I am pleased to announce a four-day FREE promotion of the kindle version of my eBook Musings Of A Medium. This is to celebrate the new cover reveal for my book Angelic Wisdom Trilogy. The promotion runs from 30 October through to 2 November, midnight to midnight PST inclusive. The relevant links are below; just click, download and enjoy!
The New Cover For Angelic Wisdom Trilogy, designed by Sycamore Road Design
I suppose the title sounds a bit cynical, probably because there is a hint of cynicism cunningly inserted into it, but there is a reason for my cynicism. For the uninitiated trance mediumship is when a medium allows a dis-carnate soul to overshadow/enter their physical body, take over their voice box and then speak through them. Theoretically, the spirit guide, or whomever the communicating soul may be, then proceeds to speak words of wisdom and enlightenment. That all sounds pretty good, however, we live in changing times and to me, this is just one of many examples of how UK Spiritualism remains firmly rooted in the past. I will now endeavour to qualify this statement by offering my reasons for holding this view.
We need to understand that the human race, and indeed our wonderful planet, is going through a shift at this moment in time. It should also be said that it is only the spiritually un-aware who are not able to feel these changes that are taking place as I type. I mention this because we are fast heading towards a new Golden Age; and people all over the planet are going through an awakening that is very tangible in its process. People all over the planet are waking up to who they really are and coming to the realisation that what we are all seeking has all the time been closer than our very finger tips, and has indeed been nestling within our own hearts. We also need to understand that ALL form, without exception, both in this realm and the astral realms, is an illusion.
Now, this “thing” that we have all been searching for, i.e. “the bliss that passes all understanding” or God, if you like, which is our true nature, is also an infinite ocean of love, wisdom and truth. To be more precise, this God-ness is actually all these things rolled into one. Having established this it is now apparent that there is no reason whatsoever for anyone anywhere to want to allow the likes of “Auntie Doris” or “Big Chief Tomahawk” the spirit guide (who isn’t even a real Red Indian anyway) to take over their voice box and speak in a funny voice and maybe do a bit of hand waving in the process. What I mean is, that what is contained within the illusion of our physical form is all-knowing and wisdom personified, therefore if we are now awakening to this truth is it not the most logical, practical and simple thing in the world to just tap into this source of inner joy and take from it what we need to enhance our own lives and the lives of others? Illusion will always dissolve and fade away when faced with truth, so if we are now waking up to our truth what further purpose could trance mediumship possibly serve?
What purpose does it serve to have another soul, who may or may not be as evolved as we are, take over our physical body and use our voice box to speak, when we have something within us that is far more profound? We also need to understand that everything we see is just an opinion, meaning that we all view the world from our own perspective and vision; and we have already established that all form is an illusion. This would suggest that not only is Big Chief Tomahawk not a real Red Indian, but the Uncle Charlies and Auntie Mabels of the astral planes didn’t actually exist here on Earth in the way that we remember; what we saw of them was just our opinion at the time.
I don’t write with cynicism in order to be insulting or disrespectful in any way, but I find that it enables me to simplify my writing and put things over in ways that people can understand, and I’m afraid that I find the whole Spiritualism thing so outdated. It seems to imply that we will find what we are looking for externally, yet nothing could be further from the truth. I have always accepted that we all need to start somewhere, but once you have established a platform from which to work you need to evolve, and Spiritualism just doesn’t do this; It’s the same old same old. It seeks to prove survival after physical death, and I believe it does this admirably, but it doesn’t do anything else; for heaven’s sake, just how many times do we need to be told that Auntie Doris baked cakes and liked her garden????
Never in a million years will we find the peace that passes all understanding when we look outside of ourselves. A medium cannot tell us anything that is going to take away our worries, fears and troubles; only mind control via inner enquiry can do that, and the whole concept of trance mediumship implies that we have to rely on another party separate from ourselves to provide guidance. You the reader, you yourself are God and all the knowledge you will ever need, you have already. Anyone that we look to for guidance can, at the most, only point us in the direction of ourselves.
Do not be content with the empty shells washed up on the shore, instead dive deep into the ocean and collect the pearls of wisdom – Sri Sathya Sai Baba
In summary I would like to say that I accept wholeheartedly that there is a need for people who have no spiritual understanding to come to the realisation that there is no death, and that those they love have in fact simply stepped out of the body into another dimension. My biggest gripe with Spiritualism is that it doesn’t seem to move beyond this point, although I also accept that many people still believe that death actually exists and need the comfort that Spiritualism provides. However, it should also be understood that the mind, ego and senses will always trick us into looking at the world from the perspective of duality. When we are awake we transcend the mind, ego and senses and therefore view the world from the perspective of “Oneness”, which is truth. Bearing this in mind and going back to the title of this article “Trance Mediumship – What’s The Point”; who can actually speak through us? From the perspective of Oneness, no one but ourselves.
The following is a piece from the teachers manual of A Course In Miracles. I am posting it here because I thought it would be really helpful to anyone going through a spiritual awakening at this moment; anyone who is experiencing the same things as I am. Because of the shift in vibration that is happening in and around the planet right now, many spiritual seekers are experiencing great difficulties on an emotional, mental and physical level; difficulties that instigate a lot of soul-searching. It doesn’t help matters that the ego-self, still wanting to be top dog, is having a field day in cahoots with the mind, causing doubts to surface within the spiritual seeker. I found this by “accident” on the internet and subscribed to the course. When I read this piece it was like a bit of a eureka moment, in that it made things much clearer for me. I knew already that people like me have been experiencing certain symptoms for some time, as our physical bodies move with the changes, but reading this made things even more clear. It is a bit high-brow in places, but just take your time and digest it and I’m sure it will help you too.
In Love and Light
Richard
TRUST
This is the foundation on which their ability to fulfill their function rests. Perception is the result of learning. In fact, perception learning, because cause and effect are never separated. The teachers of God have trust in the world, because they have learned it is not governed by the laws the world made up. It is governed by a power that is them but not them. It is this power that keeps all things safe. It is through this power that the teachers of God look on a forgiven world.
When this power has once been experienced, it is impossible to trust one’s own petty strength again. Who would attempt to fly with the tiny wings of a sparrow when the mighty power of an eagle has been given him? And who would place his faith in the shabby offerings of the ego when the gifts of God are laid before him? What is it that induces them to make the shift?
First, they must go through what might be called “a period of undoing.” This need not be painful, but it usually is so experienced. It seems as if things are being taken away, and it is rarely understood initially that their lack of value is merely being recognized. How can lack of value be perceived unless the perceiver is in a position where he must see things in a different light? He is not yet at a point at which he can make the shift entirely internally. And so the plan will sometimes call for changes in what seem to be external circumstances. These changes are always helpful. When the teacher of God has learned that much, he goes on to the second stage.
Next, the teacher of God must go through “a period of sorting out.” This is always somewhat difficult because, having learned that the changes in his life are always helpful, he must now decide all things on the basis of whether they increase the helpfulness or hamper it. He will find that many, if not most of the things he valued before will merely hinder his ability to transfer what he has learned to new situations as they arise. Because he has valued what is really valueless, he will not generalize the lesson for fear of loss and sacrifice. It takes great learning to understand that all things, events, encounters and circumstances are helpful. It is only to the extent to which they are helpful that any degree of reality should be accorded them in this world of illusion. The word “value” can apply to nothing else.
The third stage through which the teacher of God must go can be called “a period of relinquishment.” If this is interpreted as giving up the desirable, it will engender enormous conflict. Few teachers of God escape this distress entirely. There is, however, no point in sorting out the valuable from the valueless unless the next obvious step is taken. Therefore, the period of overlap is apt to be one in which the teacher of God feels called upon to sacrifice his own best interests on behalf of truth. He has not realized as yet how wholly impossible such a demand would be. He can learn this only as he actually does give up the valueless. Through this, he learns that where he anticipated grief, he finds a happy lightheartedness instead; where he thought something was asked of him, he finds a gift bestowed on him.
Now comes “a period of settling down.” This is a quiet time, in which the teacher of God rests a while in reasonable peace. Now he consolidates his learning. Now he begins to see the transfer value of what he has learned. Its potential is literally staggering, and the teacher of God is now at the point in his progress at which he sees in it his whole way out. “Give up what you do not want, and keep what you do.” How simple is the obvious! And how easy to do! The teacher of God needs this period of respite. He has not yet come as far as he thinks. Yet when he is ready to go on, he goes with mighty companions beside him. Now he rests a while, and gathers them before going on. He will not go on from here alone.
The next stage is indeed “a period of unsettling.” Now must the teacher of God understand that he did not really know what was valuable and what was valueless. All that he really learned so far was that he did not want the valueless, and that he did want the valuable. Yet his own sorting out was meaningless in teaching him the difference. The idea of sacrifice, so central to his own thought system, had made it impossible for him to judge. He thought he learned willingness, but now he sees that he does not know what the willingness is for. And now he must attain a state that may remain impossible to reach for a long, long time. He must learn to lay all judgment aside, and ask only what he really wants in every circumstance. Were not each step in this direction so heavily reinforced, it would be hard indeed!
And finally, there is “a period of achievement.” It is here that learning is consolidated. Now what was seen as merely shadows before become solid gains, to be counted on in all “emergencies” as well as tranquil times. Indeed, the tranquility is their result; the outcome of honest learning, consistency of thought and full transfer. This is the stage of real peace, for here is Heaven’s state fully reflected. From here, the way to Heaven is open and easy. In fact, it is here. Who would “go” anywhere, if peace of mind is already complete? And who would seek to change tranquility for something more desirable? What could be more desirable than this?
Hi Stephanie! Would you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sure. My name is Stephanie Keyes. I write YA for YA readers and for those of us who will eternally be YA. I’m a mom, a wife, a book addict, a gadget freak, and love of breakfast foods.
Do you have anything you would like to say to your readers?
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and interact with quite a few readers and potential readers in the promo stage for The Star Child and it’s been great. There’s something about the YA audience in general, that makes it wonderful to interact with. If you’re new to my work and The Star Child, then I hope you’ll check it out.
When did you realize that you would like to write and publish a book?
I’ve always had this in the back of my mind, on an informal bucket list so to speak. However, I never took it seriously until I got the idea for the book. Then there was this little voice in the back of my mind saying “Hey, this could be what we were thinking about…”. I just rant with it and whenever; I decide to do something, it’s important to me to follow through.
Can you tell us a little bit about your book The Star Child?
Definitely! It’s about Kellen St. James, who turns eighteen years old on the day of his graduation from Yale. He’s on the field for graduation and gets pulled through a portal into a dream that he’s had every night since he was six years old. That was the year that he met Calienta, the beautiful little girl that he thought might be his only friend.
Now, eleven years later, she shows up, telling Kellen that he’s part of a prophecy that involves saving the world from darkness. In no time at all, Kellen finds himself on the run and involved with Calienta in a way that he never has before. Will they make it in time? Will they end up in love? Read and see!
Which came first for you, the characters or the plot?
In this case, Calienta was the first character that I thought of. After that I sat down to write her story and the first thing that came out was a prologue with Kellen meeting her when he was six years old.
Where can we purchase The Star Child?
It’s available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through the Inkspell Publishing website.
Can we expect more novels from you in 2012?
I just finished book two in The Star Child trilogy and am working on editing it now. It continues the story of Kellen, Calienta, and Gabe. It’s entitled The Fallen Stars.
Are you reading anything interesting at the moment? If so, what is it?
The Nine Lives of Chloe King by Liz Braswell.
Why this genre(s)?
Because I love the idea, that magic could exist in the real world. I just keep searching for it.
Can you tell us a few do’s and don’ts for aspiring authors?
Sure! Here are a few that I try to live by:
Be nice to everyone, even if they don’t deserve it. This has always been my approach to life. I wrote and taught Customer Service training in the corporate world long before I started writing and I carried this over. Treat everyone with respect and kindness and you’d be surprised at how people respond to this. Not a new concept, I know!
Don’t trash authors, publishing houses, peers, anyone. Here’s why: Twitter, Facebook, Blogs… those messages have a way of getting around. People remember how you interact and see that as a reflection of how you’ll interact with them. Beyond that, it’s not professional.
Be professional. If you want to submit to publishing house or agent, don’t ask them what you should submit. Go to their website and do the research. Act like a professional and people may just enjoy working with you!
What is your take on editing your work (pre-edits I suppose before it gets passed to an editor)—do you hate it? Is it a strong point for you?
I do hate it, but it makes a good book a great book. Ironically, I think that it is a strong point for me. I’ve always been very open to feedback and whenever I get a kernel of feedback, I take it and try to apply it.
About the Book
The world is about to be cloaked in darkness.
Only one can stop the night.
Kellen St. James has spent his entire life being overlooked as an unwanted, ordinary, slightly geeky kid. That is until a beautiful girl, one who has haunted his dreams for the past eleven years of his life, shows up spinning tales of a prophecy. Not just any old prophecy either, but one in which Kellen plays a key role.
Suddenly, Kellen finds himself on the run through a Celtic underworld of faeries and demons, angels and gods, not to mention a really ticked off pack of hellhounds, all in order to save the world from darkness. But will they make it in time?
About the Author
Stephanie Keyes holds an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems as well as a Master’s in Education. A seasoned, facilitator, Mrs. Keyes worked in Training and Development for an international telecommunications corporation for twelve years; spending the first eight years of her career as a Software Trainer and Technical Writer and the last four working in Human Resources and Employee Development.
In May of 2012, Mrs. Keyes left the corporate world to focus on her family and her writing full-time. She also operates a freelance graphic and instructional design business, Sycamore Road Design.
Inkspell Publishing will release her first novel, The Star Child, on September 21, 2012. She is now currently at work on the second book in The Star Child Trilogy, The Fallen Stars.
Keyes lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two children, and Riley the dog.
There is no doubt that when using the law of attraction for the good of everyone, you are connecting yourself to great power. However, the law is also available to you individually so that you may live your life to the fullest. When you live your life to the fullest you have so much more to give others. Your pain and misery does not help the world. But your joy and your life lived fully uplifts the world – Rhonda Byrne
For the diseases of doubt, despair and hesitation, which are the occupational diseases of spiritual aspirants, the most effective remedy is service – Sri Sathya Sai Baba
If faith in ourselves had been more extensively taught and practiced, I am sure a very large portion of the evils and miseries that we have would have vanished – Swami Vivekananda
Author - Richard F Holmes 