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Born Knowing: A Medium's Journey
DISCOVER YOUR PSYCHIC ABILITIES AS YOU READ JOHN’S FASCINATING STORY
In Born Knowing, psychic John Holland explains in his open and candid way how he dealt with his conflict by coming to terms with, and finally accepting, his rare ability as a spirit messenger who helps people connect with those who have passed on.
Born in the tough suburbs of Boston, John coped with a difficult childhood, where he was ridiculed by his family and society, leaving him feeling isolated because of his psychic abilities. He refused to acknowledge his gift until a near-fatal automobile accident amplified his skills to the point that he had to learn how to control what was once pushed away.
Drawn by the history and knowledge of spiritualism in England, John went on a two-year journey throughout Great Britain. He tells the story of his training in the British spiritualist organizations and his time at Arthur Findlay College, an institution for psychic studies that John refers to humorously as “Spirit Boot Camp.” He goes on to explain how he gained acceptance and respect within this tightly knit, often-conservative spiritual community.
Throughout Born Knowing, John presents real-life case studies where he discusses his readings with clients, the effect on their lives, and the sense of closure people feel, knowing that their loved ones who have passed on are still with them.
The book will also help you discover and develop your own psychic and intuitive abilities, recognize signals from the Other Side, and make spiritual connections for yourself.
In Born Knowing, psychic John Holland explains in his open and candid way how he dealt with his conflict by coming to terms with, and finally accepting, his rare ability as a spirit messenger who helps people connect with those who have passed on.
Born in the tough suburbs of Boston, John coped with a difficult childhood, where he was ridiculed by his family and society, leaving him feeling isolated because of his psychic abilities. He refused to acknowledge his gift until a near-fatal automobile accident amplified his skills to the point that he had to learn how to control what was once pushed away.
Drawn by the history and knowledge of spiritualism in England, John went on a two-year journey throughout Great Britain. He tells the story of his training in the British spiritualist organizations and his time at Arthur Findlay College, an institution for psychic studies that John refers to humorously as “Spirit Boot Camp.” He goes on to explain how he gained acceptance and respect within this tightly knit, often-conservative spiritual community.
Throughout Born Knowing, John presents real-life case studies where he discusses his readings with clients, the effect on their lives, and the sense of closure people feel, knowing that their loved ones who have passed on are still with them.
The book will also help you discover and develop your own psychic and intuitive abilities, recognize signals from the Other Side, and make spiritual connections for yourself.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2003
About the author
John Holland
149 books50 followersJohn Holland is an internationally renowned psychic medium and spiritual teacher. He has been lecturing, teaching, demonstrating, and reading for private clients for over 17 years. He's dedicated to the ongoing development of his unique gift and brings real integrity to his profession. John says, "If I can help people connect with someone on the other side, and bring peace, comfort, and perhaps some closure, then I've done my job."
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 4, 2016
Real deal
John writes so everyone can understand and I found myself crying tears of joy for some of the people seeking messages from the other side. I find it comforting to know that loved ones are still here with me even though I can't see them.
John writes so everyone can understand and I found myself crying tears of joy for some of the people seeking messages from the other side. I find it comforting to know that loved ones are still here with me even though I can't see them.
November 4, 2018
This was so cool to read. Even if you dont believe in psychic mediums, it's wonderful to know our family is still close after they pass.
I did really love hearing John Holland's entire story. I'm sure he could elaborate more, but I appreciate him trying to reach all people.
I did really love hearing John Holland's entire story. I'm sure he could elaborate more, but I appreciate him trying to reach all people.
September 1, 2026
Born Knowing is most interesting to me as the story of someone learning what to do with psychic ability after spending years wishing it would go away. John Holland describes growing up outside Boston feeling different, experiencing psychic phenomena without having much support for understanding them, and eventually suppressing that part of himself. A near-fatal car accident becomes the turning point that intensifies his sensitivity and forces him to confront what he had been avoiding. I found that part of his story compelling because there is an enormous difference between wanting to develop psychic abilities and having experiences you never asked for and don't know how to control.
The strongest part of the book for me was Holland's eventual journey into British Spiritualism. He spent two years traveling through Britain and trained within Spiritualist organizations, including the Arthur Findlay College, which he jokingly calls “Spirit Boot Camp.” I wanted much more of this. The idea of taking spontaneous psychic experiences and putting them through an established system of mediumistic training is fascinating, particularly because it introduces practice, feedback, discipline, and standards into something that had previously been chaotic for him. Watching Holland gradually develop confidence in his abilities was much more interesting to me than simply reading stories about someone who was born psychic.
There are also case studies from readings, and some of these are genuinely moving. Holland describes communicating information from deceased loved ones and the effect those messages can have on the people receiving them. I understand why this is such a significant part of the book because it demonstrates what mediumship eventually became for him and why he believes the work matters. After several examples, though, I found myself wanting fewer reading stories and considerably more information about the developmental process that allowed him to conduct those readings in the first place.
That was ultimately my biggest disappointment. The book is presented partly as something that can help readers discover and develop their own psychic and intuitive abilities, but the practical development material occupies much less space than I expected. There are some basic lessons toward the end, but I wanted Holland to unpack his training much more thoroughly. What exercises did he repeat at “Spirit Boot Camp”? How did teachers evaluate his accuracy? How did he learn to distinguish psychic information from mediumistic communication? What mistakes did he repeatedly make? What changed between his first uncontrolled experiences and his later professional readings? Those details would have turned an interesting memoir into a much more valuable psychic-development book for me.
I also found myself questioning the idea implied by the title that mediums are simply “born knowing.” Holland's own story actually seems more complicated than that. Natural sensitivity may have given him the raw material, but training, experience, mentorship, practice, and learning how to interpret what he perceived appear to have mattered enormously. I find that process more interesting than the concept of an innate gift because it gives us something we can examine and potentially learn from.
I enjoyed Born Knowing as a personal account of becoming a medium, and Holland's straightforward style makes it an easy and often touching read. I simply went into it hoping for more instruction than autobiography. The section of his life that most fascinated me was the transformation from uncontrolled psychic sensitivity into disciplined mediumship, and that is precisely where I wanted the book to slow down and become much more detailed. Holland convinced me that his development was a fascinating journey. I just wish he had shown me more of how the journey actually worked.
The strongest part of the book for me was Holland's eventual journey into British Spiritualism. He spent two years traveling through Britain and trained within Spiritualist organizations, including the Arthur Findlay College, which he jokingly calls “Spirit Boot Camp.” I wanted much more of this. The idea of taking spontaneous psychic experiences and putting them through an established system of mediumistic training is fascinating, particularly because it introduces practice, feedback, discipline, and standards into something that had previously been chaotic for him. Watching Holland gradually develop confidence in his abilities was much more interesting to me than simply reading stories about someone who was born psychic.
There are also case studies from readings, and some of these are genuinely moving. Holland describes communicating information from deceased loved ones and the effect those messages can have on the people receiving them. I understand why this is such a significant part of the book because it demonstrates what mediumship eventually became for him and why he believes the work matters. After several examples, though, I found myself wanting fewer reading stories and considerably more information about the developmental process that allowed him to conduct those readings in the first place.
That was ultimately my biggest disappointment. The book is presented partly as something that can help readers discover and develop their own psychic and intuitive abilities, but the practical development material occupies much less space than I expected. There are some basic lessons toward the end, but I wanted Holland to unpack his training much more thoroughly. What exercises did he repeat at “Spirit Boot Camp”? How did teachers evaluate his accuracy? How did he learn to distinguish psychic information from mediumistic communication? What mistakes did he repeatedly make? What changed between his first uncontrolled experiences and his later professional readings? Those details would have turned an interesting memoir into a much more valuable psychic-development book for me.
I also found myself questioning the idea implied by the title that mediums are simply “born knowing.” Holland's own story actually seems more complicated than that. Natural sensitivity may have given him the raw material, but training, experience, mentorship, practice, and learning how to interpret what he perceived appear to have mattered enormously. I find that process more interesting than the concept of an innate gift because it gives us something we can examine and potentially learn from.
I enjoyed Born Knowing as a personal account of becoming a medium, and Holland's straightforward style makes it an easy and often touching read. I simply went into it hoping for more instruction than autobiography. The section of his life that most fascinated me was the transformation from uncontrolled psychic sensitivity into disciplined mediumship, and that is precisely where I wanted the book to slow down and become much more detailed. Holland convinced me that his development was a fascinating journey. I just wish he had shown me more of how the journey actually worked.
December 15, 2024
In John Holland’s book, he wrote about coming to terms with his psychic ability. As a child growing up in Boston, he lived a “normal” life, dealing with happiness and sadness the same as other children. But he soon realised that he was different from other children. John was the child of an alcoholic father, which caused him to grow up quickly, and when he discovered he had psychic abilities, he was unable to seek support from his parents, and had to set himself on his psychic journey on his own. The book is written in 3 parts. Part one deals with John accepting his gift; part two gives details of specific readings; part three outlines John’s work as a medium, and some simple lessons that can help readers to develop their own abilities.
I was disappointed with the number of printing errors (mostly missing words). However, I enjoyed reading this book, as I have personally experienced some of the events that John described. I found it very interesting, intriguing and very relevant for me.
I was disappointed with the number of printing errors (mostly missing words). However, I enjoyed reading this book, as I have personally experienced some of the events that John described. I found it very interesting, intriguing and very relevant for me.
November 5, 2021
A Comprehensive Overview of Psychic Mediumship
I’ve read a lot of books about psychic mediumship and was quite impressed with this book. Not only is John’s story about growing up psychic interesting, but his description of the phenomenon, spirits and how it all works was quite comprehensive and useful. Great stories about connecting with spirits! Worth a read if this topic interests you.
I’ve read a lot of books about psychic mediumship and was quite impressed with this book. Not only is John’s story about growing up psychic interesting, but his description of the phenomenon, spirits and how it all works was quite comprehensive and useful. Great stories about connecting with spirits! Worth a read if this topic interests you.
September 25, 2025
A good story
This is a good story filled with lots of information to benefit. Everyone who reads it. I really enjoyed reading this book and learning about John’s life and what it’s like to be a medium. The author gives lots of resources to help people in their daily lives in so many ways. Make sure to check out the resources at the end of the book.
This is a good story filled with lots of information to benefit. Everyone who reads it. I really enjoyed reading this book and learning about John’s life and what it’s like to be a medium. The author gives lots of resources to help people in their daily lives in so many ways. Make sure to check out the resources at the end of the book.
August 31, 2018
Fantastic Book
Amazing book. Brought me closer to knowing myself. It has started my own spiritual journey. I look forward to my future now.
Amazing book. Brought me closer to knowing myself. It has started my own spiritual journey. I look forward to my future now.
March 1, 2019
Honest and entertaining. John is an inspiration!
September 14, 2020
I loved his power of story telling and grace of teaching
John Holland has a amazing way of teaching and writing that pulls you in and doesn’t leave you wanting. Thank you
John Holland has a amazing way of teaching and writing that pulls you in and doesn’t leave you wanting. Thank you
December 16, 2023
Impressive and educational
July 18, 2013
John is truly a gifted psychic and Medium. This book really details his struggles with growing up with his gift of being psychic. It's heartfelt and comforting at the same time - especially for those of us who have struggled with being different. John Holland is a wonderful author and I highly recommend this book.
January 15, 2013
Great book!! So good that 2 people have borrowed my copy already. John is truly amazing and does incredible work. I highly recommend seeing him at one of his monthly readings. You will not be disappointed.
February 6, 2008
Interesting life of a psychic
October 3, 2008
I could not put this book down starting from the first page. Captivating and inspiring, I found this book to be very moving and heart opening.
March 28, 2009
Interesting. I borrowed this from Tina my hairdresser. Humm, all this time I thought I was reading John Edward. Oh well this is ok too
December 20, 2014
I found the readings to be very emotional. I enjoyed every one of them. I wish that there was more information on how to hone your psychic abilities.
June 9, 2019
Fascinating read and such a great journey John has been on; I can count him as one of my if not THE favorite psychic/medium instructors in my opinion.
April 21, 2011
Insightful!
August 28, 2011
Very helpful book.
August 2, 2012
Loved it and gave it to my dad to read. Now on to the second book!
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December 28, 2018Very helpful for those who are interested in their sixth sense. Had I known someone like John when I was younger, I may never had been afraid of the things I saw and 'knew'.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews