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PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category16:TheSensitives>Chapter13:TheOccult
TheOccult
Achoiceofdirections
1Thefirstreasonforthewarningnottopursueoccultpowersisthatpursuingthemisasurewaytopreventthesoul'sselfrevelation.ForthesoulcannotbefoundunlessitsGracehasbeengranted.AnditwillnotgrantitsGraceunlesssoughtinallpurityforitsownsake.Hencetheaspiranthastochoosebetweenitandoccultism.
2Thewayoftheoccultisoneofblurredvisionandmistakenchoice.Forthoseinvolvedwalkawaybesetwithinevitabledangersanditisineverymannermoredifficult.Itisnotevenmorerapidtocompensateforitsdanger,sinceitislessdirect.Itisawaystrewnwithcamouflagedpitfalls.Youcanbesafeorsorrychoosewhichpathyouwillfollow:safeintheserenequestoftheGodwithinorsorryafterlongyearsofdubiousanddangerousoccultism.Thefirstisdivine,theseconddark.Thefirstcanresultonlyingreatereventualhappinessthesecondoftenproducesmoraldeteriorationandmentalderangement.Theseekerafterselfwisdomisnotconcernedwithexploringthedormitoriesofthedeadwiththespiritistneitherdoesheseek,withthemagician,toevokethosestrangeandterriblecreatureswhichinfesttheirentrances.ThestudentwhoconfusesDivineTruthwithoccultismormagic,withspiritualismorpsychism,makesagreaterror.
3IfanyonecomestothisQuestinordertoobtainmorepowerforhisego,evenifitbeoccult,magical,orpsychicalpower,heiswastinghistimeandhadbetterleaveitalone.TherearewaystosuchpowersbuttheyleadofffromtheQuest,nottoit.Fortheymayalltooeasily,asobservationoftenshows,inflateaman'svanityandincreasehisdesires,thusthickeningtheillusionswhichbefoghim.Moreover,someofthemexposehimtograveperils:hemayendbybecomingpossessedorgoingmad,byfallingintothequagmiresofnecromancy,sorcery,orblackmagic.Seekingtoglorifyhisownegoortobendotherstohiswill,hewillbecastingloriouslytothegroundandcrushedbytheveryforceshehasevoked.
4Heneedstobewareofwanderingintopseudooccultism,spiritism,magic,andkindredundesirablesubjects,asthenadversedestructiveforceswoulddegradehiseffortintime.Nothingofthiskindshouldbedabbledinotherwisehemightbecomeaconsciousorunconsciousmedium.Onlythepureandunmixedgodlylifeshouldbesought,notthesatisfactionofoccultcuriosity.
5Theattainmentofpsychicoroccultpowersbyanyonewhohasnotalsoattainedfreedomfromhisownemotionalimbalancesandintellectualinadequacies,andespeciallyfromhisownbasicegotism,islikelytoprovedangeroustohimselfandothersandtodomoreharmthangood.
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JustasonlygoodcancomefromtherealizationoftheOverself,soonlyevilcancomefromfollowingthefalsepathsthatpretendto,butnevercan,leadtothisrealization.
7Thespiritualseekerwhoisundertheimpressionthathemustenteruponacourseofoccultexperiencesisutterlymistaken.Insteadofbeingbeneficial,suchpracticescan,andoftendo,leadtoseriousunbalance,insanity,anddangerousandfrighteningoccurrences.
8Thosewhoseekoccultpowers,superhumancapacities,haveenteredthewrongdoor.Theyshouldlookelsewhere,nottophilosophy,whosesecretsconcernprimarilythekingdomofheaven.Forthepathstohellarestrewnwiththewrecksofwouldbewitchdoctors,sorcerers'apprentices,andmagicians'disciples.Forallthisleadsintheendtoegoomnipotence,nottoegosurrender.
9ThemisuseofanyoccultpowerwilleffectivelysealhimintheegoandpreventunionwiththeOverself.
10Noauthenticspiritualgrowthcanbemadebymeansofthepracticesofeitherspiritismorhypnotism.Theyareunhealthyandunnatural,eventhoughtheydoservesomevalueforscientificinvestigators.Aboveall,theycannotleadmantotranscendhisego,withoutwhichtheOverselfremainsinaccessible.
11Whenthisloveofthemarvellousbecomesexcessive,itpreventsthemanfromfindingtruth,forhisperceptionsandsensations,histhinkingandfeeling,hisjudgementsandobservationsarenolongerreliable.Everythingisthrownoutofbalancebyhiseageranticipationofmiracles.
12AllattemptsoftheegotowrestpowersfromtheOverselfandusethemforitsownindependentpurposesmaysucceedonlyforatimeintheendthosewhotryarestrickenbydismalfailure,whileinthebeginningandthemiddletheyarepunishedbybeingforbiddenentryintotheterritoryoftheOverself.
13Thepurewatersofspirituallifearenottobedrawnfromthedubiouswellofghostsandgoblins.
14Thosewhoseekinpsychicrealmsfindonlyreality'sghost.Theperilhereisthatarealitymaybeturnedintoadelusion,andwhatisauthenticmaybeturnedintoasham.
15Thetemptationmaycomefromtimetotime,butaprudentseekerwillrefusetolethimselfbecorruptedbytrafficwithnecromancyorbydabblinginmagicorbypursuitofoccultpowers.
16Onlyanillusoryortransientprogresscanbemadebythesepsychicandoccultmethods.
17Thefoolishnessoffollowingwrongleadsortryingwrongpathshastobepaidfor.
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Thesegropingsintheshadowsofthetwilitworldsthatsurroundusareoflittleuse.Suchexperiencescanstretchoutadinfinitum.Itisintheirveryendlessnessthatthetemptationlieswhichhasluredsomanyseekersfromthedutythatliestotheirhand.
19Whoeverletshimselfbecomebemusedbytheoccultintogullibleacceptanceofeverywildfancybearingitslabel,departsfromthetruequestandgetslostforhispains.Hemisplacesfaith,anerrorwhosepenaltyispainfuldisillusionment,andbecomesaneccentriccrank.
20Theseekershouldpaynoattentiontothesirencallsofsocalledspiritsofthedeparted,thepromptingsofmegalomaniacalassumptionsofmessiahship,orthewitcheryofoccultpowers.
21Thetimewillcomewhenhewillthrowtearsonthoseyearswhenhelettheoccultistshookhimandthusturnedthe"simpleway"intoasteepimpassableascent.
22Thosewhoreallyseekthrillsratherthantruthmaygetthem.Allkindsofexperiencesawaitthem.Alifetimecouldbespenthavingthem.Truthismissedontheway.
23Curiosityandinquisitiveness,butmoreespeciallythethirsttopossessmagicalpowers,leadhimontothisway.Progressherefattenstheego,whereasprogressonthetruepaththinsit.
24Thegenuinetruthseekertriestokeepoutselfdelusioninallitsforms.Heknowsthattheroadisbesetwithit,thathemustbewatchful,andthatthewarningcounselofthosewhoarefartheronthewaymustbeheeded.
25Mylamentedfriend,theIrishpoetA.E.,wrotewithhiscelestialpen,"Weareinourdistanthope,/Onewithallthegreatandwise,/Comrade,donotturnandgrope/Foralesserlightthatdies."
26Ifheisnotcareful,critical,balanced,sensible,andselfdisciplined,theeagerseekermayfindaftermanyyearsthathehassimplybeenmovingaroundthelabyrinthofoccultismtohisownconfusionintheend.
27Thosewhomeanderinprofitlessoccultismbutcallitdivinesciencedeludethemselves.Theytreadatreadmillbutimagineitisapath.
28Howmanyaspirantshavetravelledincircles,arriving,likeOmarKhayyam,intheendatthesamedoorbywhichtheyenteredin!
Theseductiveshadowworld
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Becauseitdealswithmattersnotreadilydiscernible,occultism'sdooriswideopentothebogus.
30Thisseductiveshadowworldofpsychismluresmanypersonsintoitsjunglelikedepths,butitluresthemonlyintotheshadowsofReality,notintotheRealityitself.ThosewhoposturebeforethepublicasHierophantsoftheOccultareunabletoinitiatetheirfollowersintothatserenestatewhereinturbulentdiscontentsandworldlydesireswitheraway.Theycan,however,provideairpiesforthosereadytoswallowthesolemnmysteriesofoccultloretheycanfoolaroundinafogofwordsanddrawtheirfollowerslikewiseintoit.
31Theoccultistwhositslikeamandarinbeforehisdevoutbutbewildereddisciplesandspinsoutwholesystemsofplanesandspheresshowingthatheknowseverythingandmore,hashispupilsentirelyathismercy.Theycannotanswerbacktohim,forheisintheprivilegedandexclusivepositionofbeingableto"see"theseplanesandthustheymustaccepthisreports.
32Theaverageoccultistandpsychicknowsmuchlessofhissubjectthanhewouldhaveusbelieve.Hemayhaveliftedacorneroftheveilbutitisonlyacorner.
33Justasacetateofleadispleasanttothetastebutdeadlytolife,soaretheclaimsofthesefalseoccultists.
34Theidealizedoccultistoftheauthor'simaginationisnotthemercenaryoccultistwefindinreality.
35Theoccultisttakespleasureincomplicatingsimpletruthsorinconcealingimportantones.
36Thosewhoknowthemind'scapacitytoindulgeinfantasiesandhowquicklyitsubmitstowishfulthoughts,knowalsowhytheserevivedsuperstitionsraisedtotherankofrevelatorytheorieshaveheldsomuchfascinationforsomanystudentsoftheoccult.
37Thegropingsofmedievalalchemistscanhardlyhelphim,andarebetterleftalone.Whateveroftruthhefindsinthemmustalreadybeknowntohim,andmoreclearly.
38Ifeducatedpeoplehavebeensuspiciousofoccultsocietiesinthepast,theyhavehadreasontobe.
39Grandiloquentrevelationsarepreachedbyfreakstocirclesofoddities.Theyamounttonothingintheend,beingthevaporousproductsofeccentricimaginationcollectedaroundsomepsychicexperience.
40Hereareproblemswhichcallfortremendousspecializederuditionandforahighstandardofscholarlyexactitudeandprolongedinvestigationbeforetheycanbe
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adequatelytreated.Yettheseimpertinentlyamateurishoccultistswithlittlehistoryandnoarchaeologyoranthropology,withoutascientificallytrainedjudgement,andwithcredulousbiasedmentalities,sailswiftlyandeasilythroughthetask!
41Theseeminglysolidearthofkabbalisticmagicanddemoniacsupernaturalismgraduallybecomesamarshintowhichtheunfortunatebenightedwanderersinksdeeperanddeeper.
42Piousfancysometimespushesbeyondactualfact.
43Howmuchfarthercanfoolishnessgotowardsinsanitywhentheclaimofrevelationisnavelyusedtomakethemostabsurdbeliefsappearasreasonable?
Occultistsandpsychics
44Bewareofpseudospiritualpeople.Theyarepests.Avoidmeetingthemavoidtalkingtothem.Itwouldbefarbetterforthemtobecomeoutandoutmaterialiststhantogoondeceivingeitherthemselvesorotherswiththeirwordybutfakespirituality.UnderthisheadingIincludealsothespiritualists,theoccultists,thepsychics,andthe"mentalscience"demonstrators.Thesepeoplemovethroughafogoffakeuplift.Itisuselesstotrytogivethesepeoplethatwhichtheyareneitherseekingnoraskingfor.TheyarenotinterestedinfindingREALITYbutonlyitsreflectionsandshadows.Hence,theyhavetobeshowncosmologies,planes,occultpowers,andmiraclesofmagic.ToteachTruthtosuchpeoplewhenoneisnotaskedforitistocommitanerrorwithresultsthatwillactasascourgetooneself.Theythemselvesarealwaysreadytoteachanybodyatanymoment.Wemustbefarwiser.Weshallteachonlywhenasked,onlywhenweunderstandthatitwilldosomerealgood,andeventhenonlysomuchwillberevealedasthequerentisfittotakein.Thesepseudospiritualpeoplearelikelivingcorpses,bodieswhichhavetakenontheappearanceoflifebutarereallydead.
45TheoccultistwhoseekstoexpandhislifebyenlarginghispersonalpowersisoftenlessneartheSourcethantheartistwhosurrendershimselfwhollytogracegivenmomentsoffeltbeauty.Theoneisfastenedmoresecurelytotheego,theotherreleasedfromit.
46EdgarCaycewasnotamystic,hewasapsychic.Althoughhebroughtmuchknowledgeofacuriousorinterestingkindfromhispsychicexperiences,itwouldbeanerrortoregardthemallasreliable,formostpsychicscanbemisled.
47Itisafact,althoughnotacommonlyknownone,thattheFhrerHitlerforyearssecretlycultivatedthehabitofgoingquitefrequentlyintoapassivesemitrancecondition.Occasionallyheusedanenormouslylargecrystaltoinducesuchacondition.Inthisstatehebelievedhimselftobeincommunionwithoccultforces,withspirit"controls,"fromwhomhegotbothguidanceandinspiration.Totakecounseloftheforcesthatpossessedhimandtopromotehisinnercommunionthroughsuchtranceswiththem,hebuilttheglasswalledprivateretreatsixthousandfeethighonthesnowyprecipitoussummitofMountKehlsteinwhere,unlikehisfamousmountainrestingplaceatBerchtesgaden,visitorswerehardlyeverpermittedtoenter.Thushecouldremaininthevirtualsolitudewhichthiscommunionrequired.Tofindthetimeforthesesolitarymeditations,heleft
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thelargestpossibleamountofStateworkandPartydirectiontohiscollaborators.Evenaslateasthelastyearsofthewar,whenthepressuresofmilitarynecessityuponhistimebecamemoretremendousthaneverbefore,Hitlerinsisteduponbeingaloneforatleastanhoureachday.Anditwasknowntoanumberofhiscloseassociatesthatthissolitudewasusedtosatisfyhisoccultinterestsandtocarryonhismagicalpractices.
48Howeveressentiallyhonestandserioustheresearchermaybe,hewillhavetosufferforthenearcriminalmisdeeds,theaberrationsorcreduloussillinessofthoseirresponsiblefanaticsorunscrupulousexploiterswhohavealienatededucatedopinion.
49Itisdangeroustohaveanydealingsorenterintoanycommunicationswithsuchobsessedpersons.Fortheirconductisentirelyunguidedbyconscienceorreasonorconsistency,theirwordsentirelyunguidedbytruthorselfcontrol.Instead,evilpassionsandinsaneemotionsareatthehelmhysteria,hatred,anger,fear,jealousy,greed,vanity,lying,andsoonmaytakeitinturn.
50Thepossessionofanysupernormalpowerendangersanaspirantwithvanityorconceit,eventhoughheproteststhathisdesireistobejustaninstrumentinGod'shands.Thisdangerparticularlyreferstohealers.
51OccultistswritingonTibetanmastershavewrittentoomanyerroneousorunverifiablestatementstohavetheirworkaccepteduncritically.
52Allformsoffortunetellingasktobeusedwithcautionallmessagesfrompsychicsmustbetreatedinthesameway.
53MaxFreedomLong'sbookisnotreliable.Hetookwhatisknownofkahunacultureandtwisteditintotheshapeofpreexistingoccultideas,andaddedmuchwhichisnotintheoriginal.
54TheattempttousetheSpirit'spowertosatisfypersonaldesiresmayfailsimplybecauseitfailstomakecontactwiththeSpirit.Butitmayalsofailbecauseevenwhencontactisestablished,thosedesiresmaybenegatedortransformedasaresult.
55JoelGoldsmithgavegreattruthstomankindbutalsomadesomeerrors.Helivedinanunrealfantasyworld.Giganticmiraclesbecameobtainableinthisworldatalowprice.Itistheoldwitchdoctormagicpresentedinatwentiethcenturyguise.Itisthekindofworldinwhichonlydreamerscanlive,andfromwhichonlydreamscanissue.
56AnAmerican,BairdT.Spalding,wrotethreevolumesonhisvisitstoTibetandaboutthelivesandteachingsofthe"MastersoftheFarEast"beforehehadeverlefttheAmericancontinent.(HeaddedtwofurthervolumesafterhehadgonetoIndiaandreturned.)Heattachedhimself,withapartyoffourteendisciples,tomeforacoupleofweekswhenhediscoveredthatIwasinIndiaatthetime.IpointedouttohimthathisdescriptionsoftheMastersdidnottallywiththefactsassomeofusknewthem.Hefinallyadmittedthatthebooksdealtwithvisitsmadeinhisastralbody,notinhisphysicalbodyasreaderswereledtobelieve.AsimilarsituationarosemorerecentlyoverthebookTheThirdEye,
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writtenby"LobsangRampa,"anallegedTibetanwhoturnedouttobeanIrishplumberwritingunderthedictationofanallegedTibetan"astralbody"!
57Therearedangersinthetheatricalexhibitionismtowhichneuroticalexcessandunbalancedposturingmaylead.Selfdeception,fanaticism,irresponsibility,andmisleadingoftheyoungaresomeofthem.
58Hemustbewareofthosewhomistakethesubnormalforthesupernormal,subconsciousthrowupsfordivinemessages,andemotionaltitillationforspiritualrebirth.
59Aspiritismwhichreveresthemessagesofghostsasthoughtheywerethemessagesofgodshasstrayedfar.
60"Iambeginningtowonderwhethersuchimmortalseverexisted.IsitnotpossiblethatthestoriesintheancientbooksaboutTaoistswhoneverdiedareexaggeratedbythewriters?"SuTungpo(whosearchedallhisownlifeforthealchemicalphilosopher'sstonetoprolonglife)
61Thatspiritisticmessagesaremischievousorlyingisacommonexperience.
62AleisterCrowleydiedcursingandsnarling.
63Thedangeristhatmorallyunevolvedpersonsmaymisusethisknowledgeselfishlytogetwhattheywantfromothersagainsttheirwelfare.Thisisblackmagic.Itisneedfultoputinstrictwarningstosuchpersons.
64Theycalculatethisworldeventtotakeplaceinaparticularyear.Whentheyeararrivesandnothinghappens,theyadjournthedatetoalaterone.Whenthatyearpasseswiththeprophecyagainunfulfilled,theyfixuponafurthertime.Oneachfailureaplausibleexcuseisoffered.
65Totrytouseanyofthepowersgainedthroughconcentrationtoharmothersortosubjugatethemtoone'sownwillistopractiseblackmagic.Itmaysucceedinitsobjectbutitwillnotsucceedinevadingeventualrelentlesspunishment.
66Itisinbringinghomethepitfallsofpsychism,thedangersofmysticism,theperilsofuntrainedintuitionthatastudyofhisinnerlifewillbefruitful.Hitler,adistortedmystic,aperverselyinspiredman,claimedthathisintuitioninformedhimthathewascarryingoutGod'swill.Itisinthecriticalexaminationandtestingofsuchaclaimthatthevalueofmetaphysicaltrainingprovesitself.ThefactisthatneitherHitlernoranyoneelsecancorrectlymakesuchaclaimbeforetwoeffortshavebeensuccessfullymade:first,toascertainwhatGodis,andsecond,toascertainhowHiswillexpressesitself.GandhitooclaimedthattheinnervoiceofGodgavehimguidanceinaffairsofState.Buthewasalwayshonestenoughandgreatenoughtoadmitlater,asHitlerinhisarroganceneverdid,thathehadseveraltimesmadewhathehimselfcalled"Himalayanblunders."LetusadmitthatHitlerwasthemostastonishingmaninEuropeandthatGandhiwasthemost
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powerfulforceinpoliticalIndia.Butthissaid,letusnotdeceiveourselvesaboutnonpoliticalmattersintheessentialneedofdiscriminatingbetweenpseudointuitionandgenuineintuition.
Occultpractices
67Occultismisbutablindalleywhoseentranceiswideandinviting,whosepromiseisradiantandentrancing,butwhoseendingnarrowsintodeceptionanddanger.
68Itisgenerallyquiteundesirabletoindulgeinanyoccultactivity,suchasautomaticwriting,inordertoproducepsychicphenomenaindeed,itisoftendangeroustodoso.Themediumisticconditionsthusarousedexposeonetoinfluencesevenpossessionbyunknownandpossiblyevilspirits.ThetruemysticalexperiencehasnothingwhatsoevertodowithsuchproceedingsandseekstobeinfluencedandpossessedbythedivineOverselfalone.
69Whattheevildoerforgetsisthatnocrystalexistsanywherewhichcouldshowhimafuturefreefromretributionforhiscrimes.Whathedoesnotknowisthatblackmagicalwayscontainswithinitselftheterriblerecoilofitsownmonstrouspower.Whathedoesnotrealizeisthatnoastrologereverlivedwhocouldwriteahoroscopewhichwouldlethimescapethedoomofretributiveruinthatheearned.
70TantrikaYoga:Itsmethodsarephysical,ceremonial,sensual,anddangerousitsaimsarethearousalofsleepingoccultstrength.Initshighestphase,wherethemotiveispureandegoless,itisanattempttotakethekingdomofheavenbyviolence.Butfewmenhavesuchanexaltedmotive,asfewarepureenoughtodabbleinsuchdangerouspractices.Consequently,itneedhardlybesaidthatinmostcasesthisroadeasilyleadsstraightdowntotheabyssofblackmagic.ThisindeediswhathashappenedinitsownhistoryinBengalandTibet.
71IntheMalayPeninsula,NorthAfrica,Indonesia,andIndia,aswellaselsewhere,thereareindividualpersonsandwholegroupswhoexhibit,forreligiousorfinancialreasons,unpleasantorevenbestialpracticeswhichseemmagical.Throughdrumbeatings,frenzieddances,whirlingsontheirownaxis,convulsivefloorrollings,andhalftrances,theyenteraconditionofbodilyimmunity.Thisincludesholdingredhotcoals,cuttingtheirarmsandslashingtheirchestswithknives.Itisevil.
72DavidDevant,SecretsofMagic:AnamusingaccountisgivenofSirOliverLodge'ssuperstitiousaweinfaceoftheperformanceknownas"Translucidation."Membersoftheaudiencewereaskedtowriteonsmallcards,whichwereplacedinenvelopes,sealed,marked,andplacedinabagheldbyMissDevant,whowasseatedontheplatform:"Mysisterwouldsimplytakeanenvelopeoutandputitonherforeheadandthenreadthecontents.Thiswasdulycarriedoutwiththesixenvelopes.Eachone,afterithadbeenread,washandedoverthefootlightsimmediately,andpassedontothepersonwhoclaimedit.ItseemedimpossibleandinexplicablesomuchsothatonedaySirOliverLodgecametotheperformancearmedwithaspeciallysealedenvelope,whichhechallengedmysistertoread.Shereaditwiththerest,andhewassosurprisedthathegot
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upfromhisseatinthestallsandmadeashortspeechtotheaudience.Hesaidhecouldnotunderstandbywhatmeansthismarvelhadbeenaccomplished,asheknewnothinginsciencecouldaccountforit."Thebookitselfexplainshowthetrickwasworkeditinvolvedatrapdoor,twoaccomplices,andapowerfulelectriclampasimplemechanismbutnotsosimpleasthementalityofthisgreatmanofscience,theHighPriestofSpiritualism.
73Itwouldbeanerrortoattributeallthesequeerphenomenatomeretrickery,sleightofhand,imposture,orchicanery.Ifthereisanaturalexplanationofmostofthem,therecanonlybeasupernaturalexplanationoftheremainderofthem.
74ThecourtmagicianswereemployedbyKingMontezumaofMexicotoliftsupernaturalbarriersagainsttheSpanisharmyCortesadvancedfromthecoasttohisinlandcapitalcity,buttheyfailedtostophim.IsthisnotstuffofidenticallythesamepieceofsuperstitionasthatencounteredinTibetfourhundredyearslaterbythearmyofSirFrancisYounghusband,anddescribedinAHermitintheHimalayas?
75ThosewhoknowitfrominsideknowtherealityofthedangerstowhichamanexposeshimselfwhenheignorantlysetsupnecromancyasarevealedreligionandwhenhesetsajarpromiscuouslythepsychicdoorwhichNature'swisdomhaskeptclosed.
76Nowhereinhistoryhavesorceryandmagicdemonstratedthattheyareutterlyandalwaysreliablemeansofdealingwithdistressfulpersonalconditions.Wefeeltheneedoftestedprocedureswhichhaveyieldedmoresatisfactoryresults,whichmeansthatwefeeltheneedofrationalunderstandingandrationaltechniquesofdealingwiththoseproblems.
77ThedrumtattoostodriveawayevilspiritsIheardinprimitiveAfrica,andthecharcoalblackenedfacestoachievethesamepurposewhichIsawinprimitiveMalaya,didnotdependoneithersoundsorsightsfortheirmaineffect.Theydependedontheconcentratedthoughtbehindthem.
78NorthwestShamanism(Shamanmeansmedicineman):Duringinitiationorbecomingpossessedby,orforcommunicationwith,mysticpower,thedevoteenotonlyfastsbutalsoabstainsfromdrinkingwater.ThemostcommonwayofacquiringordeliberatelyseekingShamanisticpowerisbyindividualsenteringthestateofdreaming,ofwakingvision,andoftrancewhilephysicallyconscious,whereinaspiritbeingvisitsthecandidatecommunionandtheconnectionthusestablishedbetweenthemisthesourceandbasisofthemedicineman'spower.Thisspiritbecomeshisguardianspirit,fromwhomhereceivesthemantram,theunderstanding,andthecapacitywhichenablehimtocauseorremovedisease,todoandendurewhatothermencannot,andtopractisepsychicpowers.Atfirsthemaybecomedementedbutafteratimehebecomesnormalandhascontrolofthissupernatural"influence."
79TheAmericanIndian"medicineman"(priest)forbadeaphotographbeingmadeofhimbecausehebelieveditdrainedawayhisforces.
80Bewareofthosegatheringswhereblindmovementsofhead,limbs,andtrunkswaythecrowd,wherestrangevoicesareheardanduncontrolledfeelingsareletloose.Thereis
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nothingholythereonthecontrary,evilforcesshouldbesuspected.
81Theconceptofthemalefemalesoulisanotheritemwhichbelongstothehigherspiritualism.TherewasasomewhatsimilarconceptpropagatedbyLaurenceOliphant.However,itisnotacceptablebecauseintheloftiestmysticalexperiencethebodyislostandforgotten.Withitthethoughtofsexmustinevitablygotoo.Thereisnoroomforit,inhoweverrefined,disguised,romanticized,orintellectualizedformitmaybe,intheutterpurityofthetimeless,spaceless,supersensualformSpirit.
82Thepracticesofwitchcraft,blackmagic,orsorcerynecessarilyexposethepractisertoseriousdangers.Thechiefoftheseismadness.
83Ifheisnotabletodetachhimselfsufficientlyfromthem,hewillbethevictimofthevariousforcesactinguponhim.Thisiswhysensitivepersonsareadvisednottomeddlewithnecromancy,magic,orthelike.
84Thelinewhichseparatestheuseofmeditationforworldlypurposes,andespeciallytoinfluenceotherpeople,fromblackmagicissometimesathinone.
85ThedrumswhichbeatinsistentlyandmonotonouslythroughoutthefullmoonnightsinmanyanOrientalcommunityhavetheultimateobjectofputtingthethoughtstorestandlullingthesenses.
86Yettherearedangerstothosewhodabbleinthesepsychicandspiritisticpractices,thesemysticandmetaphysicalworkingsarisingoutoftheirignoranceoftheforcestheyareevokingandplayingwith.
87Automaticwritingandothersuchpsychicphenomenaareordinarilytobeavoidedbecausetheydevelopmediumistictendencies.However,therearerareexceptionswhereanindividualmaysafelypractisesuchactivitiesprovidinghekeepsinpersonaltouchwithsomeonehighlyadvancedwhoconsidersthewritingsworthwhile.Inmysticalcirclessuchapersonisregardedashavingfoundwhatiscalled"theinteriorword."
88Thesocalledastraltravelsandmentalplanejourneysoftheoccultistsareveryfarfrombeingwhattheyarepopularlytakenfor.Theyarenothingbutaseriesofsubjectivevisions,dreamswovenbythemindundervariousinfluences.
89Mostoftheexperiencesofoccult"initiates,"alltheirtravelson"theseveninnerplanes,"arenothingbutaseriesofsubjectivevisions.Theoccultworldsaremiragesbornfromtheimagination.
90Thosewhohearvoicesandseevisionshadbetterbecareful.Theyaretouchingdubiousgroundandsometimesdangerousground.Beforeproceedingfurtheronthispaththeyshouldconsultsomeoneofmatureexperienceinthesematters,someonewellinformedandbalancedinjudgement.Thedangerhereisofgettinglostinaconditionforwhichtheyareunpreparedandwhichtheyareunabletocopewith.Theymayevenembrace
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delusionsunderthebeliefthattheyarerealities.
91Anyonewhohearsvoicesthathavenophysicaloriginshouldimmediatelystopwhateverpracticeoccult,psychic,meditational,necromantic,orreligiousheorshehasbeenfollowing,shouldtakeaholidayfromallsuchinterestsforatimeandgetbacktothenormal,theoutgoing,andtheordinary.Otherwisethereistheperilofmadnessorobsession.
92Automaticwritingisnotanactivitytobeencouraged.Someformofpsychicmanifestationmayappearuntilonehasreachedacertainlevelofdisciplineandunderstanding,butitisquitetransientwithsensiblepersons.Itdoesnoparticulargoodandusuallynoparticularharmeither.Itisbetternottobesidetrackedintothesethings,becausewemustseewherewearegoingandkeepafirmholduponourselvesatalltimes.Theonlygenuineautomatismwhichispermissible,acceptable,andeventobesoughtafteristhatinwhichthepersonalselfallowsitselftobeplayeduponasthoughitwereamusicalinstrumentbytheOverself.Thisshouldbethegoalofallourendeavours,thissurrenderingofthelittleselftothelargerone.Butwhenthishappensitseemsperfectlynatural,thereisnothingmagicalormysteriousaboutit,andthereistheuttercertitudeofrightnessandsafety.
93Althoughautomaticwritinghassometimesyieldedaccurateoradmirablestatementsofthetruth,moreoftenithasmerelyreflectedthebeliefsandopinions,thelimitationsandignoranceofitspractiser.Butthedangerswhichaccompanythisphenomenaarefrightening:possessionbyanearthboundspiritistheworst.
94Mostofthesepresumed"messages"fromdeadordistantmastersorfromGodarereallyformulatedbythemindalongthelinesofitshabitualtendenciesandwithintheframeofitslimitations.Thisclarificationwill,however,notbeacceptabletothosewhocantaketruthonlywhenitpleasesandwhoalwaysrejectitwhenithurts.
95Theexperienceofleavingthebodyveryoftenaccompaniesorleadstopoorhealth,anditoriginatesfromapsychicalandnotaspiritualcause.Itis,therefore,notdesirableordinarilytoencourageitscontinuance.Thewayofinwardrelaxationismuchsuperiorandmoretoberecommended.
Hypnotism
96Thepowerofsuggestionisnotproperlyacknowledged,butonlypartially.Ifitcanputonepersonintoatrance,ifitmakeanothertemporarilychangehisidentity,surelythisindicatesthathereisoneofthegreatestofpsychologicalpowers?
97Wehabituallyunderestimatethepowerofsuggestion,whetheritbederivedfromwithinselforfromoutsideit.Ahumanpersonality,anenvironmentalsetting,atoneofvoice,oraninheritedtraditionoftenmakeusthink,believe,ordowhatotherwisemightnothaveoccurredtous.
98
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Whyisitthatthepersonwhoentersthedeeperstageofhypnoticsleephearsandobeysthehypnotistaloneandnothingandnobodyelseintheworldoutside?Whyisitthatonawakeningheevendoesnotthenrememberwhathesaidordid?Theanswertobothquestionsisthesame.Itisnothisownbutthehypnotist'smindwhichoperatesduringhissleep.Itisnotthesubjectwhoisdoingthisorsayingthatduringthesleep,butthehypnotisthimselfwhoisdoingorsayingit,unconsciouslyusingthesubject'svocalorgansandbodilylimbsforthepurpose.Thosewhocannotconcedethisshouldtry,iftheycan,tofindanexplanationofthefollowingfurtherproblem:ifapersonduringordinarysleepcannothearspokenwordsorobeyspokencommands,whycanhedosoduringasleepinducedhypnotically?Thefactishedoesnotreallydosobutmerelyyieldstheillusionofittooutsideobservers.Whathappensisthatthehypnotizersuperimposeshisownmindonthesleeper'sandunconsciouslyutilizeshisbody.Hewhohearsthehypnotizerspeakishisownself.Hewhoobeyshiscommandsislikewisehimself.Buttheprocessofusingthemedium'ssensesandobsessinghismind,beinganunconsciousone,hidesthesefacts.Thevalueofthisinstanceforourpresentpurposeisthatithelpstothrowlightontheinnermechanismofcertainmysticalphenomenawhichaccompanyadvancedmeditation.
99JustbeforeIwentonmyfirstjourneytotheOrient,myfriendProfessorChellew,whowasaprofessorofpsychologyattheUniversityofLondon,warnedmethattherewereguruswhousedhypnotism.Heinstructedmehowtodefendmyselfagainstsuchaman."Ifaguru,"hesaid,"islookingstraightintoyoureyes,thendonotreturnthegazefullybutratheronlyintohislefteye.Thisisbecausethepositivecurrentswhichheistryingtodirecttowardsyouflowthroughhisrighteye.Hislefteyeispassive.Or,insteadoflookingintheguru'seye,stareovertheshouldersandthusavoiddirectconfrontation.Or,ifadirectreturngazecannotbeavoided,thenuseitforonlyacoupleofsecondsandturnawayagain:butthegazeshouldreallybeamerepretense,foritshouldbedirectedatnothinginparticular.Itshouldbeblank,expressionless,asiflookingfarintospace.Inthiswayyouprotectyourselfandyetdonotdisturbtheotherperson.If,however,theguruisonewhocanbefullytrusted,whoisapurechannelforthedivinepower,wellthenyoumaygazeathisrighteyeandsoreceivetheinspirationhemaybegivingyou."
100Mostwritersonhypnotismhavedefendeditbyputtingforwardthenotionthatthevictimwillnotacceptasuggestionwhichiscontrarytohismoralcode.Thisissimplynottrue.Forhypnoticpowerreachesintothesubconsciousmindheredecisionsarereallymadeandactionsimpelled.
101Wherehypnotismisusedtoovercomeanotherperson'swill,itisusedwronglyandimmorally.Whereitisusedtoovercometheweaknessesinoneselfbyplantingopposingsuggestions,itisusedrightly.
102Whydoesthehypnotistsooftenaskhissubjecttolookintohiseyeswhenmakingthesuggestionsorgivingthecommands?Isitnotbecausethementalinteractionbetweenthemfindsitseasiesttoandfropassagethroughthemostsensitivepointsontheoutersurfaceofthebodytheeyes?
103Thelimitationsofegoiclifecanbepushedasideforabriefperiodbyhypnosisinsomecases,orbydrugsinothercases.
104
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Hypnotismmaybeemployedwithevilintentionsforevilends.Inthatcaseitcomesveryclosetoblackmagic,witchcraft,andsorceryandmustbeprohibited.Butitmaybeemployedalsowithgoodintentionsforbeneficentends.Inthatcase,andifthehypnotizerisofhonourablecharacter,andprovidedthewelfare,rights,orinterestsofthehypnotizedsubjectarefullyrespected,itisallowable,especiallyinthedomainofthehealingandsurgicalarts.Ifhypnotismisusedbyapersonofdishonourablecharacterorevenbyapersonofaveragecharacterflawedbysomeparticularweakness,thereisalwaysthepossibilitythatitmaybeusedimmorally.Acrimemaythenbecommittedagainstthepersonsubmittingtoit,orelsehehimselfmaybeinfluencedtocommitacrimeagainstsomebodytosuitthehypnotizer'spurpose,coveringuptherealcriminal.Thesedangersarerealandaredreadfulenoughtorequirethatsocietybeprotectedbylimitinghypnoticpracticetospecialtrustworthypersons,andhypnoticobjectivestoallayingbodilypainandtoinducingartificialunconsciousness,orsleep.Otherwisehypnoticpassivityisundesirableforthesamereasonthatmediumisticpassivityisundesirable:bothsurrendertheuseofthesubject'sfreewill.Intheonecaseitbecomesenslavedtoalivingoperator,intheothertoasupposedlydisincarnateone.Whoevergivesituptothecontrolofanotherentityrendershimselfhelplessandpowerlessagainst,andutterlyatthemercyof,thatentity.Thisisaderelictionofpersonalresponsibility,sinfuldespiteanybenefitswhichmaybesoughtandobtained.
105H.P.Blavatsky:"Hypnotismandsuggestionaredangerouspowers.Thevictim'swillisstolenfromhim.Thesethingsmaybebegunwithgoodmotives,andforrightpurposes.ButIamanoldwoman,andhaveseenmuchofhumanlifeinmanycountries.IwishIcouldbelievethatthesepowerswouldbeusedonlyforgood.Whoeverletshimselfbehypnotizedbyanyone,goodorbad,isopeningthedoorwhichhewillbepowerlesstoshutandhecannottellwhowillbethenexttoenter."
Mediumship,channeling
106Whatisspiritualisticmediumship?Theanswermaybefoundbyrelatingitwithhypnoticmediumship.Theprincipleatworkinbothcasesisidentical.Giveahypnoticmediumintranceorsemitranceasuitablesuggestionanditwillbetakenupandfullyobeyed.IfyoutellhimheisNapoleonhewillbelieve,act,andspeakasthoughhewere.Tellaspiritualisticmediumthatyouwishtocommunicatewiththespiritsofthedepartedandyouhavealreadygivenherasuggestionwhichshewilltakeupandobey.Shewillprovideallkindsofdetailsaboutthespiritshesupposessheevokes,detailswhichareworkedouteitherconsciouslyorunconsciouslybyherimagination.Wemustrememberthattheresidueofaccuratefactswhichsuchmediumscommunicatemayarisefromthefactthatreverieorfulltrancearestatesofmentalconcentrationand,assuch,telepathymaycomeintoplayandthesitter'smindbetapped.
107Theclaimbybothhypnotismandspiritualismthatonehumanmindiscapable,undercertainconditions,ofenteringanotherhumanmindistrueenough.Itisalsocapableofdominatingtheotherone.Thesetwopossibilitiesexistmostlyinthosesituationswhereapersonhaswillinglythrownhimselfopentoanotherperson'sinfluence,hassatinthehypnotist'schairoratthespiritist'stable.Theyalsoexistoutsideofthesesituations,particularlyifsomeonesitsformeditationbytryingtomakehismindablank,withoutpreviouslytryingalsooverasufficientperiodtopurifyhischaracter,uplifthismotives,andachievesomebalancebetweenhisemotionsandreason.
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108Quiteanumberofthosewhotrytheadventureintopracticalmysticism,asapartfromitstheoreticalstudy,fallintothepracticeofmediumshipinstead.Whatisequallyregrettableisthattheyremaincaptivetothedelusionthattheyarestillmystics.
109HecanhavenohigheraimthantobepossessedbythedivineOverself.Thisistheonlykindofmediumshipwhichcansafelybepractisedandtheonlykindwhichoughttobepractised.
110Spiritualdevelopmentisonethingspiritualdominationbyotherisitsopposite.Thefirstismysticism,thesecondmediumship.Thefirstleadstothetakingpossessionofoneself,thesecondtolosingone'smostvaluableattributes:willandreason,selfcontroland,incertaincases,evenconsciousness.
111Therearefourteensignsofthemediumisticcondition.Themediumsuffersfrom:(1)lossofmemory,(2)inabilitytokeepmindonconversation,(3)frequentmentalintroversion,(4)decreasingpowerofprolongedconcentration,study,thought,analysis,andintellectualwork,(5)increasingemotionality,(6)weakenedwillpower,(7)greatersensitivitytotrifles,withnervousirritabilityandsillyvanityresultingtherefrom,(8)moresuspicionsofothersinhisenvironment,(9)moreselfcenteredandegotistic,(10)frequentglassystareoftheeyes,(11)increasedsexualpassion,(12)appearanceofhysteriaoruncontrollabletemperwherepreviouslyabsent,(13)disappearanceofmoralcourage,(14)thefeelingattimesthatsomeunseenentitytakespossessionofhim.
112Whentheindividualisentirelyintrospective,whenhenolongerknowsorwantstoknowhisphysicalenvironment,hemaybecomewrappedupinideasorimageswhichtherebyassumevividrealityorhemayfallintoastateofutterblankness.Ifhispreparationandtraininghavebeencorrect,hemaybetouchedbythehigherconsciousness.Butifheisspirituallyunpreparedandphilosophicallyuntrained,hemaybecomethevictimofanunseendisincarnatemindinshort,hemaybecomeamedium.
113Thestudentwhowishestokeepawayfromunnecessarymoralandpsychicaldangershouldkeepawayfromdabblinginhypnotismorplayingwithmediumship.
114Whathappensduringmediumshipisthatthemind,will,andbodyofalivingpersonaresurrenderedinpartorasawholetoadisincarnateone.Suchaprocessmaybeimitatedbyfraudsorfanatics,butitisalsogenuinelypossible.
115Themediumisticconditionisnotonetobeadmiredandvalued,assomanyspiritistsbelieve.Onthecontrary,itisonetobeavoidedbyeveryseekerafterthehigherlife.Itwillbarhiswaytothatlifeoritwilldraghimawayfromit.Foritallowsthewilltobeparalysed,thecapacityforselfcontroltobelost,themindtobesurrenderedtosomeoneelse'sdomination,andtheeyestobeshuttowhereoneisgoing.Suchaconditionistheveryoppositeofthatsoughtbyphilosophicalmysticism.Itisasdegradingasitisdangerous.
116Ifyouconsiderthesilly,irrational,andcrazyactionswhichhypnotizedpersonsareeasilyledtodo,youwillunderstandwhyahypnotizedspiritistmediumforthatishis
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conditioniseasilyledintoobsessions.
117Someoneoncetoldmeanamusingstorywhichwellillustratesthenecessityofneverabandoningcommonsenseandthecriticalfacultywhenonetreadsthismysteriousground.ShewasdiningwithacertainRussianGrandDukewhowasacompletebelieverinspiritualisticandpsychictheories.Amediumregularlyvisitedhismansionandgavehimmessagesfromacertainspirit.HepointedtoasmallblackmetalfigureofOsirisandsaidthathetreasureditexceedingly.ThespirithadtoldhimthatthisfigureofOsirisshouldbekeptwithcareashe,theGrandDuke,hadbeenaPharaohinapreviousincarnationandatthattimehepossessedthisveryfigureofOsiriswhichwasnowwithhimagainitwasalinkforhimwiththatincarnation.Thevisitorlistenedandlater,idlypickingupthefigure,discoveredthatasmalllabelonitsundersidesaid:"Price2fr.50,GalleriesLafayette,Paris."
118Thecontinuedpracticeofmediumshipmayleadtodeplorableresults,especiallytonervousbreakdown,insanity,immorality,orsuicide.Itcannothelpanyonetoattainahigherlifebutmayhelphimtoloseit.Consequentlyphilosophyearnestlyasksitsstudentstorefrainfrombeingleddownitstemptingsidepathstotheirowndestruction.
119Topermithimselftobepossessedbyanunseenentitywhosetrueidentityhedoesnotknow,isclearlyfoolish.Todosounwittinglyisbadenoughbuttodosodeliberatelyisunpardonablyinsane.
120Nostudentshouldmakethemistakeofacceptingspiritismasapartofmysticismorofattendingsancesasapracticeinmeditation.Mediumshipisbothmentallyandmorallyharmful.Intheenditdoesnotyieldwhatitpromisesbutdeceivesthosewhotrustit.Thestudentwhodabblesinitwillactuallyretrogressunderthedelusionthatheisprogressing.Hemayloseinafewmonthswhatithastakenhimyearstogain.
121Thedifficultywithsuchapersonisthatafterhavingfabricatedthesescandalousbutunrealepisodes,shesoonandobsessivelybelievesthemtobeactualhappenings.Thatsheisalittlemadthroughtheexcessivepracticeofspiritualisticmediumshipdoesnotmakeherlessdangeroustothegulliblevictimswholistenopenmouthedtoherandexclaim,"Youdon'tsay!"
122Whatisbelievedtobeacommunicatingunseenentity,thespiritofadeceasedperson,is,insomanycases,onlyasplitoffofthemedium'sownsubconsciousmind.
123Thedeceptivemessageswhichsooftenleadamediumastraybeginbyflatteringhimorherwiththenotionthatheorsheisdestinedtobecometheleaderofagreatspiritualrevivalatleast,orthelongawaitedMessiahatmost.Buttheyendbydestroyingthemedium'ssanity,morals,happiness,orhealth.
124Evenifmediumshipdidnotyieldharmfulresultsbecauseofitsevilorigin,itwouldstillbeathingtobeavoidedbecauseitfallsintotheclassofpsychicpowers,which,asPatanjali,thegreatmasterofYogainancientIndia,saysinhisclassicmanualonthesubject,"areinjurioustothatmentalstillnesswhichitistheultimateobjectofmeditationtoattain."
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125Itismorallywrongandpsychologicallyriskytosurrenderthemind,thewill,andthebodytoanunseenentity,whetherthisbedoneinunconscioustranceorinpartiallyawaremediumship.Theinnerhistoryofspiritismisfullofinstancesoftheheavypricepaidbythosewhoembarkedonsuchafoolishcourse.
126Thespiritualistsusetheterm"trancecondition"inaspecialsense.Theythinkofitasacompletelossofconsciousness,whereinadisembodiedpersonalentitytakesoverandusestheentrancedperson'svocalorganstospeak,orhishandstowrite.Themedium'sidentitycompletelychangesandbecomesthatofthepurportedspirit.Philosophyrejectssuchaconditionfromitsdesiredgoalsandwarnsstudentsagainstsuchdangerousstates.Whatitseeksisnotthisnegativepassivitybutapositivestatewhereinthemeditatordoesnotlosehisconsciousnessbutonlydeepensandwidensit.Itistruethatthemediumisticconditionresemblesthemeditativeoneinsomerespects,butnotinthefundamentalones.
127Anymediumwholetshimselfbepossessedattimesbylyingandmalignantspiritsinhissanceswouldbefortunatetoescapewithhissanityandpeaceofmind.Heshouldfirstlearnhowtoprotecthimselfbeforeheopenshimselfuptooutsideandunseenpowers.Butsuchprotectioncanbegainedonlybydevelopinghisownstrength,character,knowledge,andaspiration.Indeedhispersonalspiritualgrowthcallsforthispassagetoahigherstage.Butthiscanbereachedonlybyabandoningmediumship,atleastforatime.Atsomefuturedate,hemightbeabletoresumeit,butitwouldthenbesovastlysuperiorandsofullywithinhiscontrolthatitwouldreallybemysticism.Forthecontrollingentitywouldbeeitherhisownhigherselforagenuinelivingmaster.
128Themanwhopractisesmediumshipgainsnothingspirituallybyit,sinceevenhisnoblestutterancesdonotbecomepartofhimbutmerelyflowaswaterthroughapipe.Evenafterfiftyyearsofsuchpracticehegainsonlyameansofearningalivelihood.
129ThereisalowerformofSpiritism,expressedthroughcheappaidmediums,aswellasahigherform,expressedthroughnonprofessionalpersonswhomixthemysticalwiththemediumistic.Thestudentofphilosophymustscrupulouslyavoidboththeseforms,mustrejecttheirsocalledrevelationsandfaithfullystayonthesuperiorlevelwhichheissofortunatetohaveattained.
130ProfessorErnestWoodtoldmethestoryofhisfather'svisittoanexhibitionwhichmarkedtheopeningoftheManchesterShipCanalinEngland.Afewweeksafterthevisithisfatherwasgivenamessagefromasupposedspiritwhosedescriptionexactlytalliedwiththatofawaxworksfigureofamanwhichhehadseenattheexhibition.Whathappenedinthiscasewasthatthemediumhadpickedupcorrectlythepictureofthisfigure,buthadlethisimaginationincorrectlyconstructamessagebecauseofhisownpersonalbeliefin,andbiastowards,spiritualism.Thuswhatbeganinpsychicvisionasatruthbecameadulteratedasamixtureoftruthanderror.Thecasecitedhereillustratesthepossibilityandactualityofmistakesnotonlyonthelowerlevelsofoccultism,butalsoonthehigherlevelsofreligiousmysticism.Hereinspiredrevelationsaresometimesmixedupwithpersonalbelieforeveninterpolatedunwittinglywithpriestlyimagination.
131Thatmediumshipandhypnotismareundesirable,thattheycanleadtomentaldisturbance,wasanopinionheldbybothHelenaBlavatskyandMabelCollins.Itmustbe
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notedthateventhoughtheywererightinseveralcases,theywerewronginothers.
132Themindbecomesmoreandmoresensitiveandreceptive,rejectingnothingpresentedtoit.Thisunselectivitybecomesadangerifitisconstant,forthemindwouldbefloodednotonlywithunhelpfuluselessmaterial,butalsowithnegative,unhealthy,morallylowandunhappymaterial.ThedefenseandprotectionagainstthisinvasionistobetruetotheOverselfandthustobeopenonlytotheGood,theTrueatwowayawareness.
133Hecanbesurethathehasfallenintoamediumisticorapsychicphaseifthephenomenonofreceivingmessagesshowsitselfandif,afterthefirstperiodofexcitingdiscovery,themessagesbecomemoreandmoreunreliable.
134Justasitispossibleforthedreammindtoassumedifferentpersonalities,eachspeakingandbehavingaccordingtotype,soitispossibleforotherhiddenlayersofthemindtodramatizethemselvesandspeakastheymightbeexpectedtointheirrespectivecapacities.Weareonlyonthefringeofdiscoveringwhatlatentpowersthehumanmindpossesses.Theentitywhichcontrolscanquitewellbehimselfinanotherguise,notonlybecauseoftheforegoingbutalsobecauseofcharacteristicsdevelopedinformerbirthsandstilllyingbeneaththesurfaceofthisbirth.Ontheotherhand,thereisalesslikelypossibilityofgenuinespiritcontrol.Thisistrueevenif,duringthedeliveryoftranceaddresses,themediumhimselfisquiteunconsciousofthemandofeverythingthatishappeningatthetime.
135Themediumyieldsuphermentalitybeforeshehasdevelopedit,henceprematurelyandagainstthetideofevolution.Hencemostmediumsareusuallyilliterateorhalfeducatedtypes.
136Thisfeelingofbeingdirectedbysomeotherpower,ofbeingundercompulsiontothinkandactinacertainway,isgoodifthereferenceistotheHigherPower,butdangerousifnot.Forobediencemaythenbemediumshipnotmysticism,ordrughallucinationnotinspiration.
137Themediumiseitherdeceivedby,orconfusedabout,theverynatureofthephenomenaheencounters.Theaspirantshouldnotdallyinthembutshouldpassbeyondasquicklyandasfarashecan.
138Themediumisintheendbroughttoapointwhereshehasnowill,nopowertochoose,nofreelifeofherown.Sheobeystheenslavingentity'ssuggestionsandordersineverything.Ifthisentityfeedsitspassionsandsatisfiesitsinstinctsthroughher,sheislostindeed.
139Whereaspiritualisticmediumhasescapedharmdespitethepracticeofmediumshipduringtheearthlylife,theescapeisonlyanillusoryone.Assoonasshepassesoutofthebodyatdeath,anunseenentitywillfastenuponherandgainfurthercontroloverherinsuchawayastocauseseriousharmandbringmuchsufferingduringthepostmortemexistence.Andwhenthenextbirthinthisworldistaken,moralretrogressionandspiritualretardationwillbethefinalpricetopayforthisdubiouspractice.Ifitsvictimsucceedsinescapingfrommediumshipandtakestoahigherlife,eventhentheunseen
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creaturebecomeshereviltempter,herhiddentormenter.SucharethecreatureswhomJesuscalleddevils,butwhomourmodernmediumsintheirpitifulignoranceinviteintotheirverybeingandlife.Howmanycasesofmadness,ofimmorality,ofcrime,ofdrunkenness,suicide,andevenmurdermaybetracedtothesemalevolentdemons,throughtheirsuggestion,influence,orobsession?
140Itmayinterestyoutoknowthatprobablyhalfthecasesofpatientsinlunaticasylumsarepossessedbyevilspirits.Manyofthemcouldbecuredifthespiritcouldbeexorcisedanddrivenout.
141Manyofthespiritswhoinfluencemediumsareevil,diabolic,ormalevolent.Othersareonlymischievous,deceptive,andlying.Someareharmlessandafewmayevenbegood.Buttherisksfromthefirsttwotypesaresolargeandsodangerousthatthepracticeofmediumshipisbannedtoitsstudentsbyphilosophy.
142Bygivinguphispersonalresponsibilitytotheunseenentity,whichinmostcasesisneverwhatitpretendstobe,themediumtakesaneasyroadtomoraldisaster.Byfailingtoexercisethisresponsibilityhedoesnotfreehimselffromthepainfuleffectsofsuchadisaster.
143Whentheseevilspiritshaveledhimuptothepeakoftrustinthem,sothatheisreadytodotheirslightestbidding,theyhaveledhimalsotoahiddenchasmofdeceptionyawningathisfeet.Unlesshewithdrawsintime,hewillfallintoitandbedestroyed.
144Theevilspiritswhichattendsuchsancescancleverlyimitatehigherbeings,claimloftyfamousnames,andevencreateanauraoflightinthedarkenedroomunderthepretensethatitistheauthenticholyDivineLight.
145RasputinandspiritualistmediumswereatthelastCzar'scourt.SpiritualistmediumsattendedNapoleonIII'scourt.Whatmisguidancedidevilorlyingspiritsgive?
146Evenaharmlesscontrolmayopenthewayforaharmfulonelater.Thereistheaddeddangerthatalyingspiritmaygiveupliftingmessagesandwiseguidanceuntilconfidenceisestablished.Then,whenthecensorshipofreasonandexperienceareovercome,thevictimisluredtofollyorsinordisaster.
147Thewomanwhocultivatesmerepassivityratherthanpurity,whoseekscontactwith"theotherworld"ratherthantruerknowledgeofthisone,laysherselfopentomediumship.Inthisdeplorablecondition,lyingspiritsmayenterhermindandmisguideher,evilspiritsmayenterherbodyanddegradeher.
148Themediumcandonothingbeyondreceivingweaklywhatisimplantedinhim,forheisnolongerinapositivepurposefulstateofactivity.Hehaslosthisownindividualselfhood,andespeciallyhispoweroflogicalrationalthinking.Thusheliesatthemercyofwhateverentityorwhateversubconsciousimageovershadowshim.Thedangeristhatmalevolentforcesmaytakeholdofhimandmakehimtheircaptive.
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149Whoevertakesonthetravailofmediumship,surrenderinghisbodyattimestodisincarnatespirits,takestheriskofbeingcontrollednotonlyatundesiredtimesbutalsoinundesiredwaysand,worse,byundesirablebeingsstillworse,withoutthemedium'sownawareness.Itthenbecomestreacherytohisownindividuality.
150Ifthewouldbemysticistokeepoutofthesepitfallsheshouldkeepoutofspiritualism.Heshouldrefusetoengageinanypracticeswhichleaddirectlytomediumisticsubjection.If,however,hehasalreadyengagedinthem,heshouldrenouncethematonceandtrytobringhismindbacktoanalert,wakeful,andactivecondition.Heshouldseekwiththetruemysticthehighestdegreeofselfcontrolratherthanwiththespiritisticmediumthelowestdegreeofselfsubmission.
TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.