Alone in the wilderness?

It's been two and a half months since I moved from South Australia to Queensland, and most of that time I've been settling in and finding my way around, with no real thought or effort put into spiritual matters.

But lately I've been getting restless and feeling the need to get back into the groove, and my recent experiences here have left me wondering what to do.

Two weeks ago I went to a "mediums night" at a local high school, and came away somewhat disillusioned. It wasn't so much that what was on show was 90% psychic and 10% unproved mediumship that got me, it was the way the messages were delivered by one or two people in particular. A real lack of tact or diplomacy and a fair bit of ego was on display. I can understand that the surroundings were not good for getting strong links, but you'd at least think that what messages there were could be delivered in a supportive, non judgemental way, rather than as an excuse for the "medium" to say how good they were and that you need to do what they do to fix yourself. By the way, three of the four people giving messages were leaders of their own church, so I would have expected more from them, to be honest. The fourth medium is one that had been trained properly and it really showed.

I also went to the local spiritual church last night and I have to say there were lots of good things on show - the guest speaker gave an authentic, entertaining and relevant talk; all the people were engaged and positive; it was a good atmosphere and the energy was good, especially during the healing segment.

On the downside, the opening lords prayer singalong, the constant references to god all night, and only one mention of spirit, not to mention prominent displays of the cross had me wondering that if this was a spiritualist church, what on earth would a christian spiritualist church be like???

The clairvoyance demonstration was all psychic but was done well for the most part, but it does worry me to hear things like "you should leave your job" being said.

So I'm left wondering if there are any churches here in Brisbane that are more like the one I went to in Adelaide, non-religious ones that want to provide genuine, ethical mediumship and an opportunity to learn about spiritualism and develop your own awareness in a responsible way.

Otherwise I might just order a bunch of Silver Birch books online and do some "home-schooling" spiritualism...

here endeth the rant

What a sad state of affairs Wes. I have every sympathy for you. Sadly it's not much better in the UK with internecine 'warfare' between various groups.

Jim has written extensively about this sorry business.

Good luck with your future activities.

Hi Wes,

Come back to Adelaide we miss you down here in Adelaide. Sadly the problem you are having only backs up the article Gordon Ray wrote in Psychic News about the state of Spiritualism in Queensland. Given the rather poisonous reaction in Adelaide to Lis's PN article on the state of Australian Spiritualism I would guess he is persona non grata in many places around Brisbane. He is a member on here who is freely displaying his name so you could send him a private message I am sure if anyone can help you it would be he.
Anyway I trust the rest of your life is going really well, one thing you have missed a very wet chilly start to Spring here. Of course there are a number of other good books to have a read of too.

Keep well and have fun you may have to set up your own centre if so give us a call about it. Lis can give you many insights as to the pleasures of being the leader of a centre, just don't give it open membership and you can "democratically" ensure that you stay on track.

Cheers

Jim

Thanks guys, the thought of opening my own centre has crossed my mind more than once, but thinking about the hate campaign that was going on in Adelaide will always make me think twice.

I think I just need to spread my net a bit further around Brisbane and see what comes up

Wow mate what an awful experience,i personally dont think i could stay and watch.We have psychic fairs down here,they are terrible,one lady was advertising drawing your spirit guide $45.00,i asked her if she didnt draw the right one would i have to pay for it,she replied 'i draw what comes thru' i said well i know what my guides look like so i would expect to recognize the drawing,she just shrugged her shoulders.Only went cos girlfriend at the time wanted to go,full of palm and card readers,not much about real mediumship.
Hope ya find something decent soon.Duncan

Thanks Duncan, I just wish I could have taken the church I went to in Adelaide with me when I moved up here.

I'm working on a new philosophy now - If there's no church to go to then I need to take a church with me where ever I go

I love it Wes

Well then I better get to work on my own set of principles for the Mobile Church of Wes

You could base them upon the 5 original Principles of Holden Hill Christian Spiritualist Church Wes.

Maybe add a few thou shalts so it takes on epic biblical proportions, you coulkd ask I for help on this.

Jim

Your words have appeal Jim, but we all know that the more principles, the better. So I intend to move beyond five, seven or nine principles and aim for at least a baker's dozen.

The first Principle would involve enhancing spirit communion by eating Vili's Pasties, which I am sorely missing up here.

We could attempt an apport for the Vili's Pastie, I am not sure what state a posted one would be on arrival. I now realise that we missed the best reason to keep you in SA and draw you back down here.

A Bakers Dozen of Principles I warn you I understand I is getting very excited about the concept so keep your eye on the Spiritual Spoofs section. I have positively banned him from posting elsewhere on the forum.

Glad you are keeping well up there. I'm on at Elizabeth Church tonight, Lina, Pam and Lawrence are coming up, if they feel ready they can have a go but no pressure on them.
Jim

how did it go at Elizabeth Jim? I'm keen to hear how my old classmates are going

Went really well Wes they each got up and gave enough evidence on their first message to prove who they were in contact with for the recipient. Like all of us standing up on a platform first time they found it nervewracking. Lawrence did a good opening prayer with little warning and Pam a great closing prayer.

They liked my talk and I had over 10 minutes of q & a after and my 3 messages were full of evidence with good reason for the people coming along so the message itself tied up well.

The people at Elizabeth really enjoyed the night and there was a great atmosphere.

Hows the wilderness now Wes

Life does throw little sparks of illumination my way every now and then Jim

I've started doing a certificate course in community services up here, specialising in youth work, and while I don't feel cut out for youth work, it has been an eye-opening experience so far.

The majority of the people doing the course have lived life the hard way, suffering through the sort of hardships and trauma that leave me in awe of their powers of survival and humbled by their determination to help others who are going through similar difficulties in their lives.

They may not have spiritual beliefs or any desire to find self awareness, but to me they are doing the work of spirit - helping others rise up from the depths, to reach a level of self sufficiency where they can be of service to themselves and to others, if they so wish.

All this makes me realise that you can't be in the wilderness if you are in contact with such people, people that can see that material concerns will not give them the same satisfaction that being of service can

Wes,

That sounds fantastic and conversely I believe you are ideally cut out for it.

Yes its no doubt that those who survive what they have and step out are doing Spirits work and being pf service is a key part of it.

Well done

Jim

It is a tricky lesson to learn, and at times I do struggle with it, but I need to focus on being alert to opportunities to be of service to spirit without letting my own plans or desires get in the way.

So it's nice to have role models and examples to be reassured and inspired by.