Clients Are Saying...
Notables:
Ask Crystal
All selected questions will be answered in this section.
Q: How can you do a reading on the Internet? I had the impression that the best readings were conducted in person, and that was one reason not to trust telephone psychics.
A: I'm not sure where you got that impression from, but different psychics work in different ways, and there are many, many ways to work. Some might be more sensitive to physical prompts, therefore sitting with someone or even touching them might be essential to their practice. They might also like to hear the querent's voice or study their aura. These are certainly valid ways to "read" someone, so long as they're ultimately effective and accurate. For me personally, I can give (and have given) readings in person, on the telephone and online. I probably prefer giving readings online, actually, because there are no physical distractions that might derail me (energy, mental attitude, too much talking, etc.). Personally, I like to utilize meditation and sometimes even dreamwork when I read for someone, both of which require some modicum of silence. So for me it's effective, whereas for someone else, it might not be.
Q: In a fifteen minute reading, for example, do you really actually spend fifteen minutes doing the reading? Or is it shorter? Longer?
A: It's usually much longer. I like to take my time and give each client the best possible experience. I have been known to take an entire day on a fifteen minute reading. It depends on my schedule, of course, as well as the information being received (whether I sense more is coming, for example). I have yet to spend only fifteen minutes on a fifteen minute reading! But I'm happy to do it.
Q: What kinds of questions are querents supposed to ask?
A: Any kind they like. They can be very specific -- like whether they will change jobs or have a baby -- or very broad -- like what their life purpose might be, or what Spirit has for them, generally. I usually ask that the client be as specific as possible in asking the question, because this enables me to focus in a more concentrated fashion, ultimately leading to more information being received. But basically all questions are welcome.
Q: Does the reading depend on the querent's openness? For example, if someone who was feeling skeptical and afraid requested a reading, would they really get much out of it, or would their skepticism and fear get in the way?
A: It depends. I have known instances where psychics in the presence of a hostile skeptic are completely blocked. This is not because the psychic is a phony or unskilled, but rather because the negative energy of the client literally acts as a shield or barrier to the psychic. Alternatively, some psychics can give accurate and meaningful information to a skeptical client, but many times it is not considered accurate or meaningful because the client is not willing to relinquish his or her skepticism.
In my experience, Spirit always shows up and information is always received, no matter the skepticism (or fear) of the client. It's up to the client to embrace it or not. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Matthew 7:7
Q: When people say that they are "spiritual, but not religious," what does that mean?
A: It means they are placing the emphasis on the interior, not the external. Being spiritual comes from inside you, by virtue of the spirit you possess, which is always within you. Being religious, however, concerns our outward lives. For example, a religious person goes to church, fellowships with others in his congregation and makes agreements with certain religious creeds and doctrines. While this process can inform the interior life, it is not the same thing as being spiritual, and many times is not even needed in order to enjoy a deeply thriving spiritual life.
Many people view organized religion as obstructive and limiting. Other people view organized religion as a complement to the meaningful spiritual growth already happening inside them. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide. As for me personally, I think the paramount pursuit is the spiritual, and that religion can be an enhancement, if approached properly. Religion can also quickly become spiritually limiting, so caution and discernment are needed.
Q: Is there a God?
A: Yes, absolutely. I cannot equivocate or hesitate on that question. I know some people don't want to hear that, or are reticent to consider how they themselves might relate to God, but it doesn't change the truth as I know it. God exists and He is a part of everything we do. He is a force of love and peace, not punishment and retribution, and desires for us all to have bright futures and productive, happy lives.
When I speak of God, I tend to use He or Him as descriptors, but that's simply because it's what I grew up saying and not an attempt on my part to define God, which is something I think none of us can do. I also tend to refer to God as the Higher Principle, the Creative Force, the Source, etc.
Q: If you could pick the lesson you're to learn in this life, what would it be?
A: I'm not sure if you're asking me this personally, or in a universal sense. In any case, I do believe we pick the lessons we are to learn in this life, but long before we ever get here. I believe we actually map out precisely what we are going to do before we are born, to include the lessons we are going to learn (through conditions and experiences we encounter as well as the people we have in our lives). I also think we are given the tools and talents we will need to succeed in this life and fulfill our life purpose. And so at times lessons may seem random or arbitrary, but they are not. They are lessons we knew long ago that we would be learning in this life. That makes each and every lesson extremely valuable.
Q: Why am I here? And for how long?
A: You are here because you have something of great importance to do. You were given talents, gifts and tools so that you could do this very specific work. This work will not simply benefit you, but will also benefit the Higher Principle and the planet. That is the nature of Life Purpose work.
You are also here to learn the Truth through the narrow, distorted lens of this planet. I tend to think of life in this world as a big challenge; will we be able to navigate around the negativism, the chaos, the anger and the turmoil, and attain lives of peace and happiness? And then spread that peace and happiness to others? That is the goal. Those who pare away the unnecessary noise of the world and get to the Truth will be set free, and will be able to set others free.
As for how long you are here, why would you want to know that? Be happy that you are here in the first place, tasked with something wonderful and important to do.
Q: Why does God let bad things happen to innocent children?
A: God has given us all free will. God would never hurt children, but unfortunately many people in the world would. Those people are the ones with the responsibility, not God. We have a tendency to blame God or the Unknown for that which we do not understand in our own lives, or in humanity, but God is not humanity; God is the Higher Principle that dwells above humanity. Therefore God cannot be blamed for what humanity, in its ignorance, does against humanity, but God can be turned to for assistance and for aid, and stands ready and willing to help at all times.
Q: If there really is one god why does s/he let us fight each other over our religious beliefs?
A: My answer to this is similar to the answer given above. God gives us free will. It is incumbent upon man himself to rise above the bickering and petty divisiveness. True spirituality allows humanity to do this; religion usually does not. I do believe our human consciousness is evolving, however, and that it is within the realm of possibility that we will overcome difficulties such as the one you mention in your question. It takes illumination. It takes tolerance. It takes, most of all, LOVE. We all have the ability to love, but will we choose to? That is the question.
Q: Are we just an experiment? Will god let us destroy ourselves so he can learn from us?
A: No, we are much more sacred than something so random as an experiment. We were created for a reason. We were created in perfection. Do not be limited to this planetary life alone; think of the life you will have afterward and even the life you had before. There are many facets of life. If anyone has experimented, it is us, in having chosen to come to this planet at this time. The better questions are, Why have we come here? What are we supposed to do with our lives to help ourselves and others? How can we get started today living our life purpose?
Q: If there really is a god why does he let some of us believe there isn't one?
A: This goes to free will again. Would you really rather have a supernatural being come down to this planet and force you to believe a certain way? I suspect you probably wouldn't. That is why free will is such a tremendous gift. It allows us to experience things on our own terms and come to our own conclusions. When we experience things while in the flow of Spirit, we become illumined and enlightened, ultimately making the right choices concerning ourselves, our planet, and our God. That is the best way for it to work. Servitude yields resentment, not love.
Q: I don't understand [the concept of] Saints. How do they fit in? Why do we need them when we have God?
A: I'm not sure anyone "needs" to believe in Saints. I think Saints can be different things to different people. For example, I wear a medallion of Saint Joseph around my neck at all times; I look at it as a talisman and also a reminder that I have friends in spirit who watch over me. I also identify somewhat with the spiritual principles of Joseph, and also of Saint Francis and a few other Catholic mystics. Of course there are many other Saints besides the Catholic ones; Buddhist, Hindu, etc.
I tend to think of Saints as generally embodying spiritual ideals we seek for ourselves or somehow relate to, and so we look to these people in history for present-day guidance. I also think the energy of these exceptional people is still with our planet today, and can be called upon and utilized in order to benefit not just our own lives, but the entire world.
Q: The trinity messes with my head. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all separate and yet are all one?
A: The doctrine of the Trinity, or "One God, Three Persons", is not mentioned by name in the Bible. Jesus did, however, command his disciples to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and this is how the ultimate doctrine came into being. It was officially confirmed in the Nicene Creed, after bitter battling over the concept of Jesus as God between Arius and Athanasius. Orthodox history on this subject is absolutely fascinating. But is it also a potential rabbit hole? Yes, it can be.
Personally, I think the doctrine of the Trinity is Orthodox man's way of making an approachable amalgam out of the Unknown. I think they wanted to believe in just one God, but also had to squeeze in a few others too, specifically Jesus and the Holy Spirit, under the umbrella of one God. And then of course there is Mary, and also some of the saints, who many believe should be contained under that same umbrella, as well. But why do we need an umbrella in the first place? That is why I refer to the world of God as Spirit. It's broad enough to contain all that I cannot see and do not know. I do not attempt to define the Indefinable and suggest others not do that, either. I prefer experiential knowing and complete openness. I come to God ready and willing to know Him as He is, without preconceived notions of fathers, mothers, spirits and sons, etc., but open to their possibility, too. I have learned a great deal, utilizing this open approach.
When we define something, we limit it. But God is limitless, just as we are, because we are spirits.
Q: Do we come back? Are our loved ones (and the connections we make with them) present in the next life, and, if so, do they play the same roles?
A: That requires a three-part answer. Let me start by saying that I don't have a strong or fundamental belief regarding reincarnation. I can only admit to what I hope is true about reincarnation, based on my personal study and experience. It's my individual hope that I will not come back. I guess I feel as if I've seen and experienced enough and that I'm ready to move on to other planes. Having said that, I tend to think reincarnation is possible but not compulsory. In other words, you can come back if you like, but you don't have to, if you'd rather not. To me, this is in keeping with the free will granted to everybody.
As for whether our loved ones will be present in the afterlife, the answer is yes. When you say present, however, do you mean with you the entire time or simply there in "heaven" (wherever heaven may be)? Because we all move on to the next plane after we pass from this one, but there are other planes beyond even that one to experience. When you die you will most likely be greeted by passed loved ones who meant a great deal to you, yet that doesn't mean they'll spend all of eternity with you. There's actually a great deal to do when we pass over; Jesus said that there were many mansions in his house and he was right: there are schools, vistas, jobs, etc. Your loved ones are probably busy doing their own work and pursuing their further individual advancement. You'll do the same when you get there. And so you'll see them, but how much time you'll be with them is up to you and your loved ones. Whatever happens, however, it will be right and good for all parties concerned.
Last, I do not believe our passed loved ones will play the same roles in the afterlife that they played here on earth. When we pass we experience a certain advancement in enlightenment. We realize the mistakes we've made on earth and we identify our limitations. We shed our earthly bodies and all the chaos that came with them. That makes us essentially new people, or, as I prefer to view it, returns us to the beings we were before we came here. And so we will be different. We'll have tremendous clarity and perspective. Personally speaking, my father will still be my father insomuch as his spirit will still be the same, but the dynamic between us will be spirit to spirit, not father to daughter.