In this interview, Charles Cox, a Medium, Spiritualist Minister, and Psychic Development Teacher & Coach, talks to MysticMag about his journey to becoming a Psychic Medium, the benefit of adopting a spiritual approach to life, and more. You don’t want to miss this one, especially if you’re from Denver!
When did you discover your mediumship and that you wanted to help people with that gift?
I was born into a religious family. Very early on I knew being Baptist was not for me, maybe as early as 10. I had an interest in spiritual things beyond the church and by 17 I had found Spiritualist ministers to study with. My friends were out drinking and carousing around, but I went to a seance circle every Thursday evening with the ministers I was studying with. It was there I was first introduced to mediumship. By 19, I was invited to read at a larger psychic fair in the Denver area as a student reader. That was 42 years ago.
My favorite part of being a spiritualist medium is using my ability to connect the living with friends, family, and other loved ones who have transitioned. I love exploring the idea of the continuation of life after the end of the physical body.
I really liked your spiritual thought of why taking life so seriously. What is a good first step to relax and enjoy more?
Whenever spirit is around, the mood is light and loving. In most of our upbringings, regardless of the faith we were raised in, God is this imposing, all-present being who is judging us every moment. Even in the new age philosophy, Karma is taught as a faceless aspect of God, judging us at every moment. But I have never touched in with such energy in the years of mediumship work I’ve done. Spirit is loving and supportive of our experiences, wanting us to be happy, to find happiness, and to share happiness. It is our concept of God that blocks those gifts. No one likes to admit it but we are all Puritans by nature. Their brand of spirituality is all work and no play which makes sense because many of them lived lives of hardship. But our lives are less burdened by work. Taking time to experience joy, gratitude, and connection can be a way to honor spirit. People will say that taking time from the very serious spiritual path. But I would argue that taking time for joy, gratitude, and connection is the perfect way to build a connection with that higher energy we call God, Spirit, The Universe, or Great White Buffalo Woman. The name used is less important than the connection we have with that vital energy.
Being on a spiritual path can be an adventure. We’re all looking for an adventure but then we try to control or manage the process. I think it can be hard to trust that the process has our best interests at heart. Getting past this belief is the basis of faith. It’s easy to think that ‘one wrong step’ can get you off-track. Adopt the idea there are no wrong steps, and the path can be fun, exciting, and even an adventure.
When you started in the Denver area, did you notice a pushback or prejudgment from people?
I moved to Denver to go to college. I was blessed to do my work here because it was readily accepted by so many. There was occasional pushback but not much, and certainly not enough to sway me from pursuing my interests.
Because of the history of the place and local culture, each city/state can be more open or close to different spiritualities and religious experiences. In your view, where does Denver stand?
The Denver area has a long tradition of being very open-minded and welcoming to all kinds of traditions. Had I stayed in Omaha, the town where I was born and raised, and tried to do the work I’ve done, I imagine there would have been far more pushback.
Can you share with us your work with the Denver Psychic Development Group?
In 2009, I founded the Denver Psychic Development Group. It had been brewing in me for a few years to offer development classes and the meetup platform seemed like a way to reach an audience. Our first class in September of 2009 had 7 people attend and we’ve never looked back. 14 years later we have had over 12,000 people attend classes ranging in subjects from basic psychic development to exploring past lives to learning how to see & read auras. The Denver Psychic Development Group served another purpose which was unplanned. The weekly classes created a social outlet for people of like minds. Many students attended regularly and many of those formed friendships of their own. As a minister, I have married 3 couples who met through the classes I hosted. And finally, I have made new friends and met many nice people who share a similar spiritual path with me. To learn more about the group, as well as my other work, you can check my website at denver-psychic.com.
In your opinion, anyone can be a part of your basic psychic development courses or do you need certain skills and open-mindedness?
Certain skills? No. Open-mindedness? Yes. Why is being open-minded so important? Developing a psychic sense is a skill, and trying new things requires one to be open to new experiences. One of the benefits of being a teacher in this environment is that regularly I get to witness a student having a breakthrough. A single moment when they did something they previously believed they could not do. All I ask is that you come to class and be willing to try. Psychic abilities are available to everyone, and like any new skill, practice helps bring the skill into focus.
Do you have a special message for our audience in these challenging times?
Exploring a spiritual path will not shield anyone from the ‘slings & arrows of outrageous fortune’, an expression Shakespeare used to refer to the crazy lives we all live. What adopting a spiritual approach to life will do is help you to feel more in the flow of life, and connected to the world around you. I believe that living life from a spiritual perspective keeps me in the present moment which helps me navigate life’s challenges, and recognize the many graces sent my way. Choose to see yourself as a part of a loving, supportive universe then let God, Spirit, The Universe, or Great White Buffalo Woman, or whatever you call it, lead you on the adventure of a lifetime.
