Imagine you’re taking a beautiful hike through the woods, and you want to get closer to the native wildlife like deer, rabbits, squirrels, and birds. What would you do? 

Would you crash through the trails, chasing down every furry creature you come across? It’s pretty obvious that approach would ruin any chance you’d have of a positive wildlife encounter. 

How about if you sat quietly, slowed your breathing, and just waited…

I don’t spend much time in the woods, but even when I’m in my garden, I have places where I love to sit in the stillness and listen to the birds. If I stay there long enough, all kinds of little creatures feel safe enough to show up. 

It’s the same way with Spirit. 

A medium can’t chase after messages from the Other Side. They can try, but the harder they work, the more the messages will elude them. Picture a feather lightly floating. If you grab or try to snatch it out of the air, the feather will move away. You have a much better chance of receiving it by just opening your palm.

In the same way, to be able to consistently connect with the Spirit Realm, you must learn to sit quietly and invite Spirit to come to you. 

It’s a very simple process, but it’s not easy at first. Opening yourself up to receive messages takes focus and practice.

The first step is to learn to sit in the silence. I talk about that a lot with my mediumship students. Find a spot where you can be alone for a while. I often recommend a closet. Find a comfortable spot on the floor and just be still and breathe. 

It’s natural that you’ll have thoughts. Don’t judge them, simply turn them away. If it’s noisy outside the closet don’t let that distract you. The activity outside your closet doesn’t concern you now – so keep focusing on your breath. 

Sitting in the silence will train you to tap into a place of calm and mindfulness where you can raise your vibration to connect with Spirit. 

As you sit, not trying, not striving, not chasing – simply opening yourself up – you’ll start to feel things. Maybe you’ll get a warm sensation or experience a tingling in your hands or head. You might become aware of your guides or other spiritual beings trying to connect with you. Can you make out what they’re saying? Imagine yourself tuning into their frequency, like finding a channel on an old car radio. 

The magic happens in the space between your inhale and your exhale. As you get comfortable with surrendering to the stillness, you’ll find yourself shedding all the stuff you don’t need – like peeling away the layers of an onion – and getting down to your true soul self. 

Sitting in the silence regularly will do wonders for your connection. If you’re looking for an even stronger tool, consider joining a development circle where you can “sit in your power” with other mediums. 

There’s power in numbers. 

My students have all kinds of questions about development circles – but the process is quite simple. The most complicated thing about them is finding people who will commit to meeting and doing the work regularly.

Here are the five steps to setting up and conducting a development circle. 

1. Find 6-8 light workers and pick a time that will work for all of you. Being in similar time zones can simplify scheduling, but it’s not critical. When you’ve selected a time that works for all members of the group, make a commitment to stick to it. Select a group leader – this person is not the “boss” of the group, but they will be responsible for facilitating the sessions. 
2. Decide how you’ll meet. Some people like to gather in person, but technology can be your best friend when it comes to holding a development circle. If you’ve attended an online event or call with me, you know that energy comes through just fine over a distance, and a video call allows everyone to see each other’s faces and feel one another’s energy.  
3. Start out with a prayer or some words of gratitude. Some groups like to go person by person and have each one add a few words. Spend a few minutes doing this, avoiding any other chit-chat. 
4. After the prayer, it’s time for the group to sit in the silence for about 20 minutes. Follow my instructions for sitting in the stillness in the section above. This is the same – only better! Even more powerful energy is generated when a group of light workers sit together and open up to Source energy. 
5. Have the leader set a quiet timer or chime to signal the end of the meditation. Take a few minutes for anyone who wants to share insights or feelings that came up while they were sitting quietly. Then wrap up till next time! 

Development Circle Do’s and Don’ts 

• Do stick to the same day and time each week, if possible. 
• Don’t ask for readings or offer unsolicited readings to others.
• Do honor your commitment and always be on time.
• Don’t bring spectators to watch the session or ask for readings. 
• Do choose a quiet, safe space without distractions if you’re joining online.
• Don’t use your development circle time to socialize. You can always set up another time to chat one-on-one or as a group. 
• Do limit your sessions to about 30 minutes.
• Don’t create drama! Be positive and compassionate to others in the group. 
• Do take a few minutes to calm your mind and set your intention before the call.  

I can’t tell you how important it is to take time to develop your Spirit connection. I found a circle at the start of my journey and continued with the same group for many years. The power you gain from merging your energy with others is the key to being a successful medium. 

To learn more about mediumship by immersing yourself in a live workshop, or to watch a demonstration of Spirit connection, please check out my event page at https://vanpraagh.com/events/.