Psychics
By James K. Walker
Famous Psychics: Madame Blavatsky, Arthur Ford, Jeanne Dixon, Uri Geller.
Other Names: Mediums, Necromancers, Spiritualists.
Associated Practices: Divination (Astrology, Tarot, I Ching,
Palmistry, Mind Reading, telepathy, etc.), Necromancy (Seance,
Channeling, Ouija Board, etc.), and telekinesis moving objects
mentally or spiritually such as table tilting, levitation).
INTRODUCTION
On January 25, 1997, America's most famous psychic, Jeanne Dixon died.
During her lifetime, America experienced unparalleled growth in the
interest and acceptance of psychics and paranormal phenomena.
According to Larry Rosen, president of NetLive Communications, over
her celebrated 50 year career Dixon was advisor to world leaders
including US presidents and wrote eight books including Reincarnation
and Prayers to Live By and The Call to Glory. At the time of her
death, Dixon syndicated columns were featured in over 800 daily
newspapers worldwide (Business Wire, January 28, 1997).
Shortly before her death, Dixon announced plans to join the popular
and profitable 900 psychic telephone network industry with her own
Jeanne Dixon's Psychic Network. She was unable to see her plans
fulfilled as she died shortly after the network was announced and
before it could be launched. Two months after her death, however,
Watchman Fellowship received an email purportedly from Dixon herself
(jeanne.dixon@...) stating, "Hello, I'm Jeanne Dixon a psychic,
medium, healer, spiritualist, clairvoyant & astrologer.. . . I can
predict your future.. . . Please call me right now!" (email dated
March 21, 1997). The message provided both a 24 hour "900" number and
an "800" number to use with credit cards. The message was not, of
course, some weak attempt to demonstrate communication with the dead
through the Internet. It did, however, demonstrate Netlive
Communications' dogged determination to continue with the Jeanne Dixon
Psychic Network despite her unanticipated death. The network features
several $3.99 per minute "900" lines ending in "J-E-A-N-E" and the
first live, videoconferenced psychic, tarot card and astrological
guidance service over the Internet (Business Wire, January 28, 1997;
December 16, 1996).
Dixon's death will apparently not dampen the the success of her
psychic network or the psychic industry as a whole. Dionne Warwick's
Psychic Friends Network employs approximately 1,500 psychics logging
an estimated 3 million minutes a month at about $4 per minute
according to Baltimore-based Inphomation Communications, Inc. ("Who
could've foretold psychic spree?" Dallas Morning News, March 19, 1996,
pp. 1-C, 6-C). According to those estimates, Warwick's service alone
would gross $144 million annually. In addition to Warwick and Dixon,
Mark Plakias, managing director of Strategic Telemedia, a New York
research firm estimated nearly half of the 200,000 pay-per-call
entertainment services in America are psychic hotlines (ibid., p. 1-C).
Richard Dworman, editor of the Infomercial Marketing Report, estimates
Psychic Friends Network's gross annual income at a more conservative
$100 million. Still, this is remarkable for an organization that
started just seven years ago and is receiving between 7,500 to 10,000
paying calls each day. "The thing took off like a rocket, it was at
the right place at the right time," said Dworman ("Seeking your
fortune can cost one," The Philadelphia Daily News, March 19, 1997, p.
C-1). The second and third largest psychic networks, Psychic Readers
Network and Your Psychic Experience, annually take in about $50
million and $35-$40 million, respectively (ibid.).
Psychic hotlines are just one aspect of America's growing psychic
industry. Psychic fairs are commonplace in many US cities.
Dallas-based Creative Organization has sponsored monthly psychic fairs
held for the past fifteen years featuring crystal balls, astrology,
palmistry, clairvoyants, seers, tarot cards, and rune stones
("Mediumcool," The Dallas Morning News, March 29, 1996, Guide, p. 30).
Metaphysical and New Age book stores can be found easily in the Yellow
Pages of many American cities, and the Internet is facilitating a
cottage industry of "cyberpsychics." One psychic entrepreneur,
Jonathan Katz of Encino, Calif., boasts of up to 250,000 tarot, I
Ching or bioreadings a month through his web sites (The Dallas Morning
News, March 19, 1996, p. 6-C). Yahoo, a popular web index, lists 363
on-line psychic services in five categories (www.yahoo.com).
HISTORY
While modern technology such as 900 numbers and the Internet may be
partially responsible for fueling their recent popularity, psychics
and mediums are not new. A simple definition of psychic is "A person
who is either born with or develops many gifts or talents in the area
of ESP, clairvoyance, communication with the spirit world, abilities
to read the human aura and uses these special skills as a healer or
reader" (The New Age A to Z, p. 120). Defined this broadly, the
history of psychics may be traced back thousands of years ago to the
seers, shamans, and soothsayers of ancient pagan religions and occult
practices. Yet in North America the popularity of the psychic arts is
something relatively new. What are the roots of the modern psychic
revival in America?
The genealogy of the modern psychic movement can be found in certain
aspects of the mesmeric and Spiritualist movements. These practices
spread through Europe and America in the early and middle 19th century
after followers of the controversial Austrian doctor, Franz Antoine
Mesmer (1766-1815), reported "thought transference, of clairvoyance
and 'eyeless vision'" in addition to other psychic phenomena in
"mesmerized" subjects. ("Psychical Research," Man, Myth, and Magic,
Vol. 17, p. 2273).
The popularity of mesmerism and especially its alleged healing
properties, along with the celebrated "rappings" of the Fox sisters of
Hydesville, New York, led directly to the sweeping acceptance of the
Spiritualist movement of the latter half of the 19th century. "It
accustomed the public to the idea that certain especially gifted
persons might, when in a state of trance, exercise clairvoyant and
other paranormal faculties, and even to the idea that some mesmeric
subjects might become aware of, and perhaps communicate with, the
spirits of departed persons. The mesmeric trance developed, by an easy
and natural transition, into the mediumistic trance. . ." (ibid., see
also, "Fox Sisters," Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology,Vol.
1, pp. 345-49). Thus, by the turn of the 20th century, the general
public's perception of psychic manifestation was largely limited to
the infamous Spiritualist churches. These featured necromancy
(communication with the dead) along with an assortment of other
manifestations. Critics and paranormal debunkers like famous
illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini claimed they were little
more than fakery and parlor tricks ("Houdini, Harry," Encyclopedia of
Occultism and Parapsychology, Vol. 1, pp. 440-41).
There were, however, efforts to distance Spiritualism from a purely
religious arena by attempting to explore, research and categorize
psychic phenomena as a science. In 1882 the Society for Psychical
Research (SPR) was founded by Sir William Barrett (1844-1925),
Cambridge professor Henry Sidgwick (1838-1900), and F. W. H. Meyers
(1843-1901). Prominent early members included Edmund Gurney
(1847-1888) and "the St. Paul of Spiritualism," Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
(1858-1930), author of the Sherlock Holmes stories ("Spiritualism," An
Encyclopaedia of Occultism, p. 384; "Doyle, Sir Arthur
Conan,"Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, Vol. 1, p. 261).
Spiritualists attempted to collaborate with scholars to scientifically
measure and prove psychic phenomena. Areas of study included thought
transference and other types of telepathy, hypnotism or mesmeric
trance, haunted houses, the "causes" or "laws" of Spiritualism, and
the history of such manifestations. Despite their intentions, the
controls and tests administered by the SPR did more to expose fraud
than to prove psychic manifestations. Colin Wilson who is personally
sympathetic to psychic phenomenon notes, "The results were
disappointing. Gurney committed suicide in a Brighton hotel in 1888
when he discovered that certain trusted mediums were tricksters. And
although the S.P.R. has had many eminent adherents . . . it has failed
to make any general impact" (Wilson, Colin, The Occult, p. 493).
For example, SPR had intended to publish a favorable report on the
famous medium, psychic and spiritualist, Madame Blavatsky (1831-1891),
who founded the Theosophical Society. But Blavatsky's housekeeper,
Emma Cutting-Coulomb, "blabbed" some of the psychic's techniques of
fakery to the Christian College Magazine whose story was immediately
picked up by the London Times. The reports of fraud were then
confirmed by the SPR researcher in India when he was allowed to
inspect Blavatsky's cedar wood "shrine" in which letters from the
spirit world would magically appear. "For some faithful disciple,
wishing to demonstrate that fraud was impossible, had slapped the rear
wall of the shrine saying, 'You see, it's perfectly solid,' when, to
his dismay, a panel had shot open, revealing another panel in the wall
of [Blavatsky's] boudoir" (ibid., p. 336).
In addition to fraud, public acceptance of the SPR specifically and
psychic manifestations in general were hampered by sexual scandals.
Houdini reported that female mediums "often" offered him sexual favors
in exchange for collusion during his investigations. Speaking of the
SPR's co-founder, Colin comments, "Myers's dubious character in
matters of sex or other people's correspondence does not prove that he
would be capable of faking the results of a séance; but . . . his
motives in forming the S.P.R. may have been highly charged and
emotional rather than purely scientific" (ibid., p. 494).
Failed attempts to "prove" psychic phenomena in the 19th and early
20th century did little to dampen the psychic revival of the last few
decades. Waning interest in psychics was boosted in the mid 20th
century by Disciples of Christ minister, Arthur Ford (1897- 1971), who
functioned as a medium for the spirit "Flecher." Ford founded the
Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship (SFF) in 1955 and received national
prominence in 1967 when he allegedly contacted the dead son of Bishop
James Pike on network television through trance mediumship ("Ford,
Arthur A.," Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, Vol. 1, p.
341). Despite occasional interest, no one, including the psychics
themselves, may have been able to predict the degree of popularity of
the current psychic revival.
BIBLICAL RESPONSE
Much of the mystique and lure of modern psychics is the "proof" of
their claims and information through various alleged supernatural
manifestations. People often trust psychics because of their
persuasive demonstrations. The history of psychics is littered with
cases of proven fraud. Faked psychic phenomena may involve stage magic
or "sleight-of-hand." It is possible that Pharaoh's magicians used
common magic tricks to "duplicate" the first three plagues God gave as
signs through Moses (Exodus 7-8).
Professional magician James Randi, whose stage name is "The Amazing
Randi," has publicly exposed a number of psychics, spiritualists,
channelers, and charlatans. One of Randi's first targets was Israeli
psychic Uri Geller, tested by Stanford Research Institute (now SRI
International) for his powers to bend spoons and levitate objects.
Randi successfully demonstrated "The tricks were very simple.. . .
There was nothing you couldn't get off the back of a cornflakes box so
to speak" (Time, June 13, 1988, p. 72). Dan Korem, a Christian
illusionist, has also used his talents in stage magic to debunk a
number of fake psychics (see: Powers: Testing the Psychic &
Supernatural). The likelihood of fraud and fakery is one reason the
Bible warns against relying on "signs and wonders" as evidence for
truth-claims or proof of supernatural powers. Also, Satan can work
through "all power and signs and lying wonders" (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
Jesus warned, "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and
shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the
elect" (Mark 13:22).
Some psychics will claim that their powers are consistent with the
Bible and come from God, even offering convincing demonstrations as
proof of their supernatural abilities. Jesus, however, warned his
followers not to seek signs, explaining that His resurrection, the
"sign of Jonah," would be the only verifying miracle upon which
believers can rely (Matthew 12:39-40).
For proof that their "gift" is of God, some psychics may point to
colorful examples of accurate predictions. Much of the accuracy of
psychics may be attributed to their use of the law of averages, "cold
reading" techniques, and even the use of private investigators. Rather
than celebrated random examples of some accurate predictions, the
biblical requirement for a prophecy is 100% accuracy (Deuteronomy 18:
20-22). The Bible also condemns necromancy (communication with the
dead) which is the modus operandi of many psychics and spiritualists.
Deuteronomy 18: 10-12 states, "There shall not be found among you any
one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or
that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a
witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a
wizard, or a necromancer. . ."
Christians also recognize that even real examples of spiritual
manifestations would not prove the phenomena is harmless or from God.
The Bible warns of demons, "seducing spirits" and "doctrines of
devils" (I Timothy 4:1). Believers are warned, "Beloved, believe not
every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because
many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1). Faith in
psychics can be not only spiritually but emotionally dangerous as
well. Followers can become totally dependent on their psychics for
making even simple decisions. Psychics, in turn, can easily use their
influence to control and take advantage of their clients (see: Powers,
pp. 25-29).
RESOURCES
1) Powers: Testing the Psychic & Supernatural. Dan Korem. A
professional stage illusionist and popular Christian speaker, Korem
exposes the fraudulent techniques used by many psychics. Included are
sections on alleged telekinesis, psychic crime solving, and the art of
"cold reading." Korem includes a biblical perspective of psychics and
a section discussing why the resurrection of Christ was not a magic
illusion. 232 pages.
2) Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs. John Ankerberg and John Weldon.
This comprehensive work on New Age spirituality includes sections on
psychic phenomena such as spirit communication (channeling and
mediums), divination (astrology, palm reading, etc.), psychic
healing, etc. Extensive biblical response also included. 670 pages.
Elemental Meditation
This meditation serves multiple purposes. It clears your mind so
that you are better able to focus. It also gives you a more visceral
understanding of the natures of each element. It can be a grounding
tool to ground excess energy if done correctly. And finally, it is
fun! This is a movement-based meditation, so it is best to find a
place where you will not be disturbed, because if others are around
you might experience self-consciousness or embarrassment, neither of
which are helpful. This place should be quiet and free of outside
distractions, and it should also allow for a relatively free range of
movement.
Sit on the floor in a comfortable position and spend a few moments
feeling your heartbeat and clearing your mind. You can also choose to
stand, but most people do not find this as comfortable. Then, begin to
meditate upon the element Earth. Feel what it is like to be Earth, the
sensations, the emotions, all that encompasses Earth. Allow the
expression of these feelings to join your mind and body as one, so
that all of you experiences these sensations. Most likely, during this
part your body will remain still, embodying the patience that is
Earth, but if the desire to move takes you, go ahead, since Earth can
move, whether slowly (as in tectonic plate shifting) or quickly and
violently (as in earthquakes).
When the moment feels right, shift your consciousness from Earth
into Water. Let this be a smooth transition, as this meditation should
flow easily from one element to the next. Call up all the sensations,
thoughts, emotions, and movement that is Water. Again let this
awareness infuse your body and mind. At this point, it is likely that
your body will begin to move, whether in small movements while you
remain seated, or in larger movements that require you to stand. This
should be near-instinctive; do not worry whether the movement is
appropriate or "right". "Go with the flow", let your body move as it
will to show its connection with the elements. Water movement will
most likely be smooth, flowing, graceful movements that are full of
emotion. Keep in mind however, that Water, like all the elements, has
a wide range of movements, so something different than the "standards"
that are listed here is not wrong.
When appropriate, shift your awareness gradually from Water into
Air. Let the concept of Air resonate throughout your mind and body. At
this point, you will most likely begin to move more energetically and
erratically about the space. You may try to express specific concepts
through your movements. You are also encouraged to make this a vocal
as well as a kinetic meditation if that feels right.
Again when you are ready, shift once more from Air into Fire. At
this point, as you resonate the concept of Fire, your movements will
most likely be extremely energetic and random. You may find yourself
bumping into walls or other objects. You might pause for a moment in
an odd position, only to careen off again the next moment with the
dancing energy that is Fire.
Depending on your purpose in this meditation, you can choose to end it
one of two ways:
1. If your intent is to clear your mind and provide energy for focus,
then when the moment is right, stop your emulation of Fire and return
to a seated position, breathing deeply and fully aware of your body,
mind, and the elements all around (and within) you.
2. If instead you are more concerned with understanding the elements
or with using this meditation as a technique for grounding, then from
Fire, reverse your movements, going back through Air and Water
(spending as much time as needed on each) until you are back at Earth.
End the meditation in a restful position, whether sitting or lying
down, allowing your excess energy to flow smoothly into the Earth.
And remember- no matter which purpose you use this meditation for, it
is supposed to be fun, so relax and enjoy yourself!
Many people are searching at this time, for what they call the truth.
They are seeking guidance in this arena from "higher" beings on other dimensions.
Well, surprise, you are one of these beings.
Everyone has a Higher Self, that exists simultaneously on this dimension, as well as all others.
The possibilities for life are limitless, and the great Spirit that you are wants to experience all the possibilities.
You always have contact with your Higher Self, but it comes through more clearly when you focus your intent upon bringing Spirit into your life.
So the phenomenon of channelling is really a simple concept: it is bringing in Spirit (not necessarily your own) and letting it communicate either to you or through you.
Since your Higher Self is not limited by time or space, you can access the whole of your entire being, that is,
your past, present, and future selves, as well as all aspects of it.
Your Spirit is really greater and much more vast than you can imagine, because you are here on the physical plane, learning all about limitation, and don't have the "bird's eye view" that your multidimensional Self does.
Here is a simple technique you can use to channel your Higher Self, or Spirit.
It is a very flexible method and you can always modify any of it to suit your own needs.
Really anyone can do this.
Go somewhere that is quiet where you won't be disturbed, and where you can sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor or ground, and your eyes closed.
It may be helpful to keep a pen and paper handy to write your experiences as they go along.
If you like, you can have a helper with you who can guide you through the initial meditation and ask questions of your Higher Self, and write your answers for you.
Grounding:
Take three deep breaths, letting yourself relax. Imagine your consciousness drifting down into the Earth, as you keep breathing slowly and deeply, and then your consciousness comes to rest somewhere inside the Earth, where you find a place with a certain mineral in it
that you feel attracted to. See this mineral start to glow, becoming brighter with coloured light, whatever colour you like.
Now see the light become a beam, and it is moving up now, all the way up until it enters the bottom of your right foot.
Then become aware of your right foot, how it feels, and see the light begin to move up your right leg, and
become aware of your right leg. Then, see the light continue to go up your right side, as you become aware of that area, then it enters your right hand, and continues up your right arm to the shoulder.
Become fully aware of your whole right side, and see the light illuminating the whole right side of your body.
Now move the light cord over to your left shoulder, and become aware of that area. Now the light begins moving down your left arm, hand, fingers, and you feel it moving down your left side, as you focus your awareness to your left side.
Then the light cord moves down your left leg, into your left foot.
Become fully aware of all sensations in the whole left side of your body.
The light finally continues back down into the Earth, where it connects back to its source, completing the circuit.
The light is continually in motion, moving up form the Earth up your right side as you breathe in, and
circulating back down your left side and back to its source as you breathe out.
Feel this energy revitalizing you as you breathe and relax.
Clearing:
Now see a third energy cord come up out of the Earth, perhaps of another colour, and it enters your body at the base of your spine, the first chakra.
See that chakra as a wheel of light, which fills up with
this new energy and begins to glow brightly, and starts to spin.
As it does this, any negative energies, fears, or blockages begin to clear out, and you see it spinning in perfect alignment with the your spine as an axle.
See the top of the first chakra open up, and see the energy beam move up into the second chakra.
Continue moving the beam up into each successive chakra, seeing each one clear out and start to spin, all
the way up to the seventh chakra at the crown of your head.
Then see the energy beam shoot up out of the top of your head, showering your whole body with light, which surrounds and protects you from any unwanted energies.
Enter your Sanctuary:
See your consciousness rise up along with the beam out through your crown chakra, and find a place for your consciousness to come to rest, anyplace that you like.
First you see a doorway, and only you have the
key to enter this place, your Sanctuary.
Your sanctuary will only have the things in it that you allow.
It can be in nature, a special room, another world, wherever you feel comfortable and safe.
Now look around you.
Off to the left, there is a fountain with a pool of
crystal clear water.
You go over to the fountain and peer into the pool. At first your reflection in the surface of the water is clear,
but then you see the water begin to get wavy and from the center of the pool you see a magnificent being rise up out of the water, glowing in white light.
It's your Higher Self, greeting you with unconditional
love and acceptance.
You greet your Higher Self, and together you go
to another part of your Sanctuary, where there is a place for you to put your mind into a soundproof container, where it will stay for the duration of the experience.
Notice how you feel about your mind.
Know that you are safe and protected, and with you mind put away, you will be able to more fully experience your Higher Self without any judgment.
Feel yourself merge into your Higher Self.
The energy there is wonderful.
Return to your body with your Higher Self:
You and your Higher Self now leave your Sanctuary and find the bright beam of light that brought you here, and follow the beam back to your physical plane body, where you enter with your Higher Self through the
crown chakra.
Take a few deep breaths. Notice how you feel.
When you feel ready, open your eyes.
If you have a helper with you, now is the time to begin asking the questions you prepared for your Higher Self. If you have just written the questions down and have no one to help you, ask yourself the questions and just let yourself receive whatever thoughts, feelings, images, or other sensations come to you.
Write down whatever it is that you get.
Do not try to analyze now, there will be time for that later.
Just let yourself flow with the experience.
After each answer (whatever form that comes to you in) feels complete, go on to the next question.
Here are a few example questions that may be helpful for your first time:
What is my higher purpose for this year?
What blocks or fears do I have that would prevent me from attaining this?
What skills or attributes do I have to help me attain my goals?
What message of love and compassion do you have that <YOUR name>needs to hear at this time?
After the questions feel complete, close your eyes once again, and take your Higher Self with you back to your Sanctuary.
Let your Higher Self return to the magical fountain pool, knowing that it is there for you whenever you need it.
Now go retrieve your mind, accepting it as a part of yourself.
You may stay in your Sanctuary as long as you like,
or return to it whenever you want, for it is your space, a place where you are truly free.
When you are ready, return to your body through the
crown chakra.
Your awareness returns to the room you are in and you
feel refreshed and balanced.
This technique can also be used for channelling other beings of the Light.
It is very important when you channel that you state
your intent and who you are willing to let into your space, because you will be sharing your energy with them and you don't want to do that with anyone who does not have your highest interests at heart.
This technique facilitates conscious channelling, that is, your consciousness does not leave your body while you channel, and you always have the choice when to stop.
There is an element of surrender to Spirit involved, and people who have difficulty with control issues may find it more difficult to learn to channel until they have begun to deal with those fears of not being in control.
If your desire for channeling is for your personal
growth and healing, and you can learn to trust your Spirit to guide you, this technique can be learned very quickly and you will see results manifest in new ways you probably never imagined.
7. Sahasrara-Chakra (Crown chakra)
sugilite (sugilite), ametrine, selenite, clear quartz crystal, amethyst,
lavender quartz, emerald, elestial quartz, rutilated quartz, diamond,
tabular crystal, fluorite (white), topaz (white)
6. Ajna-Chakra (Brow Chakra, third eye)
azurite, sugilite, amethyst, tanzanite, blue tourmaline, sapphire,
lavender quartz, purple fluorite, charoite, sodalite, iolite, falcon eye
5. Vishuddha-Chakra (Throat Chakra)
aquamarine, blue tourmaline (indicolite), blue topaz, chalcedony,
turquoise, chrysocolla, amazonite, lapis lazuli, Dormiterite, Larimar,
sodalite, iolite, blue calcite, falcon eye, kyanite
4. Anahata-Chakra (Heart Chakra)
rosequartz, pink tourmaline (rubellite), rhodochrosite, emerald, green
tourmaline (verdelite), malachite, zoisite-ruby, morganite, green
aventurine, ruby, pink coral, Rhyolite, hiddenite, olivine, grossular,
green jade, nephrite, kunzite, prehnite, chrysoprase, rhodonite,
moldavite, Prasiolite, watermelon tourmaline
3. Manipura-Chakra (Solar plexus chakra)
Citrine, golden topaz, green-yellow tourmaline, tiger eye, Heliodor,
rutilated quartz, citrono calcite, amber, chiastolite, picture jasper
2. Svadhisthana-Chakra (Sacral chakra)
moonstone, carnelian, smoky-citrine quartz, golden topaz, aragonite,
orange calcite, selenite, zircon, sunstone, poppy jasper
1. Muladhara-Chakra (Root chakra)
red garnet, ruby, cuprite, red jasper, black tourmaline (schorl), smoky
quartz, red coral, onyx, botswana agate, black obsidian, hematite, fire
agate, ametrine
SPIRITUALITY SAYS THAT GOD IS WITHIN US AND THAT WE DON'T NEED ANYONE
ELSE TO MAKE THAT DIVINE CONNECTION FOR US
RELIGION SAYS THAT WE ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD AND THAT WE NEED "THEM"
TO MAKE THAT DIVINE CONNECTION
SPIRITUALITY SAYS THAT WE ARE FREE TO MAKE CHOICES ON OUR OWN AND THAT
WE MUST TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ACTIONS
RELIGION SAYS WE MUST MAKE THEIR CHOICES AND ACT THEIR WAY
THE THEME OF SPIRITUALITY IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
THE THEME OF RELIGION IS FEAR AND GUILT
SPIRITUALITY DOES NOT REQUIRE US TO MAKE DONATIONS
RELIGION HAS BECOME BIG BUSINESS
SPIRITUALITY SAYS THERE IS NO HELL, NO JUDGEMENT, NO ANGRY GOD... THAT
WE ARE LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY
RELIGION SAYS THERE IS A HELL, GOD GETS ANGRY AND JUDGES US...
THEREFORE, WE ARE NOT LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE ARE FREE TO CHOOSE OUR OWN PATH TO GOD
RELIGION COMMANDS US TO DO IT THEIR WAY
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE GO TO GOD TO LIGHTEN OUR BURDEN
RELIGION HAS TAUGHT US TO FEAR THEIR GOD
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED OF OUR SEXUALITY... THAT IT
SHOULD BE A SACRED CELEBRATION OF LOVE
RELIGION HAS TAUGHT US TO FEEL ASHAMED, GUILTY AND DIRTY ABOUT OUR
SEXUALITY
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES US TO HONOR AND RESPECT MOTHER EARTH
RELIGION HAS TOLD US TO "BE THOU FRUITFUL, MULTIPLY AND SUBDUE THE
EARTH" I REPEAT... "SUBDUE THE EARTH"
SPIRITUALITY REMINDS US THAT WE ARE ONE WITH GOD AND ONE WITH EACH OTHER
RELIGION TEACHES DISUNITY AND SEPARATION WHICH IS THE OPPOSITE OF GOD
SPIRITUALITY SAYS GOD IS WITHIN
RELIGION SAYS HE IS IN HEAVEN AND THAT "THEY" ARE THE ONLY
INTERMEDIARIES FOR US
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE ARE BORN IN INNOCENCE AND PURITY
RELIGION SAYS WE ARE BORN WITH SIN
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES THAT WE ARE ON A LONG SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE AND
JOURNEY WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY END BY REUNITING WITH OUR SOURCE
RELIGION SAYS WE'VE GOT ONE LIFE TO GET IT ALL RIGHT AND THERE IS
NOTHING BUT HEAVEN OR HELL AFTER THAT
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE ARE FREE TO EXPRESS
RELIGION GAVE US THE DREADED INQUISITION
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR ALL
RELIGION GAVE US THE CRUSADES IN WHICH MANY WERE KILLED AND
SLAUGHTERED IN THE NAME OF GOD
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES THAT WE SHOULD LOVE ONE ANOTHER UNCONDITIONALLY
AND ALWAYS HONOR THE RIGHTS AND CHOICES OF OTHERS
RELIGION TREATED NATIVE AMERICANS, THE MAYANS AND OTHER INDIGENOUS
CULTURES AS SAVAGE PRIMITIVES WHO "MUST BE SAVED"
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES PEACE AND HARMONY
RELIGION HAS CAUSED MORE WARS AND MORE KILLING THAN ANY OTHER REASON
SPIRITUALITY SAYS RESPECT ALL LIVING THINGS
I NEVER ONCE HEARD ANY RELIGION SAY STOP SLAUGHTERING MILLIONS OF
TREES EVERY YEAR FOR CHRIST'S BIRTHDAY
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES US TO HAVE FAITH IN OURSELVES
RELIGION TEACHES US TO HAVE FAITH IN THEM
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS... THAT WE CAN FIND THEM BY
"GOING WITHIN"
RELIGION TEACHES US THAT IT HAS ALL THE ANSWERS AND ONLY ITS ANSWERS
ARE THE RIGHT ONES
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES US TO SEARCH FOR THE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS AND OUR
HEARTS WILL TELL US WHEN WE HAVE FOUND THEM
RELIGION TEACHES WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ACCEPT THEIR VERSION OF THE
TRUTH
WHICH ONE FEELS BETTER TO YOU? SPIRITUALITY OR RELIGION?
GO TO YOUR HEART FOR THE ANSWER IT WILL NEVER LIE TO YOU
Original author unknown but appreciated
