My adolescent daughter says she sees spirits of people (generally people we had known) who deceased. At first they were dreams and later in her waking state, like while walking down the street or something, she said she's seen them. She initially dropped this bomb on me months ago. I mentioned it to the therapist she was seeing and the therapist told me that my kid is experiencing that because she feels neglected. So she has these "visions" of people who cared about her a lot but died, and in a way the therapist implied the kid is using this to get attention from me.
I started paying more attention to the kid and it seemed like she's been fine. Just today out the blue I asked her about if she's experienced anything like that again and she said "yeah". Over the weekend when she was out with her friend she saw a spirit. As we were talking she said the spirit was right there. My kid started pointing out how the spirit (ghost) was moving around the room. There was communication. Two spirits came, one at a time, the each showed up after we had talked about them. No.1 is the main one my daughter knows and cared about, and in life this person was my mother (though not biologically). That spirit couldn't talk but my kid said she could express herself through facial expressions and mouthing out words. The spirit didn't recognize me at first, according to my kid, but after my kid said who I was it came back to her. I noticed only 2 things: one time I noticed a kind of flutter in the corner of one my eyes but when I pointed towards the direction the flutter came from my kid said the spirit was on my other side. Then when my kid said the spirit left the room, about a couple of minutes later I noticed a weird scent. It was fairly strong to me and seemed to have come out of nowhere. It smelled like "medicine", like antiseptic or something. My kid said the spirits arm was on my head and she called it back to get it's part. The scent lingered to me for another 5-10 minutes then it was gone. After that I mentioned another person who had passed, how I had a dream with him, and a moment later my kid said someone else was appearing. She couldn't recognize at first then she whispered to me it was the guy I was talking about. I was observing my kid's face and she'd just move her eyes around as if she looking at something and she was talking as if responding to conversation with this spirit. She'd let me know where he was or what he was saying from time to time. She said he was talking with his voice but the voice sounded weird, distorted in some way I can't recall she described, but at the time she did give a description. What I noticed with that was the similar flutter in the corner of my eye but it was more intense than the first time.
I don't know what to make of this stuff. The first time she told me of the dreams and later the first vision, I did fully believe it and I just wanted to protect her. Protect her in the sense that I didn't want her to be afraid, think she's crazy, or feel like she was in danger. I called the therapist cause she said she felt depressed after she saw the first vision while awake and I thought the "professional" could help her deal with her feelings. When the therapist said it was a cry for attention, I just thought "perhaps" so I adjusted some of my routine to spend more time with the kid. The stuff I saw and heard today made me feel a little uncomfortable though. I like to think I'm a little intuitive myself and I didn't see a thing or really sense anything other than what I described above. The communication seemed authentic enough but with the guy she said...well he talked about heaven, hell, and Jesus, and it was just stuff I wouldn't think a spirit would talk about but what do I know.
I really have no first hand experience with this type of stuff so any advice or anything would be appreciated. I'm open minded enough to believe in the possibility of spirits or ghosts but not sure if there are ways to know how a person has that gift or if it's really "real". I just want my kid to be healthy and not feel uncomfortable.
It sounds to me like your daughter is clairvoyant.
My suggestion is to take her for a visit to your nearest spiritualist church where there are many who can help her with this gift. For many people this is a normal part of their reality and I am sure there will be many who can immediately see that your daughter has this gift.
I am not clairvoyant but did attend a church regularly for about 8 years and generally there are meditation and development groups running which will assist you and your daughter in learning and developing her gift.
Fortunately, my awareness of the spirit world is nearly non-existent. It to be able to see spirits that clearly is a mixed blessing, usually more on the curse side of the scale. I do like Leolotuses idea of the spiritualist church. When a professional encounters a problem, they try to fashion a solution out of their particular "tool kit." A therapist sees the situation one way, a psychiatrist might prescribe drugs, and the spiritualist will recommend a totally different solution.
All I can add is you might try contacting a guy named Gary Spivey. He's a very commercially successful psychic on the level of Sylvia Brown, who has turned his talent for communicating with the dead into a multi-million dollar business. I heard him on the radio once. {And he has made a number of accurate predictions}. You probably won't get through to Mr. Spivey directly, but he must have talented underlings who can help. He lives someplace in California, BTW.
Test the fruits of what she learns. Is she growing in a better direction? Ask what the given result is for what she is given.
Do not turn her to the wolves. The therapists do not know her. They are strangers. To value the thoughts and discernment of a godless therapist over your daughter whom you know and love, is not what you would so desire for yourself, in your daughter's eyes.
Therapists and their kind inhibit the minds, as one would poison a tree of knowledge. The antidepressants as SSRIs inhibit the mind, as poison. This creates temporary happiness, and long-term imbalance. There is good cause to be sad in this world. There are many lies and hurts which surround us.
Surrounded by thieves in our large family, the people gather door locks. Surrounded by thieves within a home, the family gathers door locks for the doors within. Surrounded by liars, and iniquity, the family gathers locks upon their hearts, and minds.
Happiness arises for good cause, as does sadness.
What good would be done if one felt happy, when their actions are unfulfilling? Thus, sadness is good, as it helps one progress. It is nothing bad. It is to be understood, and learned from. As one that falls, while learning to walk.
Seek fulfillment of good intentions, and thus one finds happiness and joy.
What's a "spiritualist church"? I don't go to any church on a weekly basis. But when I do get the urge to go, I go to a Science of Mind church that I've been going to since the 1990s. I've taken my kid there since she was small so she feels somewhat like a member of that church though I don't think she really listens to the sermons and fully comprehends what they are about. Since December I've also been going to Universal Unitarian church too once in a while cause it's closer to where I live. My kid doesn't really like that church though, she feels uncomfortable because of...well I guess I just think if I try taking her to see one of their "specialist" she may be afraid. But if they have the best people I would take her anyway. If we saw the "specialist" out of the context of the regular service I'm sure my kid would feel more relaxed.
I know the Science of Mind people have prayer practioners and stuff but I never thought of going to them with this sort of problem. I think my kid is having other problems too cause she's acting incorrigible. I don't want to give details but it's been stressing me out since October. Mostly behavioral problems and I guess she flairs up when she's upset. In light of her other problems I think the "vision" stuff could be more of a gift. Hopefully these "spirits" can give her knowledge and pass on some wisdom to her so she can develop some patience and understanding. And maybe become a little more contemplative in general, though for her age she is pretty deep. I do live in CA btw, so I'll try looking up that clairvoyant guy, though I don't necessarily trust TV personalities or people who right "Best Sellers". I just want to help my kid out. And thanks for pointing out how the "therapist" may not be the best way. I didn't even put that together.
Therapists and their kind inhibit the minds, as one would poison a tree of knowledge. The antidepressants as SSRIs inhibit the mind, as poison. This creates temporary happiness, and long-term imbalance. There is good cause to be sad in this world. There are many lies and hurts which surround us.
I'm sorry, Ageo, I'm compelled to challenge you on this. All of your post has good wisdom, except this paragraph. I understand your point of view on this, but...
About 20 years ago, I knew enough that if I were to raise children, protect and love them and my wife I would have to get on an emotional even keel. Mine and, more importantly, THEIR quality of life depended on me getting professional help and, ultimately, medications (SSRI's). They had to come first. Still do.
With the help of a mentor, my spiritual life has flourished, especially in the last two years.
Further, clinical depression is not a conducive state for any spiritual development. It takes the wind out of ALL of life's sails.
Finally, you say that there's good cause to be sad. My friend, I believe there is far more to be joyous about! And that joy is not all about what is empirical, in fact, only a small part is. Being a conduit of the divine is far more common than is recognized. THAT is a great reason to be happy and joyous.
These are just my thoughts and opinions, written without malice or any negative intent. Your mileage may vary.
My thoughts for our mom of the sighted daughter? Take small steps in trying to understand and a route that feels right for you and her.
I just did a quick google search for "spiritualist churches in usa" and there are plenty of websites with information. I don't know exactly where you live as I am in Australia but I am sure there would be a church nearby.
The one I went to for about 9 years had many wonderful psychics and mediums who were able to prove beyond a doubt that life continues on. Many gave me messages from family members who had passed on.
The good thing about spiritualist churches is that they are free. You can go along and listen in and learn. No-one judges you and quite often can give you helpful guidance.
As I mentioned, they also have development groups too where people with a gift can develop. Sometimes it is pretty scary to see spirits or hear them but these people have been through all that so can give you good techniques to manage and make the most of the gift.
Soulful1--hi. You sound like a good parent wh o wants to do the best thing for their child.
I agree with Leolotus about your finding a spiritualist church. I am not a member but I know people who are and they are often quite helpful.
I also recommend reading any/every book you can get by John Edward whose work in this area--seeing/communicating with those who have gone on--is unsurpassed for integrity and generosity, IMO. Many of his experiences which he talks about openly are similar to many others who have/had the same kinds of experiences--so for me he really rings true.
Also he is very down to earth about his experiencers and does not expect everryone to have the same kinds of exepriences or to agree waith him. I think that your daughter reading his books would be very helpful to her as it would show her that she is "not the only one" this kind of thing happens to--and that it is not really anything "abnormal."
If you any questions--please ask. One of us here will most likely be able to help.
Sending good thoughts your way.
BTW--your bookstore will have one or more of John Edward's books and they can also be ordered from sites like amazon.com
(do not get him confused with the politician John Edwards.
One way to keep them straight--John Edward the psychic medium uses "edward" as his last name even though t is his middle name.
I'll come back and post a list of some of his books for you.)
"All I can add is you might try contacting a guy named Gary Spivey. He's a very commercially successful psychic on the level of Sylvia Brown, who has turned his talent for communicating with the dead into a multi-million dollar business. I heard him on the radio once. {And he has made a number of accurate predictions}. You probably won't get through to Mr. Spivey directly, but he must have talented underlings who can help. He lives someplace in California, BTW."
With all due respect--as someone with experience in this field I am going to completely disagree with this recommendation. Someone who does this kind of thing for money---lots of money--is not necessarily the best or most helpful person to get info from about how it works and what it might mean.
The endeavor is highly personal and commercial success is not any indication that they know what they're doing--or indeed that they are really doing anything along the lines of what soulful1 is talking about.
Above I recommended that she and her daughter read some of John Edward's books since from my own experiences and from what I have observed of John Edward he really does the kind of work we're talking about and seems to do so with integrity.
So let me get this straight, W-gal. Gary Spivey is a bad choice because he has turned his talent into a multi-million dollar business, but John Edward who has written many book, has his own TV show, and charges $750 for a read is OK {also a multi-million dollar business}. Yes? Because of your personal observation? Are there other famous psychics who are OK or is John Edward the only one? Do you have a list of "W-gal approved" psychics you would like to share with us?
Admittedly, I was clumsy about Mr's Spivey's credentials. You are correct that not all commercially successful psychics are the real deal. The opposite is equally false: Not all commercially successful psychics are frauds (except, of course, for those which you personally endorse). Did you do your due dilligence before condemning Mr. Spivey? Have you heard of him? visited his website? or did you simply blast him because he was mentioned in the same breath as Sylvia Browne?
Look, I made a recommendation and gave two pieces of factual supporting information: 1) commercially successful and 2) made a number of accurate predictions. The reccomendation was meant as a starting point. Soulful one can do her own research and make up her own mind about this guy. That's how I work.
"All I can add is you might try contacting a guy named Gary Spivey. He's a very commercially successful psychic on the level of Sylvia Brown, who has turned his talent for communicating with the dead into a multi-million dollar business. I heard him on the radio once. {And he has made a number of accurate predictions}. You probably won't get through to Mr. Spivey directly, but he must have talented underlings who can help. He lives someplace in California, BTW."
With all due respect--as someone with experience in this field I am going to completely disagree with this recommendation. Someone who does this kind of thing for money---lots of money--is not necessarily the best or most helpful person to get info from about how it works and what it might mean.
The endeavor is highly personal and commercial success is not any indication that they know what they're doing--or indeed that they are really doing anything along the lines of what soulful1 is talking about.
Above I recommended that she and her daughter read some of John Edward's books since from my own experiences and from what I have observed of John Edward he really does the kind of work we're talking about and seems to do so with integrity.
