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Beyond with James Van Praagh |
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Written by Lisa Robyn Lawrence
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Tuesday, 30 June 2009 |
 Saturday, June 27, 2009
Spotlight 29 Casino
Coachella, California
Story by Lisa Robyn Lawrence
Photos by Cathy Jardine
To see more Cathy Jardine photos of James Van Praagh, click here.
Messages from Beyond
Loud cheering and thunderous applause greeted the “Ghost Whisperer” himself, James Van Praagh, as he took the stage in the packed Spotlight Room at Spotlight 29 Casino. Nearly 1,300 people were breathlessly awaiting a chance to have him deliver a message from a loved one who had passed on to the next world. The suspense and anticipation were palpable.
 Van Praagh explained that he just finished a nine-city book tour for his newest book, “Unfinished Business” and expressed his relief at being “home” again. When Van Praagh began the evening, he told the audience that he almost didn’t make it because he was nearly in an accident on the I-10. The audience gasped in horror. Van Praagh then explained that it was a result being scared by a huge picture of himself on the billboards along the I-10. The audience laughed and sighed their relief. His playful and engaging demeanor was revealed and remained evident all throughout the evening.
Van Praagh began by describing his beginnings as a “medium,” or one sensitive to being able to see spirits and hear their messages paired with the dichotomy of being brought up a “devout Catholic.” Van Praagh explained that as he grew into pubescent teen years and 20s, his interests were elsewhere, as with most people, and he did not have “the vision.”
It wasn’t until later in his late 20s that Van Praagh began studying with world-renowned sensitive and medium Brian Hurst, who immediately identified Van Praagh as a medium. Hurst’s philosophy, “The purpose of life on earth is to achieve spiritual growth through love, service and compassion,” resonated with Van Praagh and acted as the catalyst for Van Praagh to begin reading books on life and death, ghosts, spirits and the hereafter. This was a pivotal time in his life, working at a nonfulfilling job. Van Praagh also began meditating at home. Within a short time, he began seeing lights around other people, then mists, then forms that eventually he was able to see as full bodies of spirits as people. Van Praagh exclaimed, “I just wanted to be a sitcom writer.” But, alas, that was not meant to be.
For seven years, he attended a “Development Circle,” to fine-tune his gift and in the process was given a message from his spirit guides. It was about 25 years ago that his spirit guardians told Van Praagh that he should quit his job and that they would take care of him. He took that leap of faith and has not looked back.
His spirits kept their word. He explained to the audience that we all have spirit guardians and that “love transcends to the next dimension, which is outside of time (as we know it)." He further explained that our loved ones who have passed on still send us love and their guidance if we allow it in. This can be in our waking state or in a “twilight” state as we are waking up or in our dreams.
 Restless spirits began communicating to Van Praagh even before the meditation began, so he took notes and told the spirits to wait for the proper time.
In order to center the high level of energy that was coming from this audience, Van Praagh led the audience in a guided meditation to welcome the spirit guides into the room. The house and stage lights were shut off. All that remained was a single lit candle and the soothing voice of Van Praagh giving the audience a guided meditation of being centered, safe and in a very inviting and pleasant place. Then the audience was brought back to the conscious awareness of their surroundings and others.
Well, then the fun started, Van Praagh began with the first message in the notebook for a “nurse.” There were a few nurses in the audience, then he had specific information that helped identify the recipient of the message. Van Praagh said that there was a large group of nurse and doctor spirits that were there for these nurses and that they are always there to help and guide them.
 As it turned out, Eva Jansen, a labor and delivery nurse, was the person being sought out by her father. Jansen's father was trying to tell her to continue to study for cardiac nursing. Jansen said she was amazed that Van Praagh mentioned this since she was currently studying for this career change. There was also a very loving tribute, appreciation and much love being sent to Jansen from her father’s spirit. She was visibly teary eyed, since her father just passed away in January of this year, and her loss is still very new.
 Jansen was sitting with her friend, Gertie Greer, who said that she was always sensitive since childhood and was identified as a spiritual medium by Van Praagh. Greer said that people always look askance when she mentions spirits, but remains open to their messages. Jansen said that she “always feels open to receiving and is very happy to know that family (and spirit guides) are around her, especially when there is a difficult medical case. There is a certainty that death is so very close to life. It is comforting to know that they are there.” The two women were beaming at the end of the night’s event.
Several more spirits needed to be heard and quite a few times Van Praagh had to settle them down. Messages of health warnings to loved ones, a concerned husband spirit trying to tell his wife where to find his will, messages of forgiveness and warnings of concerns about choices loved ones are making. There were people popping up all over the room who had loved ones on the other side needing to contact them and grateful to receive their messages. “Life is full of choices,” Van Praagh told the audience, you can choose “love or fear.”
 As the evening ended, Van Praagh announced that he would be at the table outside the Spotlight Room to sign his books and meditation tapes. His staff was very helpful and efficient. Van Praagh is a very kind and giving person as evidenced by his remaining to the very end to sign a book for each and every last adoring fan and let them photograph him as well. It is easy to tell he chose "Love" in his life. The audience gave him a heartfelt standing ovation.
There were three books available at the performance and many meditations and books are available on Van Praagh’s Web site. Click here to visit Van Praagh’s Web site for more information about his books and meditation series.
I personally chose a CD called, “Divine Love” described as, “a Meditation Program — letting go of the old patterns of a fearful and limited existence and moving to a whole place of abundance and pure love.”
A huge "thank you" goes to James Van Praagh for so generously sharing your “gift with us tonight.” You are “Beyond kind and loving.”
Thank you to Spotlight 29 and their fantastic staff for another memorable event. For more information of upcoming events at Spotlight 29, click here.
To see more Cathy Jardine photos of James Van Praagh, click here.
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Lisa Robyn Lawrence |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 31 July 2009 )
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