Barbara DeLong - Spiritual Empath

From the pen of Richard Bach …
“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.”

Readers and Readings

                     In these times of unsettlement and change all of us are looking for insight and explanations as to what and even more important why life has gotten so very challenging. I wish I had an answer for everyone but I don’t, I’m going through the same roller coaster as the rest … but I do have some advice and maybe a bit of insight. In times as we are now experiencing people are often reaching for straws, a glimmer of hope and a new direction to take to get their lives back on track. One of the places people often reach to are psychics, readers, spiritual counselors anyone who has insight into other realms or dimensions. Here’s a big secret, we’re looking as well.
                     Readers are just like everyone else. We have feet of clay and the same issues as the rest. What we also have is the ability to reach into other levels of consciousness and draw information, philosophy, and wisdom through into this reality. That information comes through those of us who channel and is flavored if you will by our lives and experiences. Information is received and then broadcast using our experiences, vocabulary and education. The only way that information can be shared is to use the channels tools for the expression into reality. So though we try not to add our opinions, we do shade the material through our personalities and perspectives. Readers are able to see a time line and highlights along that line if the person does not alter their path. Readers can see possibilities and potentialities but they are not Gods and do not have the gift of celestial prophecy. It is not within our power to wave a magic wand and change the future; it would be nice but as far as I know not quite yet possible. Readers who are sincerely working in the spiritual field are here to help, to enlighten, to give options and insight into possible directions. They give what they see for that moment in time. But they do not have the power to change lives.
                     There is also great responsibility upon those who are getting readings. It is important to understand that the information shared is only meant to be used as additional insight so that they can make more informed choices in their lives. Those getting readings should always gather as much information on decisions they must make and filter it all in order to make informed decisions. Relying only on a psychic for direction is giving away your personal power and that is not appropriate. We are all responsible for our own realities. They are our lives, our choices, our pathways and our journeys. We are the masters of our own destinies and to let another guide us is to in essence give away a lifetime of experience. Psychic readings can be very enlightening but expecting miracles to happen without leading a balanced life and addressing all aspects of life is quite simply foolish. We are all here to learn, to experience and grow and that doesn’t happen if we give away our power and direction.
                     Readings and readers can be very helpful, especially in the areas of spiritual development and growth. Understanding our lessons and applying them to our lives. Opening to spiritual philosophies and then living them … Readers can guide but you make the choices and you draw to you what you need to gather each lifetime. Use the resources the universe has provided, and this includes readers, make informed choices and take control of the direction your life is flowing in. Above all the greatest source of spiritual insight is that which you have gathered and is stored within … a little confirmation now and then along the way is most appropriate.

The Hierarchy of Prognostication

I have often been asked what the different terms and or levels are for those who do prognostication (readings). So many terms are used to describe these individuals it can be at times confusing to those who want to get a reading. So here are my definitions, if they fit for you use them, if they don’t there is always another opinion around the block. After over forty years in the field this is how I have come to understand the different levels.

Readers
                     These are individuals that literally “read” you, your appearance, your manner; your way of speaking the tone of your voice … everything about you gives them information. These are individuals who are very observant.

Psychics
                     These are individuals who read and then also use their intuition to gather information for you and share it. They use that sixth sense and have most probably worked long and hard to focus their intuition so that they can tune into your energy and draw insight and information from your fields and share it with you.

Mediums
These are individuals who are able to see beyond the veils that separate dimensions. They are able to see and tap into those who have passed over. Usually it is a one-sided conversation. They are able to hear information from the other side and share it with those on this side.

Channelers
                     These individuals are able to reach into the spiritual realms and bring information through that helps us understand the here and now. They are able to apply the spiritual laws and energies to individuals and help them to understand the purpose and reasons for situations that are going on in their lives. They draw spiritual information and energy through the person they are reading and share it. Always when getting a spiritual reading the person getting the reading should feel positive and joyful, for that is the way of spirit.

Spiritual Empath / Counselor
                     They have it all. These individuals bring together all of the aforementioned qualities. They are the ones that can help to guide you with spiritual direction. These individuals have usually spent a great deal of time in the spiritual field. They are here to serve and will do so without hesitation. They do not advertise nor proclaim their own worth; they are identified by their actions and their deeds. You will know them by their gentle manners.

                     You will find all sorts of combinations of readers out there. Some do a little of this and a bit of that. Know what it is you’re looking for and select appropriately. There are spiritual ministers that are not psychic and readers that are. There are Channelers that are not mediums and mediums that are psychic. Please understand that one quality does not guarantee all of the others.
When you go for a reading of any kind understand that you are wide open and whatever is said to you will plant a seed. You want to plant spiritual seeds that can enrich your life so chose wisely and always try to get a recommendation from someone you know

“The new age is as old as time”

Every generation comes into the earth plane with the concept of a “new age” as they become aware of the immensity of the universe and our small place within it. As enlightenment or the understanding of the grander scheme occurs they welcome the dawning of a New Age. In reality the term and concept are as old as time its self. The term is used in the Bible and countless other ancient historical texts. As soon as humanity is able to understand that we are on a journey and are spiraling upwards towards new concepts and wisdoms they proclaim the “New Age” has arrived, and with each new generation there is once again a “new age” on the horizon.

Seeds of Wisdom

There are countless individuals who have accumulated huge libraries and feel they have the knowledge of the universe at their finger tips. What they have are hundreds perhaps thousands of books that hold ancient knowledge that served a time long past. Knowledge is only the beginning, Accumulated knowledge represents seeds of wisdom that must be taken in, nurtured and absorbed into the consciousness and then manifested into the time they serve. If the seeds are not blended with the consciousness then they are as ancient as the texts that held them, they serve no purpose or time. When the knowledge is used as the basis for the wisdom then and only then can it manifest and be of use to any time. We need to place our own personal experience and awareness alongside the knowledge of the past, to create the wisdom that will effectively serve the time in which we dwell.

It is the journey that is the greatest teaching tool, not the final destination. Arriving anywhere is anticlimactic. The lessons, the difficulties and the hurdles are what add character and dimension to us. How we manage the trip, how we treat our fellow travelers and the manner in which we address the adversities that we encounter; are the true measure of what we have gathered and how well we have applied the universal laws and energies to our journey. The actual fact that we have arrived anywhere simply indicates that it is time for another trip/journey.

“To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did. When the Infinite takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.”

Types of Energy

                    Energy is spoken is spoken of everywhere in the spiritual field. Healing energy, etheric energy, psychic energy and the list goes on and on. In my opinion there are really just two different kinds of energy that we deal with in this physical incarnation. There is the vital energy of the body, that energy that is generated as the physical body functions and provides the signals that trigger responses that we require for life. Then there is spiritual energy that comes directly from the other side, the spirit realms. This is channeled energy and not of this world or of the physical plane. It is limitless and flows from a source that is connected with creation itself. Spiritual energy, that which is channeled, is energizing, invigorating, it charges us and gives us a high that is not only legal but healing and limitless. Spiritual energy is channeled through the crown chakra and triggered by creative expression in the earth plane. We open the door with the creative process, creativity done just for the joy of creation.
                    There are those who think they can heal with the vital energy … can’t be done. They may give a good back rub or warm a knotted muscle into relaxation but it is the energy of the body and it drains the person who is attempting to “heal”. If you are drained you are using the vital energies. If you are charged, you are channeling and bringing through energy directly from the source. Channeled energy flows through you and is sent to another with the hope that is used for healing. Of course we can’t direct the energy but we can channel it and the recipient will use it in a way most appropriate for that soul’s development.
                    So the next time you do energy work check out how you feel after it is over and you’ll be able to determine where the energy was coming from. If you’re drained, it’s back to the drawing board. And if you’re vibrantly charged you’re plugged into the right outlet.

I have discovered that level of education is no measure of intelligence. Scary isn’t it?

Are You a Parrot or a Prophet?

For those of us in the spiritual fields and seeking enlightenment and wisdom there are at least two distinct pathways we can take; we can either be a parrot or a prophet. We read, we seek, we take classes, we study philosophy – but it’s what we do with all that information that determines what role we play. There are many who pride themselves in all they have read and are able to quote chapter and verse of many ancient texts and the wisdoms of philosophers long since blended into the light … these are the parrots, ones who just repeat what others have learned and shared. Usually there is no independent thought just rote memory and the ability to bring forth someone else’s wisdoms. Then there are the prophets…those who do all of the above but instead of quoting ancient wisdoms they incorporate those wisdoms into their experiences of the current time frame, they blend the new with the old and bring forth an evolved version that speaks to the current time. These prophets build on the foundations laid down by past generations and evolve truth and wisdom adding their own to greatly enrich and expand into the future. Parrot is easy, prophet requires that you put independent thought and inspiration into your philosophies – So which are you?

It’s not what life does to you but rather what you do with life that counts.

There are those who call themselves teachers who spout philosophies and wisdoms and have not lived them or walked the talk. They speak empty words and empty wisdoms and will eventually be ignored. A teacher who has not experienced the lesson first hand has no right to try to teach the concept.

Have you ever wished you had said something to someone and then not only the moment but the person had passed? Lately several people have come to me with sadness that they had not been able to tell someone who had passed how they felt or that they loved them or just said good bye. It just isn’t enough to tell them that their loved ones know they were loved, nor that they can feel the sentiments and don’t really need the words. Those who are left behind do need the words and they need to know that their loved ones get the message. It becomes very important to let those who have passed over know how much they are loved and missed.
Therapists will tell you to write letters and then not send them, or to burn them and let the smoke carry the message to those on the other side. It just doesn’t seem to be enough. While doing platform medium ship I came to a woman who needed to really know her message was getting through. When I do this sort of communication the information I get is channeled from the spirit realms, often humorous – always wise. Her message from the spirit realms was to write a letter, address it to her loved one on the other side (mom, PO Box XOXOXO, Heaven), no return address, put a stamp on it and mail it. Yup – it sounded a bit over the top to me too. As I looked at this lovely woman who now had a confused look on her face, the rest of the message came through. When letters cannot be delivered, where do you think they go? You got it – The Dead Letter Office. Where do you suppose the dead go for their mail? It made perfect sense to me, and to others who were in the congregation. Since then I have to admit that I have written a few letters to my Mother who is in spirit and mailed them, knowing with all my heart that she will get them and find it amusing as well that it took us so long to figure out how easy it is to get a message through.

                   Often it is hard to understand the meaning of our lives, the purpose of our being here and even more important why lessons have occurred they way they did. When I was looking for a good way to explain this to a group I took a deep breath and asked for some clarification and the following is what came through.
                    Each lifetime is like a huge jig saw puzzle. We gather pieces during our lifetimes and try to sort them out and fit them together into a cohesive whole. Each lesson we process provides us with another piece, often a pivotal one. We spend our lifetimes gathering pieces and finding usually by our thirties or forties that at least the outlines are complete, and we can sometimes gather a hint of where we are going and why we are here. There are always areas that defy interpretation but, given time they do clear up and often surprise us. By the time we make ready to go into the light there are only a few pieces remaining and with our passing the puzzle is complete and we can view the picture that this lifetime created. There is always time spent when we cross over viewing the picture we created and drawing form it the wisdoms and the lessons that were so carefully gathered. Each piece holding its own story and wisdom.
                    Among the many lessons we gather each lifetime Patience is one that is eternally worked upon. Putting the pieces of your lifetime together required patience as well, often there is a piece missing in an aspect of your life, so you work on another area where you have more pieces. It’s impossible to force pieces to fit where they do not belong. Patience is a cosmic quality gathered over time and generations of the soul’s development.

Unconditional is a word that is used a lot but not always, I fear, fully understood. It means without question, without strings, without conditions … no matter what. Qualities such as love, friendship, trust and faith all, for them to truly flourish, require the concept of being unconditional. Often we, being human, use the emotions as a bargaining chip and in so doing attach a string or condition on our friendship or love. When we do that we remove unconditional from the equation and reduce the meaning of our love or friendship. Love given unconditionally is the rarest gift of all, beyond riches. Striving for the unconditional aspects in life is one of the most noble of quests.

Spiritual Healing

Healing doesn't come through prayer and promises - it comes to us through action and intent. How we live our lives in accordance with the golden rule - how we try to make sure our actions and intent do no harm to others … Our part in the healing process becomes harder but more challenging. All of us are here because we haven't yet achieved saint hood … we have work to do on ourselves and how we relate to those around us and the environment as well. We are works in progress. We have been given simple guidelines, if we choose to see them, and all it takes is walking the philosophy already deeply ingrained within our souls. Letting it out, applying it to everyone and everything … walking the light within and becoming the rule within opens us to infinite healing, love and wisdom.

We ask the Infinite to send us healing and restore balance to our lives - in order for that to happen we have to open the doors and pave the way through our actions and intent. The light flows strongly and positively along those channels that are open to it, and willing to open to the illumination that comes with it. Those who so choose become beacons of light, living examples that radiate the wisdom and joy that comes from following that seed of radiance implanted within by the Infinite. This means that others who are not so fortunate, who are still seeking within get the benefit and the overflow of the healing energy and take in that energy to help open them to that which they carry within as well. The light acts as a magnet, attracting those who carry it and don't know it - healing is achieved by proxy.

It is interesting and difficult at the same time, the healing process is one of behavior rather than words. It isn't what we say that has the power but rather how we walk our pathways and apply our lives to that simple inner golden seed that all of us are gifted with when we enter each lifetime. The healing process is one of evolving into the light that is carried within, and by working on ourselves we best serve others.

The Price of Free Will

When man was created by the Infinite Spirit, one of the gifts given which was not given other creatures was that of free will. Over the generations of evolution, over thousands of years, we often treat this gift lightly, not realizing the richness it provides us nor the price we pay. You see, it really isn't free. Yes, we have the freedom to make choices that often are not those that a caring parent would recommend, and often we wander far from the pathway that the spirit within is trying to guide us towards. We choose how we journey and whom we journey with whether or not it is good for us. We can choose to take side pathways and to follow dead ends, or to not even journey at all within a lifetime, all along exercising our right to free will. However, there is a price we pay. Along with free will we must accept as well the consequences of those choices and alterations we freely exercise. When you look at it objectively, it's only fair. The problem is, often we complain about our situations and circumstances, without claiming the responsibility for them as well.

This was one of my biggest AH-HA's this year. I found myself looking at many situations that were not exactly comfortable and complaining to the universe. When I stopped muttering for a time to catch my breath a very soft whisper reminded me that they were the result of choices that I had made with my "free will". That's when I got very quiet and started to look around to see if anyone had been listening to my complaining, aside from the universe. On careful and embarrassing reflection I have started to rework some of my choices and amazingly, things have started to clear up and move once more. That "free will" is a powerful tool, and deserves proper respect. I try these days to see what my actions are going to create before I randomly exercise my "free will". It makes me a bit more responsible and a little less spontaneous, but life provides those hidden surprises so it's never dull.

"Free Will" is pretty expensive but worth it when used with care!

Why Babies Laugh

                    Have you ever wondered why very young babies laugh? Recently I had the pleasure of baptizing an eleven-week-old baby and found that she erupted with laughter at the most interesting of moments. It occurred to me that perhaps they understand more than we give them credit for, and if that’s the case it opens even more to wonderment. I asked the universe to give me some insight into this and my answer was an ah-ha moment for me big time.

                    When babies enter into this world they carry within a fully developed soul energy that is aware and fully present. It is a soul energy that has full access to the complete spectrum of the soul’s development; past lives, purpose for this lifetime and future incarnations. In other words, way more evolved than any of us. The only problem is that the baby isn’t able to articulate any of this wonderful information to us. We must seem pretty silly talking baby talk and cooing over this fully evolved spirit; and so they laugh at us, they throw back their heads and laugh. We think it’s our behavior, and in a way it is, but really they are laughing at our total lack of understanding of the situation.

                    As babies grow, their personalities and ego's for this lifetime come to the fore and the spirit energy, with all that wonderful information, slips into the recesses of the consciousness so that the lessons for this lifetime can be experienced and whatever experiences that are needed can be gathered for the further development of the soul carried within. The soul has to work through the ego and the personality selected for this lifetime and learns all over again; to bring the inner wisdom into the consciousness by reminding itself through experience.

                    So the next time you get to hold a very young child look into those eyes that will reflect back to you a fully evolved spirit with total awareness. This is a good time to impart your wisdoms to the spirit within. Speak not as one who is informed but rather one who is seeking; and if you get laughter you know your journey has amused the spirit within. Should you get laughter, know that in some way you have amused a spirit who has come through time; still has access to total recall of all lifetimes past and holds the secret of evolution within its tiny hand. Only problem is, the lines of communication aren’t there yet, and when they are the spirit will not be able to share the visions that are so clear at the moment that is present. So there is laughter at the moment, at the process that is in motion, at the humanness of the situation. Laughter in its purest form, expressing the joy of the total knowledge of the infinite spirit. It isn't our funny noises or faces the baby laughs at, but rather our ignorance of the situation and attempts at communicating with someone who is wiser beyond our imaginations.

                    To be honest I really don't mind being laughed at by a baby, sharing that laughter is the closest we can get to pure joy and the infinite spirit on this plane.

• How do I change my life?
• How do I get out of this rut?
• How do I get through this time of difficulty?

                    These are similar questions, just worded differently. Often times the answer is so simple that we overlook it.

                    The secret to all of the above is to open the channels to your creativity and let it flow. It is your creativity that connects you to the infinite and creation itself. It is your creativity that fuels your spiritual development because it connects you to the infinite. Don’t laugh -- stop and think for a moment. If you take a closer look, those people who have everything working for them in their lives are also being creative on many levels and having fun with it. People who feel stuck or feel that their life is not moving, may not be doing enough with their creative nature. Usually when the going gets tough we put aside our creative projects until ‘things get better ... Well guess what – until you get creative, things are not going to move.

                    The times we live in make it difficult to fit everything into our lives. Yet, those who are creative manage to have plenty of time for everything because of the joy that creativity brings into their lives. I'm not talking about painting the Sistine Chapel (it's been done), or writing the great American novel. It can be simple, you just have to have fun with it and it has to be ongoing. One day or one project will not clear a log jam . Reflect back for a moment to when you were younger and your life was full - there were all sorts of creative things going on, and yes, even sports can be creative. As we get older, responsibilities are greater and we put aside those things that we enjoy. Life slows down and we feel stuck. The key is being creative -- whether it's painting a room or rearranging closets -- as long as you enjoy it and laughter is involved. Here’s a simple test to see if you're on the right pathway. Is there laughter in your life? Are you joyful? If you answer "No" either, then you aren't being creative enough in your life.

                    By being creative, you open the doorway to your spiritual energy and the joy that is connected to it. By using your creativity you invite the spiritual side of your being into the mix and open yourself up to vision and insights you were previously unaware of. By taking the pressure off of the ego and allowing the spirit to open new doors, life will flow more easily.

                    Focus on what is going right, focus on the things you can control and bring the creative back into your life. I've tried it and it works! You just have to be consistent and have faith.

                    What you're really doing is turning your life over to the spiritual side of your nature and letting joy and laughter fuel the future ... not a bad deal.

"Life is a mosaic of creation, and piece by piece we add to its grandeur. The energies swirl around us and we find pieces of our lives in the most unusual of places. Often these pieces will complete parts of our realities we didn’t know were incomplete. We gather, we sort, and we rearrange to expand that which we are. Piece by piece as the consciousness expands the vision to incorporate them all into that which we are. Every fragment of the puzzle or mosaic of our lives has import and relevance. To discard a piece is to become incomplete.

"How we reflect upon others and how others perceive us is a prime consideration in our lives. Reflection is a most important quality within all of us, for it shows us who we are and what we want to be. Each of us has countless reflections and they are seen differently by all we come into contact with. Often what we see with our physical eyes is not the reality of what we are projecting. There is always a time of inner reflection; a time of coming into harmony with the reality of who we are and the purity of spirit that is carried within. Opening ourselves to who we really are, without the cloaks of what we think others are expecting of us is to reflect the light within and allows the spirit to take form within this reality. We are, after all, a reflection of our inner purpose and direction, of our connection with creation. To mask that is to deny our own divinity.

"Wisdom is brought from out of time, stored within for generations of the soul’s evolution. Wisdoms are gathered lifetime after lifetime, like the pieces of a gigantic puzzle to be reassembled only when all of the pieces had been gathered. Through a lifetime the puzzle is brought back to wholeness and new insights and levels and dimensions of wisdom are brought forward into the consciousness of mankind. Eons ago, before recorded time humanity embraced these wisdoms and used them wisely for the healing and abundance of all. And then there was a time of darkness when the magic and miracles were lost to the memories and stored within until it was time to open those doors once more and to use those skills and understandings to restore the peace within the human heart and consciousness. The emergence of those wisdoms and their incorporation into reality will start slowly. Those who first draw upon them and remember their power will help others to do the same. It will take time but as there is the dawning of the memories once again. There is ascension of consciousness and new pathways will be found that bring true magic into the realms of everyday life."

"Finding strength in new areas of life is a quest we should always pursue. This will give you power to find the courage to confront issues in life that we have been hesitant to touch. In many ways the sleepers are awakened and there is a new strength where in the past there has been none. From deep within, hidden from sight there has lurked strength and compassion, courage and conviction. Individuals find that where once they were timid and withdrawn, now they step forward and are counted. This applies to the entire population and crusaders are reborn into a new time, but with a familiar cause; to right wrongs on all levels."

"There are many gardens that each of us are responsible for within this lifetime. There are the spiritual gardens within, wherein we tenderly work with growing new truths and beliefs that apply to this lifetime. We nurture those concepts that are just starting to emerge and we protect them from all manner of threat. We feed and water, so that they can grow and be added to the arsenal of creative tools that helps us to manifest love and harmony within our realities. There are no weeds in our spiritual gardens, for whatever grows there was planted by us in lifetimes past to grow and mature at just the right time. The spiritual gardens are a wonderful sanctuary for our spirits, for not only do truths grow there but also peace, wholeness, creativity, and healing. There is a harmony of spirit here and fantasy and reality blend for a magical wondrous inner realm."

"Then there are the conscious gardens where thoughts and dreams are scattered and nurtured as best we can. This garden is a bit unorganized for our attention is easily drawn from one area to another and often we do not balance that attention. Conscious gardens often do not have the flow and beauty that the etheric ones do but they can be abundant and pretty in their own wild way. Weeds here can be distracting but often random thoughts are the answers we seek so don’t pull any. You never know what the flower will be like unless you give it time to bloom … The same wisdom can be applied trees that bear fruit. Everything should be given the chance to mature and prove its worth; for everything has worth if we give it a chance."

"You find yourself drawn to the past. Revisiting in your memories, ones who are no longer here and times that have changed greatly. The past holds warm smiles for you and there is always a feeling of a need to reconnect with those who you have lost contact with. A good idea for it grounds you and gives you a better feeling of where you came from. You revisit old homes and places where you grew up, in memory if not in reality. You recapture the feeling of youth and its infinite possibilities. This reawakens within you some of the dreams that had been put aside as you grew. They are still there and still awaiting your efforts to make them happen. Nothing is impossible, there is always a way if you but seek it with creative imagination. After all even adults play and make believe from time to time. It takes us back to the wonders of childhood and brings healing laughter into our energies."