Hypnosis 101: What is it? How Does It Work? And What Is the Benefit?

Many people are curious and fascinated by hypnosis. However those same often have reservations, misconceptions, and an overall picture of a person standing over someone with a pendulum telling the subject they will become very sleepy and to do whatever the hypnotist says. For others it is simply getting past the word itself Hypnosis” (Bolduc).

Interesting fact: there are hypnotists that use the pendulum technique (it is real!) and there are many who do not. (Full disclosure: I don’t). What many people think is hypnosis is actually “stage hypnosis”. Stage hypnosis meant purely for entertainment and fun; it is real, and it is pretty cool!

In contrast, hypnotherapy has a long track record of helping clients lose weight, develop more self-confidence, helping police solve crimes, healing past-lives, and healing inner child trauma;  making hypnosis  a powerful healing and transformative therapeutic tool for the mind, body, and spirit.

Probably the most common misconception of hypnosis is that the hypnotist has control over the subject. This is why many hypnotherapists term achieving a hypnotic state as going “into hypnosis” versus being “under hypnosis”; it is to reassure the client that there is no one “over” them.

Another concern almost all clients have is revealing any inner dark secrets or embarrassing tidbits about themselves.  Fact: it is impossible for someone to behave in a way against their own free will, and/or reveal secrets in a state of hypnosis because:

1) In reality at the end of the day all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Believe it or not, people go into states of hypnosis every day whether they’re aware of it or not. The two most immediate examples are during long highway driving or becoming engrossed in a book.

2)Whether it’s stage hypnosis or hypnotherapy, the same axiom exists: the subject has willingly has agreed to walk on stage and be an active participant, or has voluntarily made an appointment and come with 100% free will to make a shift in their lives, and the client has made the choice that he or she does not want certain personal information exposed.

3) Furthermore, the client has full control over how deep into hypnosis he or she wants to go. Hypothetically, if I had total and complete control “over” my clients, they’d all be dropping weight in three days and never pick up a cigarette again!

4) At the end of the day it’s all based on free will. Hypnosis cannot take away one’s free will since it is the will of the person’s mind who is allowing them to go into hypnosis in the first place.

I often am asked HOW is hypnosis done? How do I hypnotize someone?

My style of hypnosis is taking my clients through guided-visual imagery and breathing techniques and guiding clients to basically get out of their own way. The conscious mind-Ego is a wonderful driver and ambitious, however it can also hinder us. So, while going into hypnosis I’m temporarily asking the client to give their conscious mind a break, so their subconscious can step up and absorb the suggestions being spoken. The subconscious is where all are true desires lie and it is also where we hold all our own answers.

There is no right or wrong way to help someone achieve a hypnotic state; it’s just a matter of the hypnotherapists’ training, background, and style.

For instance, a popular and effective method of inducing a subject into hypnosis is having the client imagine a set of stairs, in which each step represents a deeper and deeper level of relaxation. Or if a client has a step-phobia I would take them through a more well-suited guided visualization.

So if all hypnosis is self-hypnosis what exactly is the role of the “hypnotherapist”?

I once had a mentor tell me that I “...wasn’t qualified to be doing hypnosis, since I didn’t have a degree in psychology”, and they “...wouldn’t trust someone who didn’t to hypnotize them…” Admittedly, this stung a bit and I was rather stunned, and was unsure how to process these statements since it came from an individual I respect and trusted. However, it got my wheels turning. What makes hypnotherapy different from a general mainstream therapist? And what and how makes someone “qualified”? A degree? Is it truly the letters behind their name? Or is the percentage they scored on the passing exam? Or is it something deeper than that?

In response, my teacher and mentor, Dr. Allen Chips, dubbed as the “Hypno Buddha” in the Hypnosis community, described that the relationship between client and transpersonal hypnotherapist as, “Divine, it is a relationship of personal growth for both therapist and client, and each client brought through the door is brought by higher forces.” That being said if you feel called to pursue the work of hypnosis then pursue it for your own self -healing and others. The clients that walk through the door are clients who are drawn to you on some level, like attracting like. And as always you trust your intuition by knowing and exercising your limitations.

Furthermore, the hypnotherapist’s role (in my belief) is as follows:

1) Hold sacred space for their client one hundred percent of the time with the highest intention of good. This space is held from the time the client walks in the door and fills out an intake form to the time the client is putting their shoes back on and walking out my door.  

2) I’m simply guide, a facilitator. Sometimes people think the therapist does all the work and if the client isn’t losing weight or achieving a particular goal/end result right away, it is something at fault with the therapist. In my belief there is equal exchange of energy between the client and hypnotherapist that is taking place while they are in session. I truly believe and have seen with my own eyes that a hypnotherapist who shows up with 100% focus attention and is on their “A-game” for their client will generally tend to have a client is 100% satisfied with their session.

And sometimes holding 100% sacred space for a client has even means being 100% honest, and referring them out to someone who is a better fit. For example, I had a couple who came into my office for fertility and conception. After explaining to me their situation, I realized this couple was not for me. Not because they were bad people, or anything of that matter. However, I knew in my heart I would not be able to hold 100% sacred space for this couple in their journey to conceiving. I had myself have no children (yet) and am not in that phase of my life where I could begin to understand the complexities of fertility. So, I was honest with myself and my client and referred them out. As a result, they found a hypnotherapist who specialized in hypno-birthing and are doing extremely well.

At the end of the day, I firmly believe a divine and personal rapport is established between hypnotherapist and client, a powerful and transformative exchange of energy for both parties.

Is hypnosis for everyone?

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure. Optimistically, I want to say yes it is! The most recent research says that 91% of the population is susceptible to hypnosis. However, it is important to acknowledge that not everyone who tried hypnosis is satisfied with the end result. When people are ready to do try hypnosis and make the change, they’re ready, plain and simple.

To illustrate, when I have spouses or significant others call on behalf of their partner, I tend to hold a strict policy that their spouse must make their own appointment and if they’re ready to talk to call me. People may think Geez Meredith, why’re such a hard-nose about this? It’s rooted in my belief when people are ready to do their OWN healing, they’ll make the call and make their own appointment.  It is simply a waste of the spouse’s time and my time, if they really don’t want to be there in the first place, since actively they’re not coming upon their own free will, but rather another’s will. And let’s get real time is valuable.

Success rates?

I don’t believe in success rates because in my opinion each client is unique and there is no one-size fits all formula. As Henry Leo Bolduc stated, “Hypnosis is like love, everyone experiences it differently.”  For example, some people feel and see immediate results in themselves after a session, while others may take more sessions over a longer period of time. And then there are the rare times when a client has declared they’ve had zero benefits from hypnosis for various reasons. This is usually due to lack of rapport or trust, or they in reality didn’t really want to be there in the first place, hence my strict ‘spouse must call and make own appointment’ policy.

Why Hypnotherapy, what makes it beneficial?

Hypnotherapy is not “therapy” in the mainstream sense that it’s thought of, and it has many therapeutic benefits. Often times, hypnotherapy is a client’s last resort when they’ve generally exhausted all other options. It should be noted that during the initial client interview of the first session the interview can often run like a general ‘talk therapy’ session.   

Benefit 1) Many people report feeling grounded, calm, and centered, and really relaxed after a hypnosis session. Living in the Washington DC area, this is always nice to hear from a client!

Benefit 2) Every 1 hour of hypnosis is an equivalent to three hours of deep REM sleep (Bennet).

Benefit 3) Although talk therapy has many benefits and is valuable, clients can move into the past via hypnosis and partake in deep healing on a super conscious and subconscious level. Often times clients are able to resolve an issue that generally would’ve been 15 years of talk therapy in a few sessions of hypnosis.

Benefit 4) Hypnotic regression allows clients to go to the origin of an issue whether it be emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual. Often times in the acknowledgment of the root cause comes healing on various levels.

Benefit 5) Hypnotherapy if done by a certified hypnotherapist only, does not count as “therapy” therefore if you have a security clearance or work in a profession where going to a psychologist or therapist would affect job qualifications, hypnosis puts you and your paycheck in the clear.

To Learn More About Hypnotherapy

Suggested Reading

• Clinical Hypnotherapy: A Transpersonal Approach By Dr. Allen Chips.

    https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8120728882

• Self-Hypnosis By Henry Leo Bolduc

        https://ooks.google.com/books?isbn=1929661053

Words As The New Power Tool

            "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words will never hurt me."

Most of us have heard this children's rhyme at least some point in childhood. And well if you haven't...now you have. (smile) The power of  the word is incredibly strong. Stronger, I feel than most people realize. The words we speak and receive have a powerful effect on us, so much so that they can build us up, and like for many of us, have brought us down.  Words also send a powerful message to the universe from us- the ultimate determinates of our destiny- broadcasting to the public radio of the universe what we WANT.  In turn the universe brings us what we speak. Also, what we speak once started as a thought, and thoughts are things, and things travel! What we speak travels out to the universe! Now, speaking what we want can be hard at times because it truly requires us to be honest with ourselves. Sometimes, that means we have to sift through a lot of the other crap people told us we should, could, or could not have/do/be.  And of course, we've all had moments where we've said one thing and done another (ladies you know exactly what I'm talking about)

Conjointly the law of attraction constantly mentions Like Attracts Like, or many of you may be more familiar with the saying "birds of a feather flock together."

For example, up until now, more often than not I really "didn't know" what I wanted in relationships. What did I end up with? Guys who didn't know what they wanted either! Then I'd get all heart-broken and angry that this guy, "Didn't know what he wanted". Hey guess what?! Like Attracts Like!
I finally had to sit down, be honest with myself on what I WANT! For starters, I want someone who is ultimately compatible with me and who wants the same things as me! Marriage, kids,  and sure enough the guys who didn't know what they wanted began to disappear very quickly out of the picture! Bye!

My mentor and teacher, Linda Schiller-Hanna, suggested that her students spin challenges in their lives into this mantra instead: "Up until now, I struggled with x (whatever issue is at hand). Or simply speak of the issue in the past-tense, or as improved!

When I first started my healing practice, I'll be honest I was not making money. When I first began, I didn't really think of the "cost" factor, just that I love to spread my joy in healing. And in the first year of my business often times I was actually busting my tail selling bridal dresses Thursday to Sunday, and interning the other days of the week, and seeing clients on the side. For awhile I was putting in about 60-70 hours a week. (Although selling bridal dresses sounds fun, each of them apiece is about 30-40lbs of material, and I was lifting about 4-6 at a time).

One day I woke up and I realized. This sucks! I don't want to work 60-70 hours a week! I want to be dedicated in my work.

So I sat down and had a Scarlett O'Hara moment with the universe. In a gist it went something like this, "Look here universe, I'm here to do what you want me to do, every experience in my life has led me up to this point, I'm here to do what you need me to do, on certain conditions- I will have shelter, I will not starve, and I will make more than enough to take care of myself and be able to enjoy my the abundance in healing."

The feeling of reply was:  "Okay, we have received your wants, however you need to uphold YOUR end. Leave the bridal store, leave the internship, we will provide. JUMP both feet forward into what you love."

It took a lot of faith and courage, and convincing my Asian mom that I was not going to be working on Capitol Hill, or any federal government agency for that matter, nor would I be going to law school or grad school. I figure she's okay with it now, since I'm still here alive, typing this blog away.

So, I finished out my internship and no longer pursued a job there. I gave my notice to the bridal store and left a few weeks later.

I'd be lying if I said the results were immediate, that all of sudden I had an influx of hundreds upon hundreds of clients, and I've never worked a seasonal job since. But I upheld my end of the bargain, and  now I receive all those that are ready to heal. My client flow comes in ebbs and flows, and I actually like it this way (the universe knows me well), and for now I occasionally work seasonal jobs (but only if they have a specific start and end date).

I write this because I see, feel, and know so many out there who have the talent to succeed at what they do: whether it be as a dancer, a baker, a teacher, writer, a healer, entrepreneur, inventor or pilot etc.  I hear them speak with passion about their ideas and their true passions, yet they choose to stay (for now) in a place that it is not in alignment with their passion! Please know, you will be taken care of following what you love! Take the leap! It won't always be easy and sometimes money still gets iffy, but speak your words of what you WANT to the universe, and you will be provided for!



                       Be honest with what you WANT and speak it to the universe.

                                                          (Trust me, It's listening!)

                                As always Speak Your Truth as the Truth will set you free.

Ego and Spirit: Striking The Balance

I'm a firm believer that every human being on this planet has the ability to access their inner-knowing, or intuition. Intuitives a vast variety of people: working mothers, single parents, librarians, police officers, the tellers at the bank, small business owners, marathon runners, teachers, and lawmakers- basically everyone has this inborn ability! Intuitives are everyone!

Being a rather 'in-tune' intuitive can sometimes feel like walking a tight  a rope between two worlds: Ego and Spirit. And it isn't always easy to maintain ones balance between the two!

Ego is what some would call the "normie" world. We need because it keeps us grounded and pushes us to achieve max potential. Ego is essentially our self-esteem.

Spirit is what leads us to trust that, "Everything will be okay"and a, "Build it and they will come mentality." Spirit helps us establish a trust that the higher powers will take care of everything, no matter how big or small. Spirit is geared by Hope, Faith, Love, and Peace. 

  However, people can walk too heavily in either world.
For example, walking too heavily in the Ego world can lead to a plaguing negativity mind set. The mind set of "There is never enough ", "I hate my job but I do it because it pays the bills and keeps food on the table." Or "I can't do what I really love because my parents said that's not a real career." They tend to get caught up in fear, obsessive worrying, and competition. This isn't to say that paying the bills, feeding a family, and being anxious about the next career move isn't a priority, but it is not okay when it consumes one's life, and pulls us away from enjoying life! And many people who tend to live in this lifestyle for too long eventually feel, become burned out, or dis-ease set's in on at the physical level for no apparent reason.

 The same goes for Spirit. Imbalance in Spirit can cause individuals to be ungrounded, airy-fairy, too "out there", and eventually these individuals can develop a lack in  an inability to relate to people on a realistic and interpersonal level, and become isolated. 

 The Balance between the two is essential for our soul growth, general happiness, and even our health! I will be honest even from my own life experience, maintaining the balance isn't' always easy, which why I equated it to walking a tight-rope!

For example, I used to enjoy Black Friday and After Christmas Day shopping. I was one of the proud few who was awake at 4AM ready to hit the bargain sales in at the mall. As a began walking around the mall with the hundreds of other shoppers, I began to feel sweaty, closed-in, nervous, anxious, and in just generally 'on-edge'. After walking around like this for about an hour I finally stopped and centered myself. I asked myself is this me or other people? The reply: other people, definitley! And haul ass out of there!"  I turned and looked at my date and said, "I have to get out of here!" As soon as we left the parking lot, I could feel the energy of the other people melt away. It was from this experience I learned to not forget to acknowledge my sensitive/spirit side of myself and better protect myself psychically from other people's energy.

Another example is balancing Spirit. I'm a big believer in manifesting one's desires. One day as I was driving down the road and I began to get really worried about money. I could feel my body tense, my breathe shorten, and generally just feel my vibration lower. Up until this point, I had been doing lots of manifestation meditation work, so I was surprised when this wave of worry hit me. After a few moments of negative thinking, I though to myself wait a second, I can't sit here and say woe is me, I have to do take responsibility for this! Out loud I said to myself, "Okay, wait, I acknowledge that I can manifest, but I also acknowledge my need to be more assertive in my actions in my quest for financial security." So, as much as I was in a state of allowance and abundance, I also had to get grounded in the reality of seeking out opportunities.

Recently, I attended a workshop with a good friend on the Enneagram. The Enneagram is typically used as a personality profile by employers and can be equated to the Myers-Briggs test. However, what makes the workings of the Enneagram unique is that it is able to delve deeper below the personality and into the essence of a person.  The Enneagram can assist an individual discover what qualities in their Ego disconnect them from being better connected to Spirit, and even better can give insight in how to bring it back into Balance!
After my own experience I think the benefits of the Ennegram are worthwhile.
It also has wonderful benefits for any kind of relationship dynamic.

 I wanted to write about this topic long ago, however my guides urged me not to, and very clearly stated, "You have to live your life!" And as usual, they were right! As much I wanted to share every single psychic experience that occurs from time to time, my guides made it clear that living life is important! Yes, meditation, forgiveness exercises, communicating with animals are all fine and dandy, but hey, returning my library books on time, hitting the gym, and washing my socks is just as important too!

"For man may separate himself from God-the Spirit- but the spirit does not separate from man."
- Edgar Caycle





For those who are interested in learning more about the Enneagram I highly recommend Chris Wright.
Contact
Chris Wright30@gmail.com

10. The Benefits of Cleansing- Everything.

 Cleansing is  done to assist in releasing dense energy. Usually, this is dense energy that is no longer beneficial to an individual. Cleansing can be done all levels: physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual. The point of cleansing is to evolve and move an individual FORWARD- on all of these levels, if the individual so desires.  The mind and body and spirit connection is a simple interconnection that we as humans tend to make complex because of stored dense energy.

Physical
First, lets address our physical vehicle: the human body. Physical cleansing can be done on the most basic level: Food! The old saying, "You are what you eat," can definitely be applied here. One example of physical cleansing is food-based cleanse diets.
 Prior to participating in a food-based cleansing regimen the individual probably ate a lot of  "dense energy" foods: sugars, starches, processed meats heavy with antibodies and chemicals, complex carbohydrates, and not enough vegetables.

 In the food-based cleanse diet the individual is generally suggested to eliminate or modify the intake of "complex" and dense energy food items such as sugar. In turn, they are taking their bodies back to the basics: meats, vegetables, nuts, more water, and moderated carbohydrate intake.

 Under proper nutritional guidance, many people I've met who have participated in food-based cleansing diets are usually very satisfied with the results: weight loss, less fatigue, more energy, chronic and/or acute conditions lessening or resolving themselves, better libido, etc.
More importantly, many report a higher self-esteem and self-confidence. The saying, "Look good, feel good," could most certainly be applied.

Mental-Emotional
Although, physical changes in appearance can morph an individual's outlook on life, it is also important to address the mental-emotional aspect of ourselves. Many people wonder how they can cleanse on a mental-emotional level. Clearly, we cannot scrub our memory banks clean (although that would be much easier). We acquire much dense energy in the mental-emotional area due to  bad or negative experiences in our lifetime, whether they occurred to ourselves or another.
 This stored dense energy usually plays out in  repetitive patterns in our lives, swinging back and forth between one extreme and another, and/ or we repress this dense energy so deeply it surfaces in the physical field causing illness, or in the spiritual field causing lack of higher purpose and direction.  The benefit of releasing the dense energy will help us come back to the center and regain balance. 

Myself and other practitioners have observed in practice, have been told by our respective spirit guides, and gone through the experience ourselves; that the most most effective method thus far is Forgiving. If we can forgive another person or situation, the mental-emotional residue of dense energy can be released, thus propelling a person forward to what they truly desire- better health, love, abundance, truly an endless amount of possibilities.

* Note: Forgiveness does not mean that you have to be friends with the 'offending' person, or even speak to them. To paraphrase a mentor of mine, "Jesus says to turn the other cheek, however after awhile your cheek begins to get rather sore, make it easy on yourself,  you can forgive and love that person... from a distance."

So how can you forgive a person without having to make direct contact?

Forgiveness Exercise/ Meditation 
Please read completely through!
-Turn off your phone, gadgets, make sure any outside distractions are taken care of: children, significant other, pets etc. 
-Sit down ( or else you'll fall asleep!) in a chair with feet flat on the floor.
-Take three deep breaths.
-Use your vivid imagination to clearly visualize this person in front of you.
-Can you see or feel if there are any 'cords' attaching you to each other?
(Tip: If you cannot see or feel the cords, then if you could see or feel them where would these cords be?)
- Taking an object of your choice: scissors, an ax, chain-saw, pliers, Archangel Michael's sword of Truth, etc CUT these cords.Cut these cords as fast or as slow as you would like. If it is your first time cutting cords, take your time.
 *Note: By cutting these cords, you are not "cutting" person out of your life,nor are you physically harming them, you simply are un-attaching their energy from you, so you can find forgiveness, or have a clearer perspective in a emotionally charged situation to make a better decision for YOU.
- Check and make sure all cords are removed, or any other foreign objects, beliefs, or negative words aimed your way this person may have placed onto you.
- Now, hand the cords and whatever else back to that person.
If you are feeling especially forgiving you can put everything into a box, gift wrap it really pretty, and gently hand it back to them.
-What is their reaction?
(Tip: If they attempt to attach more cords, keep cutting!)
- Say whatever you need to say to this person either to yourself or out loud These can be words of anger, words of love, and/or forgiveness.
- Finally, make a shield around you from this person. It can be any kind of shield: a wall, a plexiglass container over you, or even a transparent shield*

The Transparent Shield: The transparent shield is one I do for myself and others.
 It is a truly a shield of ultimate forgiveness, it is not only protective but encouraging the other person to do their OWN healing. Unlike other shields, it is transparent because my intention is not to "block" the person out of my life completely, yet instead to assist them in healing their own wounds.
I visualize this shield as literally a wall of energy, usually it is gold. My side of the wall protects me. The other side of the wall is healing for the other person. So when a person comes up to the shield of energy and touches it they will turn away to do their own healing on their own time. 
*Note: Some people in your life may try to break this wall down primarily because 1. They want to reattach and 2. They have no desire to do their own healing. I have had experiences where one individual tried to kick my shield down. He kicked and screamed and cried. I simply held my shield in place with calm. After time, he grew tired and turned away, hopefully to do his own healing on his own time.
This is a very powerful exercise. It can be done as many times as needed. Also, it can be done to anyone. That being said when breaking an energetic connection, the person you are cutting cords from WILL feel the shift of energy. ***Do not be surprised if they attempt to make contact with you shortly after***

By doing the above exercise many people find that they are less and less angry, worried, or upset. They  have a more balanced perspective on a particular situation, and are better able to approach an emotionally charged situation or person with a calm outlook.
 As a result, we have more time to focus on what we truly desire and take the proper proactive steps to getting what we truly desire and making more room from what DOES benefit us.

Spiritual

 The physical cleansing and mental-emotional cleansing takes us up into the point of  our own divine Spirit within each of us.  By physically cleansing whether it be with food, quitting smoking, losing weight, or simply becoming more aware of what we put in the body, we have honored our physical vehicle. The mental-emotional cleansing allows us to release many of the life-events, people, and decisions of others we have no control over, allowing us to have more time to focus on ourselves and our desires, thus allowing us to fully move into Spirit.

Spirit, plainly put, is our essence. It's what were are here on earth for. When we lack spirit we lack direction and purpose.  To illustrate, we may see all the doors closing and not the doors that are already open for us. When we access spirit regularly and operate more from Spirit and less from Ego and worry, we have a greater amount of faith, hope, and better ability to love and forgive ourselves and other, we begin to see and walk through the open doors.  Our Spirit is already "clean" so to speak. It has no flaws, prejudices, or ulterior motives- it's pure Joy and Love.

So how can an individual better access  the Spirit within them?

The answer is simple Meditate. Now, when I say meditate many people have this misconception that they must sit still for hours and hours on end, "stilling there mind", not worrying, sitting in an uncomfortable position, and this just sounds incredibly hard, or impossible. Meditation is time for you to re-center and re-ground, so do it the way you please, it simply takes practice. Even if you can only do it in your car for five minutes prior to work or while sitting on the metro, some is better than none. When in meditation we can access our higher-self and spirit guides to give us direction and purpose to our lives, or simply questions such as, "What do I need to do more of?" The answers may come as explicit words, images, or even just gut-feelings to "go here" and "do this" and "talk to this person". The more and more you trust what you receive from Spirit, the more things will coincidentally "fall into place" for you in your life.

Some ideas to get you jump-started in meditation:
1. Enjoy the Sun
 For 15 minutes or so, sit facing the sun, either outside or by a window. Just breathe and feel the sun's energy moving through you. Just simply throw your cares and worries to the sun. More importantly, the sun is an energetic cleanser!
2. Purchase a meditation CD. 
There are many kinds of meditation CDs.
If you are auditory then one with music might be more to your liking.
If you are a feeler, then a meditation CD with breathing exercises would probably benefit you more.
If you are visual a guided visual imagery CD or a piece art or religious figure may help you focus more.
3. Find an author who writes about accessing Spirit
- Pick one who resonates with you.Generally these authors can be found in the "New Age" or religious section of the bookstore.

  As an individual begins to work on these interconnected aspects of themselves, the other aspects soon desire to be in balance as well. So, these aspects can be worked on in any order and as many as you want at any given time. Eventually, they will all desire to be in balance and harmony! 


Below are 2 Suggestions for "Quickie Cleansing"
These cleansing out dense energy in all 3 aspects. 
1. A Hot Bath with LOTS of Epsom Salt.

2.  Sage with Intention
-Stick or Spray.
Be warned it smells like marijuana when burned, so if you live in a shared living arrangements I recommend the spray.
Sage with intent to cleanse dense energy out! Anything can bring dense energy in: arguments with a roommate, a toxic or negative person, anything that shifts the balance of peace and harmony in your life. Once you sage, you will notice the difference in how you and the room/house feel- lighter!
*Highly suggest purchasing a How-To book on Saging, which can be found at most book stores.
(If you just wave the stick around with no intention it won't help!)

9. Mediums As Everyday Healers

I've touched upon briefly in other blog post about channelers and mediums. As many of you know, my goal is to water down the woo-woo and bring out the healing elements present in psychic work.  This post is dedicated to mediums and channelers- YOU ARE AWESOME! (For time sake I will just being using the term medium throughout this posting).

To be frank a Medium is an individual  whom communicates with deceased people and/or beings on other dimensional planes. Coming from a family of mediums, both self-acknowledged and not, this can cause a few raised eyebrows in our society!

 I wish to focus on the positive healing aspects of medium work by sharing a personal  experience. I have two stories I wish to share. Normally, I would not write an article this intimate on  Spirit, however the young man gave me his permission and I was "pushed" to write it as soon as I got up this morning. I have left his name out for privacy purposes and made some details vague for that reason.

The first experience I had was of a young man  who went missing. I rarely read the news, but sure enough after a week I was driving down the highway when the local radio began asking the public for any information of this young man's whereabouts. The next day, I was driving again, and the same broadcast was sent out. I felt so bad for his family, they must be worried sick. I was still hopeful for this young man. So I "tuned in". Instantly I had goosebumps all up and down my arms.  I' "saw" (in my mind's eye)The young man was sitting in the backseat of my car, staring out the window. He appeared very ashamed, he wouldn't even make eye contact.
Our dialogue was as follows:
M: Why are you so sad? (The young man came in spirit, so he had crossed)
B: I'm ashamed, my parents will be so ashamed.
M:  No, no they won't. You're family is worried  sick about you. Where are you?
B: In a place they have searched before.
M: Are you hiding your body with spirit?
B: Yes, I'm so ashamed they can't ever know.
M: Please let them find you, they love you, they need to know for their own healing.
B: Okay. (affirming his agreement to be found)
M: I'm going to cross you now. See that light over there, do you see anyone you know?
B: Yes, my relatives ( I want to say grandmother)
M: Okay, follow that light. Go be happy there.

The next day the police found his body in a place they had previously searched.


The second experience I had was of another young man who had been badly injured in a car accident.  He was unconscious, and not expected to live or make it through the night. I have never met this young man in my life. I had only heard of the  accomplishments of this young man  through my father, who worked briefly for a time with one of his relatives. The young man's critical situation resonated with me. I thought maybe it was because were both former college athletes, close in age, and just starting to get our careers underway, but there was to be more than that.

A few days later, I was getting ready for bed in front of my dresser,  as I sent silent prayer for this young man, I suddenly had a flash of a vision in my mind's eye: A young man standing between two doors. One door representing the spirit world and the other the earth plane. He looked at me as if to say, which one do I choose? Without thinking, I explained to him that I could not choose for him, he would have to use his own free will to choose. I relayed the pros and cons of each door. The spirit world would be wonderful, however his immediate family would not be there, and from what my father had shared it sounded like he was doing some pretty cool stuff on the earth plane.  The earth plane had his family and his life before him, although if he chose to stay, he may have a long road to recovery. After a  few moments, he pushed through the door for the earth plane.

The next day my father was informed that the young man had regained consciousness, and eerily enough had regained consciousness around 11 pm, about the same time he chose his door.  He is expected to live with a long road to recovery.


Where was the healing in each of these situations?
There was healing for the previously missing young man's family. If his remains had never been found his family would never know and been left to question, at least now they can grieve and mourn fully, and heal along the way. Probably, if the young man had not revealed his whereabouts he might have hung around on the earth plane and not grown and evolved on a soul level. This is important because soul-growth is vital a soul's current lifetime and the next.

As for the formerly unconscious young man, this was my first experience working with a soul who was "in-between" so to speak. I can only guess as to why  this experience occurred, and can only suspect that he stayed because he desired to finish his soul-work.


Frequently Asked Questions.

Can everyone be a medium?
Yes. I believe everyone is able.

Can all mediums see deceased people?
Generally speaking, Yes.
There are different mediums- Some mediums can see spirit, just as they could an everyday person. Others, like myself, only see them in my mind's eye.

Is Medium work entertainment?
UH NO. Medium sessions and parties can be TONS of fun and plenty of good laughs and humor from Spirit. However, the main line of our work is HEALING, it is not just for shits and giggles.

How do I train to be a medium?
Most persons who are called down that path are already mediums. It is highly suggested if one is interested in tapping into mediumship ability that they find a teacher or mentor, or even better pray for one!

Can my deceased relatives come visit me if I ask them to?
Yes, even if you are not a Medium. You are more than free to ask your relatives to come visit you or help you in your everyday life. Most times our "dead people" have no qualms about helping us out, mine help me keep the house clean!

So, the work of a medium is done on both ends. Our job is not to just "talk to deceased" people.
Our work is to help  BOTH those here on the earth plane and in spirit, to heal and evolve on the soul level.

                      Medium work is done with  pure unconditional love and the intent to heal. 

Happy All Souls Day!




Note** If you are interested in a Mediumship Session with Meredith
please contact her at meredithrosemcdonough@gmail.com.
 Rate is $1.50/minute.

8. What is "Energy Healing"?

In my own 'practice' my clients tend to have a lot of questions about energy healing work. Energy healing goes by many names: Reiki (Ray-kee), laying of hands, Healing Hands, Quantum Touch, Craniosacral, Bowenwork, Therapeutic Touch, etc. Again, my intention with this blog is to clear up any questions the everyday person may have regarding it.

                           The primary question is: Where does the "Energy" come from?
 
     Many in the healing field trust that energy roots from the: God/Holy Spirit/Life Force/The Force/Great Spirit/Universe/ Unconditional Love Heart Space. And although there are tons of energy healing techniques out there, the general rooted intention to help create that space for a client is unconditional love with no attachment to outcome. Often times when people think of unconditional love, they think of romantic love, but unconditional love is what many describe as how a parent feels staring at their newborn- wonder, awe, and willingness to just let their newborn be.

 As a result,  what makes energy healing successful for both client and practitioner is the unconditional love intention behind the each party.

                                     What about a person calling themselves a 'Healer'?

According to Richard Gordon, founder of Quantum Touch, " No person can heal another, the practitioner simply creates and holds a space for the client to self-heal." 

Saying I'm a self-healing space creator is a mouthful, so the term is healer is used a generality. 

                    How does the practitioner create the space for a client to self-heal?

The practitioner creates the space by raising their own vibration, asking Ego and Worry step aside, and simply listening, and following the flow of the clients energy. In essence, the healer is not the person "doing all the work" but together the client and practitioner are co-creating a space for both parties to self-heal.
It is of the upmost importance the practitioner step aside Ego. Because Ego involves: judgement, criticism, attachment to outcome, which in turn turns away the intention of unconditional love of self-healing. To follow, it is important for Worry to be put aside on the healer's part too. When a healer is distracted by their everyday concerns such as: laundry, dog throwing up on the floor, a loved on who is ill, their worry detracts away from the Unconditional Love. Hence why many healers may go into a semi-meditative state while working
                                   What are some different ways healers work? 

Different healers experience and "listen" to energy in different ways. Some 'see' blockages, images, and what's happening in the body in their mind's eye, others feel it or even smell it,  while others can hear words about whats going on from the body Some practitioners hands may become very cool or very hot doing energy work. Some may pick up on past lives that are effecting the client negatively.
 Each healer possesses their own unique tools and abilities in assisting in their and their client's self-growth journey.
                                                            Is it safe? Can it hurt? 
Energy work in itself is safe and ethical if done with consent with pure intentions.
Most times people feel calm and centered after energy work.  However, there have been times when clients have felt worse before feeling better after energy work, particularly clients with radiation and chemotherapy exposure. Since the practitioner may literally be clearing crap out of the aura, it sometimes needs to be physically released via nausea, vomiting, etc. Other times when people are working on emotional conflicts they may feel very run down, tired, and just "unwell", these 'clearing flus' are common and typically only last 2-3 days. Generally, clients are encouraged to take Epsom salt baths and drink plenty of water.

                                                     How much does it cost? Is it okay to charge? 
Cost depends on geographic location and the healer themselves. At the moment, insurance does not cover energy work, although we hope that changes in the near future. Typically most healers do not charge more than $125 for energy working. It is acceptable for healers to charge a fee, but many do not see it as a taking from you to give to them, it is instead an energetic exchange. Often times if clients can't afford a session I ask for a barter such as an exchange of food, a skills, or task.

            I hope this answers any vital questions the everyday person may have about energy work any other questions can be directed to me at meredithrosemcdonough@gmail.com

7. Intuition with Spirit Guides

Recently, many people kept asking me HOW I accessed my intuition? And I realized I didn't really have a one sentence answer for them that would just stop there, but continue to spark a deeper conversation. Knowing that there is a time and a place for everything, talking about metaphysical "stuff" isn't everyone's idea of "fun" at a happy hour, so I knew I had to write a blog on it sooner or later!

So, the well-meaning questioner asked, "Did I read tarot cards, a crystal ball, or use a Ouji board?" Looking back on my answer then, my answer kind of sucked. (I blame it on the wine).

For starters, many people assume tarot cards because it is a commonly used tool to access intuition, and it may be the only tool they are currently familiar with, and that is OKAY, because there is no "Right" method  to access intuition, but only the "Right" intention: Unconditional Love and healing for the intuitive and the client.

I use my higher self and spirit guides to access my intuition.

Of course this leads a question of, Where do these spirit guides come from? Who are they? 

WHERE: It is in my belief that the healing information we receive while giving a intuitive reading can come from the following spiritual guides: Angels- Archangels or guardian angels, power animals,  deceased ancestors/relatives, or our higher self- it can come from a combination of the three, or maybe just one.
Where do the guides comes from? 
Power animals reside in the underworld (not the Greek version of the underworld) in another dimension, generally underground.
Higher Self- is you on a higher spiritual dimensional plane, Can I pinpoint it on a map? No I can't.
Angels/Archangels: Also on a higher spiritual dimensional plane, heaven I guess.
Deceased ancestors/ relatives: Many of these guides reside on the "Other Side"/Higher Dimensional Plane
The other side is commonly called the 'veil between two worlds', (if you ever read Harry Potter, kind of like that) We reside in the 'physical reality'.
- Deceased persons may keep popping up and asking you to resolve issue, resolve them, so they can cross to the other side!
- Sometimes deceased persons come through to help out/check out what you are doing/ give advice etc.
- In some cultures it is an honor for a deceased relative to appear to a person.

What are guides used for?  Protection and Guidance.
 Psychic protection is a fundamental base that ALL intuitives learn and practice EVERYDAY either on their own, or even better with a mentor. Why? It keeps us grounded, protected, and probably saner. 
#1: Intuitives  are OPEN. Analogy: The intuitive is that shiny lamp in the middle of the night, that all the bugs are attracted to, the bugs represent all other people's emotional stuff  and maybe even deceased people who need to be crossed to the other side.
#2: Most intuitives have guides to help keep those 'bugs' off, or at least have them look at the shining bright light from a healthy distance. We meet our guides through merely asking, signs, meditation, or they simply choose us whether we've asked or not. It's common for intuitives to have multiple guides through their lifetime, or just one. Our guides do protect us psychically and they can protect us physically, that being said we still have to use common sense: just because you have a spiritual guide doesn't mean you can go walking down a back alley at nighttime, or go cliff diving in shallow water, it is still human responsibility to take care of oneself. 

"Okay", says the client, "But How do you know that the peeps you are talking to are giving you accurate information?" "How do you know that they aren't bad spirits?" "How do you not put your own judgement on it?"

1. Although the intuitive may receive information, its up to the client to validate us- Accurate validation comes from the clients end, the client can confirm/reject the information coming through. Example: No, I have no idea what your talking about, OR Yes, I remember that event/that person/etc.
2. MOST intuitives understand the importance of psychically  protecting oneself before starting a reading, most guides are also our psychic protectors. I know for my clients I start off with a prayer and ask the Archangel Michael to watch over us as we do are reading.
3. To prevent putting my own ego on a reading before I start a reading, I clear myself out. Meaning anything that isn't 'perfectly' me, criticism, judgement, basically anything negative, gets CLEARED OUT. Basically making myself a "clean vessel" all the information that comes through is not filtered or twisted by my own judgement, ego, prejudices, etc.
Extreme Hypothetical Examples
For example a young lady might call and ask me, I don't know what to do about my boyfriend he does all these really confusing things, she goes on to tell me the mixed signals he says/does, she wants to know should they break up?
Response Me (not a clean vessel): He sounds like a total moron, read Steve Harvey's Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man book, and move on sister!

Me (Cleared out): I get the feeling he is afraid to let you down, I'm getting a feeling in my gut of anxiety, he has a lot of anxiety about the future: his career, how he will take care of you. Let me ask  my guides what is the healing information for your relationship...
Girl: Should I break up with him then?
Me: That is completely up to you, you have receive the information, so its your free will to how you plan to use it. I cannot make that decision for you.

"Okay", says the client ,"But HOW do you receive this information from your guides?" Or even better, "How do our guides communicate to us?" 
There are several types of tools/abilities intuitive have and use. 
Clair-audience: hearing information from guides, voices in your head (I never forget telling my therapist that one, hahaha)
Clair-voyance: Seeing images in your mind's eye, that place above your eyes, it feels like your imagination but isn't. Can see images from past lives, past, present, future. Commonly used in remote viewing to find missing persons or locate places of interest by U.S. Intelligence.
Clair-sentience: Feeling: feeling aches and pains, hot/cold, anxiety/joy etc.
Clair-olfaction: Smell-o-vision. Smell perfumes, cigars, foods, etc.
Psychometry: Touching/Holding an object and seeing/hearing/feeling information on the owner. Commonly used to located missing persons.
Psychography: Automatic writing, channels messages from guides via writing/drawing.
Telepathic: picking up on other's thoughts ( Sookie Stackhouse from TrueBlood) Yes, it does exist! Twin Flames and twins commonly have this telepathic connection between each other. Persons who do animal communication have strong telepathic ability, young infants and children before they formulate words, also communicate telepathically.


                                                          Medium vs. Channeler
                             (I had to clarify this! People use this term interchangeably) 
Medium: Individual who passes along messages from those from the other side, the medium still retains their  identity while speaking to the deceased person. Some mediums see deceased persons as if they were sitting down and having coffee face-to-face, or others like myself see them in my mind's eye. Medium's also receive information from deceased persons in -audience, -sentience, -olfaction, and -voyance.To illustrate, a medium is a lot like a road median, the cars aren't allowed to drive on it, just on either side of it.
                                                                          versus 
Channeler: A person who channels is also known as a "trance medium". The individual  takes on the spirit's identity, voice, habits, demeanor, fully, of a deceased person, deity, or entity. The whole eyes rolling in the back of the head thing, think of the Greek Oracle of Adelphi channeling the Fates. Channelers allow their bodies to be vessels for another entity. So, I think of a Channeler as a water channel, redirecting the entire flow of water through a condensed space, or the person.
For example, in Afro-Brazilian Candomble ceremonies, the participants channel the orixas/deities for particular saint feast days, taking on the demeanor, personalities, likes/dislikes of the deities. (I'm not a channeler, I don't condone it, just not a tool in the personal toolbox)

So anyway, this a brief list of 'tools' used in the intuitive tool box, that I'm aware of. Most intuitives have 2-4 of these strengths and use some more so than others predominantly in their work. However, guides/spirit/higher self communicates in how it wants to. It is very possible that a deceased relative will communicate via -olfaction, rather than a -voyance. For example, deceased Uncle Bob knows, the best way to let his niece Suzie know that he is really there at the reading is to use smell-o-vision for the medium rather than pictures.