I felt compelled to write an article on a subject which has been one of great debate in my circles over the years. What has happened to physical phenomena? Why is it that things seem so very different now from the old days and the old ways of mediumship? What has happened to our mediumship and why?
I am not suggesting that I have all the answers. However, I do feel very strongly that there is a need for research and discussion on this subject.
When we look back at the old days of mediumship. Our pioneers seemed to have a definite link to the spirit world. The phenomena that was witnessed and recorded for us to read about left no doubt in ones mind to the presence of the spirit. We can always say that perhaps the authors where given to exaggeration? We can hypothesis that conditions were more perfect to receive that type of communication back then. But I have to say categorically that there is a distinct absence of physical & strong evidential mediumship of that level in our current society.
Let us look at various types of physical mediumship. We have levitation, direct voice, transfiguration, materialisations, raps and knocks, apports and spirit lights. All these may be experienced when sitting in a physical circle. It can take years of dedication and just sitting to achieve any or all of these experiences. Not all mediums can be a physical medium, as the correct components of the spirit need to be able to manifest within the medium. The medium needs to be able to produce ectoplasm, and not all can do that. A circle may need to sit for only one or two mediums to produce the phenomena. This means the other members of the circle will offer their energy only for the medium/ Mediums and spirit to use. Unless there is complete dedication from all the sitters then this manifestation will not be able to occur.
The spirit choose carefully those with whom they will work. I believe the mediums will be tested first on many levels to see if they are fit both mentally and physically for spirit to work with them. The trouble is that spirit find it a challenge these days. When and if they find the correct medium the question is then does this medium have the commitment to stay the course. The rewards will of course be worth the effort in the long run, but the medium needs to have the dedication and commitment.
In many ways we live in a world of immediate gratification, we want every thing quickly and now. Have we lost the ability to wait and have patience? I feel we may have become rather conditioned in this way. In the old days there was no TV, no computers or social media, which are all distractions and not conducive to spirit communication. Years ago families would sit beside the fire in the evenings in candle light this environment is very conducive to allowing the spirit to come close and communicate with them.
There is also a distinct lack of dedication around today, and unfortunately we see this in our Spiritualist Churches on the platform & in development circles. I am speaking generally here as there are a handful of great mediums still around who have dedicated their lives to mediumship and are great when performing on platform either in philosophy or communication. However, general speaking I see a distinct lack of people coming in to mediumship now who have that long term goal, who are prepared to wait and go all the way with their ability allowing the link with spirit to strengthen and grow. I am not blaming anyone for this but I feel it rather a way of life to which we have become accustomed, wanting it all now and not being prepared to wait.
I do not feel we have lost the ability to attain that connection with the spirit that our pioneers had. I simply feel we have lost the ability wait and look at the bigger picture. Belief also plays a big part as we can often lose the belief in our own ability when nothing seems to be happening for a long time within our own development. It is at those times that we need to persevere and that is when the support of our own team or circle will be vital. When that support is missing circles fall apart as people lose interest and faith which is very sad.
Mediums who's goal is to perform mental mediumship must also be encouraged to aid those who wish to develop the physical mediumship as it is these mediums who will be so essential to providing the energy spirit need to manifest physical phenomena. The mental mediums will also benefit greatly from sitting in the energy of a physical circle as it can also stimulate their own development of mediumship meaning that their evidence will be stronger. We can therefore see that the benefits of sitting for physical will be beneficial for all in the circle.
Our world will change, we can almost see if now, more people are looking for ‘something’ searching for answers. Our world of convenience and instant gratification must and will alter. I sense a moving back before we move forward within our movement. Mediumship must change. It cannot continue how it is right now. There will be more psychics out there and less and less good mediums. Allow this not to become a dying practice, stand up now educate yourself and sit for spirit even if you sit alone you are sending out a strong message to the spirit world. You are saying “ I am prepared to work for this, I am dedicated and I believe.” The spirit world will respond to those who offer up this message. You will be rewarded, maybe not today, or tomorrow or even next week or next year, but show that you have patience and determination to be the best you can be for yourselves and for the power of the spirit.
When you sit create the atmosphere. Turn off the computer, phone and TV. Light the candles and invite spirit in. Experience the power and know they are with you. It does not need to be more complex than that. We have a tendency to over complicate what should be a very natural and beautiful experience. You do not need to work in complete darkness when you are in a physical circle this is a pet hate of mine. Our pioneers never required complete darkness so why do we require it to be so. This is man made and unnecessary in my opinion. However, there may be some physical mediums out there who believe that they need the environment to be in complete darkness, and for them it must be so, as that is what they believe.“As a man thinketh in his heart so it is”. Red Cloud. It is my belief that spirit do not require this.
I would really like to see us embracing the old fashioned ways of living especially when developing mediumship and physical mediumship. Do not lose sight of the power of keeping things simple and do not allow the temptation to over complicate things take over. It is unnecessary. Look at your development with an open mind and know it is a longterm commitment for it is when the commitment is demonstrated the rewards come. It takes time to develop and we all develop at different speeds some slow and some fast. Have no expectations, but just allow spirit to be with you whether you sit in a development circle for communication or a physical circle ( this will take years of sitting).
Know that our soul continuities to develop even after the physical death, so why not advance as much as you can in the here and now while on the earth plane? Start today and see how the power of the spirit can and will influence and improve your life in a positive way.
Love & blessings
Louisa Sullivan
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