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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.