There is delicate balance between faith and doubt. For many mediums (myself included), our work is not solely about establishing a connection with the spirit world; it is fundamentally about unraveling our conditioning, navigating the societal perceptions that shape our understanding of who we are and what we represent, and finding our way to the other side of fear.
Faith is a powerful driving force in the life of a medium. It represents trust in our abilities, confidence in the messages we receive, and a belief in the connection we share with the spiritual realm. It inspires us to explore our gifts and encourages us to step beyond conventional boundaries.
In contrast, doubt often emerges as a self-protective mechanism. It stems from uncertainty and fear, questioning whether our experiences are legitimate or if we are mistakenly interpreting the signs. Doubt can sometimes lead us to second-guess what we are receiving, pulling us back from the profound connections that faith encourages us to pursue.
Understanding the relationship between these two elements is essential: they are not opposites but rather coexist as part of our shared human conditioning.
Confronting Our Conditioning
I grew up in an environment where my spiritual abilities were often viewed with skepticism, religious-based fear, and outright dismissal. I found that my conditioning programmed me to embrace rational explanations and scientific skepticism, creating a conflict between my inner experiences and what is deemed acceptable by society.
As a child, I was taught to prioritize tangible evidence and logical reasoning, which created confusion as I began to experience the intangible messages of the spirit world. This disconnect fostered feelings of isolation and self-doubt, making it difficult for me to fully embrace my gifts.
Confronting this conditioning has been an integral part of my journey. It has involved questioning the narratives I’ve internalized about spirituality, mediumship, and my own value. As we examining our conditioning, we open ourselves to redefining our identities beyond societal expectations, allowing for a deeper understanding of ourselves as mediums.
Societal perceptions around mediumship can further complicate our relationship with faith and doubt. In many cultures, mediums are misunderstood; they may be viewed as charlatans or regarded with fear and suspicion. This lens can lead us to feel the need for validation for our abilities or caring more about other people's opinions than honouring our truth—this is particularly true in sharing our work with family, or friends.
Finding the Balance
Navigating this is an ongoing journey of healing and self-acceptance. It requires cultivating both compassion for ourselves and authentic resilience in facing external opinions. Here are a few key elements to consider:
- Witnessing Our Growth: Embrace the idea that growth comes from both faith and doubt. Each time you encounter doubt, recognize it as an opportunity to deepen your understanding of your gifts.
- Establishing Boundaries: Create healthy boundaries around who you allow to influence your journey. Protect your energy and your space; consider surrounding yourself with those who uplift and understand your path rather than those whose perceptions may generate more doubt. My Global Community is a great place to start!
- Integration Practices: Engage in practices that cultivate both faith and doubt. This could include meditation, journaling, or energy work. Allow space for both sets of feelings, enabling you to honour the questions without allowing them to undermine your journey.
- Education and Resource Gathering: Equip yourself with knowledge about mediumship by attending workshops, reading relevant literature (like my blog), and seeking mentorship. A deeper understanding of your craft allows for greater confidence and reinforces the notion that your experiences are valid and supported by a broader community.
- Embracing Vulnerability: Vulnerability strengthens faith. Sharing your story, including your struggles with doubt, can foster connection with others in similar positions. By being open about our journey, we can invite deeper conversations about the complexities of being a medium and the human experience.
We really do make a difference in the lives of those we connect with through our work as mediums. Making that sense of purpose more important than our doubts is that very thing that gives our faith a boost!