CHANNELING

When I asked George to explain Channeling for me in my book Sustained by Faith, pp. 185-187, he wrote the following:

“The terms ‘channeling’ and ‘mediumship’ have almost the same meaning. In the past, people who contacted spirits, especially those of departed family members, were called mediums. Then, starting in the nineteen seventies, many books were written that contained information from beings in the spirit world about life after death, metaphysics, and prophesied events, such as earth changes. Psychics who received this information began to be called channelers, and the process of receiving it was called channeling.

“Usually a channeler either consciously communicates with a spirit being but is unable to see it, or becomes a passive vessel, often unconscious, so that a spirit can use their vocal cords to speak or their hands to record messages.

“In either case, some channeled messages are true and come from great spiritual beings, some contain lies and are intended to deceive, and many are from spirits who have access to certain kinds of knowledge but are not infallible. Unlike the process of receiving information from beings who appear in visions or supernatural visitations, in channeling, the source of the information is invisible to the channeler and it is often impossible to determine if it is really who it says it is, if it has a high, low, or ordinary degree of spiritual development, and if it can be trusted to tell the truth.

“Only through clear spiritual insight and sound reasoning can one discern the nature of an invisible being or the value of what it says. Also, while some messages are straightforward and fit in with the spiritual teachings of enlightened masters, others are difficult to evaluate because truth and fiction are mixed together and the fiction is presented with such skill that it looks like truth.

“For these reasons, channeled messages should be carefully considered before being integrated into one’s belief system, always keeping in mind that the most valuable and trustworthy information is that which is given in love and elevates one’s consciousness.”

I had not heard the term “channeling” until my later years and even then didn’t really know what channeling was nor pay it much mind, but when I learned more about it, I realized my communion with Jesus is not channeling. For when I communicate with Jesus, I see Him in ethereal human form or as light, and I am not unconscious, but rather in superconscious oneness with Him—in an expanded state of consciousness that is loving and blissful. Jesus does not take over my body or personality. Nor did He, until I reached the age of sixty-two, ever give me messages for others. It was simply a personal, loving relationship. --Mary Ann

Jesus has been my companion since I was a small child. Our relationship was personal, just between Him and me, for over sixty years. Now, there is an urgency to share His words with all of mankind. Jesus encourages me, empowering my ability to write and share our ongoing dialogue. I can honestly say that I could not have written my books, Messages from Jesus, or Sustained by Faith, without His help. Some of the subjects are over my head. Many pertain to the times we are living in, and others are timeless. There is so much more written in the books, than what you read in our blog.

My husband, George, is my editor, and my use of the English language is slowly getting better, but I don't always use the tenses correctly and can't seem to find the right place for commas. However, Jesus' grammar is perfect and George never has had to edit them.

If you were to study about spiritual progression, or spiritual paths, you would attend lectures and classes, or read articles and books based on the experiences of others. We try to find guidance to God through  history's eye, through what has happened in the past for others. Jesus said, in Messages from Jesus (p.27), "...you will not find God in books. Books can only help steer one toward divine inner creativity and self-realization. Books of truth are stepping-stones on the soul's journey."

Sometimes, in our attempt to imitate what we learn from others, we get caught up in repetition, routine, techniques and rituals that leave us ignorant of who we truly are. We try to be someone we aren't. We look outward instead of concentrating inward for discovery of revelations of our own. Shakespeare wrote, "Unto thine own self be true."

In Messages (p.50) Jesus said, "There are no hard and fast guides on how to access inner peace, only generalities. No one can set specific guides to meet all people's needs. Not everyone is ready; each person is at a different place within their spiritual growth. You must first make up your mind to become the change you want for yourself, and then take charge of your life." ...

—Mary Ann Johnston©

I gave myself up,
loosening the bonds of my human form,
to become dancing particles …
a transformation outside myself,
as in a euphoric dream,
delighting in love,
and in that love I was loved.

How is it that one can experience Oneness with all creation? Sometimes it just happens without calling it forth. It simply is. You just need to be open to receiving it and, when it comes, to recognize it and flow with it.  Here is one experience which I wrote about in Sustained by Faith. It occurred at Song of the Morning Retreat where I live with my husband George.

   The next day as I went into the Retreat dining room, I felt myself shift into a state of meditative euphoria in which I was aware of being one with everything before me. My memory clear . . . I remember it vividly, as if I were back there again.
   Almost startled, I looked up as I entered the dining room. Everything and everyone in it was lit up, as if a light had been turned on, outlining them in brilliance beyond what was physically possible. Everything slowed down. As I sat with others for dinner, everything was clean and bright and stood out.
People were chatting and eating, seemingly in a manner that was not different from the norm, and yet I saw it differently. As I watched the slowed performance, no one seemed aware of this phenomenon, nor was I moved to share it.
   George, unaware of what I was experiencing, sat at my right, and we ate this beautiful meal within the glow, in slow motion . . . . I saw that as everyone was eating, each mouthful was truly an action of devotion. And yet, they were totally unaware of it.
   Through the open kitchen door, I watched Carrie, one of the cooks, place desert on individual dishes with loving care. I was mesmerized by her undeviated focus on her task. She was simply meticulously placing pieces of pie on individual plates, with slow devotion to her task. I could feel her reverence. She glowed within the scene, unaware of everything around her, unaware of me, watching. Her movements were in slow motion, as each crumb was removed or put in its place, each piece of pie perfectly centered on the plate. God poured forth grace through her into plate after plate of pie, as she orchestrated perfection, and energy resonated outward, everywhere, encompassing all. This was truly soul food in its highest form.
   Within the moments between moments, I realized, from her beautiful, loving essence, that she was preparing to serve God. And I realized that truly every action we take is in the oneness and presence of God. Observing the action encompassed in the brightness as time slowed down, I was amazed at the unity of the whole as life goes on.
   I watched as each person was silently attended to. I watched this beautiful, egoless woman devotionally serve this desert to each guest, as if it were being placed before God. I watched as they ate it, seemingly unaware of its blessed state. I remember being served this love-filled pie. I don’t remember what kind of pie it was. I don’t remember eating it.  
   This phenomenon of brilliance-seeing has occurred in many instances throughout my life. And sometimes, if I look closely, I find it in unexpected places and it makes me ever more wholly aware of the oneness of all of God’s creation and that love exists in all, awaiting notice.

   —©Mary Ann Johnston

 

In this day and age, there are many spiritually religious clergy and laypersons, who give freedom to the practice of religion. They serve in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and prayer rooms. They improve communities, they give of time and money to victims of disaster, they heal and relieve suffering on all levels, they have open doors and open minds, they are an example to others of love in action.

When I give homilies, workshops or counseling, I see people from various paths, religions and levels of spiritual progression. Your spiritual path or journey is truly, uniquely your own; there is no one to imitate. But, even though we are all on different pathways, there is a common goal—God realization. Gandhi said, “There are as many religions as there are people on the face of the earth.”  Gandhi knew we all have different paths, and he also knew that we all have a common goal—God realization—enlightenment. So there should be no distinction here—no judging of another’s path—between individuals or between nations.

Religion has played its part in controlling the way people relate to God and each other, sometimes through fanatic, rigidly-held beliefs. But how much structure do we need in our lives?  Surely there is a lot to be said for religious doctrine but there also needs to be room for choices and change.

In Messages from Jesus (p. 43), Jesus says, “One path is not better than another, as they are all one. All lead to God. Everyone imagines they are on a different path but, ultimately, they all have the same destination: God-realization, heaven. Just as there are many roads to any one city, there are many ways to get to God, none better than another.”

You might ask where you should find your pathway to God. Through a pathway of service, or a pathway of  dedication to a specific religion, or a pathway of meditation? It depends on the individual; perhaps through all three.  In the Bible, James 1:27,  we read that pure religion is to visit the afflicted and to keep oneself unstained from the world. There is hardly any other mention of religion in the Bible.  So you might determine that religion is love in action.

Jesus said to me in  Sustained by Faith  pg. 157, "Let your religion be love."

Our life on earth has endless opportunities for growing spiritually if we are open and loving. The essence of a Godly life lies in the everyday living of life—how you live your life.   —Mary Ann Johnston

I have been contemplating ... “What is the purpose of writing my books, "Sustained by Faith" & "Messages from Jesus" and who is my audience.”  It is hard to promote Spiritual/Inspirational books. They run the risk of not getting noticed unless you are a big name with major promotion & marketing backing you.

When I thought about their purpose, assumptions waved before me like waves on an ocean. I finally concluded that the purpose of the books is not wholly mine to determine, but that of Jesus with his messages for today's world and what the writings will do for the reader, one by one.

I could say, I hope the books expand the love of Sweet Jesus in each reader, and make known that God is present in all aspects of life.

The audience is easier to determine. The books are for those who love Jesus, those who are looking for answers, those who have been abused, those who have given up, those who need healing, those who have lost faith in God or need encouragement on their spiritual path, those who have no one, those who are searching for more meaning in their lives, and the many, many people who would experience a growing love for God and Jesus in their hearts and a greater awareness that God is present in all aspects of live.

—Mary Ann Johnston