Messages from the fifth dimension

I am often asked by others how they can learn to channel. One of the questions often asked in conjunction is, how do you know that something you receive is the truth?

The simplest answer is that you know it when it is true—when real information comes through, it has a feeling of truth to it. But it isn’t that simple. In order to be able to know it, there are a number of personal qualities that need to be in place.

1. You have to have a habit of truthfulness in all areas of your life—no lying to yourself or others, for example. This is because you have to be able to discern the truth when it comes through, and to whatever degree you are dishonest (especially to yourself), to that degree you will not be able to tell the difference between true information coming through and the illusions or wishful thinking or ego-based other ideas you are introducing. Something to watch for is anything that is self-agrandizing, especially if it is coupled with putting someone else down. (Such as, "My entity says he is better than anyone else's," or "My entity says that I am the best channeler in the world.")
2. You also have to have an open mind while yet retaining a high level of objectivity. An open mind, so that information coming through that seems weird or unusual or even impossible isn’t automatically censored by you. A high level of objectivity, so that you can ask yourself whether what seems to be coming through is instead a misunderstanding or even something you are making up or read somewhere else that isn’t, in fact, coming from a valid spiritual source. Coupled with that, the habit of honesty mentioned in step one will allow you to discard whatever doesn’t seem true or right or real.
3. You have to be fairly humble and willing to acknowledge that you can make mistakes in receiving the information, and that you sometimes even just do not receive any information at all. I sometimes don’t get information, and I tell my clients when I don’t. Otherwise, it would be a disservice to all if I were to pretend that I “got” something when I didn’t. It would be a disservice to my clients because I would be lying, and that is wrong. It would also be a disservice because it promotes the impression that psychics always get information. And it would be a disservice to me because it is my belief that every time someone misuses or abuses their talents, especially if through dishonesty, they are further cutting themselves off from the real source of information, and are instead substituting fantasy. Eventually, there is no connection at all, and instead they are making it all up.
4. For the clearest information, it is important to have a flexible mind as well, with the ability to see, appreciate, and value many different viewpoints at once. If you think there is only one right way to do things, then this is going to be a difficult step for you.
5. It also helps a lot to have a basically loving and optimistic outlook on life, as that will help attract the higher spirits.

If you feel you have these traits, then you are mostly there!

Next, it is important to ask for spiritual contacts and guidance, and to specify when you ask that you only want contact with the very highest, most worthy and loving spirits possible (because there are evil spirits out there, and I am sure you don’t want contact with them!). If there is a human being you trust that you can ask for advice and guidance, then that is also wise to do, though, as always, I caution you to be your own authority, and to listen to what is in your heart. No matter who someone is, if what he or she says doesn't feel right or sound right to you, then trust your own instincts and intuition and do what you feel is right instead.

I know this is a really short piece, but it encapsulates a lot of thinking I’ve done on this topic.