Connecting with a departed loved one doesn’t always require a psychic medium. In fact, with a little guidance, intention, and openness, you can cultivate this connection in the comfort of your own home.

First of all, I found myself getting in my own way a lot when I was first trying to contact my brother on the other side. I kept thinking I would be able to “hear” him with my ears, or even “see” him with my eyes.

But the only sense necessary for us to make contact is our imagination. I know what you’re thinking: “So it’s just in my imagination?” And the answer is, simply: YES.

Think about it: whatever and wherever THE OTHER SIDE is, it’s right here. It’s another dimension that exists right alongside ours. At least, that’s what I believe. And just like you can be right where you are, reading this right now, you can also imagine yourself in another place, doing something completely different. Right?

We’ve been programmed to think that messages from the other side have to be tangible, and I’m not saying they’re not! But spirit uses what it has to communicate with us, and depending on who you ask, that’s going to be something like our intuition.

When I am calm, quiet, and meditative, my mind gets still. And when my mind is still, I can sometimes feel or think things that don’t seem to originate with me. Sure there’s also tons of straight up garbage that flows through, but when I meditate with an intention to connect to the other side, and I take steps to make that more likely (see below) I find I am able to very easily slip into that “place” where contact is effortless.

I’ve got two tutorials for you below: one is to set up a deal with your loved one on the other side: they’ll bring you signs, and you’ll recognize them. The second is about making direct contact, which takes a bit more focus and practice. Note that before my brother died, I had been a meditator for eight years, using the Vipassana or Insight method. So I think that helped me a lot when it came to stilling my mind so I can make contact with my brother on the other side.

Inspired by the words of Laura Lynne Jackson in her book, "Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe," here’s a comprehensive tutorial to help you set intentions and recognize the signs from your loved ones on the other side.

1. Setting Intentions for Recognizing Signs:

Step 1: Find a Quiet Space – Choose a place where you feel at peace and won’t be disturbed. This could be a cozy corner of your home, a garden, or even a serene park.

Step 2: Deep Breathing – Start with a few minutes of deep breathing to calm your mind and body. Feel yourself becoming grounded and present.

Step 3: Be Specific with Your Intent – Think of a specific sign you wish to receive from your loved one. It could be a specific animal, a particular song, a certain number, or even a coin.

Step 4: Meditation & Visualization – Close your eyes and visualize your loved one. Ask them, in your mind, to show you the sign you’ve chosen. Feel their presence and the love they have for you.

Step 5: Trust and Let Go – After setting your intention, release any expectations. Trust that you’ll receive the sign when the time is right.

Don’t forget to thank your loved one when you see a sign! They are eager to make contact, and they will absolutely feel your gratitude when it happens.

And here’s a method for inducing the kind of contact a medium might make.

2. Making Direct Contact With a Deceased Loved One:

Step 1: Create the Atmosphere – Light some candles or incense, dim the lights, and play soft, evocative music that relaxes your mind. I think it’s best to try this very early in the morning, just as the sun is coming up, or in the early evening, just as the sun is setting. Both of these settings provide a sense of transition or openness, I think.

Step 2: Grounding Exercise – Sit comfortably and take deep breaths. Feel the connection between your body and the Earth. This will help you center your energy. I like thinking of space all around me on all sides, even beneath me deep down into the earth. I see myself as surrounded by open, limitless space, all the way out into the distant stars.

Step 3: State Your Prayer of Intention – Say aloud or in your mind: "Dear gods, guides, and friends on the other side: anyone dedicated to the light, please collaborate with me. I wish to send and receive messages from _______ with the highest intentions for love, light, and growth."

Step 4: Call Out to Your Loved One – Clearly state their name. Picture them in your mind. I say to my brother, “Hey, do you want to hang out with me?” Then I wait for a few moments until I feel a difference in my state of mind. A slight lift, or a shift. That means he’s joined me, energetically.

Step 5: Ask Your Questions – While I think it’s fine to ask questions like, “Who was there to greet you when you crossed over?” or “What are you doing over there?” I think the best use of your time with your loved one on the other side is discussing what you’re going through. They want to help you with your grief, but also with your life! You can tap into the deep bond that you have and ask them to be a collaborator in your life. Not sure what to do about a relationship? Feeling anxiety and stress about something? Ask for help! That’s what they want.

Step 6: Listen for Immediate Answers – If you get a response before you even finish formulating your question, it’s a good sign you’ve established a connection. My brother interrupts me a lot. That’s because as soon as I think of what I want to say, it’s already been communicated. That’s just how it works on the other side. Your intention to connect means you’re connected!

You probably won’t “hear” their voice, but it will often seem like you will just get thoughts that don’t feel like your own. My brother “talks” to me in a sort of dry, humorous tone. That’s how I know it’s him. But I don’t hear his voice in my ears like I might someone in the other room. Instead, it’s telepathic communication. At first I didn’t trust it because I thought, “it’s just me making it up in my own head!” But remember: that is the venue for our connection — our imagination! Trust that and keep an open heart.

Step 7: Conclude and Express Gratitude – After your session, thank your loved one and any other spiritual guides for their messages and presence. It’s essential to acknowledge and show gratitude for their effort and energy.

Final Note: Remember, the key is to approach this with an open heart and mind. There will be times when you might not receive a sign or message, and that’s okay. The spiritual realm operates beyond our understanding of time and space. Keep practicing, stay patient, and trust the journey. With time and dedication, you’ll find yourself forming deeper connections and understanding the language of the universe better.

Let me know if you try either of these methods and if you’re able to make contact with someone who has died. And keep in mind, this is a process and a practice that you’ll get better at over time. I believe in you!

Grief, as you know, can take you to places you never thought you'd venture, both metaphorically and sometimes quite literally. In the world of the paranormal, where mysteries about the afterlife and connections between our world and the next captivate so many, rarely do we find a spotlight that also shines on the raw and real emotion of grief. Until now.

Recently, news broke of an upcoming book by Adam Berry, paranormal investigator extraordinaire, and a man deeply entrenched in the mysteries of the unknown. The book, Goodbye Hello: Processing Grief and Understanding Death Through the Paranormal, seems set to bridge a vital gap, intertwining the threads of grief with the allure of the paranormal.

For those of us who've mourned, the thought of contacting loved ones or receiving some form of sign from them isn't unfamiliar. It’s the yearning for a connection, an assurance, or maybe just a way to process the pain. Now, Berry, who's familiar to many as the host of ‘Kindred Spirits’ and a former member of the legendary ‘Ghost Hunters’ team, is diving deep into this intersection of grief and the supernatural.

From the publisher's synopsis, this book aims to answer burning questions that many of us secretly harbor. What really happens after death? Why do some spirits linger? Is there a tangible connection between our dreams and the afterlife? These aren’t just fascinating queries for the paranormal enthusiast, they’re also profoundly important for those grappling with loss.

What makes Berry's perspective so riveting is his extensive experience in the field. I recently came across an interview with him on Bloody Disgusting where he dives into his journey, from winning 'Ghost Hunters Academy' to forming a dynamic investigative duo with Amy Bruni in 'Kindred Spirits'. Their strong bond, one that resonates on and off screen, highlights how interpersonal relationships can deeply influence paranormal investigations.

Now, when it comes to paranormal investigations, many often label them as mere "thrill-seeking" endeavors. But this upcoming book paints a different picture. It hints at a deeper, healing essence, a spiritual exploration of grief and the afterlife, grounded in tangible experiences and evidence.

The paranormal community is vast, and there are many paths one can walk. But seldom do we find individuals who not only seek to understand the mysteries of the beyond but also look at how these mysteries can provide solace to the grieving heart.

When I first stumbled upon the announcement for Goodbye Hello, it was through an Instagram post from none other than Tyler Henry. If you're unaware of him, Tyler is the prodigious medium fronting Netflix’s ‘Life After Death’. I can't quite articulate the solace that show provided me, especially in the tender weeks that followed my brother's passing. Every episode was like a balm to my ravaged soul. Tyler's singular talent is not just about communicating with the departed; it's about healing. It's about extending a gentle hand to the grieving, offering a chance at closure and a reassurance that death is not the end. To see such a figure endorsing Adam Berry’s new book was nothing short of a glowing testimonial.

The realm of the paranormal, often relegated to late-night TV and spooky campfire tales, hides a deeper, more therapeutic potential than many give it credit for. At its core, it's about connections; bridges between our world and what lies beyond, between the living and the departed. It's these connections that provide an avenue for healing, especially in the wake of traumatic grief that accompanies the sudden loss of a loved one.

Enter Laura Lynn Jackson, another powerhouse in the field. A renowned psychic medium, she's assisted countless individuals in navigating their grief. Through her readings, she offers a window into the beyond, often delivering messages that bring profound closure to bereaved families. It's a thing of beauty, watching her at work. Witnessing a family's anguish morph into acceptance, gratitude, even joy – it’s a testament to the healing potential the paranormal holds.

Both Laura and Tyler have demystified the esoteric, making it accessible and relatable. They've shown that mediums are not just conduits for the deceased, but also guides for the living, helping us understand our losses and teaching us to find meaning in them.

As someone who’s been on a personal journey of grief, I can attest to the power of mediums. Their work transcends mere communication; it's an education. From them, I've learned not just about the other side, but also about how to reach out on my own. They teach us that every one of us has an innate ability to connect, to feel those who've left us. It's not about seeing spirits in every shadow, but about understanding the signs, the messages they send, and the sense of presence they project.

It’s been awhile since I got really excited about a new grief book, because they all seem to be the same. But I’m very much looking forward to Adam Berry's Goodbye Hello. If Tyler Henry's nod is any indication, this book will be another step in that beautiful dance between our world and the next, helping souls on both sides find peace.

It’s refreshing, and frankly a relief, to see someone like Adam Berry, with a vast platform and influence, delve into the nuanced world of grief through a paranormal lens. It holds the promise of providing readers not just with captivating tales of the unknown, but with insights that may ease the journey of grief. If the paranormal can provide even a flicker of understanding, comfort, or healing to those mourning, then books like Goodbye Hello are more than just reads - they're lifelines.

Adam’s book can be pre-ordered here, and comes out on the 24th of September.