Tag: book launch
Feedback
Taken from TRUST: what it feels like to be a Medium.
Feedback.
I have learned that a Medium must learn to live with ‘not knowing’.
We do our job, we make a connection, we deliver a message.
Very little of this is about us, we are simply the vehicle.
In Circle, we give each other feedback on a reading.
It is great to know who we brought through and what that person meant to the sitter, but out in the world, this rarely happens.
It is most unusual for anyone to come up to me after a reading and tell me who I brought through for them.
It is delightful when it happens, and I have many great memories from when this has happened, [see ‘Emily’ in the short stories at the end of this book] but I have learned not to expect it.
My ego wants to know that I did a good job, but it is not essential to my performance as a Medium.
If for nothing else, not expecting feedback while knowing that I have made a good connection has prepared me for those times when no one claims a Spirit.
There are a hundred reasons why someone in an audience will not claim a reading, and top of the list is that this person was not well known to the sitter.
Grandparents and great-grandparents often come through, and these people can be difficult for someone to place.
They come through with heaps of evidence, but this is pointless if the sitter was six years old when they died!
This does not stop Spirit from trying.
Some Spirits can be very persistent.
I’ve heard sitters say, “This person has come through a bunch of times, and I don’t know who it is.”
Are you starting to get an idea of how complicated this job can be?
~oOo~
It’s one of those things that you take for granted when you sit in our Circle. Trevor encourages feedback from the sitter.
When you are starting out you really need to hear that you have hit the mark. It’s not ego, it is essential for building confidence.
For some of us, especially those of us who have not lived with this ability all our lives, it takes a while before we begin to believe that this is actually happening.
I know that you are saying, “You must trust,” but it is easier said than done when this ability appears to drop out of the sky!
I watch the new members of Circle (we have a steady stream of them as each year goes by) as they listen to the feedback from their sitter at the end of a reading and I often hear the Medium say, “Really?” when a confirmation is given. I can hear the slight disbelief in their voice, and I smile. Over time, this disbelief turns into delight as they get used to the idea of being correct.
These reactions are quite reasonable when you consider how the information comes through — often in fragments and seemingly random ideas.
These days, I gauge the effectiveness of my readings by a combination of the reactions from my sitter (this can be a mixed bag on many occasions) and the feeling that the Spirit gives me as I deliver the information and the messages. Since I have allowed Spirit to bring through emotions when I read (for a long time I was very reluctant for this to happen), I can tell if I achieved a good connection. Often the reading leaves me a bit emotionally drained. This can be a blessing and a curse. I find it to be satisfying if I can still feel the remnants of the emotion as I sit down, but on platform where there are a number of readings to do, it can make things difficult.
I have one colleague who never needs to hear feedback. He knows how well the reading went and that is enough for him. I have a foot in both camps — I know when I have achieved a good connection but I also see the delight of my sitter’s face as they relive the reading and tell me where I hit the mark. We both get something from that experience.
All human beings, including Mediums, need constant reassurance that they are on the right path. This is why being a part of an excellent open Circle (where new people are free to come and go) is essential — we consistently get to test the accuracy of our ability in a safe and supportive environment.
TRUST is now an AUDIOBOOK!!
Soon To Be An AUDIOBOOK
In very exciting news: TRUST is soon to become an audiobook.
I’ll keep you up to date, but it should be very soon. I’m sorting out a company to distribute it (in the same way that Smashwords distributes the eBook).
To show my appreciation to those wonderful souls who have purchased either the paperback version or the ebook, I will offer the audiobook at half price ($10 AUS).
In further good news: TRUST is now available on AMAZON as a paperback!
Burst into Flames
The following is an excerpt from TRUST —
“Think about that statement for a moment, ‘most Mediums do not know what is going to happen when they get up to read’.
It’s hard enough when you have a speech written out, but imagine never knowing what is going to happen as you get to your feet!
Again, ignorance was bliss because half of the audience was made up of VERY experienced Mediums.
Having discarded my usual T-shirt for a nicely ironed shirt and crisp trousers, I was unrecognisable but ready for action.
Eventually, Madam Chair introduced us and I shot a look at Scotty and she gave me a stare that said, “You go first, and if you burst into flame, I can run for the door!”
Excerpt From: Terry R Barca. “Trust: What it Feels Like to be a Medium.” iBooks.
To Each Is Given
A Long Quest
TRUST: 2 Copies to Giveaway
The Present
My soldier came back.
You might remember that I wrote about an encounter with a young soldier during a meditation session at Phoenix Spiritualist Centre.
On that occasion I was able to send him on his way — head him towards home. It was a profound experience for me and I have not been the same person since that day. It was a very emotional experience. I felt privileged and I went on a quest to understand what it all meant — which may sound a bit strange coming from a bloke who wrote a book called TRUST.
It is part of my nature to try and understand what is happening to me.
This incident happened just before ANZAC day and it was obvious to me that the two things were connected.
The following week we were ‘on platform’ at this venue. I told the story and it sparked a lot of interest from the audience. Several people had similar stories of helping Spirits on their way. It was touching to hear these stories and made me feel that I was part of something much bigger than myself.
The following week we were not working so we visited Phoenix again to hear a particularly good speaker. When the healing meditation started up, I was wondering if something might happen again but it passed without anything other than a peaceful meditation devoted to friends and family who need healing.
Fast forward to this last Sunday and there was another interesting speaker at Phoenix so we went along. The lady speaker was talking about sensitivity to other people when you are a psychic. This is a subject that is very close to my heart so I listened intently.
When the healing meditation kicked off, I settled in to listen and follow — it was a guided meditation. The lady giving the meditation is excellent and it had been a while since I had heard here mellifluous voice.
She got to the part of the meditation where she described a green sloping hill. In my mind, I could see a male figure standing on top of the hill. As I went further up, the figure walked towards me. It was the young soldier from a few weeks before, only this time he did not speak and he seemed very relaxed — very happy. I had the strong feeling that I have known this man in a previous life. As the woman giving the meditation talked about a huge bird flying overhead, the young soldier took off his slouch hat and lay on the grass watching the bird soaring in the sky. I too watched the bird and glanced at him from time to time. I could feel the emotion rush over me and tears formed in my eyes. I was so pleased to see him happy again.
As the meditation was winding down, the presenter talked about a gift. I didn’t see a gift, but I did notice that my soldier sat up and unbuttoned the top left pocket of his jacket. He reached in and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. He reached out and handed it to me. I unfolded it and even though I could not see the words clearly I knew that this sheet of paper contained a list of all the books I have written and am likely to write. There were a lot of them and they filled one column completely and half of the next column.
The young soldier put his hat back on, buttoned his top pocket and smiled at me. He stood up and walked to the top of the hill and out of sight as the meditation came to and end. He never looked back.
I have a feeling that I will not see him again in this lifetime and that is okay. I feel that he came back to say thank you and to give me something to encourage me on my journey. There are tears in my eyes as I write this — as I relive these moments.
I am very grateful for this experience. Each day seems to be more amazing than the next and long may it be so.
Trust 