Dear friends (Angel and Spirit),

I agree to some extent with you about the need of books and notes and having a study or support-group when learning something new, and perhaps more technical, such as astrology etc. However, when one is studying to become a psychic or practice divination, it is a good idea to not get too biased or influenced by other people's views and perceptions. Another thing about learning to be psychic is that as you practice and become more proficient, you begin to learn what works best for you as well. I hope it does not sound corny but a psychic in training first intutes about his or her own curriculum! :-)

That said, yes some serious discussion with another one on the path, a few miles ahead of the student can only help.

RR

[quote="flight _of_angelwings"]Well said spiritalk, I should have said actually keeping a diary for all your notes and messages and documenting them is also a good way.  When It comes down to it though the only way I learnt the most effective was to put into practise what I knew and that was to have friends and friends of friends let me give them readings.  Also having an experienced person that understands these tools helps also.  Actually I found its a must you need someone far more experienced to talk too, its just too confsuing and hard if you do it without help or support.  I wouldnt know how to sort out my goings on in my head if I didnt have a meditation circle or good experienced trusted friend to help me out.[/quote]

With Psychic or Mediumship training it is important to get the basics (just as with any skill or talent...music comes to mind...even a concert pianist had to learn the fingering from a teacher) and then hone their own skills with practice, practice, practice.  All things taught have the capacity to be made your own in your own way...after all the instrument we are using is our own body, mind, spirit.  There is much to be learned from a teacher....listen and the right person for your aid will be found.

roh:  One of the best authors on psychic development:  Tara Ward in Developing Your Psychic Powers shows how we begin with those 5 senses we use in our material existence.  And how we can take them to another level (psychic) within our being and sensitivities when we add 2 more:  Intuition and I know (this comes from the heart - it neither sees nor hears - it just knows).  The instrument we use to manifest psychic abilities is our own body, mind, spirit.  The more we understand its functions, the more we are and can expand that knowledge in psychic abilities.

It is all a learning process.  Just a child began life as a human being (now why would they need a teacher? After all, they have all the human traits!  Perhaps, it is because they lack the experience?) and needs direction - all our talents and skills can do with a hand up in our practices.

Dear ST,

Call me jaded or worse, cynical but even though I do keep reading books and articles and so on, for the last many years I am getting the feeling that all of these books and internet articles are simply rehashing the same thing over and over again, in new wordings, some rather innovative, and are wrapping the same candy in different attractive wrappers. We buy these candies based on the wrappers and who those appeal to us and we buy these books based on what is placed on their wrappers (words on the back cover of the dust jacket) but when you get to the candy, the taste is boringly familiar.

And it is not just spiritual literature but also the love of my life, astrology and divination.

Perhaps all that needs to be written and read has been done already and now it needs to be invited into our lives and practiced and meditated. And not just by the writer of these words but also by all who will read what got posted through my keyboard that is a hostage of my soul (I presume and hope!)    ;-)

RR

PS: By the way -- Good responses to the what is spirituality thread beloved friends! After reading this response, perhaps you will know why I started that thread! If there is a moment to burn the books (well not literally, maybe put them away in a time capsure just in case some rustic alien shows up on Gaia's door when we have retreated into the Great Cave for meditation, they will perhaps be able to figure us out!

[quote="spiritalk"]roh:  One of the best authors on psychic development:  Tara Ward in Developing Your Psychic Powers shows how we begin with those 5 senses we use in our material existence.  And how we can take them to another level (psychic) within our being and sensitivities when we add 2 more:  Intuition and I know (this comes from the heart - it neither sees nor hears - it just knows).  The instrument we use to manifest psychic abilities is our own body, mind, spirit.  The more we understand its functions, the more we are and can expand that knowledge in psychic abilities.

It is all a learning process.  Just a child began life as a human being (now why would they need a teacher? After all, they have all the human traits!  Perhaps, it is because they lack the experience?) and needs direction - all our talents and skills can do with a hand up in our practices.[/quote]

Just as astrology, divination (and all metaphysical skills) are very interesting...there is ALWAYS a time to LEARN more!  With the mind so closed to literature, we would still be in the dark ages on all subjects...after all it would have been written before!

Evolution is taking an old, ancient idea and working it into the current knowledge.  Open the mind and it will mean more.

BTW it is the experimenters that end up seeking the services of the experienced at some point.  Fooling around with what you don't understand the ramifications of, has its resultant happenings.