Is It Your Inner Voice Or The Voice Of Your Guides? How To Tell, From A Medium

My friend and I were running late for an event, so we parked in a hurry. When the event was over, we realized we knew the name of the parking garage but not the address—and the garage would close for the night in just 20 minutes.

We turned ourselves around completely as we struggled to find it. The more we got worked up, the more difficult the task became.

Come on–I'm a professional psychic! Why can't I find my car? My loud mind chattered away as we hurried along the streets. Ironically, we had just come from an event focused on dealing with feelings of anxiousness. Within minutes of leaving, we found ourselves flighty and nervous.

There on the sidewalk, I stopped. I took a breath and settled myself. Guides, I need help, I pleaded. I just want to find my car before the garage closes so I can go home. Their answer was immediate: "You're going to find your car." I breathed a sigh of relief.

In my work as a medium, I believe that our spirit guides (or angels, departed loved ones, or whatever you like to refer to them as) will always answer—always. That's part of their job. Our job is simply to listen and then to put whatever they tell us to use in service of the highest good. Once I heard those words, "You're going to find your car," everything changed. We found the car about two minutes after that.

Later, I realized I had used one of the practices from my most recent book, Medium Mentor: 10 Powerful Techniques To Awaken Divine Guidance for Yourself and Others. This technique, "Fear Factor," is a great example of just how easy communicating with your guides can be.

First, we take note of what's scaring us and acknowledge how we might feel without it. Then, with the help of our guides, we turn our fear into an affirming mantra.

In my panic on the sidewalk, I'd identified it was the idea of the garage closing that was making me nervous. Then, I'd stated my intention—to go home—and for a split second felt what it would be like to do so. In response, my guides had given me a mantra: I'm going to find my car.

Prior to that moment, my mind had been cooking up scenarios: What if I don't find my car? What if the garage closes? What if I can't get home?

In contrast, my guides didn't ask what-if. They didn't elaborate or imagine. Instead, they gave me their message, simply and directly.

Messages like this are received through claircognizance, one of the six "clairs" (aka psychic senses) through which our guides communicate with us. It comes in as an unshakable knowing, often accompanied by a gut feeling. When our guides communicate through claircognizance, we just know. It immediately puts an end to the frenetic, jumpy "maybes," which are the mind's voice toying with us.

And whichever clair works best for you (this quiz will help you determine which one is your strongest), you'll know it's the real deal because it will be accompanied by a deep, even if fleeting, sense of inner peace. This peace is the exact opposite of—and antidote to—fear.