[mercuryrising]

Originally Posted by nightdiamond

This is my opinion and just my opinion on this subject; One problem with concepts like these is that even if it's honest, well meaning and true, the cult mentality somehow always finds a way in and then exaggerates, distorts, and twists the ideas around and innocent people unfortunately get exploited.

Me and a friend used to joke about releasing a product with the words "Old!", "Discipline Required!" and "Takes a Lifetime to See Results" blazoned across the front. Maybe it could be called "The Truth."

Would you buy it? Or would you rather be "exploited"?

For example, psychics and the afterlife; when promoting themselves, many self proclaimed psychics or mediums confidently claim they can talk or communicate with the deceased; Not receiving vague letters, but communicate, like direct 2 way communication.

And yet on stage in front of a camera the best they seem to do is this; "I'm getting an.. "A" ....does your Aunt's name start with an A? Yes, She's telling me it Ab-- is that right? Ok, yes it Abby she says her name is Abby...." If this medium is really communicating with the dead, then why he or she are only getting letters? And even then the medium must first confirm it with the audience member or person in the session before moving to the next letter... and then comes the investigation by Dateline or 20/20 and the expose......

Does this sound convincing to someone who is really seeking answers to the mystery of life and death?

I think this question is fundamental. Are people who are talking to the dead really looking for the answers to the Mystery? Most likely they are looking for comfort. Even if the medium is just good at cold reading, the people are getting what they want.

Come to think of it, people tend to find what they are looking for. If they don't find it in place A, they look elsewhere. I've gone through religion after religion, philosophy after philosophy, and I always find the same thing. That could mean that there is really only one true religion universal to all. Or it could mean that I always find what I am looking for.

But once I see how it really looks, and see only people seeming to just up and come down again while sitting crossed legged, you might not blame me for feeling disappointed.

Are we still talking about manifesting?

To me, it seems obvious that you see what you believe. Every person I've ever met believes first and then perceives.

Just like this discussion here: if you believe LOA works, you see the evidence for it. If you don't believe it works, you see the opposite.

Is it hokey to say, "If you think about fat, you'll get fat. I can eat whatever I want and stay thin because I think thin"? I think so. But Rhonda Byrnes isn't interested in the truth-seekers as much as the customers. And she saw customers.

I'm glad you are a skeptic, by the way. You bring up some good questions.