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John Edward on The View
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On July 2, 2009, John Edward, world-renowned psychic medium appeared on ABC’s The View alongside an astrologer, a tarot card reader and a past life regression psychologist. Three of the four hosts of the show were highly skeptical of the respective abilities of the different practitioners. Only Whoopi Goldberg was open-minded and receptive to the readings from the guests.
However, one reading done by John Edward was especially difficult to watch. Prior to her reading and throughout, Sherri Shephard stated emphatically that she was not a believer and stonewalled Edward’s attempts to connect her with her biological mother and grandfather. Although Shephard did validate that both these people had passed and that the information Edward was giving was correct, she proceeded to insult the purpose of Edward’s abilities. The conflict within Shephard seemed to be rooted in the fact that she did not believe those who had passed could help her in any way, specifically “to find a man.”
Unfortunately, this short-sighted view is common as it is focused on the here and now in an extremely ego-centric personality prevalent in today’s society. Often people do not realize that those of us who do possess psychic abilities do not necessarily possess all psychic abilities. For example, a psychic may be able to see certain elements of the future, most of which are not written in stone and are affected as a result of the person’s free will. This is an important aspect of the psychic reading and is the answer to that burning question of why psychics often present their clients with information regarding a choice that they will be making. Often, if the psychic predicts that one will be experiencing a certain path, it is because they have realized that the client has already made their choice toward a certain path, yet they have not acknowledged or verbalized that choice.
On the other hand, a psychic medium receives their information from those who have passed. The medium has no control over the information they receive; the medium is just what the title describes. Just as a television is the “medium” through which viewers receive their broadcast programs, a psychic medium is the conduit through which loved ones who have passed communicate their messages. Unlike the psychic who predicts the future, the psychic medium feels obligated to share the information that they have received as it is not ours to keep. An analog to the medium could be seen as one roommate who is obligated to give phone messages to the other roommate. The roommate would be angry if these messages were not given to them as important news might be given too late or never at all. The same is true of the psychic medium. It is not the medium’s place to filter messages or pick and choose what should or should not be told, and the notion that they are in control of the spirits that come to them is as ridiculous as the notion of controlling the living people that gravitate toward them.
There are, however, psychics and mediums who posses both abilities. The two abilities are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but some only possess one or the other. The mark of a truly “gifted” psychic or medium is their own ability to realize and admit their limitations. John Edward does not profess to read the future; his real talent lies in reuniting the living with a cherished loved one who has passed. However, often these loved ones come through with a message about the future, usually specific to a certain detail of the client’s life.
Regardless of the psychic’s skills, it is pertinent that the client understands the specific abilities of the practitioner, which clearly Shephard did not. She expected Edward to tell her about her future love life and was disrespectful not only to Edward, but also to her own biological mother and grandfather who were attempting to convey a message through Edward. Despite her resistance to the reading, Edward managed to retain his kind and gentle nature, while relaying the message from the mother and grandfather. Though Shephard acknowledged that Edward was correct in his reading, she responded that these spirits were not here on earth and could in no way help her in her life among the living. Goldberg countered this argument in saying that Edward offered these messages to the living in order to give hope and support to the living from the deceased, who still care for and love those they have left behind.
Goldberg was right on with this point. In addition, it should be said that these deceased loved ones are not powerless to aid us in our “living” lives. Not only do they offer wisdom that among the living does not often exist, but they may surprise the living when they are asked in “prayer” to assist in difficult times. The next time you say your prayers, try including deceased loved ones in those prayers. God has so many praying for so much; give Him a break, and let His love shine through those loves ones that He bestowed upon you. You may be pleasantly surprised!
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