[bebop]

I had an interesting conversation today with a friend that happens to be psychic

do you believe in them?

[Direction]

I find that they can have interesting conversations...that appear to hit home...can't say that I really take much from them...

[seeker1950]

I think there are a lot of charlatans out there...people skilled at "cold reading" who fool many gullible peolple. On the other hand, I think each of us have some psychic ability, experiencing premonitions that come true, etc. Most people don't recognize this or don't try to develop it!
Patty

[tranquility]

I have gone to a couple of physics who are the real deal and were spot on with everything they said. The first one does not want you to talk or show him anything - he just dives right in. I went shortly after my father passed away and he nailed everything. I didn't say a word. He told me that there was a man all around me when I walked in, he kept talking and said the pain had been in great pain and needed to go and that I understood that, he said that it happened quickly but had taken a while to come. He then said the man was my father. Now, I had never met this guy before. My dad had passed away about 4 months prior. He had multiple myeloma which is cancer of the bone marrow - extremely painful as your bones fracture. He had been diagnosed in the beginning and put on chemo right away, he was in an advanced stage but it was able to make him a bit better so he lived for 4 years. At the end the doctor told him there was no more treatment. He told my mother that he was ready to go and within 2 weeks had died.

At the time I was in a relationship for 7 years with a woman - my parents knew her but I never said that we were partners because I new they didn't want to hear that. The next thing the psychic said was that "your father is happy that you have found the love that you now have and he is not disappointed, he is proud". This was just a couple of the things he said - he was right about every single comment.

The second one I went to was a woman who had been doing it for years. My mother had a party and invited her (she was a friend). There were 14 or 15 people there. She had everyone write down three names of close ones who had passed, one question, and sign your name. She had them in a bowl and had a very secure blindfold on. She pulled one at a time and rubbed the paper on the top of her head (she said that is where she always gets the best vibrations and messages). She would then ask who has so so (like Bob). Everyone had different names written down which is odd in itself and she nailed every single one.

I had put Becky on the paper (my childhood dog). She asked if anyone had Becky and I said yes. She said she sees her name as more formal like Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (that's what my father called her). I had then messed up a bit - I was sponsoring a 17 year old girl in AA whose brother had committed suicide 2 years to the day before this party. His name was Jimmy - her boyfriends name was Ricky and I wrote Ricky down by accident. She then said that there was a Ricky and that he was very young and died tragically. I said yes. She said "He wants to thank you for helping him by helping his sister. He wants you to know he appreciates that".

Finally, she got to my nephew who had just returned from Iraq. He has had 3 friends die. One by drunk driving in an accident while in high school and 2 in Iraq. They all had biblical names and as she kept calling each name she made a joke that everyone was going to think she was reading from the bible. I know the first name was James and he died in the drunk driving accident. Then there were two more.

She spoke about one and we thought she was going to wrap up - then she said there was another young man standing over his other shoulder (the second boy was on one side). She said this other boy died young while battling "something". She said that he stayed behind to protect Nate until he was safe. I thought my nephew was going to pass out. He was very upset about this last boy because he watched him die in Iraq and he thought there should have been something that he could do (but there wasnt).

I absolutely believe some people have this gift because it is a gift. There have been many that have helped police agencies find people and put an end to families sufferings.

I always wished I had this gift - but maybe in a next life

Tranquility

[bebop]

I met this friend online 10 yrs ago. my granddaughter had been gone not quite a yr. this woman described the dress we buried her in to a T. no way could she have ever known that. Then when I was driving my truck I would keep smelling a familiar smell. I called her and told her about this smell. she again described my late husband's clothes. today I was chatting with her showing her something and she began to tell me she saw my granddaughter being held by a man and said either his name was J or had a J in the name. That is what we called my late husband. whew! I asked her if he had a message for me and he showed her light. He called my granddaughter "lightening" I think she is pretty amazing.

[(JD)]

Tough survey. I don't believe IN them, but I do believe they exist.

It is nothing for such people to have access to the past...anything in the past. I think they can even tell some of a future if that side of the supernatural is going to have effect on that particular part of the future.

The knowledge of all things in the past is open to any supernatural being...and those who tap into it. What they can't tell us is things that only God knows, in which satan has no delvings into.

I, personally, have knowledge of things about to happen, from time to time. I attribute this to the Holy Spirit that dwells within me, and nothing of my own power.

[bebop]

it has to be a gift. no other way.

[Maven]

I'm very skeptical of anyone claiming to be a psychic. I believe it's possible there are such people--I've had feelings and sudden things that came into my head to turn out to be true. But I don't think I'm a psychic. I answered an ad once for a psychic telephone line, because it said you didn't have to have any abilities, that they would train you. I think it's something you're born with, or a gift or whatever you want to call it that you get later. However, what they were calling "psychic" included reading Tarot cards, among other things, even if you didn't have any kind of intuition, premonitions or any mind-related thing like that. I quit the same day they hired me, because they wanted me to give the same reading to everyone, until I got used to doing it. Phony!!!

I think the vast majority of people claiming to be psychics are probably scam or con artists, or who think they have powers, when they don't. Some of these con artists are quite good at what they do. They can convince those who want to believe by asking the right questions, and some are very good at reading body language and facial expressions to interpret how hot or cold they're getting with their information. Even when a psychic seems to really be right, you can't be sure. Then there's the ones who have little magic and parlor tricks to convince someone they're "cursed" or whatever, and to give up their money. Sometimes they tell them the money itself is cursed, and get them to give it up! One scam involves breaking an egg, and if there's blood in it, or a miniature skull, that proves you're cursed! But it's a trick.

I think there are so many con artists out there because there are so many people who want to believe. It's important to learn to protect yourself. Patty is right, about "cold readings." People tend to forget the misses a "psychic" makes, no matter how many, once s/he manages to make a hit.

I clicked "Yes" that I believe in psychics, but I posted this to be more specific in my answer.

[tranquility]

Maven -

I absolutely agree. Those phone ones are not someone I would ever call. The two that I have gone to did not ask any questions, they just kept talking. I also enjoy Sylvia Brown and I believe she truly has the talent as well. The only thing I don't like about her now is that with being on Montel she is getting more commercialized.

Tranquility

[Maven]

I'm not convinced by Sylvia Brown. I know she's made some predictions that didn't come true. Still, if she's right in her prediction that there won't ever be a nuclear war or World War III (whichever it was), that's a good thing!

Another thing on the psychic phone line, as you can guess, they wanted me to keep talking to keep the person on the line as long as possible (more $$$$$).

[bebop]

I do not believe in those phone quacks at all. yes there are many many phonies out there for sure.

[seeker1950]

I dated a "psychic" truck driver for a brief time. He had actually been employed by the phone psychic network...What a joke! I'll give it to him...this fella knew how to talk the talk, had memorized the Tarot, and even got calls for reading while I was in his presence, but he was the least empathetic, least socially aware, least emotionally in tune person I've ever met! I think the psychic hotline probably has a list of responses and questions for their employees to use. I"d never call them!
Patty

[bebop]

oh goodness lol sounds like a bad guy

[seeker1950]

Actually, Bebop, he wasn't a bad guy from my list of men I've met...though I am accurate in my description of his qualities. I think he truly believed he had some kind of gift...NOT!!
I think any one of us could be employed by the psychic hotline!
Patty

[bebop]

oh I think so too. I actually got a free one once so I called it lol what a joke that was! said me and my hubby were in a power struggle lol.

[birdinflight]

I'm on the fence - agree about the phonies, but think "hmmm" about others, and I've had a few readings. One was with Sylvia Browne more than 20 years ago. Some of what she told me came true, but I always ask myself if I made it that way, because of what she told me: for example, that I would marry an olive-skinned man. I did.
But, was it because I went looking for one after she had told me that? Call me a skeptic, I suppose that's what I'm saying.

[(JD)]

Yes, the bogus fraudulent psychic hotlines still exist. Remember Miss Cleo??? There have been a few documentaries about the boiler plate operations with textbook answers. If you study from those who know how to spot a phoney, it becomes quite easy afterwards, to realize they are getting their answers from the people themselves! I won't mention one very active and popular man who requires an intake form prior to your being allowed on the show. Of course they have enough info - especially in the day of big brother - to find out well hidden information.

But the ability to know things that exist through the supernatural, yes that occurs, imo. But, imo, it is still the "supernatural." That's another bone to pick, as it sits alongside "spirituality" from my pov. You can't have either without God. At least, I don't.

[bebop]

I agree

[Maven]

I just learned about a new show, which I think had its first episode yesterday, and I missed it (BOO!), called Mind Control. Apparently, there's this guy, Darren Brown, which some of you may have heard of in the UK, who is a magician and other things, but from what little I've read, I'd label him a "debunker" as well. I want to see if I can catch an episode on TV, because I don't watch TV shows online, usually (not enough time), but if you want to see the first episode, go to http://www.scifi.com/derrenbrown/ and click on the video in the bottom right-hand corner. I can't say until I've seen the episode (really, more than one), but I think I'm going to love this guy...he shows how psychics and others can read body language and use special tricks to con you into thinking they're real. The next episode airs August 2, 10:00 p.m. Central (that's 1:00 a.m. Eastern) on the SciFi Channel. SciFi usually shows its shows and some movies more than once , so there should be an opportunity to catch the first episode again on TV, but again, you can see it online.

One thing I'll say about Miss Cleo...she was a great character. I'm not talking about the real person, who lied and ripped people off, but the character only. She was entertaining.

[bebop]

10 pm central is 11 eastern. in the US that is lol thanks for the link!

[KathyM]

I believe people can have psychic abilities, but I have a problem with people who do it for a living. It's more than a talent, it's a gift from God. IMO, it's disrespectful for a person to use this gift to promote themselves and make money. It's disrespectful to use this sacred gift for entertainment purposes.

[bebop]

I tend to agree on that one. some people are just getting really rich for something that was given to them or say they have the gift.

[mlyn]

I believe in them who hear but I also believe that all of them who talk to us are not good.
lrks

[Maven]

I disagree about it being wrong to use a gift (from God or otherwise) to make a living. What if your gift is art, being exceptionally good at math or writing, being a great builder, being a great doctor, etc.? Should all those be done for free, too?

[KathyM]

The difference to me is the authority factor. It's not just God's gift, it's God's tools.

If you sing or paint well, it's a beautiful gift meant to be shared with others. People can choose to love your work or think it stinks. They can choose to buy what you're selling or keep on browsing.

Selling God just seems weird to me. What if you're not satisfied with God? I can just hear people now. Hey - What happened!?! I paid GOOD money to know my future and get into Heaven!

My father would have whooped my butt if I ever sold his precious tools, lol.