A medium is a person who has the ability to communicate with the souls of people who have passed on. This can be done in different ways. Sometimes a medium receives thoughts from a spirit. Other times a medium is presented with images in their mind. Still, some mediums are able to hear the voices of spirits.
Medium James Van Praagh
James Van Praagh is a medium who first received spirit communication at the tender, young age of two. He began by hearing spirits, but quickly started to see them as well. This made for a particularly difficult childhood.
Van Praagh firmly believes that there is no such thing as death. Although the body may cease to function, he believes that the soul continues to live on and it's people's souls that Van Praagh is able to communicate with. His communication takes place after people have crossed over and gone into the light.
A New York Times best selling author, Van Praagh has penned Talking to Heaven, Reaching to Heaven, and Ghosts Among Us. He previously starred in Beyond With James Van Praagh and is currently the co-executive producer of Ghost Whisperer.
Medium Mary Ann Winkowski
Mary Ann Winkowski is the medium whose life the series Ghost Whisperer is based upon. Like Van Praagh, she began communicating with spirits when she was two-years-old.
The difference between Van Praagh and Winkowski is that while Van Praagh communicates with spirits after they have crossed over, Winkowski communicates with spirits who are known as "earthborn spirits." These are spirits who have not yet gone into the light.
Sometimes spirits stay behind out of the fear of the unknown, while others stay behind because of unfinished business. Winkowski is able to help spirits resolve their conflicts and find the light so they can cross over.
The Differences Between Mediums
So why is it that mediums like Van Praagh can only communicate with spirits who have gone into the light while Winkowski can only communicate with spirits who are earthbound? Similar to other talents, one person could be capable of one ability while another person would be capable of a different ability in that same field. One individual might be a very talented painter, but have absolutely no musical capabilities, while another may be a piano virtuoso who could draw no better than stick figures, but both are considered artists.
The important thing is that mediums are able to bring comfort to spirits by passing on messages to loved ones and are able to comfort people who have lost loved ones by given them confirmation that the souls of the people they have lost continue to live on after death.
If considering consulting a medium, remember that the medium cannot pick and choose who will come through. That is entirely up to the spirits. Be cautious, too, not to give up much information. Let the medium be the one to supply the information, although validating what a medium says is alright.
Readers may also enjoy: Famous Channelers, along with Types Of Psychic Abilities, and Using Psychic Tools
Sources:
- When Ghosts Speak, Mary Ann Winkowski, (Grand Central Publishing,) 2007.
- Ghosts Among Us, James Van Praagh, (HarperCollins,) 2008.
