Chips, congratulations on successful readings.

I have used similar techniques when to do readings, though, when i started, I preferred to hold an object of theirs, like their hat. Anything random was fine, because i really only needed to maintain my concentration.

I'd like to share some of my story, and some of my mistakes.

When I first started reading people, I wanted to read them, to use my insight to see into them, interpret them, and give them my message. i saw deeply into their hearts, i felt their fears, their problems became mine also. I couldn't fix their problems.

People's problems are personal. The times that I told people what I saw and felt were terrible...they felt violated, ashamed...i was terrible at this. I wanted to help them understand their problems, problems that they had buried deeply, and I had no right to dig them up.

I learned how to cope, though, and still give readings. I did more of "channeling a message" than "telepathy and empathy."

By holding their hat, or my hat, pretending that it was theirs, I focused and asked: "what is the message for this person?" for some, it was a message of hope, like "your deceased grandmother is with you and wants you to know that she is proud of you. You can release your guilt." for others, it was "if you continue lying to your parents, you will push them out of your life. they know you are lying, but they also respect you as an adult now, so they're not going to confront you." for most, i had fun and superficial things to say like "your daughter likes bunny rabbits" and "your husband peels the labels off of the bottles of root beer, so his friends think he's drinking beer."

There is one sad message, i want to cry every time i think of it. I met a woman on the street, who clearly needed help. I asked her, and she accepted to let me help her move some of her stuff into a storage shed. I tried hard not to read her or pick up any messages, for fear...for fear of making her any more sad than she was.

I wanted to tell her something good, but i got no good messages, so i kept trying to dismiss the messages i was receiving.

i eventually told her that her recently deceased mother was watching, and speaking to me. her mother wanted her to know that there would be more hard times ahead, but to not be afraid. i told the woman that she had much love in her heart and that made her strong. somehow, the woman seemed to already believe all this, she never seemed surprised. i told her some other things, hesitantly. then we talked for a bit then parted ways.

in that case, i was receiving the message fine. i went wrong by trying to pick and choose what part of the message was right. Looking back, i bet that i missed a lot of the message, because i kept interfering.

My goal now, when i give readings, is to receive the message and repeat it to the person who needs to hear it. most of the time, it's easy and fun for both of us. most of my training related to this is spent quieting my thoughts, removing my ego, stimulating my chakras.

I hope my story fits this post.