Etheric Disconnect: Why Can’t I Make Contact?
By Brian Schill

“I see dead people.”

            This is the famous quip that Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) laments to Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) in the 1999 M. Night Shyamalan paranormal thriller The Sixth Sense. Just like the character that Osment portrays, each person holds within them a certain amount of intuition - a psychological “alert system” that, at times, has been called the “sixth sense.” When we get the feeling that we are being watched or followed, even though we look around the immediate area and find no one, the feeling that we get is our intuitive sixth sense warning that there is another bioelectric presence or anomaly nearby even though it cannot consciously be acknowledged through our five tangible senses.

            Over the years I have been asked by several people how to control, get rid of or intensify their psychic abilities. I am not a psychic and I never have claimed to be, but in the interest of helping those who ask for assistance I have done research and asked some psychics with valid abilities how “it” works. Some are said to be “born with it” but, truth be told, we all are born with psychic abilities to one extent or another. Many true psychics have found that their abilities are more prevalent simply due to “natural” understanding, acceptance of the ability, personal beliefs, world view, etc. not because they are more gifted than someone else.

            Some believe it is a gift, others, a curse. Either way you can not run from it, you can not unlearn it, you can not wish it out of existence and you can not turn it off. Your best weapon is to control it. Some people have expressed concern about the perceived danger that they believe may be connected with psychic ability, but these abilities are simply a natural phenomenon, an extension of the conscious human mind. I have been performing paranormal research investigations for over a decade now and, in all reality, the only danger that may arise from a working with your abilities is, potentially, a letdown for those who expect something that they shouldn’t from the process. On occasion, however, you may find that certain social and religious institutions will demonize any sort of interest in psychic abilities and, through the ploy of urgent “warnings” about the “evils” of having an interest in such events, attempt to save you from a fate of judgment by the divine power that they believe in. As much as these individuals and / or institutions may attempt to get you to believe that there is some sort of evil awaiting you out there I can assure you that there is no danger to mind or soul when working with your abilities.

            For those who want to work with their abilities, or perhaps even draw them out, there are some “do’s” and “don’ts” below that you may want to ponder.

The DO’s

            First, if you believe you have an ability, define it. All psychic abilities and/or events do not simply fall under the umbrella term of psi or psychic. Psi, denoted by the Greek symbol Ψ, is the twenty third letter of the Greek alphabet. All psychic events are divided and classified into two primary categories, the first of which is psi-gamma. Psi Gamma encompasses paranormal cognition and extrasensory perception (non-physical events) where psi-kappa, the second category, encompasses paranormal action and psychokinesis (physical events). The general terminology of the two classes was originally proposed by B. P. Wiesner and R. H. Thouless and was intended to be used in identifying paranormal processes and causation which took place in a controlled environment.

            The purpose of the umbrella term “psi” is to suggest that the psi gamma and psi kappa are aspects assigned to two facets of the same process. This act of dividing and separating dissimilar processes with the same root creates a system in which we can disseminate information about various events in a more specific and categorical manner. A basic breakdown of various psi events is listed below. The key word here is that it is a basic list; it is not all inclusive as the items represented are only the most common psi phenomenon.

Psi Gamma (Non-physical Events)

After Death Communication (ADC) – After death communication is a psychic / paranormal event that generally takes place between a medium and sitter who inquire of the deceased. After death communication can also talk place in dreams or in other mental states such as hypnotism where the subconscious mind overrides the conscious mind.   

Channeling - A phenomenon where one person purports to transmit information or messages directly from a personality or consciousness other than his or her own, usually through automatic writing or trance speaking. Generally, this other personality usually claims to be a nonphysical spirit or being that has contacted the person who is performing the act of channeling because it is desirous of communication with the living.

Clairaudience – This act is generally understood as information that is expressed as a paranormal auditory experience. Voices when no one is around, the sound of cannons or gunfire on a 200 year old battlefield, etc. Clairaudience is generally considered to be a form or mode of clairvoyance.

Clairsentience – This is an expression used when paranormal “information” is expressed as a sensation or feeling. Generally, clairsentience is considered to be a form of clairvoyance.

Clairvoyance – The acquisition of information concerning an object or contemporary physical event without the benefit of any connected information to that potential event. In contrast to telepathy, the information obtained through clairvoyance is assumed to be derived directly from an external physical source and not from the mind of another person. Clairvoyance it is not to be confused with the interpretation of Precognition.

Extrasensory Perception (ESP) ESP is the ability to acquire information about a place, event, or object via psychic abilities. This ability generally pertains to past and near-future events. Unlike clairvoyance, psychics with ESP abilities generally do not have long term future cognition.   

Out-Of-Body Experience (OBE) – This is an experience, either spontaneous or induced, in which an individual’s center of consciousness seems to be in a spatial location outside of the physical body. In many experiments people have claimed to perceive their physical bodies lying inert and that they see and hear the people around them while remaining unconscious. The term “OBE” is preferred by parapsychologists for the phenomena also known as “astral projection” or “traveling clairvoyance.”

Precognition - A form of extrasensory perception in which the target is some near-future event that cannot be deduced from normally known data in the present.

Psychometry – This term, coined by Joseph Rodes Buchanan, refers to the practice in which a sensitive holds an object in their hands to obtain information about the object or its owner.

Retrocognition – This term refers to a form of extrasensory perception in which the target is some past event which could not have been learned or inferred by normal means.

Telepathy – This term refers to the acquisition of information concerning the thoughts, feelings or activity of another conscious being. This is a term which has superseded earlier expressions such as “thought-transference.” 

Psi Kappa (Physical Events)

Apport – When dealing with psi an apport is a physical object that is placed in a known location, the object dematerializes, then rematerializes in another location. This action is also known as teleportation. 

Automatic Writing – Automatic writing is the act of an agent who falls into a trance-like state where the conscious mind is unaware of the events transpiring around it. During this trance the agent writes messages and other information acquired from supernormal sources onto a piece paper or slate. The subconscious mind controls the motor reflexes of the individual but, while in this state, the individual is alleged to be under the influence of a spirit that is said to be utilizing the physical body to communicate. 

Automatism - Any complex sensory or motor activity where the details of which are carried out by a person without their conscious awareness or volition. There are two types of automatism: sensory automatism and motor automatism. Examples of sensory automatisms are visual and / or auditory hallucinations or visions. Examples of motor automatisms are sleep-walking, trance-utterances and automatic writing.

Psychokinesis –This term, originally created by Henry Holt, refers to the direct influence of the mind on a physical system that cannot be entirely accounted for by the mediation of any known physical energy.

Levitation - The moving, raising, lowering or suspension of persons or objects into the air without any apparent means of support as required by known physical laws of motion and gravity.

            Once the ability or abilities have been defined the next step is to research the experiences that others have had with their abilities and then learn how to work with and refine your own abilities. Additionally, some other things to remember about psychic abilities are:

• Psychics do not discover their abilities at the same time in life

• Sometimes the “discovery” of these abilities is gradual, others times it is rather sudden

• Abilities can change, emerge or disappear with time, life events, etc.

• Although similarities exist, each individual psychic’s abilities and sensitivities are unique

• Psychic abilities are a subjective interpretation of the individual experiencing the event

            Once we understand what ability(s) that we possess we must train ourselves to harness them and, while some use exercises found in Yoga, Reiki or meditation we must first learn to step back from our five senses and learn to perceive the world in a whole new way. This is far more difficult to do than you may believe. In western society we are typically taught that our five senses is our “anchor point” for what we understand as reality – we must now step back from that belief, get past our conscious mind and learn to see with our mind and our feelings. Although developing this ability is the most basic first step we must also be careful  notto the trick ourselves into believing we have a specific ability that we simply want to have just because we think that one is more special than the next. Finally, seek advice from others who have similar abilities, practice using and controlling your abilities and give them time to grow.       

The Don’ts

            If you find that you are still feeling disconnected there are some things that you may want to watch for. Some of these are traps that we set for ourselves and some we simply fall into. One of the most common of these traps are inflated, hollow, self-deluding claims such as “I’m a sensitive” or “I’m a medium” when you clearly are not. These sentiments will not wish your abilities into existence; instead it will only contribute to an overactive cold-reading[1] profile within your own mind.

            Another trap many psychics fall into, especially when money is involved, is an over dramatized act of showmanship in connection to a perceived event. This only brings a disrespectful, carnival-like atmosphere to the event and creates an air that reeks of disbelief in psychic ability on the part of the actor. Generally, it is not that these individuals have a psychic ability that is present and operating, it usually tends to be a mechanism of self-glorification where one so desires to be the center of attention that they will stoop to ridiculous levels to realize this goal no matter how much of their own dignity they defecate on.

            Also, projecting feelings such as fear, indifference, boredom, preconceived expectations and heightened emotions are not copasetic to making the needed changes to experience the psychic or paranormal realm. That being said, attitude and mindset can be projected into the event and thoughts of negativity, a self defeating attitude, an overly skeptical “there’s nothing here” or “I don’t believe” attitude are akin to an intent to disprove any event that may take place and all of these set up the person for failure.

            Actions and conversation of an inappropriate nature or taunting “spirits” is also another way to keep yourself from connecting as does aura shielding and “aura condoms” – items used to instill a false sense of protection (or to make a statement) for the wearer such as crosses, giant pentacles (just because it is bigger doesn’t mean that it has a more potent effect) and so forth serve as nothing more than a distraction as there is no power behind the item if faith is not there to back it up.

            If these basics are followed you will find that you will begin to perceive the world in a whole new way. This is the beginning of a new path of thought, and hopefully, it will be one that you will be able to use to your advantage, a road to self empowerment, if you will. It is now up to you to make the most of the knowledge you have been given.