This is an interview: Stephen O'Brien talking to John G. Sutton
Continuing my series of interviews with accomplished writers and psychics I am this month pleased to include my recent interview with Stephen O’Brien who is one of the UK’s best-known and renowned Spirit Mediums. Stephen is the author of five International best-selling books: Visions Of Another World, Angels By My Side, Voices From Heaven, In Touch With Eternity and A Gift Of Golden Light. Stephen is a poet and spiritual philosopher whose work is a continuous inspiration to countless thousands of people throughout the world.
JGS: What was your first encounter with the spirit world?
SO: I remember being visited by the spirit people when I was lying in my cot; I was about 18 months old. Lots of people came to see me and tickled me under my chin. A golden light surrounded some of these visitors, but it was only when I grew up that I realized they were not of this world.
JGS: Do you believe you have a spiritual mission in life?
SO: Yes. I was born to spread the truth of eternal life to anyone who will listen; but I don’t feel the need to be “classified”. I’ve been given many labels, but have rejected them all. I am a Child of God, as is everyone else, and my religious ethics are these: to love and to serve.
Before I came into this world, I promised the spirit people I’d help them in this mission, and I’m fulfilling this promise now. Once my mission is achieved, you’ll hear no more from me.
JGS: How do you intend to bring your message to the world?
SO: As well as through my books and articles, I’ve reached millions of souls via the Internet. The worldwide web is really big idea. Recently, a new community was founded (this is The Stephen O’Brien Worldwide Internet Community) and hundreds of people are joining it in droves – they’re logging on from all countries across the world. We have members from as far afield as Alaska to New Zealand, and Russia to Canada, right across Europe and the USA, and even in the Far and Middle East.
There’s an online spiritual healing prayer book, too. All of the healing side of my work is done through the power of thought these days, because there are too many patients and only one of me! But I’m only a channel, of course, a focal-point: God is the healer.
JGS: What role does your poetry and your books play in your life’s work?
SO: My poetry can best be described as metaphysical: it’s the voice of one soul calling to another. I’m a deeply private person, a lone individual, and I think my poetry reflects this sense of being stranded on earth. Like ET, The Extra-terrestrial, in Spielberg's magnificent film, I’d like to go home: but I’ll only leave when my work is done.
My books have helped and have given education and hope to many thousands, if not millions, of people.
Some Spiritualists have criticised me for taking the spirit world’s message into theatres on my UK tours, but that kind of narrow-mindedness doesn’t bother me.
I was born with a vision, and I shall fulfill it. If someone doesn’t like the picture I'm painting, that’s fine by me. They too have the God-spark of Divinity within them: they can paint their own pictures.
My five books and teaching tapes have been in print since 1989. Many thousands of souls and minds have been touched, and are still being encouraged to think for themselves. When you think about it: that’s no mean achievement. My work has made people think; it’s brought them a little hope and some comfort, and it’s also educated them on all manner of spiritual and psychic subjects.
And there’s still more for me work to do. As the film-star Mae West once said, "I ain't dead yet!"
PARTII
In the second part of this interview I will be asking Stephen O’Brien what he believes is the true meaning of our lives on Earth.
JGS: When you work in public how do you locate the recipients of your spirit messages?
SO: Once I get in touch with a spirit communicator, it is he or she who finds the recipient, not I. I’m merely the channel.
I’m directed solely by my communicators, which is the way it should be. And I’ve never been satisfied with vague statements: I’ve always tried to get as much factual detail from them as possible. Though, I don’t always succeed. A medium’s job is to present as much detailed evidence of survival as possible; and to serve those whose voices can no longer be physically heard.
In a public demonstration I concentrate on using clairaudience. I like to hear the spirit people. Clairaudients, I think, are more likely to receive accurate information.
JGS: How would you like to be remembered?
SO: I’m not bothered. But if people wish to recall me at all, then I’d like to think I’d be remembered for the work I did.
I find it frustrating when I read in today’s psychic publications reports of mediumship meetings which simply state that “good messages were relayed, and everyone had a lovely time.”
This is lazy journalism: the detailed evidence of survival should be published: the actual words that the medium, the recipient, and the communicator said should be committed to print. In many years from now someone will pick up these reports, and what will they see? They need to know that survival has been proved, that spiritual healing has taken place, and that prophecies have been fulfilled.
We’re a long way from everyone in the world accepting the reality of an afterlife, and the printed word can play an important part in pointing investigators in the right direction.
JGS: Do you do much work now with the media, i.e. TV and Radio?
SO: I’ve kept the media at bay since 1995. I still give a number of interviews, but much more rarely these days; and I pick and choose the offers with great care. I’m not willing to be cast as some tired producer’s Aunt Sally. If people don’t take my work seriously, then they don’t get an interview; it’s as simple as that.
Far too many mediums seem desperate to jump on the publicity bandwagon. Good luck to them: but with the high levels of cynicism and downright rudeness in today’s media, they’re asking for everything they will get.
JGS: And what is your attitude towards psychic researchers these days?
SO: Many so-called psychic researchers, parapsychologists and their like are… well, let’s put it this way: I can imagine a group of mediums and psychic researchers “dying” and, metaphorically speaking, being asked at the Gates of Heaven “And what did you do with your lives?”
Those who served would be let through and be given a pat on the back, and the others would be asked incredulously: “Pardon? You mean to tell me that you spent your whole lives criticising other people’s work, and you didn’t even reach a sensible conclusion?”
I rest my case.
JGS: Having been in contact with spirit for many years what do you believe is the most important message you have to impart?
SO: Love is eternal. Life is eternal. Love one another; care for one another. Don't fight and argue: reason matters out together. Help those less fortunate than yourself. Render service. Be a peacemaker, not a militarist. Bring peace into the world; and start that process now, by first finding peace within yourself.
JGS: You are without doubt a very spiritual and gifted individual, so tell me Stephen O’Brien: in your opinion what is the meaning of life?
SO: I see life as a crucible of experience. We’re born into this world to develop and grow in all aspects of our being: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. No one is born by accident.
God, The Great Spirit, breathes within all of us – which includes the creatures in the animal kingdom – and He’s evolving through our experiences. We’re the vehicles that He has created, and through which he experiences His Universe. God is evolving continuously, and moving towards the bright light of love. But many parts of Him are lagging way behind; and these are the parts of creation, the beings, whom many think of as ‘evil’ or ‘misguided’.
By expressing the power of our Love towards all creation, we are helping God to evolve.
JGS: Where can people see you on your latest theatre tour?
SO: This year, in 2002, I’ll be working in 30 British cities, travelling from Scotland right down to the South Coast. Newspaper adverts will appear in all the regions. So keep your eyes pealed!
JGS: Is there any other way that people can learn about you and your work?
SO: They can click on a website: www.stephenobrien.co.uk, and join the psychic and spiritual worldwide mailing list to be kept up-to-date on all the new developments and the latest news.
And I have no plans to forsake my Psychic World column, which, judging by my postbag, seems quite well received.
If I can make people think, I've achieved my objective.
JGS: Thank you Stephen O’Brien for sharing your thoughts with me and with the readers of Psychic World.
As a personal observation I thought Stephen’s comments on the media were particularly relevant given the recent plethora of TV shows featuring mediums giving clairaudient messages. I wonder how many readers know that these shows are generally subjected to editing prior to transmission? And that the material broadcast is likely to represent the required viewpoint of the editorial team. For example when James Randi was creating his series on the paranormal the successful spirit communications were mainly cut out to reinforce his prejudice. No doubt with a different editor aiming at an audience of believers the opposite will be the case. Either way what is broadcast is ‘entertainment’ and we would all do well to remember that whenever we watch a TV programme about spiritualism and spirit communication.