On Thursday, April 16, 2015, I was invited by Dr. Gary E. Schwartz to
share the story I wrote about in my book, Wolf’s
Message, with his Psychology of Religion and Spirituality class at the University
of Arizona. I thank Dr. Schwartz for
this opportunity and for sending me a copy of the comments each of the students
wrote after the presentation. These comments
were submitted to me completely anonymously. Some of the observations merited feedback,
which I included with my answers to those who asked questions. I feel the information may be useful to readers
of this blog and I share them with you here.
* * *
My only question is,
if you receive messages from the other side, has your husband experienced this?
if you receive messages from the other side, has your husband experienced this?
He has not.
I am still quite
skeptical about the story about the book that moved …
skeptical about the story about the book that moved …
I want to be clear that I am well aware that my experience of seeing and
hearing the book move (as detailed in “Wolf’s Message”)was an illusion/hallucination. Had anyone been standing beside me, they
would not have seen or heard the book move as I did. Nevertheless, the experience was very real to
me—as real as everything else happening around me at the time.
hearing the book move (as detailed in “Wolf’s Message”)was an illusion/hallucination. Had anyone been standing beside me, they
would not have seen or heard the book move as I did. Nevertheless, the experience was very real to
me—as real as everything else happening around me at the time.
We look at the “reality” that most people experience as “this
physical/human world” and call that “reality”, because it is the most common
experience to all humans, but reality is relative. Because each individual’s perception creates
their reality, no one can rightfully dictate to another person what is
real.
physical/human world” and call that “reality”, because it is the most common
experience to all humans, but reality is relative. Because each individual’s perception creates
their reality, no one can rightfully dictate to another person what is
real.
One of the critical learning points from my presentation is that the
reality we perceive with our physical senses is not the only reality. We can all agree that the laws of our
physical universe are suspended when we are in the dream state. While dreaming we can defy gravity and
fly. We can play with time, and so
forth. Does this make our dreams any
less “real” while dreaming them? Reality
is what we are experiencing with our consciousness at any given moment.
reality we perceive with our physical senses is not the only reality. We can all agree that the laws of our
physical universe are suspended when we are in the dream state. While dreaming we can defy gravity and
fly. We can play with time, and so
forth. Does this make our dreams any
less “real” while dreaming them? Reality
is what we are experiencing with our consciousness at any given moment.
I believe that my perception of the book moving was caused by a
manipulation of the auditory and visual signals sent to my conscious mind by
higher consciousness to make a point: “Pay attention to this book. There is an important message in this book.” And indeed there was. Had the book not appeared to move through my
very real experience of this hallucination, I would never have chosen to read
that particular book. This intervention
from higher consciousness served an important purpose.
manipulation of the auditory and visual signals sent to my conscious mind by
higher consciousness to make a point: “Pay attention to this book. There is an important message in this book.” And indeed there was. Had the book not appeared to move through my
very real experience of this hallucination, I would never have chosen to read
that particular book. This intervention
from higher consciousness served an important purpose.
Do you ever get
messages from a higher power, or as I call him, God?
messages from a higher power, or as I call him, God?
Before answering this question, I need to share my concept of God. I do not believe that God is one single being
who can communicate directly, but is instead the All That Is … formless and
formed, transcendent and immanent, eternal and temporal, absolute and relative,
impersonal and personal. I call this
force, this energy, this ground of all being beyond which there is nothing more and which has no opposite
“Ultimacy” – a term coined by my friend, retired professor James E.
Royster.
who can communicate directly, but is instead the All That Is … formless and
formed, transcendent and immanent, eternal and temporal, absolute and relative,
impersonal and personal. I call this
force, this energy, this ground of all being beyond which there is nothing more and which has no opposite
“Ultimacy” – a term coined by my friend, retired professor James E.
Royster.
Ultimacy expresses itself in limitless ways, including as you and
me. Ultimacy expresses itself also as
what to us are formless aspects of consciousness which we might refer to as
spirit-beings and angels. The more
loving the being, the more refined the consciousness, making these more
refined, formless aspects of consciousness what we would call “higher
beings.”
me. Ultimacy expresses itself also as
what to us are formless aspects of consciousness which we might refer to as
spirit-beings and angels. The more
loving the being, the more refined the consciousness, making these more
refined, formless aspects of consciousness what we would call “higher
beings.”
With that understanding, yes, I most definitely get messages from a
higher power. You may read over a
thousand of these messages at www.SanayaSays.com and read full
transcripts of more lengthy messages at https://awakenedway.suzannegiesemann.com/sanayasessions/
higher power. You may read over a
thousand of these messages at www.SanayaSays.com and read full
transcripts of more lengthy messages at https://awakenedway.suzannegiesemann.com/sanayasessions/
Was it difficult to
accept that you were getting all these signs about spirits because of your
background?
accept that you were getting all these signs about spirits because of your
background?
Yes, but only when I first became aware of the connection with higher
consciousness beyond those whom I could identify as deceased family members and
friends (in other words, angels). I was resistant
to change my belief system. Once I
realized that the signs were accompanied by verifiable evidence or “No Other
Explanation” synchronicities, I became an open-minded skeptic rather than a
close-minded skeptic. Now I am open to
almost any experience at first. I play
with new concepts and ideas, test them as to how they intuitively feel to me,
and then decide whether to make them part of my belief system or not. The decision is based upon whether it will
help or hinder my soul’s growth and whether or not it will serve the greater
good.
consciousness beyond those whom I could identify as deceased family members and
friends (in other words, angels). I was resistant
to change my belief system. Once I
realized that the signs were accompanied by verifiable evidence or “No Other
Explanation” synchronicities, I became an open-minded skeptic rather than a
close-minded skeptic. Now I am open to
almost any experience at first. I play
with new concepts and ideas, test them as to how they intuitively feel to me,
and then decide whether to make them part of my belief system or not. The decision is based upon whether it will
help or hinder my soul’s growth and whether or not it will serve the greater
good.
If we do not stretch and grow, we stagnate. We are here for the experiences that lead to
our soul’s growth. This requires being
open-minded and willing to change.
our soul’s growth. This requires being
open-minded and willing to change.
Today showed me
that mediums can be everyday people. I’ve often looked upon them as nut jobs,
but today showed me that what they do doesn’t always have to be driven by some
personal goal.
that mediums can be everyday people. I’ve often looked upon them as nut jobs,
but today showed me that what they do doesn’t always have to be driven by some
personal goal.
Thank you for this vote of confidence!
This presentation
made things more confusing for me to be honest. It is so outrageous and yet it
makes sense. I think I need to experience it in order to believe it
wholeheartedly. And where does God fit into her readings or beliefs?
made things more confusing for me to be honest. It is so outrageous and yet it
makes sense. I think I need to experience it in order to believe it
wholeheartedly. And where does God fit into her readings or beliefs?
You are correct: the best way to
learn is through personal experience.
The best way to have personal experiences of the Greater Reality is
through the regular practice of meditation with the clear intention of getting
to know the world beyond the physical senses.
learn is through personal experience.
The best way to have personal experiences of the Greater Reality is
through the regular practice of meditation with the clear intention of getting
to know the world beyond the physical senses.
As to where God fits into my beliefs, see the previous discussion about
God/Ultimacy. I believe that Ultimacy
has love as its essence. As my guides,
Sanaya, shared with me in meditation after I asked how a force that some refer
to as “Infinite Intelligence” can be personal:
God/Ultimacy. I believe that Ultimacy
has love as its essence. As my guides,
Sanaya, shared with me in meditation after I asked how a force that some refer
to as “Infinite Intelligence” can be personal:
That particle of Infinite Intelligence that
became you at conception was God expressing Itself as you. The fact that it wanted to express itself as
you at all came from pure love.
Everything that lives was born of that spark of love. Think of the beauty of a flower, of the
stars, the mountains … how could they have anything but Love as their
source? You began as an impulse of Love. It is Love that sustains you. Love is the most important force there
is. You exist to grow in the realization
of Love and in your expression of Love, because you ARE Love. When expressed, when felt, there is nothing
higher, nothing more divine, nothing more sacred, nothing more healing, nothing
more binding, nothing more noble … nothing more Godlike.
became you at conception was God expressing Itself as you. The fact that it wanted to express itself as
you at all came from pure love.
Everything that lives was born of that spark of love. Think of the beauty of a flower, of the
stars, the mountains … how could they have anything but Love as their
source? You began as an impulse of Love. It is Love that sustains you. Love is the most important force there
is. You exist to grow in the realization
of Love and in your expression of Love, because you ARE Love. When expressed, when felt, there is nothing
higher, nothing more divine, nothing more sacred, nothing more healing, nothing
more binding, nothing more noble … nothing more Godlike.
As to where God fits into my readings, I do
this work in Service to the All, God, Ultimacy.
I do it for and from Love.
this work in Service to the All, God, Ultimacy.
I do it for and from Love.
I am surprised that
Wolf had a specific message that wasn’t for his parents but for everyone who
will listen to it.
Wolf had a specific message that wasn’t for his parents but for everyone who
will listen to it.
I am not surprised that he did. The energy I felt from Wolf’s soul was one of
a much higher being than most who have recently passed from their experience in
human form. He is what we would call “an
old soul.” Those with a more refined
consciousness have more of a focus on the greater good/service to all.
Do you ever receive
the energies from someone on the other side that is pushing forward wanting to
communicate when you are not prepared or accepting it at this time?
the energies from someone on the other side that is pushing forward wanting to
communicate when you are not prepared or accepting it at this time?
Yes, this happens occasionally, and I welcome
the experience each time. I consider it
an honor to be the conduit for information that is important enough for those
on the other side to use me in this way.
the experience each time. I consider it
an honor to be the conduit for information that is important enough for those
on the other side to use me in this way.
I wonder what her
ideas on religion are?
ideas on religion are?
I believe that religions serve a purpose in
providing a sense of community and a way of celebrating our existence with
others. However, I do not believe that
any one religion can and has captured absolute Truth. I believe it is beneficial for each person to
think for him or herself instead of being told what to believe by any one
person or group. Our beliefs change as
we grow spiritually, and it behooves us to not box ourselves in by one set of
beliefs.
providing a sense of community and a way of celebrating our existence with
others. However, I do not believe that
any one religion can and has captured absolute Truth. I believe it is beneficial for each person to
think for him or herself instead of being told what to believe by any one
person or group. Our beliefs change as
we grow spiritually, and it behooves us to not box ourselves in by one set of
beliefs.
You said one highly
specific comment that really touched me. You said, “You are more than human”.
Recently, I was struggling with some feelings of resentment that made me feel
human. I have been fighting to be more than that. I mentioned these struggles
to a friend right before this presentation who said, “It is alright to
feel these things, you are only human”. I felt that the message was wrong
and hearing you comment on this was amazing. So, thank you.
specific comment that really touched me. You said, “You are more than human”.
Recently, I was struggling with some feelings of resentment that made me feel
human. I have been fighting to be more than that. I mentioned these struggles
to a friend right before this presentation who said, “It is alright to
feel these things, you are only human”. I felt that the message was wrong
and hearing you comment on this was amazing. So, thank you.
You’re welcome! I would caution you, however, against
labeling your friend’s comment as “wrong.”
“Right and wrong” are judgments based on each person’s perspective. Your friend may believe YOU are wrong. “Either/or” thinking is part of your human
side.
labeling your friend’s comment as “wrong.”
“Right and wrong” are judgments based on each person’s perspective. Your friend may believe YOU are wrong. “Either/or” thinking is part of your human
side.
Knowing that you are indeed “more than
human,” at any time you can shift your focus to “soul vision,” which perceives
not as “either/or” but as “both/and.” Labeling
things as right or wrong only leads to frustration and other lower vibratory
feelings. How about simply seeing your
thoughts and your friend’s thoughts as perceptions from different perspectives
and say: “Isn’t that interesting!” This “soul perspective” is far more
peaceful.
human,” at any time you can shift your focus to “soul vision,” which perceives
not as “either/or” but as “both/and.” Labeling
things as right or wrong only leads to frustration and other lower vibratory
feelings. How about simply seeing your
thoughts and your friend’s thoughts as perceptions from different perspectives
and say: “Isn’t that interesting!” This “soul perspective” is far more
peaceful.
What made Wolf
different from other spirits you have communicated with? Have you ever had amazing synchronicities with
other spirits you’ve communicated with?
different from other spirits you have communicated with? Have you ever had amazing synchronicities with
other spirits you’ve communicated with?
Wolf’s energy was very high relative to
most souls who have recently been in physical form. His energy left me stuttering and shaking
throughout the reading. The clarity of
the connection was excellent. The
unusual nature of the details about his life that he was able to get through
made his reading stand out.
I have had a few interesting
synchronicities with other spirits, but none that compared with Wolf’s.
synchronicities with other spirits, but none that compared with Wolf’s.
I’m being trained
to detect mental illnesses as a psychologist. Are we always wrong when we say
someone is mentally ill? Or are they just another Wolf trying to teach us?
to detect mental illnesses as a psychologist. Are we always wrong when we say
someone is mentally ill? Or are they just another Wolf trying to teach us?
I can’t answer this, as I am not trained in
the mental health field. I do believe
that Wolf’s explanation for not being able to shut off his awareness of the
non-physical world (“It was very busy in here,” he said, pointing at his head)
is worth keeping in mind for mental health professionals.
the mental health field. I do believe
that Wolf’s explanation for not being able to shut off his awareness of the
non-physical world (“It was very busy in here,” he said, pointing at his head)
is worth keeping in mind for mental health professionals.
What is normal? Is “normal” simply what serves as the
baseline for human behavior? If someone
perceives things outside of those norms, is that then a mental illness? Am I mentally ill because I communicate with
aspects of higher consciousness that most humans cannot perceive? If this causes a problem for me in
functioning and in dealing with others, then that might be considered a mental
“illness.” If it leads to bringing more
love and peace to others, what do we call it then?
baseline for human behavior? If someone
perceives things outside of those norms, is that then a mental illness? Am I mentally ill because I communicate with
aspects of higher consciousness that most humans cannot perceive? If this causes a problem for me in
functioning and in dealing with others, then that might be considered a mental
“illness.” If it leads to bringing more
love and peace to others, what do we call it then?
How can I hone in
on these skills to connect with the spirit world?
on these skills to connect with the spirit world?
Meditate, meditate, meditate. Be the presence of Love in all that you do,
thereby raising your consciousness/your personal frequency so as to be closer
in frequency with those beings at a more refined level of vibration. Set the intention of being able to attune to
higher levels of consciousness and having experiences beyond normal
human/waking awareness. That’s the
start. The rest would fill volumes.
thereby raising your consciousness/your personal frequency so as to be closer
in frequency with those beings at a more refined level of vibration. Set the intention of being able to attune to
higher levels of consciousness and having experiences beyond normal
human/waking awareness. That’s the
start. The rest would fill volumes.
This is truly
amazing. My head hurts thinking about this.
amazing. My head hurts thinking about this.
Welcome to my world. My advice:
Don’t think so much and feel your way into a new way of believing
through your heart … the seat of the soul.
Don’t think so much and feel your way into a new way of believing
through your heart … the seat of the soul.
I was born in a
very religious family, and I was taught that things beyond this world aren’t
possible, but after taking this class and watching her presentation it is
becoming harder for me to believe that.
very religious family, and I was taught that things beyond this world aren’t
possible, but after taking this class and watching her presentation it is
becoming harder for me to believe that.
We don’t have to believe things just
because we were taught them by others.
Seek the personal experience of Truth.
If that is not possible, test all theories with your heart and gut, not
just with your head.
because we were taught them by others.
Seek the personal experience of Truth.
If that is not possible, test all theories with your heart and gut, not
just with your head.
I honestly cannot
believe this level of intense communication. I still think that there should be
a way to prove this by scientific observation, as in a legitimate view of how
this happens where you can actually physically see it.
believe this level of intense communication. I still think that there should be
a way to prove this by scientific observation, as in a legitimate view of how
this happens where you can actually physically see it.
I would not have believed it either a few
years ago, but the personal experience and the quantity of detailed, verifiable
evidence received in an expanded state of consciousness has moved me from faith
to knowing. I do not try to convince
anyone of anything. I allow the evidence
to speak for itself, as it did during the reading I gave for one of your
classmates prior to the lecture. I
believe the words he used were that he was “blown away” … strong words for a
university professor. I did not do that. The evidence did.
years ago, but the personal experience and the quantity of detailed, verifiable
evidence received in an expanded state of consciousness has moved me from faith
to knowing. I do not try to convince
anyone of anything. I allow the evidence
to speak for itself, as it did during the reading I gave for one of your
classmates prior to the lecture. I
believe the words he used were that he was “blown away” … strong words for a
university professor. I did not do that. The evidence did.
Now ask yourself why you cannot
believe. Why the resistance? Belief is a choice. You can choose to stubbornly disbelieve, or
you can choose to be open-minded until you have the personal experience, either
as a medium or as a sitter, or through some other spiritually transformative
experience. When the time is right on
your spiritual journey, you will have an experience that will be just right for
you.
believe. Why the resistance? Belief is a choice. You can choose to stubbornly disbelieve, or
you can choose to be open-minded until you have the personal experience, either
as a medium or as a sitter, or through some other spiritually transformative
experience. When the time is right on
your spiritual journey, you will have an experience that will be just right for
you.
As to the second part of your comment
regarding physically seeing proof, we are not dealing with the physical
world. The non-physical world operates
under a different rule-set than ours. By
insisting that things operate under our rules and that they respond to our
physical world tests, you are not recognizing and working within the paradox.
regarding physically seeing proof, we are not dealing with the physical
world. The non-physical world operates
under a different rule-set than ours. By
insisting that things operate under our rules and that they respond to our
physical world tests, you are not recognizing and working within the paradox.
Did you have any
synchronicities, thoughts, or messages before coming to our class? Share some!
synchronicities, thoughts, or messages before coming to our class? Share some!
No, sorry.
I was too busy preparing for Dr. Schwartz’ research reading and my
presentation later that evening. When my
focus is so fixedly on the physical world, it is hard for those in spirit to
get through to me.
I was too busy preparing for Dr. Schwartz’ research reading and my
presentation later that evening. When my
focus is so fixedly on the physical world, it is hard for those in spirit to
get through to me.
Why does she think
that only after experiencing a major loss she was able to get these messages? This seems to be a pattern with a lot of
mediums that we’ve talked about this semester.
They have experienced some situation with death and then their gifts
came to them.
that only after experiencing a major loss she was able to get these messages? This seems to be a pattern with a lot of
mediums that we’ve talked about this semester.
They have experienced some situation with death and then their gifts
came to them.
Prior to my step-daughter’s death, I was
solely focused on my life in physical form and my military career. Because of this strict focus, I did not have
any spiritually transformative experiences.
After Susan’s death, my priorities changed. I wanted to learn more about the possible
existence of a greater reality, so I began reading spiritual and metaphysical
books (beginning with Dr. Schwartz’ The
Afterlife Experiments) and meditating daily. This shift in focus resulted in my personal
transformation. The rest is history (as
chronicled in my memoir, Messages of Hope).
solely focused on my life in physical form and my military career. Because of this strict focus, I did not have
any spiritually transformative experiences.
After Susan’s death, my priorities changed. I wanted to learn more about the possible
existence of a greater reality, so I began reading spiritual and metaphysical
books (beginning with Dr. Schwartz’ The
Afterlife Experiments) and meditating daily. This shift in focus resulted in my personal
transformation. The rest is history (as
chronicled in my memoir, Messages of Hope).
It is a nice story.
But she could be less dramatic during her medium reading (I played a 7 minute video that included excerpts of the actual reading for Wolf’s father and step-mother).
But she could be less dramatic during her medium reading (I played a 7 minute video that included excerpts of the actual reading for Wolf’s father and step-mother).
Oh, God bless you, my friend. Your comment made me laugh at how differently
we can perceive things. You may call
that “drama,” but I call it “joy” and “awe.”
To sit with eyes closed, to feel, see, and hear things from someone who
has died, and have these things validated by a spirit’s family is truly
AWEsome. To show that spirit-being’s
loved ones that their consciousness has survived death brings great JOY.
we can perceive things. You may call
that “drama,” but I call it “joy” and “awe.”
To sit with eyes closed, to feel, see, and hear things from someone who
has died, and have these things validated by a spirit’s family is truly
AWEsome. To show that spirit-being’s
loved ones that their consciousness has survived death brings great JOY.
Perhaps these days it is “cool” to actbored, uninterested, or nonchalant, but I find life to be one great miracle, to
be celebrated each moment with overt enthusiasm. May I never become blasé’ about talking to
the spirits of deceased people. What you
heard in that recording of actual communication with higher consciousness was
not drama. It was a clear reflection of
how I feel and who I am.
I was raised with no formal religion and
have not read much of the Bible, but since you are studying the psychology of
religion and spirituality, there could be no more appropriate quote to add to
this discussion than Matthew 18:3 – And
he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
have not read much of the Bible, but since you are studying the psychology of
religion and spirituality, there could be no more appropriate quote to add to
this discussion than Matthew 18:3 – And
he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Many blessings to you all on your journey.