Praktik
12th June 2009, 07:26 AM
So I've been involved in a long-running, sometimes antagonistic series of debates with what used to be a close friend of mine on another board. The board is a remnant of the community that used to throw three-day summer festivals at various locations in Southern Ontario - with many stages of music (usually electronic, but live-bands played too) and workshops on everything from politics to all sorts of woo.
All stripes could be found there but there was a strong contingent of hippies and much infusing of the festival with ideas of the supernatural, paganism and so on. There were also lots of people there just to party and budding skeptics like myself. In fact, I can point to one individual whose outlook (and posts!) really helped guide me along my path to skepticism. It really was inclusive - but like I said, lots of woo around.
Anyway - the message board for this festival has been the site of many acrimonious debates on everything from chemtrails, the NAU, masons, 9/11, anti-vaccine, AIDS conspiracies, NWO, Ron Paul, fluoride, chi, acupuncture, reiki, reflexology, psychic powers, ESP, ghosts, the merits of post-secondary education and mediums. My friend and I find ourselves on opposing sides of these debates nearly every time. To me, there really is no woo he hasn't dipped into, for him - there really is no woo I haven't denied.
This has distanced us from each other somewhat, but I think that's the inevitable consequence of one thinking the other is a flake and one thinking the other is a programmed sheep.
While I've had constructive conversations with people I don't agree with in many different venues and with many different people our debates don't go that way. Most of the time it ends up in a long attack on my supposed "limitations" and we end up with pages discussing the degree to which my education has "programmed" me, whether or not I dismiss things outright or with consideration, and so on. He wants me to come over and see some books he has and "other evidence" he doesn't name, but because we hang out in the same circle, and because I like keeping this stuff online and just having fun when we're hanging out, I have refused his offer and suggested he offer names I could look up and the like.
I would also feel weird having to give immediate reactions to what looks like a conversion attempt. Given our history and the way we've debated, I'm not convinced it would go that well and perhaps push us even farther apart.
Anyway, in a recent and vitriolic debate on ESP and psychic powers he finally decided to offer the evidence he had only hinted at before. His mom and sister went to see a medium:
mom & sis went to the medium (who is supposed to be one of the best in Canada). I asked them how it went and they said it was amazing. I was doubtful, or thinking "well, he probably just told you what you want to hear"... I asked them what happened. They said - "just listen to the tape. You HAVE to hear it for yourself"... So I did. I took the tape home, and late one night several days later, I listened. The 1st 10 minutes or so confirmed my previous skepticism and expectation that it was ********... Then the real information started coming... By an hour in, my jaw was on the floor. There is absolutely NO WAY this man could have possibly known ANY of this information unless he was speaking directly with my dad (or hid in my house, and the houses of other people and observed for 30 years AND somehow had access to future events). No way. At all. Not even a 1% possibility. I don't want to get into the details here, but my jaw dropped even more when, about 1 year later, something happened that was predicted by that medium. And not a minor "wow that's cute" thing. It was something unbelievably amazing.
So, in summary, I was definitely skeptical to begin with. But the experience, rather than confirming my prior belief or bias, certainly changed my mind. It blew my mind open completely actually. Sorry that your theory about confirmation of bias is completely wrong.This is definitely one of his more balanced posts. This is surely, apart from a series of amazing "coincidences", part of the bedrock of his belief in the supernatural and supernatural powers.
I have definitely come across some convincing deconstructions of medium-ship, most memorably in the Penn + Teller episode of ******** that dealt with them. The loss of my friend's father was a very rough time for him - and I think some of us in our group of friends have recognized that it was from that moment onwards that he became more insistent and belligerent about his beliefs. I am not the only one to have experienced the sharp end of that stick.
So he posted something from the medium's site (without linking), the medium's own pitch:
What is Mediumship?
It is simply the act of receiving loving and helpful messages from loved ones who have crossed over. All that is needed is a true desire from both sides to communicate. A good medium's role is not to try to convince anyone that life after death exists… they simply should be the best channel they can be and provide you with all the information they receive from those who have crossed over… then you take all that information and come to your own conclusions.
Expectations
The time leading up to your reading with me can be filled with an abundance of different emotions such as: Expectations, Nervousness, Happiness, Fear of the unknown, Is this real or isn't it? All these feelings are part of the process.
Most people come to a session with a particular goal of who they want to hear from and even what should be said by their loved one to prove that this is real.... WARNING: You are setting yourself up for a big DISAPPOINTMENT!! I doubt you could put words in your loved one's mouth while they were alive physically, don't think you can do it now because they have crossed over.
It is vital that you come to a reading without heightened expectations but rather remain open to any and all that should decide to come through and make contact with you. As a client your role is to be prepared as much as possible for your reading. Know your family, the names of those who have passed over and what physical conditions lead to their passing. Please keep in mind that in-laws, and ex-in-laws are still family and may decide to make themselves known throughout the course of your reading.
Always expect … The Unexpected
Always keep a healthy skepticism about what is happening and what is being told to you. NEVER make it fit. But realize that someone you least expect may and probably will make an appearance… that is just the way it is. Just because you never met your grandfather don't assume he won't come through.
Prove it to me
If you were coming with a PROVE IT TO ME attitude, you would be best to stay at home. I cannot change anyone's mind, nor do I wish to… you would be wasting your time and mine. I have nothing to prove.
Yes or No
Only answer with 'yes' or ' no' when the information is being given to you or something is asked of you. Do not elaborate, but please acknowledge the information that is coming through when it makes sense to you. Always and without exception the more you understand and can acknowledge, the stronger my connection becomes with your loved ones.
Before booking your private reading consider:
* First you have to determine whether you wish to sit with a medium or a psychic. There is a big difference. A medium receives messages and images from those in spirit. A psychic will pick up on your energy and relay what they feel based on your energy that day.
* If any medium promises you the world or guarantees that you will receive communication from any one person in particular… I strongly encourage you to turn and run as fast as you can back to your car. In life there are no guarantees and when working with spirit that rule still applies. My experiences have shown when there is a genuine need those needed usually come through.
* If a medium charges an unreasonable high fee, or charges per question or per communicator, think twice before booking. I believe you can't put a price on what I do, only on my time. The service offered by a good medium can be invaluable, and you should expect to pay a reasonable rate for his or her time.
* Always use your good judgment when it comes to predictions. I believe the medium can only provide you with what they are seeing at the time… you have the power to change the future… it's called free will. Please remember your future is not etched in stone.
* Make the medium work for you. Be careful of people who ask personal questions before or during your reading. Very often they are fishing for information to use in your reading.
* Loved ones in spirit come to you for one reason and one reason only…. It is called LOVE. They are not concerned about finances, romance or careers; they want you to grasp the big picture… The big picture is, they are still around you and very much an active part of your life.
* If a medium does not record your reading or will not allow you to record it… run in the opposite direction as fast as your feet will carry you.
There are definitely a few red flags in there for me. I am still unsure whether I want to share my ideas on the other board, but I thought I'd make an attempt in my next post to do so here.
I also encourage anyone else with a little more experience researching these kinds of things to comment on the medium's words. Most of my interest in the paranormal/woo has focused on conspiracy theory, not so much these kinds of things. If there are any handy skeptical links that provide good information on psychics, and mediums especially, feel free to post them! I could google, sure, but I bet someone here has already done the hunting and pecking..;)
All stripes could be found there but there was a strong contingent of hippies and much infusing of the festival with ideas of the supernatural, paganism and so on. There were also lots of people there just to party and budding skeptics like myself. In fact, I can point to one individual whose outlook (and posts!) really helped guide me along my path to skepticism. It really was inclusive - but like I said, lots of woo around.
Anyway - the message board for this festival has been the site of many acrimonious debates on everything from chemtrails, the NAU, masons, 9/11, anti-vaccine, AIDS conspiracies, NWO, Ron Paul, fluoride, chi, acupuncture, reiki, reflexology, psychic powers, ESP, ghosts, the merits of post-secondary education and mediums. My friend and I find ourselves on opposing sides of these debates nearly every time. To me, there really is no woo he hasn't dipped into, for him - there really is no woo I haven't denied.
This has distanced us from each other somewhat, but I think that's the inevitable consequence of one thinking the other is a flake and one thinking the other is a programmed sheep.
While I've had constructive conversations with people I don't agree with in many different venues and with many different people our debates don't go that way. Most of the time it ends up in a long attack on my supposed "limitations" and we end up with pages discussing the degree to which my education has "programmed" me, whether or not I dismiss things outright or with consideration, and so on. He wants me to come over and see some books he has and "other evidence" he doesn't name, but because we hang out in the same circle, and because I like keeping this stuff online and just having fun when we're hanging out, I have refused his offer and suggested he offer names I could look up and the like.
I would also feel weird having to give immediate reactions to what looks like a conversion attempt. Given our history and the way we've debated, I'm not convinced it would go that well and perhaps push us even farther apart.
Anyway, in a recent and vitriolic debate on ESP and psychic powers he finally decided to offer the evidence he had only hinted at before. His mom and sister went to see a medium:
mom & sis went to the medium (who is supposed to be one of the best in Canada). I asked them how it went and they said it was amazing. I was doubtful, or thinking "well, he probably just told you what you want to hear"... I asked them what happened. They said - "just listen to the tape. You HAVE to hear it for yourself"... So I did. I took the tape home, and late one night several days later, I listened. The 1st 10 minutes or so confirmed my previous skepticism and expectation that it was ********... Then the real information started coming... By an hour in, my jaw was on the floor. There is absolutely NO WAY this man could have possibly known ANY of this information unless he was speaking directly with my dad (or hid in my house, and the houses of other people and observed for 30 years AND somehow had access to future events). No way. At all. Not even a 1% possibility. I don't want to get into the details here, but my jaw dropped even more when, about 1 year later, something happened that was predicted by that medium. And not a minor "wow that's cute" thing. It was something unbelievably amazing.
So, in summary, I was definitely skeptical to begin with. But the experience, rather than confirming my prior belief or bias, certainly changed my mind. It blew my mind open completely actually. Sorry that your theory about confirmation of bias is completely wrong.This is definitely one of his more balanced posts. This is surely, apart from a series of amazing "coincidences", part of the bedrock of his belief in the supernatural and supernatural powers.
I have definitely come across some convincing deconstructions of medium-ship, most memorably in the Penn + Teller episode of ******** that dealt with them. The loss of my friend's father was a very rough time for him - and I think some of us in our group of friends have recognized that it was from that moment onwards that he became more insistent and belligerent about his beliefs. I am not the only one to have experienced the sharp end of that stick.
So he posted something from the medium's site (without linking), the medium's own pitch:
What is Mediumship?
It is simply the act of receiving loving and helpful messages from loved ones who have crossed over. All that is needed is a true desire from both sides to communicate. A good medium's role is not to try to convince anyone that life after death exists… they simply should be the best channel they can be and provide you with all the information they receive from those who have crossed over… then you take all that information and come to your own conclusions.
Expectations
The time leading up to your reading with me can be filled with an abundance of different emotions such as: Expectations, Nervousness, Happiness, Fear of the unknown, Is this real or isn't it? All these feelings are part of the process.
Most people come to a session with a particular goal of who they want to hear from and even what should be said by their loved one to prove that this is real.... WARNING: You are setting yourself up for a big DISAPPOINTMENT!! I doubt you could put words in your loved one's mouth while they were alive physically, don't think you can do it now because they have crossed over.
It is vital that you come to a reading without heightened expectations but rather remain open to any and all that should decide to come through and make contact with you. As a client your role is to be prepared as much as possible for your reading. Know your family, the names of those who have passed over and what physical conditions lead to their passing. Please keep in mind that in-laws, and ex-in-laws are still family and may decide to make themselves known throughout the course of your reading.
Always expect … The Unexpected
Always keep a healthy skepticism about what is happening and what is being told to you. NEVER make it fit. But realize that someone you least expect may and probably will make an appearance… that is just the way it is. Just because you never met your grandfather don't assume he won't come through.
Prove it to me
If you were coming with a PROVE IT TO ME attitude, you would be best to stay at home. I cannot change anyone's mind, nor do I wish to… you would be wasting your time and mine. I have nothing to prove.
Yes or No
Only answer with 'yes' or ' no' when the information is being given to you or something is asked of you. Do not elaborate, but please acknowledge the information that is coming through when it makes sense to you. Always and without exception the more you understand and can acknowledge, the stronger my connection becomes with your loved ones.
Before booking your private reading consider:
* First you have to determine whether you wish to sit with a medium or a psychic. There is a big difference. A medium receives messages and images from those in spirit. A psychic will pick up on your energy and relay what they feel based on your energy that day.
* If any medium promises you the world or guarantees that you will receive communication from any one person in particular… I strongly encourage you to turn and run as fast as you can back to your car. In life there are no guarantees and when working with spirit that rule still applies. My experiences have shown when there is a genuine need those needed usually come through.
* If a medium charges an unreasonable high fee, or charges per question or per communicator, think twice before booking. I believe you can't put a price on what I do, only on my time. The service offered by a good medium can be invaluable, and you should expect to pay a reasonable rate for his or her time.
* Always use your good judgment when it comes to predictions. I believe the medium can only provide you with what they are seeing at the time… you have the power to change the future… it's called free will. Please remember your future is not etched in stone.
* Make the medium work for you. Be careful of people who ask personal questions before or during your reading. Very often they are fishing for information to use in your reading.
* Loved ones in spirit come to you for one reason and one reason only…. It is called LOVE. They are not concerned about finances, romance or careers; they want you to grasp the big picture… The big picture is, they are still around you and very much an active part of your life.
* If a medium does not record your reading or will not allow you to record it… run in the opposite direction as fast as your feet will carry you.
There are definitely a few red flags in there for me. I am still unsure whether I want to share my ideas on the other board, but I thought I'd make an attempt in my next post to do so here.
I also encourage anyone else with a little more experience researching these kinds of things to comment on the medium's words. Most of my interest in the paranormal/woo has focused on conspiracy theory, not so much these kinds of things. If there are any handy skeptical links that provide good information on psychics, and mediums especially, feel free to post them! I could google, sure, but I bet someone here has already done the hunting and pecking..;)