The Gift of Channeling

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by Matthew McKay, Ph.D., author of The Luminous Landscape of the Afterlife and Love in the Time of Impermanence

After the loss of a loved one, the need to talk—to ask questions and receive answers—often powers our phases of searching for meaning. There is no better source of information on death and the afterlife than someone who has died and lives in spirit.

About a year after the tragic death of my son Jordan, I consulted the late Dr. Ralph Metzner, a specialist in after-death communication. Metzner said—and this made the greatest impression on me—that Jordan, and anyone in spirit, is just a thought away. As soon as the mind recalls that person, the channel opens between the physical plane and that soul in the afterlife. I was affirmed, inspired, and changed by what Metzner said. It was new and, at the same time, something I had always known. In a sense, Metzner transferred his own belief and, with it, his method and my own, for lack of another word, “faith.” It ignited in me the hope that Jordan and I could have real conversations. Not just about our shared experiences, or guidance for how best to live out my life as Matthew, but descriptions of the afterlife, a reason why we come to this planet, a glimpse at the greater reality that comprises the universe and the forces that shaped it.

Aside from the love of my family, Ralph Metzner gave me the greatest gift I’ve ever received—the ability to communicate at will with the dead. He did this very simply, and in a single hour of instruction. I have now taught the channeling process to hundreds of people and most report success communicating with souls in spirit.

The steps to channeling are below. It is an honor to further share this gift with you.

Channeling for Everyone

Channeling is not the exclusive province of mystics, prophets, seers, or mediums. It requires no special gifts of clairaudience, no access to spiritual visions, no ordination into a mystery school or any form of priesthood. Channeling is like prayer—anyone can do it. You can do it if you care to follow the simple steps of the process and begin a two-way communication to entities in spirit. They are a thought away. The mere intention to communicate opens the channel.

Steps to the Channeling Process

Select a place to channel that supports feeling safe and grounded. It could be a solid feeling desk or table or in a chair that you associate with comfort and calm.
Decide on a spiritual address to send your questions and messages. Is there a particular loved soul, now in the afterlife, with whom you want to communicate? Do you want to send questions to your spirit guide, the one who supports and watches over you? Another choice would be to send questions and messages to the part of your own soul that always remains in spirit—to communicate with your higher self, your own soul knowledge. You might also choose to communicate with the Divine/the whole/all that is/God. Before attempting to channel, be clear which entity you are seeking to reach.
Select a talisman—an object that represents your connection to the entity you’ll channel. If it’s someone you loved on Earth who is now in spirit, you might use an object that belonged to them or that they gave to you. Otherwise choose a talisman that symbolizes your spirit guide, higher self, or God—whichever you plan to channel. Mandalas, sacred stones, crystals, Buddhist or Celtic knots, and other symbols of spirit are often used.
Use an object—candles work well—for eye fixation. If you choose a candle flame for your focus, find a base that’s pleasing in a color you associate with peace, nature, or spiritual connection. Always use the same base—the accouterments of ritual are important.
Take a breath, and as you slowly exhale, feel the intention to make contact, to open the channel.
Begin a mindful breath meditation. This meditation creates a mild altered state—a doorway to the other side.

- Focus awareness on the diaphragm—the genesis and center of your breath. Breathe in and out slowly.
- On your first out-breath, count one; with your second out-breath count two, and so on until you reach ten. Repeat for one or two more cycles of ten breaths, or until you feel significantly relaxed and receptive.
- When a thought arises, notice but don’t dwell on the thought. Return your attention as soon as possible to your breath. Thoughts will always show up during meditation; this is normal and should never be judged as some sort of failure. Your only task is to return awareness to your breath each time you notice a thought.
- Keep watching the candle flame throughout your meditation.

Use a light divination to expand openness and receptivity by imagining a star of light about six inches above your head. It is a reflection of the candle flame before you. Now visualize the star expanding until it is an orb of yellow light—the color of the sun. This light above you is the channel, the connecting place between you and those in the spirit world (your loved ones, spirit guides, your own soul in spirit, or God). The channel is now open. And your mere intention to connect keeps it so.
Keep a record of every channeled conversation. You will find it important to review this over time, as there will be much wisdom in your journal. In a special notebook that you keep only for channeling, physically write your first question. Maintain openness to whatever you receive in response to your question.
Watch the words form on the page. The answer will show up in a variety of ways. Usually, in the beginning, the communication is halting. A word or two will come. Just write them down without judging or trying to understand what they mean. Listen to the voice in your mind. After the first word or two, wait. Stay open to receive the next phrase or the rest of the sentence—and write that down too. Wait again—there may be more.

Note that the communications you receive can take other forms; especially as you get more practiced at channeling. These alternate forms can include:

The download. These are complete and complex ideas that you have to find words to describe. The communication comes only as a picture, a diagram, or a concept.
The rush. This is a series of words and sentences that come rapid fire—often faster than you can write.
The telescoped answer. Often this can be one or two potent words, such as “all love … stay … always … with you,” and so on.

When there is a period of silence and the communication has apparently stopped, write down your next question. Continue this process until needing to rest or sensing that you’ve done enough. Because channeled answers, particularly at the beginning, are often so brief, you might consider asking simple yes-or-no questions at the start.
Accept the inevitable doubts and judgments that arise. There is no way to have certainty that the voice in your mind is the soul or guide or divinity you’ve addressed. And you will periodically have doubt or fear that channeling is a form of self-deception. Keep channeling in the face of these thoughts—everyone has them. If you persevere, you will acquire—over time—a written body of love, wisdom, and deep knowledge. It will move you; it will support you; it will guide you.

Things You Can Ask via Channeling

Try simple yes-or-no questions at the beginning—“Are you happy?” for example.
Ask questions, if you’re interested, about the soul’s transition.
Ask for advice or support.
Ask about the nature of the afterlife.
Ask about your life purpose, your direction.
Ask for wisdom to make good choices.
Ask how best to love and how to act on love in daily life.
Ask for or offer forgiveness.
Ask for help facing difficult things, painful emotions, or destructive desires/impulses.