sunday services.
My keen interest was not out of a newfound religious fervor, but simply to experience more of the spirit messages, which were always part of the service.
I was utterly mesmerized by the idea of communicating with the spirit world, and I found joy in listening to messages delivered to others as much as I did to those meant for me.
One evening, I received an unexpected call from a new friend I’d met at the church. She facilitated the weekly meditation and healing sessions. She informed me that my name had appeared on the registration sheet for an upcoming mediumship class.
I was baffled. I hadn’t signed up for anything? She then laughed and admitted that she had signed me up herself! She explained that, after getting to know me through her programs, she had a gut feeling that I might enjoy the experience.
Truthfully, I had also been attending the meditation and healing sessions primarily to receive more messages from spirit. Each session concluded with a medium delivering some messages until closing time, and I relished those moments.
It never even occurred to me that ordinary people like me could learn to become a medium. I had no prior background or training. Until my first visit to that Spiritualist church, I didn’t even know such places existed!
You Too Were Born With Psychic Senses
In media interviews, one of the first questions that celebrity psychics and mediums are often asked is, “At what age did you realize you had this gift?”
However, I don’t believe this ability is exclusive to a select few. We are all born with psychic senses. Most people simply need to learn how to tune into and trust themselves enough to use all their senses with confidence.
For example, imagine someone walking through the woods suddenly feeling the hair on the back of their neck stand up, or a prickling sensation down their spine, when a wild animal is nearby. This alert system kicks in without explanation. People rarely question how it works. They just accept it as natural instinct.
Psychic sensing is no different, but it requires taking the time to understand how your intuitive senses work allows you to use them more consciously and effectively.
It’s like learning to sing. Some people are born with a natural gift. Others need guidance and training to develop their voice. Psychic ability works the same way.
One of the most common questions I hear is, “Why can’t I see, hear, or just know things like you do?” The answer is simple: you can. You just need to relax, trust yourself, and perhaps take a few classes to discover your personal “shorthand.”
Nurturing Soul Bonds Beyond Rational Understanding
Psychology has provided us with invaluable tools for navigating life’s challenges. It helps us understand ourselves and each other, improves our communication, and builds stronger relationships. Whether we’re managing stress, boosting emotional intelligence, or making better decisions at work or at home, psychological insights guide us toward healthier, more connected lives.
However, there’s another layer to our existence that studying the mind alone can’t fully reach. While psychology breaks things down into patterns and causes, the soul deals in ongoing, heart-to-heart connections that go beyond intellectual discussion and analysis.
Psychology can explain why we feel anxious, how old wounds still affect us, and which coping strategies we tend to use. This kind of insight can spark real change.
However, understanding alone stops at the intellectual level. It doesn’t inspire the deeper truths and wisdom that make us feel truly alive and connected.
This is where ‘soul care,’ rather than analysis or therapy, offers a different path.
Rather than observing ourselves and others as case studies, soul care invites us to honor all our relationships — past, present, and future, as well as beyond this life — with warmth and continuity. It invites us to see friends, family, teachers, and deceased loved ones as conscious, eternal presences to be celebrated, not merely dissected.