John Edward: Stop Trying to “Move On” After Loss (Use THIS Daily Practice to Make Peace Without the Answers)
In this episode of On Purpose with Jay Shetty, psychic medium John Edward discusses his journey into mediumship, which began at age 15 when a psychic reading transformed his perspective. He explains how personal losses, including the deaths of his uncle and mother, shaped his development of various psychic abilities and his approach to readings. Edward describes his process of receiving spiritual communications and the importance of providing specific, verifiable details during sessions.
The conversation explores how mediumship relates to the grieving process, with Edward explaining that his work aims not to eliminate grief but to validate the survival of consciousness and help people maintain connections with deceased loved ones. He addresses skepticism surrounding psychic abilities by discussing his participation in scientific testing and his emphasis on evidence-based validation, while maintaining clear professional boundaries in his practice.
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1-Page Summary
John Edward's Background and Development as a Medium
John Edward's journey into mediumship began at age 15 when a psychic reading transformed him from skeptic to believer. Initially focusing on present-based readings, Edward's abilities evolved following personal losses, particularly after his uncle's death in 1987 and his mother's passing. These experiences helped him develop various psychic abilities, including clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsentience.
The Process and Experience of Psychic Mediumship
Edward describes receiving spiritual communications through what he calls "cloudy seeing" or "cloudy hearing" - subtle sensations similar to thoughts one has while reading without seeing the actual words. During readings, he maintains focus by looking at blank walls or specific set designs. Edward believes in providing specific, often trivial details during sessions to validate the presence of deceased loved ones, using symbols like pink roses to convey messages from spirits.
The Role of Mediums in Grief and Healing
Through his work, Edward emphasizes that mediumship isn't about "fixing" grief but rather about validating the survival of consciousness and maintaining ongoing connections with departed loved ones. Drawing from his own experience with loss, Edward guides clients through grief by encouraging them to incorporate memories of their loved ones into daily life, such as sharing stories, maintaining traditions, and posting photos when feeling their presence.
Addressing Skepticism Around Psychic Abilities
Edward acknowledges the importance of healthy skepticism in mediumship, distinguishing it from cynicism. He has subjected his abilities to scientific testing, including participating in the HBO documentary "America Under Cover, Life After Life." To establish credibility, Edward provides specific, validated information during readings rather than relying on generalizations, and takes personal responsibility when unable to make connections. He emphasizes the importance of evidence-based validation in psychic work while maintaining professional boundaries and authenticity.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- The efficacy of mediumship and psychic abilities is not supported by scientific consensus, and many consider such practices to be pseudoscience.
- Personal experiences and anecdotal evidence are not considered reliable forms of validation in a scientific context.
- The use of specific details and symbols like pink roses could be interpreted as cold reading techniques, where the medium makes high-probability guesses and reads the sitter's reactions to appear accurate.
- The claim that consciousness survives after death lacks empirical evidence and is a matter of personal belief rather than an established fact.
- The idea that mediums can guide individuals through grief might be seen as encroaching on the territory of licensed mental health professionals who are trained to provide evidence-based grief counseling.
- Participation in a documentary or self-reported testing does not equate to rigorous scientific validation of psychic abilities.
- The distinction between healthy skepticism and cynicism can be subjective, and what one person considers healthy skepticism, another might view as cynicism or vice versa.
- The responsibility taken by Edward when unable to make connections could be seen as an admission that mediumship is not consistently reliable.
- The emphasis on evidence-based validation in psychic work is at odds with the lack of scientifically accepted evidence supporting the existence of psychic abilities.
Actionables
- Explore your own intuitive abilities by keeping a journal of any 'gut feelings' or intuitions and later checking to see if they were accurate. This can help you become more attuned to your subconscious and possibly develop a greater sense of intuition over time.
- Create a personal space for reflection that's free from distractions, similar to how Edward uses blank walls, to help you concentrate during tasks that require deep focus. This could be a minimalist room or a corner with neutral colors and minimal decor that you use when you need to concentrate on work or personal reflection.
- Foster a healthy skepticism by researching claims and seeking evidence before accepting them, which can apply to all areas of life, including news, health advice, or even product reviews. This practice can help you develop critical thinking skills and avoid misinformation.
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John Edward's Background and Development as a Medium
John Edward's journey into mediumship began with an experience when he was just 15 years old, which set him on a path that diverged significantly from his initial skepticism.
Psychic Experience at 15 Set John Edward on Path To Becoming Medium
Teen Skeptic Turned Believer: Edward's Psychic Awakening at 15
At the age of 15, John Edward was skeptical about psychic phenomena, but a reading from a woman changed his trajectory. She told him that he had the potential to alter the way millions of people perceive the concept of mediumship. Initially, Edward's readings were rooted in the present and did not involve communication with the deceased.
Edward's Psychic Abilities Included Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, and Clairsentience
Edward Honed His Ability to Connect the Physical and Spiritual Realms, Acting As a Medium Between the Living and the Deceased
However, Edward's perspective expanded after his uncle passed away in 1987. This personal loss made ...
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John Edward's Background and Development as a Medium
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your own potential psychic abilities by keeping a dream journal. Documenting your dreams each morning might reveal patterns or intuitive insights that you're not aware of during your waking hours. Over time, you may notice recurring symbols or messages that could be reflective of a deeper intuition at work.
- Use personal experiences to foster empathy in everyday interactions. Reflect on past losses or challenges you've faced, and actively listen to others who are going through similar situations. This can help you develop a deeper sense of empathy and understanding, which can improve your relationships and support networks.
- Start a practice of mindfulness to become more attuned to your surrou ...
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The Process and Experience of Psychic Mediumship
Renowned psychic medium John Edward shares insights into the world of mediumship, detailing how he receives messages and evidence of post-death consciousness.
Mediumship: Receiving Messages and Sensations From Spirits
Edward, who immersed himself in occult literature from a young age, realized his natural abilities were uncommon among peers. He witnessed apparitions and had premonitory dreams, leading to an active development of his abilities.
Mediumship as Energetic Process: Edward "Sees, Hears, Feels" Spiritual Communications
John Edward receives spiritual communication through energy in different forms: clairvoyance (seeing), clairaudience (hearing), and clairsentience (feeling). He likens the subtlety of these sensations to thoughts one has while reading a page without actually seeing the words. Edward humorously calls it "cloudy seeing" or "cloudy hearing," emphasizing the ambiguity in perceptions.
In his readings, Edward maintains focus by looking at a blank wall or using set designs like the large white sails on his TV show "Crossing Over" to help him concentrate.
Mediums Evidence Post-Death Consciousness By Connecting Clients With Departed Loved Ones
Edward believes everyone has latent psychic ability that can be tapped into through different metaphysical practices. He encourages people to view life energetically and follow intuition over fear.
Edward's Readings Reveal Specific Details That Convince Clients of His Mediumistic Legitimacy
Edward strives to provide evidence of life after death by sharing specific, often trivial, details during sessions to validate the presence of the deceased. He uses symbols like pink roses to convey messages from spirits; roses with thorns suggest a spirit's difficulty expressing love in life.
During sessions, whether one-on-one or in a crowd, Edward narrates exactly what comes to him throu ...
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The Process and Experience of Psychic Mediumship
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Skepticism about the existence of psychic abilities, as there is no scientific evidence that conclusively proves the ability to communicate with the dead or to possess extrasensory perception.
- The possibility that the specificity of details provided by Edward during readings could be attributed to cold reading techniques, where general statements are made that seem personal, or hot reading, where prior research is done on the client.
- Concerns about confirmation bias, where clients may remember hits and forget misses, or may interpret vague statements as being accurate due to their desire to believe in the connection with a departed loved one.
- The argument that personal experiences and anecdotes, while compelling, do not constitute empirical evidence of post-death consciousness or the validity of mediumship.
- The idea that latent psychic abilities in everyone could be a belief rather than a demonstrable fact, and that encouraging this belief without evidence may lead to false hope or reliance on unproven methods.
- The use of symbols like pink roses could be seen as ambiguous and open to interpretation, which may lead to clients ascribing their own meanings rather than receiving clear messages from spirits.
- The practice of psychometry and the insistence on the impor ...
Actionables
- Explore your intuition by keeping a dream journal to record any premonitory dreams or intuitive feelings you experience upon waking. This practice can help you become more aware of your subconscious insights and may reveal patterns or messages that you're receiving intuitively.
- Develop your focus by practicing visualization exercises, such as concentrating on a blank space or a simple object for a set period each day. This can train your mind to filter out distractions and enhance your concentration, which is essential for tuning into subtle intuitive signals.
- Create a personal ritual using symbolic objects that resonate ...
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The Role of Mediums in Grief and Healing
John Edward, a renowned medium, shares insights into the complex interplay between mediumship, grief, and healing, asserting that mediums often act as facilitators for ongoing relationships and communication between the living and the deceased.
Clients Seek Mediums For "Closure" With Deceased Loved Ones, but Mediumship Is an Ongoing Relationship and Communication Process
Edward points out that when clients come seeking closure, they are often actually seeking a connection with their loved ones who have passed. Through his own experience with grief following his mother's passing, Edward became the client in the mediumship process and understood the profound need for reassurance of an ongoing connection. He underscores his role as an educator, helping clients understand that their relationship with departed loved ones continues beyond death.
Clients May Hope a Medium Can "Fix" Grief, but the True Value of Mediumship Is In Validating the Survival of Consciousness and Ongoing Connection With Those Who Have Passed
Edward stresses that a medium cannot "fix" grief. Instead, he hopes to guide clients on a path of discovery by providing validation of the survival of consciousness. The goal of mediums like Edward is to affirm that love and life are eternal and that relationships with those who have passed continue, encouraging clients to incorporate memories of their loved ones into daily life.
Mediums Offer Insights Aiding Healthier Grief Processing
Edward reflects on how perceptions of joy change after loss, advocating for healthier ways to live with grief that include saying the name of the deceased and journalizing their memories. He speaks on the importance of allowing loved ones to transition peacefully, suggesting that expressing to someone that it is okay to go can provide them with the necessary permission.
Mediums Help Clients Release Guilt, Gain Closure, and Find Meaning After Loss
Edward acknowledges the complexity of emotions in the grief process and the mediums' role in alleviating feelings of guilt or anger. While he is not a therapist, Edward believes that his offerings can set a bereaved person on a healthier path by facilitating a journey through grief that ultimately leads back to love and communication. Sessions can help individuals to reconnect, reframe their experiences, and find closure.
Edward advises ways to honor and remember loved ones, such as spontaneously posting a photo when feeling their presence, main ...
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The Role of Mediums in Grief and Healing
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Counterarguments
- Skepticism about the existence of an afterlife and the ability of mediums to communicate with the deceased is common, and there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that consciousness survives death.
- The belief in mediumship and ongoing relationships with the deceased could potentially prevent some individuals from fully accepting the finality of death and moving through the natural grieving process.
- Some mental health professionals might argue that relying on mediums could delay or complicate the healing process by encouraging a form of dependency rather than fostering independent coping mechanisms.
- There is a risk that vulnerable individuals may be exploited by unscrupulous individuals claiming to be mediums, which can lead to financial, emotional, and psychological harm.
- The idea of mediums helping clients release guilt and gain closure could be seen as encroaching on the territory of licensed mental health professionals who are trained to deal with complex emotional issues.
- The effectiveness of mediumship in aiding healthier grief processing is subjective and may not be a universally beneficial approach for all individuals experiencing grief.
- The suggestion to manage expectations for readings might not be sufficient to prevent disappointmen ...
Actionables
- You can create a digital memory map of significant locations that you shared with your loved one to maintain a sense of connection. Use a free online map tool to mark places that hold special memories, like where you first met, favorite restaurants, or shared vacation spots. Add photos and notes to each location to enrich the experience and revisit it whenever you feel the need to feel close to them.
- Start a tradition of annual remembrance that combines creativity and memory, such as planting a tree or crafting a piece of art on the anniversary of your loved one's passing. This act serves as a living tribute that grows over time and provides a physical space or item to reflect upon and celebrate the ongoing bond you have with them.
- Develop a personalized ritual ...
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Addressing Skepticism Around Psychic Abilities
Edward Admits Skepticism Is Crucial for Mediumship and Psychic Claims Due to Common Fraud and Deception
John Edward, a well-known psychic medium, acknowledges the prevalence of fraud within his field and encourages healthy skepticism. He distinguishes between skepticism, which involves an openness to proof, and cynicism, which is a refusal to believe regardless of evidence. Edward stresses the importance of validation in his readings, urging people to seek evidence that a medium is truthfully communicating with relatives.
Medium Edward: Valuing Critical Thinking and Validation in Psychic Readings
Edward underlines the necessity for critical thinking and avoidance of cynicism, advocating for an objective form of skepticism that allows one to be convinced by evidence without rushing to judgment. Following the success of his show, "Crossing Over," he notes the rise of individuals claiming psychic abilities and emphasizes the importance of using intuition to discern their authenticity. He warns against mediums who attribute their shortcomings to spirits and takes personal responsibility when unable to make a connection.
Edward Subjected His Abilities To Scientific Testing to Demonstrate His Mediumistic Gifts
Edward recounts his willingness to subject his abilities to scrutiny by participating in studies, such as the HBO documentary "America Under Cover, Life After Life," which aimed to support the legitimacy of his and other mediums' abilities. Edward also shares an anecdote about impressing a retired FBI agent who initially doubted him. Through personal readings validated by the agent's parents and separating items related to a case from controls, Edward gained the agent's respect.
Edward Conducts Experiments and Seeks Client Validation to Prove His Psychic Abilities, Setting Himself Apart From Charlatans
Edward insists on providing evidence during his readings, emphasizing hi ...
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Addressing Skepticism Around Psychic Abilities
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Skepticism is not just about openness to proof but also about the rigorous evaluation of the evidence provided.
- The scientific community generally requires replicable and controlled experiments to validate claims, which are often lacking in studies of psychic abilities.
- Personal anecdotes and testimonials, while compelling, are not considered strong evidence in scientific terms due to the potential for cognitive biases and the placebo effect.
- The use of intuition to discern authenticity is subjective and not a reliable method for determining the truth of psychic claims.
- The distinction between skepticism and cynicism might be overstated, as both can be seen as part of a continuum of doubt rather than entirely separate attitudes.
- The burden of proof lies with the claimant of extraordinary abilities, and extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
- The possibility of cold reading, hot reading, or other techniques could explain some of the specific details provided by psychics, casting doubt on the claim of supernatural insight.
- The claim that mediums can communicate with the deceased is a fundamental challenge to established scientific understanding, and thus requires more robust evidence than currently presented.
- The effectiveness of scientific testing on psychic abilities is often questioned due to the difficulty in designing experiments that rule out all forms of d ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your critical thinking by practicing the "Two-Claim Challenge" when encountering extraordinary claims, where you ask for two distinct pieces of evidence before considering the claim's validity. For example, if someone tells you they have a new revolutionary product, ask for both customer testimonials and independent research that supports the product's effectiveness.
- Develop your intuition by keeping a "hunch journal" where you record gut feelings about people or situations and later compare these to the outcomes or facts that emerge. This practice can help you discern patterns in your intuitive accuracy, such as noting when you felt uneasy about a financial investment and later finding out it was indeed a poor choice.
- Encourage authenticity in your personal and professional relationships ...
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