How do psychic mediums know stuff about you

[Greebo]

AmyW, as others have said before these abilities haven't been proved to exist . My anecdote to show how they can act; I knew three people called John who had died, an Uncle, my father and my best friend (who was 6 inches taller than me, all three had died of cancer – relevant later).

With a friend who thought that there might be something in it, I went to an event where the “real deal” was going to put people in touch with the spirit world.

She gave out a few vague ideas with no takers then asked the really precise question of “there is some one here, near the middle (of the seating) who has lost someone with a name starting with J. John or Jack or Jill – something like that”.

That was me, so I said I had. I was told that they were free of pain and illness now, so I asked “which one?”, I was told it was the one that I looked up to, again I asked which one. Vague statements were made for a minute or so which applied to at least two of my Johns, every time I replied “which one”. In the end they gave up on me and claimed it as a “hit”.

 

[P.J. Denyer]

This psychic also said -

God responds, "There are many studies I have created that do not revolve around math and science. The study of the heart, of connection to others, is your specialty. Is it scientific? There are scientific aspects to it, but most would not consider it scientific. Does that make it less relevant? No. It is even more relevant because it defines relationships and how we work together on the planet. You have a gift. Your gift is seeing others' pain and then helping them through it. We need you to step into your gift so you can help others. But first, you must help yourself with your pain. Again, LOVE yourself. From there, all other things will fall into place

What is so strange is that my passion is helping others, my line of work used to be looking after elderly people and one day I would like to be a counsellor, helping those in need of help with problems such as addictions etc... again is this weird she new that or is this very general. Here is the link to her website, id like to know what you think

https://www.sarinabaptista.com

You're creating the connection between the quote and your old job, it isn't in the words. Everyone thinks they're empathic and that's all the quote really says, all be it with a bit of "don't look for evidence" thrown in and the ever popular "love yourself" coda. No psychic ever says "you're a selfish git who has too much money, stop spending it on claptrap like this and give it to charity instead"


Example:

"You're a good, caring person who tries to help people. I sense you sometimes feel that you're not doing enough, and I know it troubles you not to be doing more but you have to take care of yourself first so you can be in a position to do good for others"

This applies to anyone that isn't a stone cold psychopath, even misers think they would be generous if they had enough. Anyone involved, however loosely, in any charity or any caring profession, will think it's a particularly good hit, but so will anyone who donates time or money, or would like to work in such a role, or who helps out their friends, or drops their change in the charity box by the till. And the really clever & cynical bit is that whether you're working yourself into the ground helping the sick and dying, or sitting at home seeing adverts for good causes you're not going to donate to it says "Don't worry, you're doing all you can do, don't feel bad about it" and that's nice if you shouldn't feel bad about it and really nice if (like most of us if we're honest) we maybe should a bit.

 

[Lothian]

Thank you for your comments. Ok, I am going to share something with you. I suffer from low self esteem, I care immensely for others (have done care work in the past) and would one day like to be a counsellor
Anyhow a medium a while back (as I say I am trying to debunk all the nonsense I once believed) and it is weird how she stated God says I have a giving heart and care for others but not myself.
Do you think her reading is very general and in fact a lot of people are like this... care for others but not ery much for themselves. What do you think-

'God gave you a huge heart, which you are to use to assist others. Before you can do that, you must assist yourself. LOVE yourself, is what God says. FORGIVE yourself, is what God says. You are human, just like everyone else on the planet, which means we are not perfect. God sent us here to learn about ourselves, and to learn about each other, how we fit into the world around us. We are not to judge ourselves or others. We are to accept ourselves for who we are, and work on strengthening our gifts. Your gift, Amy, is your huge heart, your love for others. But again, you give this love to others, but not yourself. Your homework, God says, is to learn how to love yourself exactly as you are right now. In doing so, you can help others learn to love themselves'

God says don't listen to psychics

 

[AmyW]

God says don't listen to psychics

Is this what the bible says?

 

[kali1137]

Yes the bible absolutely warns against physics. I believe some can be found in Deuteronomy 18:9-14

 

[Lothian]

Is this what the bible says?

It is what the bible says. God however says whatever you want it to say, in the same way a psychic reading tells you whatever you want it to tell you.

If you want to believe it you will read the words in a way that fits in with that desire.

As mentioned psychic readings don't stand up to tests.

That said I sense in you that when younger you had a particular talent, perhaps music or sport. While you had a lot of early promise it was not something you followed through to the extent you could have. A regret maybe? I am also getting an incident with water. Can you tell me what is that about?

 

[AmyW]

I don't believe in the bible or any god but what is interesting is the fact that she claims she can channel god.... these people why do they state they can channel 'god'?

 

[Lothian]

I don't believe in the bible or any god but what is interesting is the fact that she claims she can channel god.... these people why do they state they can channel 'god'?

Money

 

[Pixel42]

I don't believe in the bible or any god but what is interesting is the fact that she claims she can channel god.... these people why do they state they can channel 'god'?

As Lothian suggests, the scam artists will say whatever they need to say to get your money. Pretending to be channelling god will often work because a lot of people already believe in God, so for them it's a plausible claim. As for the ones who aren't scam artists, well believing God is talking to you is one of the commonest delusions.

 

[P.J. Denyer]

As Lothian suggests, the scam artists will say whatever they need to say to get your money. Pretending to be channelling god will often work because a lot of people already believe in God, so for them it's a plausible claim. As for the ones who aren't scam artists, well believing God is talking to you is one of the commonest delusions.

Don't forget prestige. As with all woo.

This is my argument against the idea that someone who believes in these things, be it mediumship, faith healing, homeopathy... whatever, and doesn't charge people money for it is being 'good'. By claiming these things they are appropriating a respect and an authority they haven't earned which is at best dishonest and at worst dangerous. The homeopath or faith healer is not a doctor and the 'medium' is not a grief counsellor. There are reasons why we (in most places) expect people to demonstrate knowledge and competence in these fields before practicing.

 

[Pixel42]

Don't forget prestige. As with all woo.

This is my argument against the idea that someone who believes in these things, be it mediumship, faith healing, homeopathy... whatever, and doesn't charge people money for it is being 'good'. By claiming these things they are appropriating a respect and an authority they haven't earned which is at best dishonest and at worst dangerous. The homeopath or faith healer is not a doctor and the 'medium' is not a grief counsellor. There are reasons why we (in most places) expect people to demonstrate knowledge and competence in these fields before practicing.

Absolutely, it's definitely also a way for people who are in no way special to feel that they are. A friend of my sister's is a reiki practitioner. Being able to believe she has the power to heal people, despite not having the intellect or work ethic to complete the years of study to acquire the necessary skills and experience to actually do so, is clearly her main motivation.

 

[Butter!]

This psychic also said -

God responds, "There are many studies I have created that do not revolve around math and science. The study of the heart, of connection to others, is your specialty. Is it scientific? There are scientific aspects to it, but most would not consider it scientific. Does that make it less relevant? No. It is even more relevant because it defines relationships and how we work together on the planet. You have a gift. Your gift is seeing others' pain and then helping them through it. We need you to step into your gift so you can help others. But first, you must help yourself with your pain. Again, LOVE yourself. From there, all other things will fall into place

What is so strange is that my passion is helping others, my line of work used to be looking after elderly people and one day I would like to be a counsellor, helping those in need of help with problems such as addictions etc... again is this weird she new that or is this very general. Here is the link to her website, id like to know what you think

https://www.sarinabaptista.com

Are you talking to her now? Or is it just a coincidence that she is blathering on about scientific studies at the same time we are discussing them here?

If you are talking to her again now, I'm kind of surprised. I thought you were getting what everyone here was telling you about these people. You're wasting your time and money, and more than that, you are clearly giving yourself anxiety over the whole thing. There are no psychics, period. There are certain people who may be a bit more intuitive than your average person - think Adrian Monk from that show Monk, if you've ever seen it - and people like that often make good cold readers, but they are positively not doing anything supernatural.

 

[JoeMorgue]

As Penn Jillette said in their psychic episode another weird factor is... a lot of these so called psychics start to believing in their own bull. A lot of these tricks, especially cold reading, are things you can start doing by accident.

But, as Penn says, lying to yourself does not make lying to others okay.

 

[Butter!]

As Penn Jillette said in their psychic episode another weird factor is... a lot of these so called psychics start to believing in their own bull. A lot of these tricks, especially cold reading, are things you can start doing by accident.

But, as Penn says, lying to yourself does not make lying to others okay.

Very good point! They don't all know they're lying, but they still are. That's why a few psychics who really did believe in themselves have been flabbergasted upon failing to past double-blind tests. Others just make years worth of excuses to avoid the tests (cough Sylvia cough), so I imagine they know they're full of it.

 

[Spektator]

I don't believe in the bible or any god but what is interesting is the fact that she claims she can channel god.... these people why do they state they can channel 'god'?

Because they worship the Almighty Dollar.

 

[8enotto]

I am one gringo in a central Mexican city. Others come and go, but as money isn't easy to get here compared to other places few stay long.

One day, years ago walking downtown I see a hippy type typical neo Woodstock style and note, he is seriously out of place here. As I had been there many times he was new to town but spoke better Spanish than I. As I look at him thinking ' he is way out of place here, working some odd angle... ' he approached me and firmly told me I need to visit his office.
Hands me a card offering six types of psychic services all at good rates. It said so right on the card..

There was his angle. He had the look that works in Mex City, a slick card and a good con approach all in one package. Dude even looked a bit of Cheech Marin which probably wasn't any accident on his part.
As there were no others here doing what he offered it might have looked like virgin territory. He never asked why there wasn't.

And a month later the shingle he hung at the street entrance to a 2nd floor apartments was gone.

 

[Myriad]

This psychic also said -

God responds, "There are many studies I have created that do not revolve around math and science. The study of the heart, of connection to others, is your specialty. Is it scientific? There are scientific aspects to it, but most would not consider it scientific. Does that make it less relevant? No. It is even more relevant because it defines relationships and how we work together on the planet. You have a gift. Your gift is seeing others' pain and then helping them through it. We need you to step into your gift so you can help others. But first, you must help yourself with your pain. Again, LOVE yourself. From there, all other things will fall into place

What is so strange is that my passion is helping others, my line of work used to be looking after elderly people and one day I would like to be a counsellor, helping those in need of help with problems such as addictions etc... again is this weird she new that or is this very general.

Just because the advice is general, and applies to most people, doesn't mean it can't be good advice for you. If it made an impact on you, think about why. If you like to help other people through their pain and problems, and are good at it, good for you and keep at it! If you need to love yourself more and put more joy into your own life in order to be even better at helping others, then look into ways you might try to do that. (Of course that's far from simple advice to follow!)

The ideas aren't contaminated somehow, just because a psychic practitioner uttered them.

 

[8enotto]

Paying someone to see the contents of your own pockets or purse isn't a good idea. Most people are good and somewhat generous.

Sure, if done for entertainment it's legal but is it really a service?

 

[abaddon]

Except for Scorpion, apparently.

Yes, an oft neglected aspect of Scorpion's position. As far as Scorpion is concerned, all suffering in this world is caused by Karma. And we cannot rightfully interfere with Karma because reasons.

Therefore we should make no attempt to alleviate the suffering of others because that would simply mess with their Karma which has required them to learn....something.

Now, personally, I have various charities on direct debit. Worthy causes all. In Scorpion's worldview, I should stop all such contributions because I am directly interfering with their Karma, and those victims not only could and should be suffering, but my interference guarantees that they will simply have to do it again.

At base, Scorpion is attempting to not give a rat's patootie about anyone else but the self. That is flat out narcissism. I suspect that Scorpion has not thought through where his claims inevitably end.

Let me give a concrete example. I have often stopped by the roadside to help out some stranger with a flat tire or such like. That is simple humanity to me. In Scorpion's world it would be wrong for me to do so because that flat tire is a result of that strangers Karma and to assist would obviate the pain that person must feel to expiate whatever bad Karma they had accumulated.

Now, I am certain that the perspicacious will glom onto where Scorpions inevitable conclusion will be. It is not a pretty place.

 

[AmyW]

Are you talking to her now? Or is it just a coincidence that she is blathering on about scientific studies at the same time we are discussing them here?

If you are talking to her again now, I'm kind of surprised. I thought you were getting what everyone here was telling you about these people. You're wasting your time and money, and more than that, you are clearly giving yourself anxiety over the whole thing. There are no psychics, period. There are certain people who may be a bit more intuitive than your average person - think Adrian Monk from that show Monk, if you've ever seen it - and people like that often make good cold readers, but they are positively not doing anything supernatural.

This was a reading given some time ago. I most certainly am not speaking to any now and won't ever again. For some reason spirituality and religion does cause me anxiety.
I suffer from low self esteem and this medium claiming she can channel god spooked me. It amazes me that she really believes she can channel god, some even claim that there are bad spirits, it's insane that they believe these things. Claiming she can 'hear' god. Religion is dangerous in my opinion. I've been there and it caused a lot of anxiety. I remember being in a church service some years ago, there they were spouting about satan and how he impacts the things around us. Totally scared me !