Theos-Talk Archives (January 2004 Message tt00311)

Jan 20 2004

Dear Friends:

We have had some postings on the subject of Mediumship and Channeling.

Here are some statements found in THEOSOPHY that ought to be considered
in this regard.

Best wishes,

Dallas

=======================



MEDIUMSHIP & PSYCHISM



MEDIUMSHIP


Mediumship -- is described by HPB in her article PSYCHIC AND
NOETIC ACTION published in LUCIFER, October and November 1890.
(see 2nd part).  


"The term medium...is supposed to be a person through whom the
action of another person or being is either manifested or
transmitted. [... by either consciously or unconsciously active
will of that other person." (HPB Art, I, 295) ]

Spiritualists, believing in communications with disembodied
spirits, and that these can manifest through, or impress
sensitives to transmit "messages" from them, regard mediumship
as a great privilege.  

We Theosophists, on the other hand, who do not believe in the
"communion of spirits" as Spiritualists do, regard the gift as
one of the most dangerous of abnormal nervous diseases.  

A medium is simply one in whose personal Ego, or terrestrial
mind, (psuche), the percentage of "astral" light so
preponderates as to impregnate with it their whole physical
constitution. Every organ and cell thereby is attuned, so to
speak, and subjected to an enormous and abnormal tension. The
mind is ever on the plane of, and quite immersed in, that
deceptive light whose soul is divine, but whose body--the light
waves on the lower planes, infernal; for they are but the black
and disfigured reflections of the earth's memories.  

The untrained eye of the poor sensitive cannot pierce the dark
mist, the dense fog of the terrestrial emanations, to see beyond
in the radiant field of the eternal truths.  

His vision is out of focus, His senses accustomed from
birth...to the unnatural distortions of sights and images tossed
on the kaleidoscopic waves of the astral plane--are unable to
discern the true from the false. And thus the pale soulless
corpses moving in the trackless fields of "Kama loka," appear to
him the living images of the "dear departed" ones; the broken
echoes of once human voices, passing through his mind, suggest
to him well coordinated phrases, which he repeats in ignorance
that their final form and polish were received in the innermost
depths of his own brain-fancy.  

And hence the sight and hearing of that which if seen in its
true nature would have struck the medium's heart cold with
horror, now fills him with a sense of beatitude and confidence. 
He really believes that the immeasurable vistas displayed before
him are the real spiritual world, the abode of the blessed
disembodied angels. ...on the whole mediumship is most
dangerous; and psychic experiences when accepted
indiscriminately lead only to honestly deceiving others, because
the medium is the first self-deceived victim. Moreover, a too
close association...is infectious. The odic and magnetic
currents of the Astral Light often incite to murder,
drunkenness, immorality...the not altogether pure natures "can
be driven headlong by the blind forces set in motion in the
Light" [ --E. Levi ]--by the errors and sins imposed on its waves."  
HPB - PSYCHIC AND NOETIC ACTION
(ULT Edition Articles, H.P.Blavatsky, Vol. II, p. 25-26)


"The dreamer of an entity in Kama Loka [an after-death state of
personal desire and passion] would probably bring upon himself a
nightmare, or would run the risk of becoming "possessed" by the
"spook," so attracted, if he happened to be a medium, or one who
had made himself so passive during his waking hours that even
his Higher Self is now unable to protect him. This is why the
mediumistic state of passivity is so dangerous, and in time
renders the Higher Self entirely helpless to aid or even warn
the sleeping or entranced person. Passivity paralyzes the
CONNECTION between the lower and the higher principles. It is
very rare to find instances of mediums who, while remaining
passive at will, for the purpose of communicating with some
higher intelligence, some extraneous spirit (not disembodied),
will yet preserve sufficiently their personal will so as not to
break off all communication with the Higher Self."	
--HPB TRANSACTIONS OF THE BLAVATSKY LODGE, p. 77 
(ULT Edition), or B C W Vol. 10.


HPB in editorial "Notes" answered some questions posed by
correspondents. This is extracted from THEOSOPHIST, June 1882
(ULT Edn. HPB Articles, Vol. I, p. 489)

[ referring to ISIS UNVEILED, Vol. I, p. 67]  

"...the word "controlling" must not be understood in the SENSE of 
a "spirit" possessing himself of the organism of a medium; nor that, 
in each case, it is a "spirit;" for often it is but a "shell" 
[astral shell in Kama Loka] in its preliminary stages of
dissolution, when most of the physical intelligence and
faculties are yet fresh and have not begun to disintegrate, or
fade out.

A "spirit," or the spiritual Ego, cannot descend to the
medium... the "spirits" being benevolent or wicked in quality
largely depends upon the medium's private morality...a pure
medium's Ego can be drawn to and made, for an instant, to unite
in a magnetic (?) relation with a real disembodied spirit,
whereas the soul of an impure medium can only confabulate with
the astral soul, or "shell" of the deceased...We should say that
the personal morality of the medium would be a fair test of the
genuineness of the manifestations..."
HPB -- SEEMING DISCREPANCIES       
-- THEOSOPHIST, June 1882 (ULT: HPB Articles, Vol. I 489-90)





STATEMENTS AND WARNINGS BY HPB


"Psychism, with all its allurements and all its dangers, is necessarily
developing among you, and you might beware lest the Psychic outruns the
Manasic and Spiritual development. Psychic capacities held perfectly
under control, checked and directed by the manasic principle, are
valuable aids in development. But these capacities running riot
controlling instead of controlled, using instead of being used, lead the
Student into the most dangerous delusions and the certainty of moral
destruction. Watch therefore carefully this development, inevitable in
your race and evolution-period so that it may finally work for good and
not for evil..."
HPB -- 5 Messages, p. 29



DANGER OF EXERCISING PSYCHIC POWERS


"To attempt to acquire the use of the psychic powers for mere curiosity
or for selfish ends is also dangerous for the same reasons as in the
case of mediumship. As the...present day is selfish to the last degree
and built on the personal element, the rules for these powers in the
right way have not been given out, but the Masters of Wisdom have said
that philosophy and ethics must first be learned and practiced before
any development of the other department [psychism] is indulged in...

Equally improper is the manner of the scientific schools which...indulge
in experiments in hypnotism in which the subjects are injured for
life... 

"The Lodge of the Masters does not care for Science unless it aims to
better man's state morally as well as physically, and no aid will be
given to Science until she looks at man and life from the moral and
spiritual side. For this reason, those who know all about the psychical
world, its denizens and laws, are proceeding with a reform in morals and
philosophy before any great attention will be accorded to the strange
and seductive phenomena possible for the inner powers of man."	OCEAN
152





CHANNELER / CHANNELING


"Channeler" -- appears to be the modern designation given to
those who, in the last century, were called "mediums."




MEDIUMSHIP AND OBSESSION



"...magic was the highest knowledge of natural philosophy..."
Isis I 366


"Physical phenomena are the result of the manipulation of forces through
the physical system of the medium, by the unseen intelligences, of
whatever class...physical mediumship depends on a peculiar organization
of the physical system; spiritual mediumship, which is accompanied by a
display of subjective, intellectual phenomena, depends upon a like
peculiar organization of the spiritual nature of the medium...among
physical mediums, the plastic astral spirit of one may be prepared for a
certain class of objective phenomena, and that of another for a
different one...As a rule, mediums who have been developed for one class
of phenomena rarely change to another, but repeat the same performance
ad infinitum."	Isis I 367


"Psychography, or the direct writing of messages by spirits, partakes of
both forms of mediumship. The writing itself is an objective physical
fact, while the sentiments it contains may be of the very noblest
character. The latter depends entirely on the moral state of the
medium. It does...require that the soul be pure enough to serve as a
channel for spirits who are capable of giving utterance to such lofty
sentiments."	Isis I 367



PSYCHISM



"[Bhagavad Gita] embodies "the psychological system of the Hindus--which
really underlies every word of this poem..." GN 2




MORAL STATES CLASSIFIED


"The following classification and discussion of the three qualities ( B.
Gita, Ch. 14) illustrates the vital difference between the ancient, true
psychology of the East, and what is termed Western psychology. Both
abound in classifications; those of the East are much more
numerous...and cover a wider field; Western psychology in its
classifications refers solely to mental states. The psychology of the
Gita and the ancient sages classify the moral states, treating the
mental states as mere effects produced by moral conditions. Herein lies
the secret of the hold the Gita has had all down the ages, and continues
to have increasingly. It lays bare the unsuspected bases of error; it
discloses the most subtle forms of self-delusion; it marks out the true
course so painstakingly that the dullest mind cannot fail to grasp a
clear perception of the path to true knowledge."	GITA. NOTES, p.
197


"...the word Kama...means "desire,"...the 4th principle was the "body or
mass of desires and passions." [GITA NOTES 197: -- "Western psychology
in classifications refers solely to mental states...[Eastern} and the
ancient sages classifies the moral states, treating the mental states as
mere effects produced by moral conditions...It lays bare unsuspected
bases of error; it discloses the most subtle forms of self-delusion;
it marks out the true course so painstakingly that the dullest mind
cannot fail to grasp a clear perception of the path to true
knowledge."]...The West divides man into intellect, will and feeling,
but it is not understood whether the passions and desires constitute a
principle in themselves or are due entirely to the body..."desires of
the flesh,...fleshly appetites."
OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY, p. 45




WHAT ARE THE "MORAL STATES ?"


Some Notes derived from studying HPB

Metaphysics is the "mother-plant" of psychology. It is a science of
first principles.

The Esoteric Philosophy recognizes in the ultimate analysis that there
is only One Reality. This lies behind the illusions (Maya) of our
Universe of forms. It is called variously Sat or Para-Brahm, the "Great
Unknown."

There is a continual circuit of manifestation followed by rest (pralaya,
or non-manifestation - a supra-physical, "spiritual" state). This
compares with our cycle of sleeping and waking.

The duality, in manifestation of Spirit and Matter is a fact. These
emerge from the One Reality, and are found in ancient philosophy
designated as the Word (Logos)--Spirit; and, Matter (Mula-prakriti)
--Root Matter. They equilibrate each other constantly. Together they
are the eternal MONAD.

The great Law of cause and effect, measured, regular, constant and
consistent, ever merciful and totally just runs continuously through all
periods. It has been called variously: the One Life, Karma, the "Great
Breath." It works in and on everyone impartially.

One of the chief differences between antique psychological philosophical
systems and the modern is that in antiquity, the moral states were
classified. States of Consciousness and Perception were held to be the
result of those moral conditions.

Morality is defined as those acts, thoughts and feeling which harmonize
with the Great Law of the Evolutionary progress of the Universe. Of
necessity this is universal in scope, considers the value and necessity
of every creature, every particle of substance. Nothing is excluded or
held to be unrelated to its all-encompassing purview.

Immorality is held to be anything adverse, by definition it is limited,
selfish, acquisitive defensive of territory and possessions.

Theosophy recognizes in Man's conscious constitution several distinct
and active principles:

1.	The Emotions: feelings, desires, needs and wants, all
centered around the personality the "I"-self in waking consciousness.
It is very "territorial." These are seen to come and go and change
constantly. It rarely considers consequences, is rash and wayward.

2.	The Mind: thoughts, imagination, fancy, ability to
study and analyze, memory, extrapolation, etc... This is called the
True Self and the Individual. This sense of Individuality persists
throughout the life in spite of many changes. It is "superior" to the
"emotional, the selfish self, as it can control and direct it. It tends
to be deliberate and considers results that may accrue to actions.

3.	In Waking Consciousness these two are combined to form
two operative points of dialog: There is an alliance between one aspect
of the mind and the emotions. This makes up the "Lower Mind" - selfish,
territorial, vicious, amatory, etc... The second unit is that aspect of
the mind which coalesces with experience, with the memory of results and
considers both those which are beneficial to itself or dangerous in
potential. It has been called "The Higher Mind." One of its faculties
is to access to the common and universal plane (BUDDHI) of Mentality in
the Universe where results of all past events and actions are recorded.
["Actions" include: desires, thoughts, and physical acts.]

4.	Mind (Soul) is that which persists. In Eastern
psychology (Theosophy) it is held that it constitutes an unbreakable
thread of consciousness between the life experiences of this personality
and that of previous personalities ensouled by it through the process of
reincarnation.

5.	Mind is allied, in it higher, nobler aspect, to a
principle of Universal Wisdom--the source of Law, Karma, Justice and
Progress. It has been named Wisdom, Buddhi. This the Higher Mind is
called Buddhi-Manas to use terms that philosophers employ in Sanskrit.
The "Lower Mind" is denoted Kama-Manas, or the desire-mind. This last
informs the personality and gives it its awareness. It transfers
constantly its impressions to the Higher Mind, and at the death of the
body it makes a final transfer to the Higher Mind. This becomes the
conveyor of the life of the Entity through a review and resting period
to its eventual return on Earth in a new body.

6.	Intuition and the "Voice of Conscience" are evidence of
the communications between the Higher and the Lower Mind during life.
The Higher, having access to past experience in full, warns the lower,
when necessary at the time when it makes decisions or choices. These
may or may not be heeded by the embodied Lower Mind. The principal part
of its educative experience as it reincarnates is to learn to
voluntarily direct its freedom and to conform to the general Laws of
nature and the Universe. Since it has this freedom, consequences ensue,
and this is called "Karma," the ledger balance of all our activities,
visible and invisible, physical or immaterial.

7.	We are part of a vast host of intelligences. Men-minds
like ourselves, and levels of consciousness represented by the animals,
plants, minerals and other elements of the Universe. It is also
reasonable to consider that there are our predecessors on the Ladder of
Evolution. Those, once men like ourselves, who have progressed to a
wiser and wider view of things. Like our teachers, instructors and
professors they remain as assistants, whose advise is available to those
of us who care to seek for and ask for it. They may be our own "Higher
Minds." 

8.	The subject of the "will." or the executive power which
transfers an "idea" into an action is also to be considered. It is
volitional, directive, and serves as a bridge between the mind and the
hands that work in the world of physical matter. It is "colorless." It
can be employed by either the Lower or the Higher Mind.

9.	The Buddha was the greatest of psychologists. He showed
the inquirer how to understand Suffering as part of a pair. Happiness
was the alternative. There is something in Man which sees both sides.
This sensitivity evokes compassion. To refrain from hurting others
while gently but firmly insisting on equity is the study of the ages.
The personal application leads to Adeptship through true non-violence.

10.	The Higher Self is common to all it being a "ray" of
universal Spirit, named Atma, and That is universal. As a drop resides
in the Ocean, so the Higher Self of each individual resides in the
Universal Spirit. It is at once a part of THAT, and yet, it is
individualized. We therefore share in all the sufferings and the
pleasures of others. We are their brothers and sisters in Spirit.

11.	Each individual has to come to the realization that he
alone will save or damn himself.  

12.	Each one is morally obliged to assist all others when
able to do so. The motive for such assistance has to be disinterested,
to be true.





WESTERN SCIENTIFIC PSYCHOLOGY STYMIED



"The lack of an adequate system of Psychology is a natural consequence
of the materialistic bias of Science and the paralyzing influence of
dogmatic religion; the one ridiculing effort and blocking the way, the
other forbidding investigation...Real psychology is an Oriental product
today...the system was known in the West when a very ancient
civilization flourished in America, and in certain parts of Europe
anterior to the Christian era, but for the present day, psychology in
its true sense belongs to the Orient...

"In man are the same powers and forces which are to be found anywhere in
Nature. He is held by the Masters of Wisdom to be the highest product
of the whole system of evolution, and mirrors in himself every power,
however wonderful or terrible, of Nature; by the very fact of being
such a mirror he is man." OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY, p. 135-6


"Some day proofs as conclusive [as that of the theory of Evolution in
the Rig Veda or the Books of Hermes] will be discovered of the
reliability of the ancient writers as their evidence on psychological
matters...There can be no real enfranchisement of human thought nor
expansion of scientific discovery until the existence of spirit is
recognized."	- H.P.Blavatsky , MODERN PANARION, p. 93



PASSIONS AND DESIRES


"The passions and desires are not produced by the body...on the
contrary, the body is caused by the former. it is desire and passion
which caused us to be born, and will bring us to birth again and again
in some body on this earth...[it] is the balance principle of the whole
7. It stands in the middle, and from it the ways go up or down. It is
the basis of action, and the mover of the will..."Behind will stands
desire." OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY , p. 46


"[Low desires] the constant placing of the consciousness
entirely below in the body or astral body... [High desires] the
influence of and aspiration to the trinity above, of Mind, Buddhi and
Spirit...

[During life] the emplacement of the desires and passions
is...throughout the entire lower man...it may be added to or diminished,
made weak or increased in strength, debased or purified.

[After death] it (Kama) informs the astral body, which then
becomes a mere shell; for when a man dies his astral body and principle
of passion and desire leave the physical in company and coalesce, It is
then that the term Kamarupa may be applied, as Kamarupa is really made
of astral body and Kama in conjunction, and this joining of the two
makes a shape or form which though ordinarily invisible is material and
may be brought into visibility.  

Although it is empty of mind and conscience, it has powers of
its own that can be exercised whenever the conditions permit. These
conditions are furnished by the medium of the spiritualists, and in
every seance room the astral shells of deceased persons are always
present to delude the sitters... For the astral spook--or Kamarupa--is
but the mass of the desires and passions abandoned by the real person
who has fled to "heaven and has no concern with the people left behind,
least of all with seances and mediums.

Hence, being devoid of the nobler soul, these desires and
passions work only on the very lowest part of the medium's nature and
stir up no good elements, but always the lower leanings of the being...

The Kamarupa spook is the enemy of our civilization, which
permits us to execute men for crimes committed and thus throws out into
the ether the mass of passion and desire free from the weight of the
body and liable at any moment to be attracted to any sensitive person.
Being thus attracted, the deplorable images of crimes committed and also
the picture of the execution and all the accompanying curses and wishes
for revenge are implanted in living persons, who, not seeing the evil,
are unable to throw it off. Thus crimes and new ideas of crimes are
willfully propagated every day by those countries where capital
punishment prevails."
OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY, p. 47-48			




	
	


STATEMENTS AND WARNINGS BY HPB


"Psychism, with all its allurements and all its dangers, is
necessarily developing among you, and you might beware lest the Psychic
outruns the Manasic and Spiritual development. Psychic capacities held
perfectly under control, checked and directed by the manasic principle,
are valuable aids in development. But these capacities running riot
controlling instead of controlled, using instead of being used, lead the
Student into the most dangerous delusions and the certainty of moral
destruction. Watch therefore carefully this development, inevitable in
your race and evolution-period so that it may finally work for good and
not for evil..."	HPB -- 5 Messages, p. 29


DTB


Dallas