Mediumship, in a sense, is a sacred faculty, because it is related to the enduring, spiritual part of each one. Mediumship is an integral part of Spiritualism and it’s the factor that distinguishes the religion of Spiritualism from all other religions. Most of the major world religions both teach and believe in a life after death; however, Spiritualism seeks to emphasize this point and demonstrates through mediumship that the personality of the individual continues after the change called death. This is in accord with the Natural Law of Continuity. Mediumship strengthens one’s connection to the never-ending, creative principle in the universe known as Infinite Intelligence.
The practice of mediumship is not new and has been demonstrated throughout the ages. While the advent of Modern Spiritualism came with the Hydesville Rappings, mediumship and the manifestations of spirit have been recorded in historic records dating back to the Greeks who sought spiritual counsel from oracles. The Roman Empire had their soothsayers and later monarchies utilized stargazers. In the 1600s, witches (or those suspected of being one) were persecuted for exhibiting psychic phenomena, It wasn’t until the 19th century that mediumship became recognized as a psychic power to be studied and the movement of Modern Spiritualism organized.
The National Spiritualist Association of Churches states that a medium is one whose organism is sensitive to vibrations from the Spirit World and through whose instrumentality intelligences in that world are able to convey messages and produce the phenomena of Spiritualism. Parapsychologists, or scientists who study psychic phenomena outside of religion, view mediumship as the result of forces within the unconscious mind, combined with the detection of impressions received via the universal ether. Essentially, the scientist removes spirit from the equation.
Terminology utilized by both the Spiritualist and the parapsychologist may cause confusion for students new to mediumship. The terms medium and psychic are often used interchangeably by the scientific community. Spiritualism teaches that a psychic attunes to the vibrations of the universe, and mediums attune to this energy as well, but also to spirit entities. It is often stated that mediums may be psychic, but psychics do not normally demonstrate mediumship.
Mediumship falls into two classes: mental and physical. The mental phase of mediumship is representative of spirit greetings/messages, clairsentience, clairvoyance, clairaudience, spiritual healing, inspirational speaking and writing, prophecy, psychometry, trance, and other related phenomena. The mental phase is dependent upon morality, intelligence, and spiritual purity. The physical phase of mediumship is represented by apports, automatic writing, levitation, spirit materialization, rappings, transfiguration, trumpet speaking, independent voice, writing, music, and other related manifestations. Physical manifestations depend upon the chemical reactions of the body. Another qualifier between the two classes or phases of mediumship is that mental mediumship is considered to be subjective in nature; whereas, physical mediumship is considered to be objective in nature.
A number of factors influence the success or failure of mediumship. Such factors include mental/moral, physical/psychological, and Natural Law. One must seek to increase their spirituality by cultivating high aspirations and letting go of selfishness. It is necessary to be of willing service to humanity and follow the Golden Rule at all times. One should seek to avoid thoughts and activities of a lower order that may lead to depression, disorganization, and worry. Additionally, mediums should keep their bodies in good physical condition as the act of mediumship can be physically exhausting.
While the essential purpose of mediumship is to prove the continuity of life through the demonstration of the phenomena of Spiritualism, mediumship has also helped to provide both enlightenment and greater awareness to those who seek unfoldment. One should seek to know thyself through meditation and learning to enter the passive state of mind where spirit communications are best received. The more a medium learns, so increases a medium’s rate of vibration and attraction to spirits of a higher order. Additionally, one should align themselves with a formal study group or Spiritualist Church affiliated unfoldment class. One should seek out a group or class that feels harmonious. It’s important for the student to research their teachers. What are their qualifications and/or affiliations? What are their teaching methods and resources used? Does the class meet at an agreeable time and duration for the student?
Mediumship may be the true missing link in the evolution of the human species. It’s the direct line of communication between the physical and spiritual planes of existence. It’s the primary method for proof of the continuity of life. It’s the building of a relationship between mediums, spirit entities, and Infinite Intelligence. Through mediumship, and it’s close ally meditation, one may learn the true nature and purpose of human beings. Life is about unfolding one’s spiritual nature and abilities, which can best be accomplished through the phenomenon of mediumship.
Reference: Morris Pratt Institute, Course on Modern Spiritualism, Lesson 19, The Practice and Application of Phenomena— Part II
