Hello everyone,

I am going to be starting work teaching self-inquiry at a new, small,
nonprofit spiritual studies center in the town I live in and was touring
the place the other day.

I know and work with a few of the individuals there in a more professional
capacity through collaborative psychology/counseling work, and was a bit
surprised that the center was far more rooted in scientific worldviews D,
as one of the more central individuals I met there is a medium of sorts who
calls herself a soul alignment emissary. I was hearing some of her stories
and, being a bit of a skeptic, but also very open interested, asked her
what vibes she was getting from me.

She gave me the usual speal about I have my personal space (in a spiritual
sense) and that she has hers and that she wouldn't violate that without
being asked. I think she picked up that I was not thrilled with that
response so she gave me a bit of a deeper reading, suggesting my walls were
up (they definitely were-but mostly because I was in a new setting around
many bew, highly energetic people, nothing I was trying to hide), and went
on to give me the typical "you have a higher purpose" message, with the
stereotyped obligatory caveat that I have blockages and obstacles to that
purpose in my life (which I certainly do). But then she said more off hand,
in reference to the blockages, that she was (perhaps almost exusively)
referring to my relationships, general still, but far more personally
relevant at a time in my life when looking for a partner is well at the
forefront of my mind. She then said that the arch angel Michael has been a
regular guide for me throughout my life.

I looked up what the experience, at least supposedly, would be like if
Michael was a presence in my life and it did seem to fit, minus an excess
of Michael's in my life, and most notably that I have never had any clear
direct communication with Michael, which apparently he is known for very
clear communications.

So I am skeptical, I denounced formal Christianity long ago after multiple
run ins with corrupt and even dangerous priests and ministers from a
variety of Christian denominations. I did continue a personal relationship
with the Christian God for some time after that, more dispelling the notion
of a separate, ruling God as I discovered more about nondual and Eastern
theologies.

I dont want my biases to close me off from potentially meaningful and
indeed corrective emotional/spiritual experiences and coming more into
alignment with my purpose in life, but my own 3rd person empiricial mind
needs to see to believe.

I know I've had experiences with spirit-esque entities, assuming they
weren't pure mental fabrications (a pretty safe bet). But her mention of
Michael was so specific and asserted so confidently I must admit I was
shook up a bit (as is another stereotype, this woman was fairly intense and
punctual, which I know to be both an eccentricity of those with such gifts,
but also a learned method of delivering a message you want another to
believe).

If anyone wants to look her up, her name is Nicole Watters and the
organization is the Delta Foundation for Spiritual Studies in St. Charles,
IL. I am not trying to assess her legitimacy so much as I am wondering from
those on this list who are more into the mystical aspects of various
traditions what they would recommend I do to verify this informal reading
and/or what to do about it, so that my skepticism doesn't preclude me from
a potentially life-changing set of practices.

Any help or comments are welcome, please don't recommend books unless it is
something akin to a classic, the market is inundated with books on these
subjects that I am frankly not interested in unless they come from an
authority on the matter.

Regards,

Nicholas G. Lattanzio, Psy.D.

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