Do you believe in psychic abilities?

I do but I want to qualify my answer. Pretend for a moment that everyone insisted that black and white were the only colors. And now and then someone would come along claiming that grass was green and the sky was blue- not that the words for these would exist but somehow they would try to find a way to express this. And then imagine religious leaders expounding from their pulpits that this business of color seeing could only be from the devil and so on. Persecutions to follow. And secrecy. and no development of knowledge in any legitimate way (scientific or educational-)There are distinct advantages to seeing color, but they would be devalued for the most part in a color blind society. People would see this ias a gimmick and in secrecy let it be known that for a price they would discern-mold on bread for instance-and make some bucks. some would be lying and some would not. As a Catholic child I learned that satan gives these gifts to people satan wants to claim. My parents told me I was possessed by the devil- and I agonized over this. But I could see things that had not happened yet. and being a child couldn't imagine that others didn't see what I did. Didn't see ghosts, either. I did. I prayed for this to go away. As a young adult I found a book by a theologian who addressed "fortune-tellers" with the comforting announcement that such gifts are part of discernment-a gift of the Holy Spirit. That such abilities should be used in a moral, helpful and honest way. I made that my personal mission, but still had some tough times with Christian and Catholics I knew.I've had some astonishing experiences in the course of time, and I've discovered that stress and anxiety over mundane matters reduces my attunement alot. I've been doing tarot reading as a sideline job for years. Recently I arranged to do readings in a small room in a new age shop owned by two highly intelligent and very moral people. I am honest in my dealings with people because this is a gift and I feel like a conduit, not a possessor of it. I have a profession apart from this. But in my encounters with people I often know things they need to know. I am very careful to create an excuse for knowing so that they are not made uneasy- for instance if a client has an illness which has not been diagnosed, but that i can see-I'll say that I'd like her to have for instance some bloodwork done or have her doctor take a look at -whatever. And pretend its just a matter of common sense to do so. I am an esthetician and can use skin condition as my usual source of concern. I hope my comments add something to your thinking about psychism. As with all human abilities, no one has all the range of giftedness. there are different forms it takes.

I think some people are simply bluffing to gain fame or money. I truly do believe that some people do have psychic abilities. Science can't explain everything, so I've chosen to believe this. ;)

I take the stance of cautious skeptic. I don't think that there is anything as psychic ability per say (depending on what you call psychic ability) but I think there is more things about the brain then we know, I think it may be possible for people to affect others with their thoughts after a fashion, but I don't think premonitions are necessarily possible. Primarily because I don't believe in predestination, so I am not willing to believe someone can see into the future.

The closest I have come to meeting a psychic is discovery channel.It was a programme where kids in US went missing and investigations for 2 years didn't produce any results.Cops then decided to involve two psychics ,one from Canada and the other from US ,separately.One of the psychics felt through the missing child's photo where she was 2 years back and what might have happened to her.I am sorry for the next part- Her body was found in the lake where the psychic told she would have been 2 years back.The cops also considered the possibility of the psychic in the incident ,but there was not one shred of evidence pointing towards her.I don't know about psychics ,but I met an astrologer when I was young,17 I think,and he told me I'd have an eye problem at 23.He also told my mom that she's love a girl like her daughter at one point.Both these happened ,but by the time these happened he has passed away.If astrology is cultivated mathematics ,then could psychics too polish their skills and do things we can't explain ? Honestly,I don't know.

Using your own intuition is a form of psychic ability. Sensing something about people is part of being psychic. I practice reading people online for FREE so I can improve in my abilities. I do not even have to know the person's real name to tap into their energy. I just focus and meditate and accept any messages or images that come to me. Then I relay what I see to the recipient. I don't use tarot cards or ouija boards. Just the power of my own intuition. Anybody can improve their psychic abilities if they just practice. Of course, people have to make a living too and they have to charge for their service. There are bonifide psychics and there are scam artists. Bonfide psychics who charge will only charge a one time fee. They tap into your energy and tell you what they see and they even may tell you things you may not want to hear but for your own good. These psychics do not ask for more money, if you like their service you're more than welcome to come back. The scam artists will try to make more money off of you by claiming to do spells to make your wishes come true.

I believe such powers exist but real practitioners do not want to come into the limelight for various reasons. Have you heard of that challenge where if you can prove you have such powers, you just need to commit to some experiments and you will get to claim a reward money of (I think) about 1 million dollars? The challenge has been bumped around for years and among the many who have come forth, none has proven their abilities to consistently or reliably work.