Many empaths and highly sensitive people believe that certain difficult or unpleasant people they encounter in life are "psychic vampires" or "energy thieves." These psychogenic leeches or emotional parasites are believed to "drain" or "steal" the energy of their vulnerable, unsuspecting victims. In truth, this is a myth and a gross misconception that does not serve the highest good of those who choose to believe it. No one can "steal" your energy. I used to think this way too in the past, until I came to understand some universal truths about the matter that radically changed my perspective. It is simply impossible for someone else to drain your energy without your involvement. To believe that this is possible implies that there is a limited source of energy that we must share and compete for. This reeks of lack consciousness and a scarcity mentality, the very things that cause so much conflict, rivalry, antagonism, struggle and suffering in the world. The spiritual truth is that there is an unlimited source of psychic energy and spiritual abundance available to all of us, if only we allow it to flow freely into our reality experience. We all have a right to it, and there is more than enough to go around for everyone! Our energetic well-being is ultimately not determined or bestowed upon us by others. Instead, we are responsible for our own vibrational energy. Living a fulfilling, purposeful, joyful and energetically healthy existence is entirely within our own control, should we choose it and claim it. All we need to do is tap into the infinite source of universal abundance and energetic well-being that is freely available to all of us. Living a fulfilling, purposeful, joyful and energetically healthy existence is entirely within our own control , should we choose it and claim it. We all come from this Universal Source. We are all manifested energy vibrations, powerful points of consciousness, bright particles of light within the Greater Light, and we will forever be expressions of the Divine Source in all its fullness and magnificence. Your energetic existence, your consciousness, is sacred and eternal. It cannot be drained, stolen or taken away from you! But then the question is, what happens when we do have those unpleasant encounters with so-called 'energy leeches' that leave us feeling drained, depressed, or emotionally exhausted? The reality is we have all had conflicting experiences with people who others might call "energy thieves." Sometimes they leave you feeling low, sad, tired, or even depressed, and the next time they have absolutely no effect on your state of well-being. Why is that? In these instances, you did not sacrifice or unknowingly lose any of your energy; you simply allowed negative, toxic energy to flow into your reality experience that disrupted the harmony and balance of your own energy state. They did not steal your energy; you gave away your power. You gave up control and allowed them to violate your energy equilibrium. Any time you experience people as "draining," you need to consider the very real possibility that your own energy state or mindset was already shaky to begin with. The so-called "energy vampire" simply stepped into your barely calm energy field and tipped the scales. Their presence was simply the last straw that broke the camel's back. It may also be wise, but difficult, to take a brutally honest look at some of the recent vibrational signals you have been sending out yourself prior to your encounter with the "thief" or "vampire." Were you possibly entertaining thoughts and feelings of anger, sadness, envy, revenge, frustration, resentment, hatred, rivalry, or self-pity? These are all heavy, dense, lower vibrations that are sure to weigh you down and open up some cracks in your overall energetic balance. Consider the possibility that you may have invited that encounter with the energy thief into your life. Like does tend to attract like. This disruption of our energetic balance and well-being due to the presence or influence someone else is often due to a temporary lack of focus, or simply an instability in your own energy state. It is easy to find evidence of this in your daily life. It only happens to me when I have neglected my daily routine of spiritual and physical self-care, such as adequate sleep, healthy eating, exercise, meditation, affirmations, energy shielding and taking some time to relax or enjoy leisure activities. Your energetic existence, your consciousness, is sacred and eternal. It cannot be drained , stolen or taken away from you. This disturbed state of energy is known as psychic oversensitivity or psychic overload . You may be more susceptible to this because you are more open and sensitive to spiritual or psychic energies. If you don't take care of yourself, you are sure to feel depleted all the time. Some symptoms of psychic oversensitivity include feelings of exhaustion, anxiety, restlessness, sadness, depression, extreme sensitivity to the moods of others, and a lack of mental focus. Fortunately, this imbalance is typically also easily corrected by immediately changing your thought pattern, emotional focus, and state of mind, followed by some grounding and breathing exercises, channeling negative energy back to its source, meditation, visualization, prayer, and so on. Once you have regained your balance and tapped into that amazingly steady stream of wellness, the next step is to get your self-care habits back on track on a more permanent basis. Prevention is always better than cure. I used to believe that I was an "energy sponge" on my legs, "absorbing" a lot of negativity around me and having my energy "stolen" from me. I suffered from panic attacks and constant mood swings and could never understand why I felt compelled to avoid crowds and public places. When I discovered the truth about my highly empathic nature, I discovered ways to shield myself, balance my energy, and maintain my psychic equilibrium. They are not thieves or vampires, merely energetically challenged and their presence upsets the energy balance of others wherever they go. I sometimes still jokingly refer to myself as "the boy in the bubble," after the 1976 made-for-TV movie starring John Travolta as a boy born with a deficient immune system, leading to a life of isolation in a controlled environment to avoid exposure to germs and disease. I also live in a "protective bubble" of psychic energy at all times. But that doesn't mean I'm a hapless, vulnerable victim. It means that I am empowered and fully in charge of who and what I allow into my energy field and tolerate in my reality experience. The next time an 'emotional leech' or 'energy thief' crosses your path, thank them for being your guide to greater spiritual awareness, personal growth and energetic well-being. Be grateful for the valuable lessons you can learn from them, and later share your newfound sense of freedom and mastery with them. They are not thieves or vampires, merely "energetically challenged" and because they are energetically unbalanced and stifled, their presence upsets the energy balance of others wherever they go. Sadly, the energetically challenged in our world have as much right and free access as anyone else to the unlimited supply of Universal Life Force and Divine Abundance that underlies all existence. But they are either unwilling, unaware, or simply unable to do so, typically due to one or more of the following reasons: Spiritual Unconsciousness Some people are spiritually unconscious, deeply skeptical, extremely atheistic, or disconnected from their inner divinity. They lack soul awareness. For these people, human existence is devoid of any transcendent meaning, and morality and values are subjective or arbitrary constructs. Focusing on life as a nihilistic struggle without meaning or purpose is energetically draining and obviously limits their connection to Source Energy. Karmic Carelessness Some people squander all their energy creating negative karma instead of spiritual well-being because they are morally unconscious, careless, or irresponsible. They are unaware of the consequences of their actions, or simply do not care about the karmic implications of their actions. Buddhist teachings call this avijjā , which means "ignorance" or "lack of awareness," and it is considered one of the root causes of human suffering. In terms of Christian theology, these people essentially waste all their energy indulging in the seven deadly sins or vices: pride, envy, anger, laziness, greed, lust, and gluttony. As a result, they have little energy left to pursue true happiness, joy, fulfillment, purpose, and inner peace. Thought Dysfunction Chronic negativity, fear, pessimism, obsessive worry, pessimism, and catastrophizing are energetically draining ways to occupy one's mind. People who constantly engage in these types of toxic thought patterns and negative mental habits are always running low on psychic energy and thus also wreaking energetic havoc wherever they go. Unhealed Trauma Traumatic life experiences can have a very negative effect on a person's outlook on life and set the stage for constant energetic challenges. It takes a lot of energy to carry the heavy emotional burden of unhealed psychic wounds. It is essentially an energetic "ball and chain" that not only leaves some people without energy reserves for well-being, joy, happiness, inner peace, or love, but also makes them very burdensome to be around. Ancestral Legacy Some people unknowingly carry the burden of generational karma, or the energy imprints of a toxic ancestral legacy. Patterns of harmful behavior, trauma, abuse, scapegoating, or dysfunction are sometimes passed down through many generations within a family, or even entire communities and nations, ultimately affecting not only the psychological well-being, relationships, and quality of life of the heirs, but also their energetic balance. Dealing with the effects of these legacies is energetically taxing until the person develops awareness and is able to address and heal these energy issues. Toxic Environments The energetic environment in which a person grows up or lives can also be very detrimental to their energetic state. Upbringing, cultural background, or other social and environmental factors can contribute to a person's worldview, beliefs, and attitudes that cause them to be constantly energetically challenged. It also leads to the development of energy-disturbing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that they adopt in order to adapt and survive in their environment. If your own spiritual well-being is in disarray and your self-care is lacking, you are of little help to those who are 'energetically challenged.' Psychic hygiene isn’t a bougie luxury—it’s a necessity. Prioritizing your own vibration is like securing your auric oxygen mask before helping others. If you choose to get involved without the necessary psychic armor in place, you do so at your own risk. And if you do, then don’t complain about others being 'energy thieves' or 'psychic vampires.' Always remember that there are only two kinds of people who can "drain" your energy: those you love and those you fear. In both cases, it is you who let them in. They did not force their way into your aura, nor did they force their way into your reality experience. No one can make you feel different unless you allow yourself to feel different. Your energy is yours and yours alone to do with as you please, for better or for worse. Everyone deserves to live a full and joyful life. Energy love begins at home. Surround yourself with positivity, protection and personal power. Not only will you feel good when you are aligned with the goodness of the universal energy source, but you will also be more empowered to teach and guide the "energetically challenged" by your example. In this way, we can ultimately have fewer negative souls around us and share our beautiful planet with so many more happy, positive people. It is your divine right and spiritual duty to protect your energy field from unwanted influences. In the wise words of Mahatma Ghandi, "Do not allow anyone to walk through your mind with their dirty feet. © 2010 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten  is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents.

It is not true that we are meant to live a challenging, tormented life to learn certain spiritual or life 'lessons.' Believing that we are flawed, broken beings who have come here to 'learn' a few things the hard way, is merely a justification some offer to make sense of the bad things that sometimes happen to good people. The irony is that those who choose to believe this myth will most likely have to face one trial and tribulation after the other, just as they anticipated. If someone's circumstance offers a plethora of opportunity, while their life is seemingly awash with a "weeping and gnashing of teeth," it is usually because they choose it to be so. The hardship and suffering we see in this world is man-made. Misery is something we often tend to inflict on ourselves, and each other. It is not of Spirit, Source or God. Someone once asked spiritual teacher Abraham-Hicks, "Why do dogs risk getting bugs in their eyes when they stick their heads out of car windows." The response was telling and most profound, "Because the contrast of the bugs in the eye is a small price to pay for the exhilaration of that ride, and it is exactly the same way you felt when you made the decision to come into this physical existence. The only thing suffering teaches us is that we are capable of suffering ~ Melvin Jules Bukiet It is exactly the way you felt when you knew there would be contrast and you said, 'the ride is going to be worth it!” If there is any spiritual 'lesson' that must learned in this lifetime, then it is that we are the creators of our own reality , and the designers of our own life journey. Your experiences in this lifetime is what you choose it to be. You are the architect of your own destiny . If you consciously choose to sign up for some sort of 'metaphysical boot camp' or 'hell on earth' then that is undoubtedly the life experience you will have. If not, there is much that you can do to bring to an end all the self-inflicted misery you choose to expose yourself to. And if the torment is inflicted upon you by others, the solution is equally simple: nobody has the power to imprison your mind, dictate your emotions, or enslave your soul…unless you let them. Voluntary suffering results from not being in alignment with your higher self and your true destiny. Planet Earth is not a cosmic classroom or a dungeon of punishment. It is a playground, an adventure camp, a leading-edge laboratory of expansion and creation. Your life path is not a ‘test of character’ or some kind of ‘metaphysical curriculum’. It is simply an incredible adventure. You did not come into this physical dimension to suffer all manner of hardship, adversity or pain, to make you a 'stronger person' or a 'more spiritual being.' You are not going to receive some kind of divine medal, or academic achievement star next to your name, when you finally kick the bucket. You cannot become more spiritual, because you already are all of that completely. You are born of spirit and you are a powerful creator of your own life experience. You are a divine being , a deity in jeans and a t-shirt. Your journey along the path of life is all about the perspective you choose. Some of us prefer to learn lessons, while others choose to explore and enjoy all that life has to offer. Do we all make 'mistakes' along the way. Sure, we do! But some of us prefer to make discoveries , instead of mistakes. Coming to a newfound awareness through exploration of all that life has to offer is very different from 'learning the hard way' by making mistakes. Discovery exudes a quest for abundance, prosperity, gratitude and well-being, while making errors smacks of a lack consciousness, victimhood and a scarcity mentality. There is no beauty in sadness. No honor in suffering. No growth in fear. No relief in hate. It’s just a waste of perfectly good happiness ~ Katerina Stoykova Klemer Believing that we are here to learn through our mistakes, receive punishment for our bad karma, or fix issues from a past life, is an insult to our true spiritual heritage. It supports the assumption that Spirit, Source or God is somehow incompetent, or made some sort of mistake. We are created in the image of the Divine; we are an expression and a celebration of the Divine. We are not flawed, or sub-standard, or weak, or ignorant. We may be temporarily disconnected, misguided or confused, but at our core we are not defective or second-rate. Your soul knows its true mission. We are not here to make mistakes. We are here to make discoveries, to become aware, to unveil, to observe and to celebrate. And once we have begun to achieve that, we are meant to teach, guide and heal others. We are meant to be of service and make the world a better place. Does this mean that the suffering and deprivation of, for example, innocent children, the frail, or the elderly, is also a self-inflicted choice? Certainly not. But somewhere, somehow their suffering came into existence because of choices the rest of us made... or did not make. It certainly was not Spirit, Source, or God's choosing. We have created a manic world, nauseous with the pursuit of material wealth. Many also bear their cross of imagined deprivation, while their fellow human beings remain paralyzed by real poverty. We drown in the thick sweetness of our sensual excess, and our shameless opulence, while our discontent souls suffocate in the arid wasteland of spiritual deprivation. Instead of using the suffering of the innocent as a justification to excuse ourselves from our own voluntary misery, we should strive to find inner healing and realignment with our inherent spiritual nature and purpose. For without it we are of no use to the rest of humanity, and certainly incapable of truly serving the planet. Healing the world starts with healing yourself. Starving children, tortured animals, or victims of genocide, are not the ones reading this message. This was not written for them, or about them. If you wish to end suffering in our world, you can begin by ending your own suffering and getting on board with life.​ You may not like to hear this in the midst of your current agony and anguish, but you are indeed a flawless, crystal clear, meta-dimensional snapshot of God’s image in high-definition Technicolor. There is nothing we are supposed to learn, there is no exam to pass. In our original form we were perfection personified. We come from a faultless state of Pure Consciousness and Celestial Power. We are the product of Infinite Creative Intelligence and Everlasting Unconditional Love. And we still are that original cosmic entity, but we chose this human life to enjoy an amazing physical experience, combined with a profound spiritual adventure, to contribute to the expansion of the universe and the greater good. ​​ I have always held firmly to the thought that each one of us can do a little to bring some portion of misery to an end ~ Albert Schweitzer Why do bad things happen to good people? Mostly it is our own doing. We create most of our own reality experience. If you look back in honest retrospect you will often find the choice or decision that brought you to your moment of calamity. The rest is universal law, and Divine intervention. Without contrast this journey would be a monotone, uninspiring affair that will not ignite within us the desire to achieve, discover and create more. If we never experience the chill of a dark winter, it is very unlikely that we will ever cherish the warmth of a bright summer’s day. Nothing stimulates our appetite for the simple joys of life more than the starvation caused by sadness or desperation. In order to complete our amazing life journey successfully, it is vital that we turn each and every dark tear into a pearl of wisdom, and find the blessing in every curse. Instead of coming into this time-space reality to ‘graduate’, we are here to achieve two simple goals: to have a spiritual escapade , and to fulfill a meaningful human mission . Spiritually you are here to evolve and expand your already perfect spiritual beingness. Yes, indeed, you are such an awesome metaphysical marvel that the Universe wants even more of you! And your ultimate soul purpose is not achieved through suffering or lack, but through enthusiastic exploration and seeking a thrilling reality experience. Combined with your spiritual quest, your human mission in this lifetime is to create or achieve something meaningful that will make the world a better place. Your true life calling is to one day leave behind some sort of legacy that will ensure an even more exhilarating and fulfilling Earth experience for future generations. And if you believe in reincarnation, those future generations are very likely to include you. We are all cosmic shareholders in this amazing adventure camp called Planet Earth. It is a spiritual playground with timeshare, and each and every one of us has a duty towards its continued upkeep, improvement and expansion. But you don’t have to become rich and famous, or highly spiritual to achieve this, neither do you have to be Newton, Ghandi, Picasso, or the Pope, to complete your human mission successfully. To each his own. Each person’s life purpose is unique and equally meaningful. There is profound power in leading an ordinary life. Mother Teresa was once asked what ordinary people can do to promote world peace. Her answer was uncomplicated: "Go home and love your family”. © 2013 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

If you are currently facing a difficult period in your life, please do know that it will not last forever! Better days will be knocking on your door in due course. Time does not only heal all wounds, it also reveals to us the method in all the madness we had to go through. We are often blinded by our own trauma or suffering. For example, earlier today one of my clients begged me to explain to her why she has been having such “bad luck” lately. What had she done to deserve this hell she is going through? ​In my experience, the pain or anguish we experience in our lives always turns out to be a blessing in disguise, one way or another. But in the midst of our misery it is obviously difficult to see this clearly and objectively. ​What my ‘bad luck’ client did not know, before she called, was that she has healing in her hands, and that all her torment was empowering her to heal others in the future. She knows that now, although I suspect she does not believe me yet! In time her true destiny will be revealed to her. When I stand before thee at the day’s end, thou shalt see my scars and know that I had my wounds and also my healing ~ Rabindranath Tagore It is an undeniable fact that we humans tend to take things for granted very easily. Due to our inherently inquisitive and hedonistic nature, and our constant need for excitement and novelty, we tend to lose interest all too soon in all the good things we have going for us in our lives. We seldom count our blessings! Without the contrasts created by loss, disappointment or suffering, it is unlikely that we will ever truly treasure the real blessings in life, like our health, our talents and our family and friends. If we never experience the chill of a dark winter, it is very unlikely that we will ever cherish the warmth of a bright summer’s day. Nothing stimulates our appetite for the simple joys of life more than the starvation caused by sadness or desperation. Yes, life can be challenging, with a few brilliant peaks, and many dark valleys. But that is why we are here. We are spiritual beings seeking human adventure. We certainly did not sign up to come into this world for a perpetual snooze-fest! Whatever it is you are going through right now, you may want to consider the possibility that we create many of these life challenges for ourselves, before we come into this lifetime. I do believe that we design our own life plan, like a thrilling obstacle course, before we are born. We incarnate into the physical realm, armed and ready with a blue print or road map for exploration of new horizons. Yes, your life is an adventure of continued expansion and evolution into higher consciousness! In order to complete this amazing journey successfully, it is vital that we turn each and every dark tear into a pearl of wisdom, find the blessing in every curse. Do not imagine for one moment that I make these sweeping statements lightly. Believe me, I have not had an easy life. Far from it. Like many fellow seekers, I also went through a Dark Night of the Soul , only difference being that mine lasted longer than most. It started in my pre-teens and continued well into adulthood. For most of my life my psychic heritage and my empathic nature was a burden, a curse and a shameful secret. I experienced much abuse, prejudice, social alienation and personal suffering because of it. I also faced many additional personal obstacles and challenges. I walked the valleys of the shadows of life for a very long time. Today I know and accept that I was meant to be a guide, advisor and healer for others. If I had not gone through all my personal trials and tribulations , I would be pretty useless to others, and my psychic gifts would have been neglected or even completely lost, or wasted. I also discovered over the years Carl Jung’s archetype of the wounded healer , which explains the road I had to travel to where I am today. The wounded healer is empowered by his own healing journey. I have seen the darkness of human misery, and I survived to tell others what a beautiful blessing life truly is. Personal suffering inspired me towards much wisdom and compassion, and it can do the same in your life! I live in constant gratitude and appreciation for all that I have experienced, because it enables me every day to help and support others; to heal broken hearts, transform lives and guide people on their path towards personal fulfillment. Instead of choosing the role of martyr or victim, know that once you liberate yourself from your ego-based suffering , you will become a source of great comfort for others . Once your ‘dark night’ has passed, nobody else will be better suited to teach the valuable life lessons that you had to learn yourself, through so much misery and sacrifice. During these trying times do not settle for bitterness, self-pity or resentment. Embrace instead the divine miracle of your path to greater awareness and understanding. Acknowledge your growing empathy for others, and validate and cherish those people who stand by you, for better or worse. We heal the past by living in the present and visioning the future we deserve. There is much light at the end of this tunnel, and some day soon you too shall find that silver lining. © 2010 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

The prophets, the gurus, the philosophers and all of their disciples may have been on to something all along. Like it or not, it appears each and every one of us is required to become a mystic, a god in our own way. And we do have that responsibility towards our fellow man. It is no longer only about ourselves. If you and I truly want to survive and have a better quality of life, we are going to have to jump on to the spiritual bandwagon. ​It is easier than you may think. To kick-start a more brilliant future we simply need to acknowledge the fact that we are more psychic than physical. Now take a deep breath and relax - nobody said anything about getting togged up in saffron robes. Neither did I suggest pagan rituals or flying to Africa to adopt an orphan. Only you can own your inner power and u nlock your spiritual potential for a brighter future. No robes, rituals, or exotic pilgrimages required. All that is needed, is for you and me to find a way to help push the evolution of man forward and truly make the world a better place. We are the masters, the creators of our own reality. You and I are, in fact, potential gods. If you are at this point considering burning me at the stake or at the very least making a phone call to your pastor, rest assured, it is not my intention to slate anyone’s religion. If your current belief system can assist you in making the evolutionary leap with the rest of us, please be my guest. However, if a few guilty prayers or Tarot readings every other weekend is your idea of being spiritual, we are going to have to leave you behind when the ‘rapture’ occurs. Furthermore, if your religious convictions require or, even worse, encourage you to be biased, rigid, bigoted, authoritarian, prejudiced, dictatorial, intolerant, narrow-minded, dogmatic, blinkered or cruel, I beg you on behalf of all of humanity to kindly reconsider! A few of us may think that we prefer our modern status as absolute individuals or religious fundamentalists. Some of us may continue to believe that acquiring more material possessions, business success, political achievement, sensual satisfaction or fame is the true path to enlightenment. ​​Others trust that the day we finally meet the boy-next-door will make it all seem worthwhile. But deep-down most of us have come to realize the disturbing truth. Spirituality is a necessity, not a luxury. It provides a framework for moral and ethical guidance, a source of comfort during challenging times, and a sense of community and belonging. Many philosophical and religious traditions emphasize the importance of spiritual awareness as a pathway to fulfillment and purpose in life. Critical Spiritual Mass If you remain skeptical, let me ask you this. If your life thus far has been so meaningful and remarkable, why are you feeling so lost, bored and disillusioned? If having all this personal freedom is so phenomenal, why are we feeling so frustrated and jaded? If family, friends or love-for-the-weekend is all we need, then why are we so disconnected and isolated – why are we so lonely? If dogmatic religion is the only true answer, why are we still killing or starving each other to prove that my god is better than thine? And, by the way, have you had a good, solid look at the state of your tap water recently? Fact is, we need to reach a critical spiritual mass as soon as possible. It appears to be the only answer. Nothing else seems to have worked very well thus far. Corporations and media moguls have become our false prophets . Technology and trade our false idols. Sedated Souls & False Idols The problem is that our innate fear of the unknown and our inability to think out-of-the-box makes us cling to the past and the familiar and the predictable. We continuously recycle old ideas and outdated commandments to solve our present day problems. Too many of us remain stuck in the age of Humanic Man. We continue to search for the answers by applying reason, exerting control, following regimens or establishing rigid rules and regulations. Many of our artists, philosophers, innovators, scientists and entrepreneurs have been swept away by the tyranny of linear thinking, the mass media and materialistic pursuit. We continue to wage wars, and in spite of everything we have suffered there are yet more rumors of wars – across borders and in our streets. Corporations and media moguls have become our false prophets. Technology and trade our false idols. Meanwhile, our imagination-deprived children are increasingly being medicated or incarcerated to sedate the soul and suppress the spirit. If you so wish, please go ahead... explain to me how all of this is working for us? Obviously, most of us feel no urgent need or desire to save the world, or for that matter, the noisy people living next door. But one thing is sure, if we are to have any chance at improving our quality of life and find ultimate peace of mind, you and I are going to have to make several significant changes to our culture and our society. Merely maintaining the status quo is just not going to cut it. © 2010 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents.

I don’t know about you, but I am pretty sick of modern society as we know it and I want things to be different. There must be a better way, right? We have finally evolved ourselves into a culture of self-inflicted misery based on a cynical approach to life. We need a new direction. We desperately need a global spiritual awakening, a divine revolution, a mystical uprising. ​ The only other alternative seems to be a major natural disaster beyond our wildest expectations, something catastrophic which will force us to look at each other differently and move towards solidarity. For many centuries we have tried and tested a variety of political systems. All of them have failed dismally. The small groups of people who lead our nations remain incapable of sticking to ideals for the greater good. If only more of us were better equipped to hear the call of our inner voice , we may eventually have no further need for secular authority. ​ Eventually they always end up furthering selfish secular interests at the expense of others - and we don’t often see anyone complaining about this. If only more of us were better equipped to access the collective unconscious and hear the call of our inner voice, we may eventually have no further need for secular authority. Our natural resources are being depleted and our civic consciousness has become eroded. If only more of us accepted that everything around us belongs to all of us, would we not cease to compete for the rightful resources we simply need to share? Neither is there a need for crime, unemployment and a loop-holed legal system. If I simply accept that I am my brother’s keeper, why should anyone have to suffer? Hendrik van Loont​ wrote, "The world is in dreadful need of men who will assume the new leadership – who will have the courage of their own visions and who will recognise clearly that we are only at the beginning of the voyage, and have to learn an entirely new system of seamanship." © 2010 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents.

Do you increasingly feel that your life has no meaning? Has God gone blind or deaf? Why are we so disconnected? Why are we so lonely, bored, tired, frustrated? Why is our society and environment in such disarray? The misery of modern existence is not just your imagination. There is no melodrama in what many of us perceive as a world gone mad. But you may also be surprised to learn that our predicament is not as bad as it seems. Our existential chaos is not the work of a wrathful God. Humanity may seem to be headed for catastrophe one way or another, but we are actually headed for a brighter day — as long as we have people like you and me on board. The most pessimistic among us may anticipate calamity or utter ruin of biblical proportions. Our future on earth does seem destined for disaster. Depending on your background or religious beliefs, you may even see this as an undeniable fact. It is reasonable to be somewhat uneasy about our future, but there is no need to be overly concerned. How can this be? Well, because many of us have made a simple choice, a life-changing decision. And now it is your turn. Only you can awaken your inner divinity to emerge as a titan of spiritual enlightenment. You can continue to chase your own tail in the world economic circus to earn more, own more, control more, fear more, and destroy more. You can drown yourself in information overload or choose to lounge around in la-la land - drugs, sex, television, dogmatic religion. You can continue to hop from relationship to relationship, repeatedly change careers, move from country to country, or adopt several different religions. These are all very worthwhile pursuits, even if they don't bring you lasting peace or fulfillment. On the other hand, you can immerse yourself in our true collective destiny. You can awaken your inner divinity to emerge as a titan of spiritual enlightenment. You can save yourself and you can save me. You can help to save us all. Yes, you. Our fate does not depend solely on government officials, activists, billionaires, church leaders, or social media influencers. The future also depends on you too. It is time to awaken. Our future is in your hands. It may come as a surprise, but many people now know that the quality of our lives is entirely up to us. Yes, we create our own reality. And those who know this also realize that we have a divine duty to change our ways and the world we live in for the better. When you know this, you also know that the solution is simple. Each of us has a job to do, a duty to ourselves, to others, and to the planet. The daily foundation of your life should be your spiritual awareness. It is not about making more money, having more children, or chaining ourselves to endangered trees (although you are welcome to keep up the good work). If we are to have any chance of making life on this planet joyful, peaceful and deeply meaningful, for ourselves as well as future generations, we must expand ourselves spiritually. There, I said it. The S-word! Spirituality should become the daily foundation of your life, if it is not already. Finding your soul purpose in a chaotic world is vital. I speak from experience because I deal with this truth every day in my work with people around the world. Should you choose to embrace your spiritual path, you will have the power to change far more than just yourself, your community, or your nation. You have within you the potential to help change our species for the better. Now, becoming more spiritual in this 'insane asylum' we used to call Mother Earth is easier said than done. Many of us simply have no idea how to go about it. And if we do, will it really make a difference? This is what I hope to reveal to you in my books, blog posts and channeled readings: your inner divinity, your true destiny and the real meaning of your life, and how to finally grab hold of your soul plan and life purpose to make a real, lasting difference and start living your best life! © 2010 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents.

Did you know that we sometimes dream the future? Ever had that nagging feeling that you have seen, or experienced, an event or situation before? I experience this phenomenon on a regular basis, and I also use the content of these lucid dreams with great success in my work. Sometimes I have dreams about significant future events, and I also experience dreams focusing on important issues in the lives of my clients. Of course, it is very useful when I am doing a psychic reading for you and I had a dream about you two nights ago! Over the years I have learned to distinguish between normal dreams and psychic dreams. In my late teens, I was fortunate to discover the book, An Experiment with Time by J W Dunne , and this helped me a great deal in understanding and mastering the prophetic nature of my dreams. Psychic dreams differ from our usual psychological dreams. Normal dreams are simply an opportunity for our subconscious mind to process the events of the day, or an attempt to resolve issues or concerns we currently face in our lives. Normal dreams are about the past and present, while psychic dreams focus on the future. Dreams are nature’s answering service – don’t forget to pick up your messages once in a while. ~ Sarah Crestinn Psychic dreams, however, are prophetic in nature. These special dreams offer us actual glimpses into future events and outcomes. Not only do we dream about the future, I also believe that we generate or create our future while we are in the dream state. I also believe that some of the events we shape during these dreams are what we later experience as moments of déjà vu. So, how do you know you had a psychic or lucid dream? The experience seems to be different for everyone. My psychic dreams are usually very vivid and colorful, almost like watching film footage or a news clip on television. I also hear sounds or voices very clearly (or not at all), and I often see symbols that have a specific personal meaning or significance for me. I typically have these dreams as I drift off into sleep, or just before I wake up in the morning. Many of my precognitive dreams occur a couple of days before the actual event, but some arrive months, or even years in advance. The best way to explore your dreams, and gain greater access to its prophetic content, is too start keeping a dream journal or diary. I live with a notepad next to my bed, and every morning I record everything I can remember about the previous night’s dreams. A good place to start is to recall the last thing you saw or felt, just before you woke up. Be patient, it won’t come without some effort at first, but over time, and with frequent practice, it will become easier. Review your notes from time to time. You will be surprised at how much of what you dream actually does come true later. ​ The precognitive dreams I have range from the intensely serious, to the completely bizarre . Although I have become used to having these dreams, and accept them as a natural part of my day, I am sometimes surprised, or even confused by them. Some of my dreams are of national or international significance. Several months ago, for instance, I had a recurring dream about a man and child digging up old bones in my backyard? They were so excited about each one they found! I was totally perplexed, until I heard that one of the most significant anthropological discoveries to date had been made, by an American professor who works here at a local university. They were out for a walk, and his son was the first to discover some of the fossils of a new hominid species, which lived almost two million years ago. This happened at the Cradle of Mankind in the Magaliesburg, which is not too far from where I live in Pretoria, South Africa. A dream which is not interpreted is like a letter which is not read. ~ The Talmud ​ More recently, I had a strange dream about a man speaking under a red flag. His voice gradually faded out. The more he tried to speak, the less one could hear him. I had no idea what it meant at the time. The only sense I could make of it was that it was something symbolic about Hitler or Nazi Germany? I should have connected the dots, based on what was revealed later. Soon after I was busy reading for a client (she is a journalist), when I suddenly decided to end the consultation. I told her to switch on her mobile phone. I sensed that she was about to receive an urgent phone call and advised her to return to her office. Her phone started ringing as she got into her car. Later, she told me that a prominent right-wing political figure in our country had been brutally murdered in his home. The well-known emblem of his organization is a black and white symbol on a red flag. ​Then, on a much lighter note, in 1998 I dreamed that a blonde woman from South Africa would win a big prize in the USA, due to the fact that she was a prostitute and a serial killer! My family and friends thought I had finally gone down the rabbit hole…to be honest, I had my own doubts too! Of course, I had a good laugh many years later, when Charlize Theron hit the mark in 2004, by winning the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the film, Monster . ​ Another anecdote is the charming lady who once sent me a request for an reading. I had a very odd dream the night before, which later proved to be quite funny. In her letter this client apologized profusely for all her spelling and typing errors. Apparently she had trouble seeing what she was typing. In my response I asked her why she was wearing her glasses on her head , since she needed them to read and write? The return email simply stated: “Thanks honey, I have been looking for them all day!” © 2010 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

Most psychics, clairvoyants, mediums and spiritual teachers make use of the power of meditation on a daily basis, in order to regenerate or maintain their own flow of energy, increase their spiritual awareness, and further strengthen their extra-sensory abilities. It is a good idea for the clients of psychics to do some meditation, or even place themselves in a meditative state, before they receive a psychic reading. This will greatly enhance the results of the psychic reading or channeling session. So, what is meditation? When we pray we are talking to Spirit. Meditation is when we listen . Meditation serves to silence the human ego, so that you can hear the voice of the Divine. It does not involve any form of rational thinking, logical analysis or critical judgment - those are the activities of the human ego. Meditating is the process of entering into an altered state of consciousness where you become a witness, observer and receiver. Meditation is the ideal foundation and most tried-and-tested method of spiritual development and greater alignment with your Higher Self and Divine nature. It enables us to clear negative energy attachments, improve our spiritual equilibrium, access our intuition, find answers to personal issues, resolve spiritual questions and enhance our cosmic connection with the Universe or source energy. To get the best results from your meditations, it is important to choose a suitable meditation technique for your level of development and start from a solid foundation and have the following building blocks in place. Comfortable Position It does not matter too much in what position or posture you place yourself to meditate. The most popular method is seated on the floor with the legs crossed. It is, however, perfectly acceptable to meditate while sitting in a chair, lying down on your back or even standing up. The truly important aspect is to ensure that you are perfectly comfortable and relaxed in whatever position you choose. If you experience any discomfort, adjust your position or change to a more comfortable posture. Closed Circuit Meditation is greatly enhanced by crossing the legs at the ankles and gently clasping the hands or intertwining the fingers. This creates a closed circuit, providing a more stable basis for the flow of energy. Progressive Relaxation Progressively relax different parts of your body, one at a time, simply by focusing on that area and imagining the tension ‘flowing out’ or ‘melting away’. A good way for beginners to learn this process of complete relaxation is to tighten or contract the muscles in each area, holding it for a few seconds, and then letting it go and feeling the area relax. Quiet Mind Once your body is completely relaxed, the next step is to shut down all your thoughts and let your mental state become quiet, calm and relaxed. Avoid any inner ‘chatter’, self-talk or the chanting of any mantras. Forget all your responsibilities, worries, concerns and anxieties. The aim is to ‘clear’ the mind completely. Do not allow your mind to wander. Simply relax and try to think of absolutely nothing. It is also important to reduce the effect of external stimulation of the mind via the five senses. Therefore it is best to meditate with your eyes gently closed in a quiet, warm and comfortable environment. Focused Breathing The main focus of any meditation session should always be on your breathing. By diverting our attention to the natural flow of our breath, we are more easily able to transcend the mind and calm our thoughts. Your breathing should not be done consciously; don’t focus or put any effort into inhaling or exhaling. Simply allow breathing to occur spontaneously, while you merely observe it happening. Each time you find yourself being distracted, or your mind following a thought process, return to your observation of breathing. You are ready to begin your meditation once you have reached a state of complete relaxation, when the mind is ‘thoughtless’ and you are no longer aware of your breathing. © 2010 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

They say when an angel misses you, they toss a penny down from heaven. Sadly, not everyone knows how much truth there is in this old adage. Spirit has in fact many interesting ways to communicate with us, and always on a very personal level. Spirit signs and synchronicities can range from the truly spectacular to the very mundane. And sometimes they can be found in the most unusual places, or when they are least unexpected. Two of the most commonly sighted phenomena are coins or ‘pennies’, as well as feathers. Depending on your personal belief system, these items are left around for us by loved ones, animal guides, angels and spirit guides. ​No matter where you believe your signs may be coming from, they are most certainly meant especially for you, and they always have a sincere and personal meaning, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they may appear to be. ​ Of course, many skeptics doubt that these phenomena exist, and it is often discounted as mere superstition or urban myth. I have, however, had several powerful personal experiences of such signs over the years, and I also hear frequent reports from friends and clients who experience the same thing. So, don’t pass by that penny, When you’re feeling blue. It may be a penny from heaven, that an Angel’s tossed to you ~ Charles Marshburn Spirit has indeed taught me some very valuable lessons through different signs and signals, and these personal, first-hand experiences contradict the most one-dimensional or misguided opinion of any skeptic. A dear friend and client recently received very compelling confirmation of the signs she had been questioning for years.* She is currently in the midst of a major life transition and a personal transformation. For quite some time now we have been discussing the signs she has been receiving in the form of popular songs. She keeps hearing them: over the radio, in the gym and in the shopping mall. Once she even heard it on the phone, after she was placed on hold by a call centre. The signs keep coming consistently; every time she asks for them, she receives them. But the doubt secretly creeps back into her mind soon after. What if it was just her imagination? Two days ago she messaged me, wanting to know if the latest incident was another sign. There is a specific song she has always associated with a certain special person in her life, for a very particular reason. She had now heard this song on three separate occasions at very significant moments. Each time it happened she was either with this person, or she was specifically thinking of him, or she was asking for a sign about him. I explained to her that we sometimes receive the same signs more than once, in order to overcome our doubt or fear. In her case she was getting her signs in three’s. But I also knew that she had to see proof of this for herself, before she would feel truly content. I therefore suggested she ask for a confirmation of the fact that important signs come to her in three’s. The answer came sooner than anticipated. She was in a public place when she received my response. She did not even have to ask for confirmation. The minute she opened my text message on her cellphone, even before she had finished reading all of it, she discovered three pennies on a seat she was about to sit down on. The angels are so enamored of the language that is spoken in heaven that they will not distort their lips with the hissing and unmusical dialects of men, but speak their own, whether there be any who understand it or not ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson She immediately sent me the news and I then assured her that pennies are a well-known sign for many people all over the world. I also urged her to keep the pennies in a safe place and have another look at them later, because sometimes the dates or other engravings on them also have special meanings. The next day I received a follow-up: “Thanks Anthon! You wouldn’t believe this, but later yesterday I saw three feathers. Well, actually four, I saw one at first and did a double take – but dismissed it, then an hour or so later saw a cluster of three feathers together on the floor.” Messages from the spiritual realm are potentially life-changing, but they so often pass us by, unnoticed, mostly because of our lack of awareness. In fact, some of us are so stubborn or oblivious to our metaphysical reality that we first have to receive a pebble, then a rock and finally a ton of bricks, before we eventually sit up and pay attention! First there is a message, then a lesson and finally comes the crisis. If you have never experienced the wonder of witnessing the effect of such miraculous signs and signals in your life, I highly recommend that you consider giving it a shot. What do you stand to lose? All you need to do is heighten your awareness and increase your consciousness. Don’t allow yourself to let your mystical reminders and spiritual signposts pass you by forever. Signs and signals from the spiritual realm always have a purpose. Most often they are important guideposts or ‘traffic signs’ along our life path, confirming our choices, decisions and actions. Sometimes we receive these messages to console us in times of distress or sadness , while at other times they come as warnings, urging us to proceed with caution. Reading your special signs and signals is your divine right, and a basic skill that anyone can develop. Some gurus would have you believe that this is a complex art or science, or that it requires special psychic abilities or years of study and practice. The truth is that this is a blessing freely available to all of us, regardless of whom we are or what we believe in. All you need to do is ask, and it will be given. The best way to start reading signs is by simply becoming more aware. Take more notice of the small wonders that happen in the world around you every day. Look out for patterns and synchronicities, because there are no ‘coincidences’ in life. Everything happens for a reason; there are no windfalls, only godsends. Soon you will begin to discover your unique set of personal symbols and patterns. Your special signs could come in the form of dreams, colors, words, numbers, sounds, songs, computer messages, clouds, images, animals, people, places or specific objects, like coins and feathers. They could also come in a certain order or they may be repeated a certain number of times. The list of possibilities and combinations is truly endless. It is also very different for each individual, depending on your belief system, as well as your cultural background and your unique personality and interests. The whole visible universe is but a storehouse of images and signs to which the imagination will give a relative place and value; it is a sort of pasture which the imagination must digest and transform. ~ Charles Baudelaire Always keep your expectations simple and don’t expect weird riddles or complex messages. The message is always very clear and direct. The intention is after all to communicate and guide, not to confuse, frighten or mislead you. Also, use some common sense. If you never listen to the radio, you certainly cannot expect it to become a conduit for spiritual communication. Your signs will show up in accessible ways that complement your lifestyle, or match your personal outlook. All you need to do is become more aware and be open to the process. Finally, we need to be thankful for every sign or message we receive. Express your gratitude by being kind to yourself and others, and show your appreciation by caring for all living creatures, as well as our magnificent planet. Count each and every blessing. The Universe is an abundant and interactive place of wonder and magic; it is ready and waiting to respond to your needs. You can heal your life and make all your wishes come true. Spirit wants the opportunity to guide you and protect you on your journey through life. Acknowledge your higher self and learn to trust your intuition. You have inside of you a deep well of wisdom and you are connected to everything in the Universe. You are part of an infinite and ever-expanding grid of spiritual consciousness. Use your signs and godsends to re-design your life and create the destiny you truly want; learn to apply your divine ‘early warning system’ to avoid unnecessary obstacles and setbacks along the way. All you need to do is ask. Reclaim what is rightfully yours. * Dedicated to my friend ‘Ms C’. Thank you for allowing me to share your story with the world. © 2010 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

Good morning fellow seekers and believers. A warm welcome also to 'ye of little faith.' Take a deep breath, you are indeed still alive! The Mayan calendar has finally come to a grinding halt. Yes, it is December 21st, 2012 and the time is exactly 11:11 GMT, the official time of the Solstice. It is indeed a blessing to greet you at the dawn of yet another perfect Solstice day in this miraculous annual progression of human history. ​If you are one of the more adventurous and spirited among us, you may very well find yourself today on a Mayan galactic alignment cruise or magical pilgrimage to the Chichen Itza in the Mexican state of Yucatan, or at Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, waiting for the first light to break on the horizon. I can only imagine how much fun you must be having! If you are more pessimistically inclined, you may however be searching for alien evacuation portals on 'Apocalypse Island' in Chile, or you may very well be reading this from the comfort of the 2012 survival bunker you built in your backyard, whilst snacking on the emergency supply of canned food and water you have carefully stocked up since 2010. It appears to me 2012 isn’t a spiritual awakening, but instead, a human one. It is the disillusionment from the nonsense being sold to us from gurus for centuries and the empowerment of our true selves ~ Steve Maraboli Most people are however simply on their way to work this morning – facing yet another hectic day at the office, and later possibly some last minute holiday shopping at a snail’s pace in another traffic jam. Yet, is it not great to be alive! And like our ancestors have done for millennia, and like our children’s grandchildren will do for many more, we are once again today witnessing the shortest, or longest day of the year, depending on the hemisphere in which you find yourself. Today’s Solstice is however, as you surely know by now, also of unique significance to some people around the world. Yes, indeed, today is that official ‘dark doomsday’ we have been hearing about for several years now. It has finally arrived – the time of ‘the shift’, or the ‘end of time’, depending on how you choose to look at things. ​Yes, it is December, 21st 2012 – the date on which the ancient Mayan calendar is said to come to a grinding halt. And as most of us predicted, the world did not meet a tragic fate in some calamitous catastrophe. Could it be that the Mayans really did just run out of stone to chisel on? ​ As you may well know, the controversy, fear-mongering and apocalyptic opinions regarding this significant date have been widespread and omnipresent for many years now. In fact, the hysteria reached such a fever-pitch some time ago, that most people seemed to have completely lost interest in the whole affair in recent months. Everyone clearly had had enough of the constant bombardment, and all the doom prophecies therefore lost most of its hot air. Even the Mayan spiritual elders, with all their patience and access to ancient wisdom were fed up. It is no secret that most of the hype around the year 2012 originated from the money lenders and merchants who continue to ply their trade inside the temple, like wolves in sheep’s clothing. A year or two ago it was impossible to log into any online spiritual forum, or watch any paranormal TV show, without being confronted with some form of 2012 hullabaloo. Humans just keep picking these false endings to poke at themselves for motivation sake… This time-space reality has the wherewithal to support you farther than your mind can comprehend time! ~ Abraham-Hicks But what goes up must come down, and in recent months the stacks of 2012 books on store shelves were clearly gathering dust. Today many of the half truths, and much of the fear-mongering, will thankfully come to an end. ​​ The feeding frenzy is finally over, for the time being anyway, and Mother Earth continues to spin on her axis as she always has. I just have one concern. What on earth will the publishers and vendors be doing with all those unsold 2012 books? I also shudder at the thought of how many rain forests were destroyed in the process. Of course, in 2013 ye shall also hear of more gloom and rumors of doom, but see that ye be not troubled dear friend. And please keep your wallet or your purse tightly zipped. We live in an abundant Universe where well-being is plentiful, and freely available, and balance and harmony always somehow abounds. For most of us today is just a wonderfully ordinary day, with good weather in some places and a few bad patches in other, just as it always has been, and always will be. If you are one of the lucky people sitting in a traffic jam, or an office cubicle, or especially if you are on vacation, do yourself a favor and take a look outside your window right now. Look up at the wide, open sky and remind yourself that all is well in your world. Well-being and prosperity surrounds you all day, every day. You are truly blessed. Do you not feel the yearning in your heart for hope and inner peace; do you not long to have faith in better days ahead? Do not drift unconsciously and without reflection through the labyrinth of a disconnected, cynical life. Do not fear the natural world. And most of all do not forfeit your Divine right to a life free from struggle, anxiety and suffering. Also, do not surrender your inner Divine guidance to the paranoid opinions, greed and morbid false beliefs of others. Find your truth within. Embrace your bliss. Jump feet first into a life of joy and fulfillment. Live in harmony with yourself, your fellow man and the wonderful planet we inhabit. Make today the first day of the rest of your earthly existence. Simply choose today to flow with the miracles of life, and become more in tune with the gentle wisdom and powerful pulse that is our conscious Universe. Your life is singular, unique and wonderful. A Divine life of abundance, well-being, peace and prosperity is your sacred birthright. You simply need to embrace it. Claim it. The Universe shall provide for you always. © 2012 Anthon St Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology. Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word, and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

There was no need for a term like ‘magical thinking’ in the Golden Age of Man. There was only genuine everyday magic and mysticism. Children were not mocked or scolded in those days for singing to the rain, or talking to the wind. Magical thinking is a common trait found among all children all over the world, between the ages of approximately two until seven years of age. This time frame is also known as the pre-operational stage of child development and it is the period in our early life when we increasingly explore our environment, and gradually learn to distinguish between ‘fantasy’ and ‘reality’. Children at this age initially have all kinds of imaginative ideas and magical interpretations of the world, in order to make sense of their external and internal reality. At this age we still believe that we can grow wings and learn to fly; or that animals can talk and sing; or that our shadow is a magical person following us around; or that the Sun goes to sleep in the ocean; that there is a man living in the Moon; or that the wind, the clouds and the trees notice us and obey our instructions. We often also have imaginary friends at this age. The process of exploring the actual limitations of our time-space reality lasts several years. Most ‘magical thinking’ typically disappears around the time when a child finally accepts that there is no such thing as the Tooth Fairy, or Santa Clause. As our understanding and knowledge of Earth reality increases, we lose our imaginative sense of the magical and metaphysical. Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry Potter, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real? ~ J.K. Rowling It appears that the only reason magical thinking must fade into the background of our consciousness as we grow up is because it can become inappropriate or dangerous from a survival perspective. To live safely in our physical body on this planet in primitive times we had to recognize certain patterns in our environment. For example we had to know that certain berries or plants are poisonous when we eat them, or that we may die should we fall off a cliff, or that wild animals can cause us physical harm. Confronted with the independent forces of nature it is obviously not a good idea for frail young humans to believe that they can fly or give instructions to wild animals. However, we never fully lose the tendency to see the magical or mysterious in the ordinary. Findings in cognitive science suggest that magical thinking is an inherent, human trait that persists into adulthood and this appears to be prevalent in all societies and cultures. It is also a phenomenon that is found in all civilizations. Throughout recorded human history we find clear evidence that mankind has always believed that some things are sacred; that things can be cursed; that the human mind can control matter; that rituals bring prosperity or good fortune; that there is power in words and the names assigned to things; that there is justice and moral order in the Universe (such as karma or God’s judgment); and finally that the Universe is ‘alive’ or has a conscious awareness of its own existence. The fact that these fundamental beliefs are widespread and common in all cultures is no coincidence or accident. If we accept that we are spiritual beings having a physical, human experience, our tendency towards ‘magical thinking’ and metaphysical belief makes all the sense in the world! However, many scientists attach absolutely no metaphysical or spiritual significance to these phenomena. For example, researcher Dr Eugene Subbotsky refers to it as "magical ideation" and suggests that we retain our preference for magical thinking because “it’s much more comfortable to think that your fate is written down in a constellation of stars than that you’re one of a certain group of intelligent animals who are lost in frozen space forever."​ Neuropsychologist Peter Brugger, takes a more positive approach, which goes beyond the mere survival theory. He states that it is not healthy for us humans to be entirely stripped of all our magical thinking. His data seems to show that a lack of magical thinking leads to anhedonia, which is the inability to experience pleasure. We should be cautiously open to the spiritual and non-rational, and skeptical of the more invisible magical thinking - what we might call ‘magical reason’ - pervading secular thought and experience in modern society. Science and technology are for most people a new religion, and their orthodoxies are believed with the same fervor ~ David Watson ​We were never really meant to feel like ‘animals’ lost in space. It is clear that we have an innate urge or intuitive desire to find meaning and purpose in our lives, and that we derive a lot of pleasure and joy from the so-called ‘magical ideations’ we attach to random patterns and coincidences. I propose that although it is necessary for us to initially put our ‘magical thinking’ into its proper earthly perspective, while we grow up, we should not be encouraged or pressured to relinquish it entirely, for it is an expression of our original spiritual nature. ​ It is also my experience that a true spiritual awakening is always accompanied by the return of so-called ‘magical thinking’ to our consciousness in some way, shape or form. Without ‘magical ideation’ true spiritual awareness seems impossible. ​Yes, we did come here for a physical human experience and therefore we have to make do with little or no awareness of our ‘superpowers’ for a large portion of our life. It is part of the deal. One cannot expect to have a truly physical life experience bound by time and space, while retaining your full spiritual capacity. The two states of being are mutually exclusive. In this lifetime we are like Superman who must remain disguised as the nerdy newspaper journalist Clark Kent, or Harry Potter and his friends who are not allowed to do magic while they are on holiday, away from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We don’t mind this compulsory precondition for our current physical incarnation, because being more physical than spiritual is essential to the authentic human experience. It is after all what we originally signed up for! However, we were not meant to completely abandon our metaphysical nature and enter this time-space reality entirely ‘unarmed’ and powerless. Even Harry Potter and Clark Kent get to tap into their special powers once in a while, especially when the going gets tough. © 2012 Anthon St Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology. Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word, and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

What we think, and what we believe, is what we become. We create our own reality. Constantly exposing yourself to popular culture and the mass media will ultimately shape your reality tunnel in ways that are not necessarily conducive to achieving your Soul Purpose and Life Calling. Modern society has generally ‘lost the plot’. Slavishly following its false gods and idols makes no sense in a spiritually aware life. The same holds true for toxic relationships, and people in your life who consistently indulge in negativity, cynicism, prejudice, fear-mongering, pessimism, and hatred. But have no illusions – the opposite extreme is just as noxious. Be equally cautious of those who deem themselves spiritually superior or ‘holier-than-thou’. Be wary of the well-meaning souls who profess themselves to be paragons of unconditional love and light, or who claim they have attained perfect insight into all the mysteries of the Universe. ​It may seem very “unspiritual” of me to advise you to avoid certain people, but it is often for the best to completely eliminate all the ‘trolls’ from your life as much as you possibly can. For truth be told, you can be of no real service to any of them if you allow them to impede and obstruct your well-being and spiritual growth. It is your divine right and your spiritual duty to protect your energy field from unwanted influences. In the wise words of the Mahatma, do not allow anyone to walk through your mind with their dirty feet. Our children must learn how to spot a stereotype, isolate a social cliché and distinguish facts from propaganda, analysis from banter, important news from coverage ~ Ernest Boyer Sure, as your fellow seekers these people do need your love and support, but you can only provide them with the help they need by staying in alignment with your own Soul Purpose and Life Calling. Only by striving towards the accomplishment of your own spiritual mission in this lifetime do you become truly empowered to be of service to others. If you really want to help all the lost souls who have been poisoning your mind with their skepticism, negative attitudes, false beliefs, sacred snobbery, or delusions of grandeur, then get away from them as soon as possible, and first seek your own truth and personal bliss. The people who truly need your help will gravitate to you in time. Don’t try to heal the whole world all at once. Personally, I had to cut loose several acquaintances, colleagues, ‘friends’ and family members over the years in order to fully come into my own, and as a consequence I have been a source of guidance and support to hundreds of wonderful people all over the world. I used to be a lost soul myself and therefore I did not always keep the most positive or uplifting company. ​ Had I continued to indulge and tolerate some of those toxic people in my aura on a daily basis, I would have been of little or no use to the many amazing clients and students who I now daily assist in transforming their lives. I would certainly not have managed to write this book had I allowed all the naysayers and doom prophets to stick around. ​Practicing social censorship in our daily life presents a real dilemma for some people. We have been so conditioned to believe that we must ‘be nice’ to get ahead in the rat race, and that we need to stay abreast of the mainstream news at all cost, just like we have come to believe that we must be on top of the latest fashions, technologies and lifestyle trends. I am often asked how I manage to stay informed about what goes on in the world, since I no longer watch, read or listen to the news. My answer often surprises people. I typically have no idea, or any real interest in what the global media chooses to report on from day to day. Most of it is drivel, hype, lies and disinformation anyway. Yet, despite the fact that I do not follow the news, I always know just enough about the really important events happening in the world. I remain reasonably well-informed of the most vital international and local developments. ​This does not happen by accident or coincidence. It is my firm belief that should there is something in the news that I need to know, the most essential information will find its way to me. It is further my conscious intention that the news I need to hear will reach me in a form that will not disturb, or upset me. And this is exactly how it manifests in my life. Whatever I need to now, I always attract into my conscious awareness. I trust in the wisdom and guidance I receive from my Divine Self and I trust in the power of my own intention as a co-creator of our shared reality, to draw to me all that I need to live a happy, safe and fulfilling life. The things I need to hear, or see always come to me in the right way and at the right time. Unceasingly we are bombarded with pseudo-realities manufactured by very sophisticated people using very sophisticated electronic mechanisms. I do not distrust their motives; I distrust their power. They have a lot of it. And it is an astonishing power: that of creating whole universes, universes of the mind ~ Philip K. Dick Why do we have this obsession with “staying informed” about absolutely everything in the world, anyway? How much of what you watch on television, or read in your newspaper, truly affects your daily life directly, and how much of it can you change without some kind of Divine intervention? ​In my mind the only reason why any spiritually aware soul would want to follow the mainstream news would be to use the information gained to make the world a better place. To follow the news out of fear and uncertainty only breeds further fear and uncertainty. It is my view that the only people who should be following the mainstream news consistently, should be people who actually need the relevant information to fulfill their Life Calling. Yet, even in those instances modern technology provides us with so many options these days to filter the information that ultimately reaches us. For example, I have set several Google Alerts on my email account that focus on specific news topics that are of particular importance in my professional work. I find it to be more than sufficient. ​We cannot be everything to everyone. I cannot possibly do my life’s work as a psychic medium, while at the same time attempting to solve local crime, world hunger, social injustice and political corruption. There are others who have a Life Calling to address those matters. To each his own. If you are searching for inner peace and spiritual truth, take my advice and turn off your television set. © 2012 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology. Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word, and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.