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PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category16:TheSensitives>Chapter
13:TheOccult

TheOccult
Achoiceofdirections
1

Thefirstreasonforthewarningnottopursueoccultpowersisthatpursuingthemisa
surewaytopreventthesoul'sselfrevelation.Forthesoulcannotbefoundunlessits
Gracehasbeengranted.AnditwillnotgrantitsGraceunlesssoughtinallpurityforits
ownsake.Hencetheaspiranthastochoosebetweenitandoccultism.
2

Thewayoftheoccultisoneofblurredvisionandmistakenchoice.Forthoseinvolved
walkawaybesetwithinevitabledangersanditisineverymannermoredifficult.Itis
notevenmorerapidtocompensateforitsdanger,sinceitislessdirect.Itisawaystrewn
withcamouflagedpitfalls.Youcanbesafeorsorrychoosewhichpathyouwillfollow:
safeintheserenequestoftheGodwithinorsorryafterlongyearsofdubiousand
dangerousoccultism.Thefirstisdivine,theseconddark.Thefirstcanresultonlyin
greatereventualhappinessthesecondoftenproducesmoraldeteriorationandmental
derangement.Theseekerafterselfwisdomisnotconcernedwithexploringthe
dormitoriesofthedeadwiththespiritistneitherdoesheseek,withthemagician,to
evokethosestrangeandterriblecreatureswhichinfesttheirentrances.Thestudentwho
confusesDivineTruthwithoccultismormagic,withspiritualismorpsychism,makesa
greaterror.
3

IfanyonecomestothisQuestinordertoobtainmorepowerforhisego,evenifitbe
occult,magical,orpsychicalpower,heiswastinghistimeandhadbetterleaveitalone.
TherearewaystosuchpowersbuttheyleadofffromtheQuest,nottoit.Fortheymay
alltooeasily,asobservationoftenshows,inflateaman'svanityandincreasehisdesires,
thusthickeningtheillusionswhichbefoghim.Moreover,someofthemexposehimto
graveperils:hemayendbybecomingpossessedorgoingmad,byfallingintothe
quagmiresofnecromancy,sorcery,orblackmagic.Seekingtoglorifyhisownegoorto
bendotherstohiswill,hewillbecastingloriouslytothegroundandcrushedbythevery
forceshehasevoked.
4

Heneedstobewareofwanderingintopseudooccultism,spiritism,magic,andkindred
undesirablesubjects,asthenadversedestructiveforceswoulddegradehiseffortintime.
Nothingofthiskindshouldbedabbledinotherwisehemightbecomeaconsciousor
unconsciousmedium.Onlythepureandunmixedgodlylifeshouldbesought,notthe
satisfactionofoccultcuriosity.
5

Theattainmentofpsychicoroccultpowersbyanyonewhohasnotalsoattainedfreedom
fromhisownemotionalimbalancesandintellectualinadequacies,andespeciallyfromhis
ownbasicegotism,islikelytoprovedangeroustohimselfandothersandtodomore
harmthangood.
6
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JustasonlygoodcancomefromtherealizationoftheOverself,soonlyevilcancome
fromfollowingthefalsepathsthatpretendto,butnevercan,leadtothisrealization.
7

Thespiritualseekerwhoisundertheimpressionthathemustenteruponacourseof
occultexperiencesisutterlymistaken.Insteadofbeingbeneficial,suchpracticescan,and
oftendo,leadtoseriousunbalance,insanity,anddangerousandfrighteningoccurrences.
8

Thosewhoseekoccultpowers,superhumancapacities,haveenteredthewrongdoor.
Theyshouldlookelsewhere,nottophilosophy,whosesecretsconcernprimarilythe
kingdomofheaven.Forthepathstohellarestrewnwiththewrecksofwouldbewitch
doctors,sorcerers'apprentices,andmagicians'disciples.Forallthisleadsintheendto
egoomnipotence,nottoegosurrender.
9

Themisuseofanyoccultpowerwilleffectivelysealhimintheegoandpreventunion
withtheOverself.
10

Noauthenticspiritualgrowthcanbemadebymeansofthepracticesofeitherspiritismor
hypnotism.Theyareunhealthyandunnatural,eventhoughtheydoservesomevaluefor
scientificinvestigators.Aboveall,theycannotleadmantotranscendhisego,without
whichtheOverselfremainsinaccessible.
11

Whenthisloveofthemarvellousbecomesexcessive,itpreventsthemanfromfinding
truth,forhisperceptionsandsensations,histhinkingandfeeling,hisjudgementsand
observationsarenolongerreliable.Everythingisthrownoutofbalancebyhiseager
anticipationofmiracles.
12

AllattemptsoftheegotowrestpowersfromtheOverselfandusethemforitsown
independentpurposesmaysucceedonlyforatimeintheendthosewhotryarestricken
bydismalfailure,whileinthebeginningandthemiddletheyarepunishedbybeing
forbiddenentryintotheterritoryoftheOverself.
13

Thepurewatersofspirituallifearenottobedrawnfromthedubiouswellofghostsand
goblins.
14

Thosewhoseekinpsychicrealmsfindonlyreality'sghost.Theperilhereisthatareality
maybeturnedintoadelusion,andwhatisauthenticmaybeturnedintoasham.
15

Thetemptationmaycomefromtimetotime,butaprudentseekerwillrefusetolet
himselfbecorruptedbytrafficwithnecromancyorbydabblinginmagicorbypursuitof
occultpowers.
16

Onlyanillusoryortransientprogresscanbemadebythesepsychicandoccultmethods.
17

Thefoolishnessoffollowingwrongleadsortryingwrongpathshastobepaidfor.
18
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Thesegropingsintheshadowsofthetwilitworldsthatsurroundusareoflittleuse.Such
experiencescanstretchoutadinfinitum.Itisintheirveryendlessnessthatthetemptation
lieswhichhasluredsomanyseekersfromthedutythatliestotheirhand.
19

Whoeverletshimselfbecomebemusedbytheoccultintogullibleacceptanceofevery
wildfancybearingitslabel,departsfromthetruequestandgetslostforhispains.He
misplacesfaith,anerrorwhosepenaltyispainfuldisillusionment,andbecomesan
eccentriccrank.
20

Theseekershouldpaynoattentiontothesirencallsofsocalledspiritsofthedeparted,
thepromptingsofmegalomaniacalassumptionsofmessiahship,orthewitcheryofoccult
powers.
21

Thetimewillcomewhenhewillthrowtearsonthoseyearswhenhelettheoccultists
hookhimandthusturnedthe"simpleway"intoasteepimpassableascent.
22

Thosewhoreallyseekthrillsratherthantruthmaygetthem.Allkindsofexperiences
awaitthem.Alifetimecouldbespenthavingthem.Truthismissedontheway.
23

Curiosityandinquisitiveness,butmoreespeciallythethirsttopossessmagicalpowers,
leadhimontothisway.Progressherefattenstheego,whereasprogressonthetruepath
thinsit.
24

Thegenuinetruthseekertriestokeepoutselfdelusioninallitsforms.Heknowsthatthe
roadisbesetwithit,thathemustbewatchful,andthatthewarningcounselofthosewho
arefartheronthewaymustbeheeded.
25

Mylamentedfriend,theIrishpoetA.E.,wrotewithhiscelestialpen,"Weareinour
distanthope,/Onewithallthegreatandwise,/Comrade,donotturnandgrope/Fora
lesserlightthatdies."
26

Ifheisnotcareful,critical,balanced,sensible,andselfdisciplined,theeagerseekermay
findaftermanyyearsthathehassimplybeenmovingaroundthelabyrinthofoccultism
tohisownconfusionintheend.
27

Thosewhomeanderinprofitlessoccultismbutcallitdivinesciencedeludethemselves.
Theytreadatreadmillbutimagineitisapath.
28

Howmanyaspirantshavetravelledincircles,arriving,likeOmarKhayyam,intheendat
thesamedoorbywhichtheyenteredin!

Theseductiveshadowworld
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Becauseitdealswithmattersnotreadilydiscernible,occultism'sdooriswideopentothe
bogus.
30

Thisseductiveshadowworldofpsychismluresmanypersonsintoitsjunglelikedepths,
butitluresthemonlyintotheshadowsofReality,notintotheRealityitself.Thosewho
posturebeforethepublicasHierophantsoftheOccultareunabletoinitiatetheir
followersintothatserenestatewhereinturbulentdiscontentsandworldlydesireswither
away.Theycan,however,provideairpiesforthosereadytoswallowthesolemn
mysteriesofoccultloretheycanfoolaroundinafogofwordsanddrawtheirfollowers
likewiseintoit.
31

Theoccultistwhositslikeamandarinbeforehisdevoutbutbewildereddisciplesand
spinsoutwholesystemsofplanesandspheresshowingthatheknowseverythingand
more,hashispupilsentirelyathismercy.Theycannotanswerbacktohim,forheisin
theprivilegedandexclusivepositionofbeingableto"see"theseplanesandthusthey
mustaccepthisreports.
32

Theaverageoccultistandpsychicknowsmuchlessofhissubjectthanhewouldhaveus
believe.Hemayhaveliftedacorneroftheveilbutitisonlyacorner.
33

Justasacetateofleadispleasanttothetastebutdeadlytolife,soaretheclaimsofthese
falseoccultists.
34

Theidealizedoccultistoftheauthor'simaginationisnotthemercenaryoccultistwefind
inreality.
35

Theoccultisttakespleasureincomplicatingsimpletruthsorinconcealingimportant
ones.
36

Thosewhoknowthemind'scapacitytoindulgeinfantasiesandhowquicklyitsubmitsto
wishfulthoughts,knowalsowhytheserevivedsuperstitionsraisedtotherankof
revelatorytheorieshaveheldsomuchfascinationforsomanystudentsoftheoccult.
37

Thegropingsofmedievalalchemistscanhardlyhelphim,andarebetterleftalone.
Whateveroftruthhefindsinthemmustalreadybeknowntohim,andmoreclearly.
38

Ifeducatedpeoplehavebeensuspiciousofoccultsocietiesinthepast,theyhavehad
reasontobe.
39

Grandiloquentrevelationsarepreachedbyfreakstocirclesofoddities.Theyamountto
nothingintheend,beingthevaporousproductsofeccentricimaginationcollectedaround
somepsychicexperience.
40

Hereareproblemswhichcallfortremendousspecializederuditionandforahigh
standardofscholarlyexactitudeandprolongedinvestigationbeforetheycanbe
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adequatelytreated.Yettheseimpertinentlyamateurishoccultistswithlittlehistoryandno
archaeologyoranthropology,withoutascientificallytrainedjudgement,andwith
credulousbiasedmentalities,sailswiftlyandeasilythroughthetask!
41

Theseeminglysolidearthofkabbalisticmagicanddemoniacsupernaturalismgradually
becomesamarshintowhichtheunfortunatebenightedwanderersinksdeeperanddeeper.
42

Piousfancysometimespushesbeyondactualfact.
43

Howmuchfarthercanfoolishnessgotowardsinsanitywhentheclaimofrevelationis
navelyusedtomakethemostabsurdbeliefsappearasreasonable?

Occultistsandpsychics
44

Bewareofpseudospiritualpeople.Theyarepests.Avoidmeetingthemavoidtalkingto
them.Itwouldbefarbetterforthemtobecomeoutandoutmaterialiststhantogoon
deceivingeitherthemselvesorotherswiththeirwordybutfakespirituality.Underthis
headingIincludealsothespiritualists,theoccultists,thepsychics,andthe"mental
science"demonstrators.Thesepeoplemovethroughafogoffakeuplift.Itisuselessto
trytogivethesepeoplethatwhichtheyareneitherseekingnoraskingfor.Theyarenot
interestedinfindingREALITYbutonlyitsreflectionsandshadows.Hence,theyhaveto
beshowncosmologies,planes,occultpowers,andmiraclesofmagic.ToteachTruthto
suchpeoplewhenoneisnotaskedforitistocommitanerrorwithresultsthatwillactas
ascourgetooneself.Theythemselvesarealwaysreadytoteachanybodyatanymoment.
Wemustbefarwiser.Weshallteachonlywhenasked,onlywhenweunderstandthatit
willdosomerealgood,andeventhenonlysomuchwillberevealedasthequerentisfit
totakein.Thesepseudospiritualpeoplearelikelivingcorpses,bodieswhichhavetaken
ontheappearanceoflifebutarereallydead.
45

Theoccultistwhoseekstoexpandhislifebyenlarginghispersonalpowersisoftenless
neartheSourcethantheartistwhosurrendershimselfwhollytogracegivenmomentsof
feltbeauty.Theoneisfastenedmoresecurelytotheego,theotherreleasedfromit.
46

EdgarCaycewasnotamystic,hewasapsychic.Althoughhebroughtmuchknowledge
ofacuriousorinterestingkindfromhispsychicexperiences,itwouldbeanerrorto
regardthemallasreliable,formostpsychicscanbemisled.
47

Itisafact,althoughnotacommonlyknownone,thattheFhrerHitlerforyearssecretly
cultivatedthehabitofgoingquitefrequentlyintoapassivesemitrancecondition.
Occasionallyheusedanenormouslylargecrystaltoinducesuchacondition.Inthisstate
hebelievedhimselftobeincommunionwithoccultforces,withspirit"controls,"from
whomhegotbothguidanceandinspiration.Totakecounseloftheforcesthatpossessed
himandtopromotehisinnercommunionthroughsuchtranceswiththem,hebuiltthe
glasswalledprivateretreatsixthousandfeethighonthesnowyprecipitoussummitof
MountKehlsteinwhere,unlikehisfamousmountainrestingplaceatBerchtesgaden,
visitorswerehardlyeverpermittedtoenter.Thushecouldremaininthevirtualsolitude
whichthiscommunionrequired.Tofindthetimeforthesesolitarymeditations,heleft
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thelargestpossibleamountofStateworkandPartydirectiontohiscollaborators.Evenas
lateasthelastyearsofthewar,whenthepressuresofmilitarynecessityuponhistime
becamemoretremendousthaneverbefore,Hitlerinsisteduponbeingaloneforatleastan
houreachday.Anditwasknowntoanumberofhiscloseassociatesthatthissolitude
wasusedtosatisfyhisoccultinterestsandtocarryonhismagicalpractices.
48

Howeveressentiallyhonestandserioustheresearchermaybe,hewillhavetosufferfor
thenearcriminalmisdeeds,theaberrationsorcreduloussillinessofthoseirresponsible
fanaticsorunscrupulousexploiterswhohavealienatededucatedopinion.
49

Itisdangeroustohaveanydealingsorenterintoanycommunicationswithsuchobsessed
persons.Fortheirconductisentirelyunguidedbyconscienceorreasonorconsistency,
theirwordsentirelyunguidedbytruthorselfcontrol.Instead,evilpassionsandinsane
emotionsareatthehelmhysteria,hatred,anger,fear,jealousy,greed,vanity,lying,and
soonmaytakeitinturn.
50

Thepossessionofanysupernormalpowerendangersanaspirantwithvanityorconceit,
eventhoughheproteststhathisdesireistobejustaninstrumentinGod'shands.This
dangerparticularlyreferstohealers.
51

OccultistswritingonTibetanmastershavewrittentoomanyerroneousorunverifiable
statementstohavetheirworkaccepteduncritically.
52

Allformsoffortunetellingasktobeusedwithcautionallmessagesfrompsychicsmust
betreatedinthesameway.
53

MaxFreedomLong'sbookisnotreliable.Hetookwhatisknownofkahunacultureand
twisteditintotheshapeofpreexistingoccultideas,andaddedmuchwhichisnotinthe
original.
54

TheattempttousetheSpirit'spowertosatisfypersonaldesiresmayfailsimplybecauseit
failstomakecontactwiththeSpirit.Butitmayalsofailbecauseevenwhencontactis
established,thosedesiresmaybenegatedortransformedasaresult.
55

JoelGoldsmithgavegreattruthstomankindbutalsomadesomeerrors.Helivedinan
unrealfantasyworld.Giganticmiraclesbecameobtainableinthisworldatalowprice.It
istheoldwitchdoctormagicpresentedinatwentiethcenturyguise.Itisthekindof
worldinwhichonlydreamerscanlive,andfromwhichonlydreamscanissue.
56

AnAmerican,BairdT.Spalding,wrotethreevolumesonhisvisitstoTibetandaboutthe
livesandteachingsofthe"MastersoftheFarEast"beforehehadeverlefttheAmerican
continent.(HeaddedtwofurthervolumesafterhehadgonetoIndiaandreturned.)He
attachedhimself,withapartyoffourteendisciples,tomeforacoupleofweekswhenhe
discoveredthatIwasinIndiaatthetime.Ipointedouttohimthathisdescriptionsofthe
Mastersdidnottallywiththefactsassomeofusknewthem.Hefinallyadmittedthatthe
booksdealtwithvisitsmadeinhisastralbody,notinhisphysicalbodyasreaderswere
ledtobelieve.AsimilarsituationarosemorerecentlyoverthebookTheThirdEye,
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writtenby"LobsangRampa,"anallegedTibetanwhoturnedouttobeanIrishplumber
writingunderthedictationofanallegedTibetan"astralbody"!
57

Therearedangersinthetheatricalexhibitionismtowhichneuroticalexcessand
unbalancedposturingmaylead.Selfdeception,fanaticism,irresponsibility,and
misleadingoftheyoungaresomeofthem.
58

Hemustbewareofthosewhomistakethesubnormalforthesupernormal,sub
consciousthrowupsfordivinemessages,andemotionaltitillationforspiritualrebirth.
59

Aspiritismwhichreveresthemessagesofghostsasthoughtheywerethemessagesof
godshasstrayedfar.
60

"Iambeginningtowonderwhethersuchimmortalseverexisted.Isitnotpossiblethatthe
storiesintheancientbooksaboutTaoistswhoneverdiedareexaggeratedbythe
writers?"SuTungpo(whosearchedallhisownlifeforthealchemicalphilosopher's
stonetoprolonglife)
61

Thatspiritisticmessagesaremischievousorlyingisacommonexperience.
62

AleisterCrowleydiedcursingandsnarling.
63

Thedangeristhatmorallyunevolvedpersonsmaymisusethisknowledgeselfishlytoget
whattheywantfromothersagainsttheirwelfare.Thisisblackmagic.Itisneedfultoput
instrictwarningstosuchpersons.
64

Theycalculatethisworldeventtotakeplaceinaparticularyear.Whentheyeararrives
andnothinghappens,theyadjournthedatetoalaterone.Whenthatyearpasseswiththe
prophecyagainunfulfilled,theyfixuponafurthertime.Oneachfailureaplausible
excuseisoffered.
65

Totrytouseanyofthepowersgainedthroughconcentrationtoharmothersorto
subjugatethemtoone'sownwillistopractiseblackmagic.Itmaysucceedinitsobject
butitwillnotsucceedinevadingeventualrelentlesspunishment.
66

Itisinbringinghomethepitfallsofpsychism,thedangersofmysticism,theperilsof
untrainedintuitionthatastudyofhisinnerlifewillbefruitful.Hitler,adistortedmystic,
aperverselyinspiredman,claimedthathisintuitioninformedhimthathewascarrying
outGod'swill.Itisinthecriticalexaminationandtestingofsuchaclaimthatthevalueof
metaphysicaltrainingprovesitself.ThefactisthatneitherHitlernoranyoneelsecan
correctlymakesuchaclaimbeforetwoeffortshavebeensuccessfullymade:first,to
ascertainwhatGodis,andsecond,toascertainhowHiswillexpressesitself.Gandhitoo
claimedthattheinnervoiceofGodgavehimguidanceinaffairsofState.Buthewas
alwayshonestenoughandgreatenoughtoadmitlater,asHitlerinhisarrogancenever
did,thathehadseveraltimesmadewhathehimselfcalled"Himalayanblunders."Letus
admitthatHitlerwasthemostastonishingmaninEuropeandthatGandhiwasthemost
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powerfulforceinpoliticalIndia.Butthissaid,letusnotdeceiveourselvesabout
nonpoliticalmattersintheessentialneedofdiscriminatingbetweenpseudointuitionand
genuineintuition.

Occultpractices
67

Occultismisbutablindalleywhoseentranceiswideandinviting,whosepromiseis
radiantandentrancing,butwhoseendingnarrowsintodeceptionanddanger.
68

Itisgenerallyquiteundesirabletoindulgeinanyoccultactivity,suchasautomatic
writing,inordertoproducepsychicphenomenaindeed,itisoftendangeroustodoso.
Themediumisticconditionsthusarousedexposeonetoinfluencesevenpossessionby
unknownandpossiblyevilspirits.Thetruemysticalexperiencehasnothingwhatsoever
todowithsuchproceedingsandseekstobeinfluencedandpossessedbythedivine
Overselfalone.
69

Whattheevildoerforgetsisthatnocrystalexistsanywherewhichcouldshowhima
futurefreefromretributionforhiscrimes.Whathedoesnotknowisthatblackmagic
alwayscontainswithinitselftheterriblerecoilofitsownmonstrouspower.Whathedoes
notrealizeisthatnoastrologereverlivedwhocouldwriteahoroscopewhichwouldlet
himescapethedoomofretributiveruinthatheearned.
70

TantrikaYoga:Itsmethodsarephysical,ceremonial,sensual,anddangerousitsaimsare
thearousalofsleepingoccultstrength.Initshighestphase,wherethemotiveispureand
egoless,itisanattempttotakethekingdomofheavenbyviolence.Butfewmenhave
suchanexaltedmotive,asfewarepureenoughtodabbleinsuchdangerouspractices.
Consequently,itneedhardlybesaidthatinmostcasesthisroadeasilyleadsstraight
downtotheabyssofblackmagic.Thisindeediswhathashappenedinitsownhistoryin
BengalandTibet.
71

IntheMalayPeninsula,NorthAfrica,Indonesia,andIndia,aswellaselsewhere,there
areindividualpersonsandwholegroupswhoexhibit,forreligiousorfinancialreasons,
unpleasantorevenbestialpracticeswhichseemmagical.Throughdrumbeatings,
frenzieddances,whirlingsontheirownaxis,convulsivefloorrollings,andhalftrances,
theyenteraconditionofbodilyimmunity.Thisincludesholdingredhotcoals,cutting
theirarmsandslashingtheirchestswithknives.Itisevil.
72

DavidDevant,SecretsofMagic:AnamusingaccountisgivenofSirOliverLodge's
superstitiousaweinfaceoftheperformanceknownas"Translucidation."Membersofthe
audiencewereaskedtowriteonsmallcards,whichwereplacedinenvelopes,sealed,
marked,andplacedinabagheldbyMissDevant,whowasseatedontheplatform:"My
sisterwouldsimplytakeanenvelopeoutandputitonherforeheadandthenreadthe
contents.Thiswasdulycarriedoutwiththesixenvelopes.Eachone,afterithadbeen
read,washandedoverthefootlightsimmediately,andpassedontothepersonwho
claimedit.ItseemedimpossibleandinexplicablesomuchsothatonedaySirOliver
Lodgecametotheperformancearmedwithaspeciallysealedenvelope,whichhe
challengedmysistertoread.Shereaditwiththerest,andhewassosurprisedthathegot
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upfromhisseatinthestallsandmadeashortspeechtotheaudience.Hesaidhecould
notunderstandbywhatmeansthismarvelhadbeenaccomplished,asheknewnothingin
sciencecouldaccountforit."Thebookitselfexplainshowthetrickwasworkedit
involvedatrapdoor,twoaccomplices,andapowerfulelectriclampasimple
mechanismbutnotsosimpleasthementalityofthisgreatmanofscience,theHighPriest
ofSpiritualism.
73

Itwouldbeanerrortoattributeallthesequeerphenomenatomeretrickery,sleightof
hand,imposture,orchicanery.Ifthereisanaturalexplanationofmostofthem,therecan
onlybeasupernaturalexplanationoftheremainderofthem.
74

ThecourtmagicianswereemployedbyKingMontezumaofMexicotoliftsupernatural
barriersagainsttheSpanisharmyCortesadvancedfromthecoasttohisinlandcapital
city,buttheyfailedtostophim.Isthisnotstuffofidenticallythesamepieceof
superstitionasthatencounteredinTibetfourhundredyearslaterbythearmyofSir
FrancisYounghusband,anddescribedinAHermitintheHimalayas?
75

Thosewhoknowitfrominsideknowtherealityofthedangerstowhichamanexposes
himselfwhenheignorantlysetsupnecromancyasarevealedreligionandwhenhesets
ajarpromiscuouslythepsychicdoorwhichNature'swisdomhaskeptclosed.
76

Nowhereinhistoryhavesorceryandmagicdemonstratedthattheyareutterlyandalways
reliablemeansofdealingwithdistressfulpersonalconditions.Wefeeltheneedoftested
procedureswhichhaveyieldedmoresatisfactoryresults,whichmeansthatwefeelthe
needofrationalunderstandingandrationaltechniquesofdealingwiththoseproblems.
77

ThedrumtattoostodriveawayevilspiritsIheardinprimitiveAfrica,andthecharcoal
blackenedfacestoachievethesamepurposewhichIsawinprimitiveMalaya,didnot
dependoneithersoundsorsightsfortheirmaineffect.Theydependedonthe
concentratedthoughtbehindthem.
78

NorthwestShamanism(Shamanmeansmedicineman):Duringinitiationorbecoming
possessedby,orforcommunicationwith,mysticpower,thedevoteenotonlyfastsbut
alsoabstainsfromdrinkingwater.Themostcommonwayofacquiringordeliberately
seekingShamanisticpowerisbyindividualsenteringthestateofdreaming,ofwaking
vision,andoftrancewhilephysicallyconscious,whereinaspiritbeingvisitsthe
candidatecommunionandtheconnectionthusestablishedbetweenthemisthesource
andbasisofthemedicineman'spower.Thisspiritbecomeshisguardianspirit,from
whomhereceivesthemantram,theunderstanding,andthecapacitywhichenablehimto
causeorremovedisease,todoandendurewhatothermencannot,andtopractisepsychic
powers.Atfirsthemaybecomedementedbutafteratimehebecomesnormalandhas
controlofthissupernatural"influence."
79

TheAmericanIndian"medicineman"(priest)forbadeaphotographbeingmadeofhim
becausehebelieveditdrainedawayhisforces.
80

Bewareofthosegatheringswhereblindmovementsofhead,limbs,andtrunkswaythe
crowd,wherestrangevoicesareheardanduncontrolledfeelingsareletloose.Thereis
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nothingholythereonthecontrary,evilforcesshouldbesuspected.
81

Theconceptofthemalefemalesoulisanotheritemwhichbelongstothehigher
spiritualism.TherewasasomewhatsimilarconceptpropagatedbyLaurenceOliphant.
However,itisnotacceptablebecauseintheloftiestmysticalexperiencethebodyislost
andforgotten.Withitthethoughtofsexmustinevitablygotoo.Thereisnoroomforit,
inhoweverrefined,disguised,romanticized,orintellectualizedformitmaybe,inthe
utterpurityofthetimeless,spaceless,supersensualformSpirit.
82

Thepracticesofwitchcraft,blackmagic,orsorcerynecessarilyexposethepractiserto
seriousdangers.Thechiefoftheseismadness.
83

Ifheisnotabletodetachhimselfsufficientlyfromthem,hewillbethevictimofthe
variousforcesactinguponhim.Thisiswhysensitivepersonsareadvisednottomeddle
withnecromancy,magic,orthelike.
84

Thelinewhichseparatestheuseofmeditationforworldlypurposes,andespeciallyto
influenceotherpeople,fromblackmagicissometimesathinone.
85

Thedrumswhichbeatinsistentlyandmonotonouslythroughoutthefullmoonnightsin
manyanOrientalcommunityhavetheultimateobjectofputtingthethoughtstorestand
lullingthesenses.
86

Yettherearedangerstothosewhodabbleinthesepsychicandspiritisticpractices,these
mysticandmetaphysicalworkingsarisingoutoftheirignoranceoftheforcestheyare
evokingandplayingwith.
87

Automaticwritingandothersuchpsychicphenomenaareordinarilytobeavoided
becausetheydevelopmediumistictendencies.However,therearerareexceptionswhere
anindividualmaysafelypractisesuchactivitiesprovidinghekeepsinpersonaltouch
withsomeonehighlyadvancedwhoconsidersthewritingsworthwhile.Inmysticalcircles
suchapersonisregardedashavingfoundwhatiscalled"theinteriorword."
88

Thesocalledastraltravelsandmentalplanejourneysoftheoccultistsareveryfarfrom
beingwhattheyarepopularlytakenfor.Theyarenothingbutaseriesofsubjective
visions,dreamswovenbythemindundervariousinfluences.
89

Mostoftheexperiencesofoccult"initiates,"alltheirtravelson"theseveninnerplanes,"
arenothingbutaseriesofsubjectivevisions.Theoccultworldsaremiragesbornfrom
theimagination.
90

Thosewhohearvoicesandseevisionshadbetterbecareful.Theyaretouchingdubious
groundandsometimesdangerousground.Beforeproceedingfurtheronthispaththey
shouldconsultsomeoneofmatureexperienceinthesematters,someonewellinformed
andbalancedinjudgement.Thedangerhereisofgettinglostinaconditionforwhich
theyareunpreparedandwhichtheyareunabletocopewith.Theymayevenembrace
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delusionsunderthebeliefthattheyarerealities.
91

Anyonewhohearsvoicesthathavenophysicaloriginshouldimmediatelystopwhatever
practiceoccult,psychic,meditational,necromantic,orreligiousheorshehasbeen
following,shouldtakeaholidayfromallsuchinterestsforatimeandgetbacktothe
normal,theoutgoing,andtheordinary.Otherwisethereistheperilofmadnessor
obsession.
92

Automaticwritingisnotanactivitytobeencouraged.Someformofpsychic
manifestationmayappearuntilonehasreachedacertainlevelofdisciplineand
understanding,butitisquitetransientwithsensiblepersons.Itdoesnoparticulargood
andusuallynoparticularharmeither.Itisbetternottobesidetrackedintothesethings,
becausewemustseewherewearegoingandkeepafirmholduponourselvesatall
times.Theonlygenuineautomatismwhichispermissible,acceptable,andeventobe
soughtafteristhatinwhichthepersonalselfallowsitselftobeplayeduponasthoughit
wereamusicalinstrumentbytheOverself.Thisshouldbethegoalofallourendeavours,
thissurrenderingofthelittleselftothelargerone.Butwhenthishappensitseems
perfectlynatural,thereisnothingmagicalormysteriousaboutit,andthereistheutter
certitudeofrightnessandsafety.
93

Althoughautomaticwritinghassometimesyieldedaccurateoradmirablestatementsof
thetruth,moreoftenithasmerelyreflectedthebeliefsandopinions,thelimitationsand
ignoranceofitspractiser.Butthedangerswhichaccompanythisphenomenaare
frightening:possessionbyanearthboundspiritistheworst.
94

Mostofthesepresumed"messages"fromdeadordistantmastersorfromGodarereally
formulatedbythemindalongthelinesofitshabitualtendenciesandwithintheframeof
itslimitations.Thisclarificationwill,however,notbeacceptabletothosewhocantake
truthonlywhenitpleasesandwhoalwaysrejectitwhenithurts.
95

Theexperienceofleavingthebodyveryoftenaccompaniesorleadstopoorhealth,andit
originatesfromapsychicalandnotaspiritualcause.Itis,therefore,notdesirable
ordinarilytoencourageitscontinuance.Thewayofinwardrelaxationismuchsuperior
andmoretoberecommended.

Hypnotism
96

Thepowerofsuggestionisnotproperlyacknowledged,butonlypartially.Ifitcanput
onepersonintoatrance,ifitmakeanothertemporarilychangehisidentity,surelythis
indicatesthathereisoneofthegreatestofpsychologicalpowers?
97

Wehabituallyunderestimatethepowerofsuggestion,whetheritbederivedfromwithin
selforfromoutsideit.Ahumanpersonality,anenvironmentalsetting,atoneofvoice,or
aninheritedtraditionoftenmakeusthink,believe,ordowhatotherwisemightnothave
occurredtous.
98
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Whyisitthatthepersonwhoentersthedeeperstageofhypnoticsleephearsandobeys
thehypnotistaloneandnothingandnobodyelseintheworldoutside?Whyisitthaton
awakeningheevendoesnotthenrememberwhathesaidordid?Theanswertoboth
questionsisthesame.Itisnothisownbutthehypnotist'smindwhichoperatesduringhis
sleep.Itisnotthesubjectwhoisdoingthisorsayingthatduringthesleep,butthe
hypnotisthimselfwhoisdoingorsayingit,unconsciouslyusingthesubject'svocal
organsandbodilylimbsforthepurpose.Thosewhocannotconcedethisshouldtry,if
theycan,tofindanexplanationofthefollowingfurtherproblem:ifapersonduring
ordinarysleepcannothearspokenwordsorobeyspokencommands,whycanhedoso
duringasleepinducedhypnotically?Thefactishedoesnotreallydosobutmerely
yieldstheillusionofittooutsideobservers.Whathappensisthatthehypnotizer
superimposeshisownmindonthesleeper'sandunconsciouslyutilizeshisbody.Hewho
hearsthehypnotizerspeakishisownself.Hewhoobeyshiscommandsislikewise
himself.Buttheprocessofusingthemedium'ssensesandobsessinghismind,beingan
unconsciousone,hidesthesefacts.Thevalueofthisinstanceforourpresentpurposeis
thatithelpstothrowlightontheinnermechanismofcertainmysticalphenomenawhich
accompanyadvancedmeditation.
99

JustbeforeIwentonmyfirstjourneytotheOrient,myfriendProfessorChellew,who
wasaprofessorofpsychologyattheUniversityofLondon,warnedmethattherewere
guruswhousedhypnotism.Heinstructedmehowtodefendmyselfagainstsuchaman.
"Ifaguru,"hesaid,"islookingstraightintoyoureyes,thendonotreturnthegazefully
butratheronlyintohislefteye.Thisisbecausethepositivecurrentswhichheistryingto
directtowardsyouflowthroughhisrighteye.Hislefteyeispassive.Or,insteadof
lookingintheguru'seye,stareovertheshouldersandthusavoiddirectconfrontation.Or,
ifadirectreturngazecannotbeavoided,thenuseitforonlyacoupleofsecondsandturn
awayagain:butthegazeshouldreallybeamerepretense,foritshouldbedirectedat
nothinginparticular.Itshouldbeblank,expressionless,asiflookingfarintospace.In
thiswayyouprotectyourselfandyetdonotdisturbtheotherperson.If,however,the
guruisonewhocanbefullytrusted,whoisapurechannelforthedivinepower,well
thenyoumaygazeathisrighteyeandsoreceivetheinspirationhemaybegivingyou."
100

Mostwritersonhypnotismhavedefendeditbyputtingforwardthenotionthatthevictim
willnotacceptasuggestionwhichiscontrarytohismoralcode.Thisissimplynottrue.
Forhypnoticpowerreachesintothesubconsciousmindheredecisionsarereallymade
andactionsimpelled.
101

Wherehypnotismisusedtoovercomeanotherperson'swill,itisusedwronglyand
immorally.Whereitisusedtoovercometheweaknessesinoneselfbyplantingopposing
suggestions,itisusedrightly.
102

Whydoesthehypnotistsooftenaskhissubjecttolookintohiseyeswhenmakingthe
suggestionsorgivingthecommands?Isitnotbecausethementalinteractionbetween
themfindsitseasiesttoandfropassagethroughthemostsensitivepointsontheouter
surfaceofthebodytheeyes?
103

Thelimitationsofegoiclifecanbepushedasideforabriefperiodbyhypnosisinsome
cases,orbydrugsinothercases.
104
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Hypnotismmaybeemployedwithevilintentionsforevilends.Inthatcaseitcomesvery
closetoblackmagic,witchcraft,andsorceryandmustbeprohibited.Butitmaybe
employedalsowithgoodintentionsforbeneficentends.Inthatcase,andifthehypnotizer
isofhonourablecharacter,andprovidedthewelfare,rights,orinterestsofthehypnotized
subjectarefullyrespected,itisallowable,especiallyinthedomainofthehealingand
surgicalarts.Ifhypnotismisusedbyapersonofdishonourablecharacterorevenbya
personofaveragecharacterflawedbysomeparticularweakness,thereisalwaysthe
possibilitythatitmaybeusedimmorally.Acrimemaythenbecommittedagainstthe
personsubmittingtoit,orelsehehimselfmaybeinfluencedtocommitacrimeagainst
somebodytosuitthehypnotizer'spurpose,coveringuptherealcriminal.Thesedangers
arerealandaredreadfulenoughtorequirethatsocietybeprotectedbylimitinghypnotic
practicetospecialtrustworthypersons,andhypnoticobjectivestoallayingbodilypain
andtoinducingartificialunconsciousness,orsleep.Otherwisehypnoticpassivityis
undesirableforthesamereasonthatmediumisticpassivityisundesirable:bothsurrender
theuseofthesubject'sfreewill.Intheonecaseitbecomesenslavedtoalivingoperator,
intheothertoasupposedlydisincarnateone.Whoevergivesituptothecontrolof
anotherentityrendershimselfhelplessandpowerlessagainst,andutterlyatthemercyof,
thatentity.Thisisaderelictionofpersonalresponsibility,sinfuldespiteanybenefits
whichmaybesoughtandobtained.
105

H.P.Blavatsky:"Hypnotismandsuggestionaredangerouspowers.Thevictim'swillis
stolenfromhim.Thesethingsmaybebegunwithgoodmotives,andforrightpurposes.
ButIamanoldwoman,andhaveseenmuchofhumanlifeinmanycountries.IwishI
couldbelievethatthesepowerswouldbeusedonlyforgood.Whoeverletshimselfbe
hypnotizedbyanyone,goodorbad,isopeningthedoorwhichhewillbepowerlessto
shutandhecannottellwhowillbethenexttoenter."

Mediumship,channeling
106

Whatisspiritualisticmediumship?Theanswermaybefoundbyrelatingitwithhypnotic
mediumship.Theprincipleatworkinbothcasesisidentical.Giveahypnoticmediumin
tranceorsemitranceasuitablesuggestionanditwillbetakenupandfullyobeyed.If
youtellhimheisNapoleonhewillbelieve,act,andspeakasthoughhewere.Tella
spiritualisticmediumthatyouwishtocommunicatewiththespiritsofthedepartedand
youhavealreadygivenherasuggestionwhichshewilltakeupandobey.Shewill
provideallkindsofdetailsaboutthespiritshesupposessheevokes,detailswhichare
workedouteitherconsciouslyorunconsciouslybyherimagination.Wemustremember
thattheresidueofaccuratefactswhichsuchmediumscommunicatemayarisefromthe
factthatreverieorfulltrancearestatesofmentalconcentrationand,assuch,telepathy
maycomeintoplayandthesitter'smindbetapped.
107

Theclaimbybothhypnotismandspiritualismthatonehumanmindiscapable,under
certainconditions,ofenteringanotherhumanmindistrueenough.Itisalsocapableof
dominatingtheotherone.Thesetwopossibilitiesexistmostlyinthosesituationswherea
personhaswillinglythrownhimselfopentoanotherperson'sinfluence,hassatinthe
hypnotist'schairoratthespiritist'stable.Theyalsoexistoutsideofthesesituations,
particularlyifsomeonesitsformeditationbytryingtomakehismindablank,without
previouslytryingalsooverasufficientperiodtopurifyhischaracter,uplifthismotives,
andachievesomebalancebetweenhisemotionsandreason.
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108

Quiteanumberofthosewhotrytheadventureintopracticalmysticism,asapartfromits
theoreticalstudy,fallintothepracticeofmediumshipinstead.Whatisequallyregrettable
isthattheyremaincaptivetothedelusionthattheyarestillmystics.
109

HecanhavenohigheraimthantobepossessedbythedivineOverself.Thisistheonly
kindofmediumshipwhichcansafelybepractisedandtheonlykindwhichoughttobe
practised.
110

Spiritualdevelopmentisonethingspiritualdominationbyotherisitsopposite.Thefirst
ismysticism,thesecondmediumship.Thefirstleadstothetakingpossessionofoneself,
thesecondtolosingone'smostvaluableattributes:willandreason,selfcontroland,in
certaincases,evenconsciousness.
111

Therearefourteensignsofthemediumisticcondition.Themediumsuffersfrom:(1)loss
ofmemory,(2)inabilitytokeepmindonconversation,(3)frequentmentalintroversion,
(4)decreasingpowerofprolongedconcentration,study,thought,analysis,and
intellectualwork,(5)increasingemotionality,(6)weakenedwillpower,(7)greater
sensitivitytotrifles,withnervousirritabilityandsillyvanityresultingtherefrom,(8)more
suspicionsofothersinhisenvironment,(9)moreselfcenteredandegotistic,(10)
frequentglassystareoftheeyes,(11)increasedsexualpassion,(12)appearanceof
hysteriaoruncontrollabletemperwherepreviouslyabsent,(13)disappearanceofmoral
courage,(14)thefeelingattimesthatsomeunseenentitytakespossessionofhim.
112

Whentheindividualisentirelyintrospective,whenhenolongerknowsorwantstoknow
hisphysicalenvironment,hemaybecomewrappedupinideasorimageswhichthereby
assumevividrealityorhemayfallintoastateofutterblankness.Ifhispreparationand
traininghavebeencorrect,hemaybetouchedbythehigherconsciousness.Butifheis
spirituallyunpreparedandphilosophicallyuntrained,hemaybecomethevictimofan
unseendisincarnatemindinshort,hemaybecomeamedium.
113

Thestudentwhowishestokeepawayfromunnecessarymoralandpsychicaldanger
shouldkeepawayfromdabblinginhypnotismorplayingwithmediumship.
114

Whathappensduringmediumshipisthatthemind,will,andbodyofalivingpersonare
surrenderedinpartorasawholetoadisincarnateone.Suchaprocessmaybeimitatedby
fraudsorfanatics,butitisalsogenuinelypossible.
115

Themediumisticconditionisnotonetobeadmiredandvalued,assomanyspiritists
believe.Onthecontrary,itisonetobeavoidedbyeveryseekerafterthehigherlife.It
willbarhiswaytothatlifeoritwilldraghimawayfromit.Foritallowsthewilltobe
paralysed,thecapacityforselfcontroltobelost,themindtobesurrenderedtosomeone
else'sdomination,andtheeyestobeshuttowhereoneisgoing.Suchaconditionisthe
veryoppositeofthatsoughtbyphilosophicalmysticism.Itisasdegradingasitis
dangerous.
116

Ifyouconsiderthesilly,irrational,andcrazyactionswhichhypnotizedpersonsareeasily
ledtodo,youwillunderstandwhyahypnotizedspiritistmediumforthatishis
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conditioniseasilyledintoobsessions.
117

Someoneoncetoldmeanamusingstorywhichwellillustratesthenecessityofnever
abandoningcommonsenseandthecriticalfacultywhenonetreadsthismysterious
ground.ShewasdiningwithacertainRussianGrandDukewhowasacompletebeliever
inspiritualisticandpsychictheories.Amediumregularlyvisitedhismansionandgave
himmessagesfromacertainspirit.HepointedtoasmallblackmetalfigureofOsirisand
saidthathetreasureditexceedingly.ThespirithadtoldhimthatthisfigureofOsiris
shouldbekeptwithcareashe,theGrandDuke,hadbeenaPharaohinaprevious
incarnationandatthattimehepossessedthisveryfigureofOsiriswhichwasnowwith
himagainitwasalinkforhimwiththatincarnation.Thevisitorlistenedandlater,idly
pickingupthefigure,discoveredthatasmalllabelonitsundersidesaid:"Price2fr.50,
GalleriesLafayette,Paris."
118

Thecontinuedpracticeofmediumshipmayleadtodeplorableresults,especiallyto
nervousbreakdown,insanity,immorality,orsuicide.Itcannothelpanyonetoattaina
higherlifebutmayhelphimtoloseit.Consequentlyphilosophyearnestlyasksits
studentstorefrainfrombeingleddownitstemptingsidepathstotheirowndestruction.
119

Topermithimselftobepossessedbyanunseenentitywhosetrueidentityhedoesnot
know,isclearlyfoolish.Todosounwittinglyisbadenoughbuttodosodeliberatelyis
unpardonablyinsane.
120

Nostudentshouldmakethemistakeofacceptingspiritismasapartofmysticismorof
attendingsancesasapracticeinmeditation.Mediumshipisbothmentallyandmorally
harmful.Intheenditdoesnotyieldwhatitpromisesbutdeceivesthosewhotrustit.The
studentwhodabblesinitwillactuallyretrogressunderthedelusionthatheis
progressing.Hemayloseinafewmonthswhatithastakenhimyearstogain.
121

Thedifficultywithsuchapersonisthatafterhavingfabricatedthesescandalousbut
unrealepisodes,shesoonandobsessivelybelievesthemtobeactualhappenings.That
sheisalittlemadthroughtheexcessivepracticeofspiritualisticmediumshipdoesnot
makeherlessdangeroustothegulliblevictimswholistenopenmouthedtoherand
exclaim,"Youdon'tsay!"
122

Whatisbelievedtobeacommunicatingunseenentity,thespiritofadeceasedperson,is,
insomanycases,onlyasplitoffofthemedium'sownsubconsciousmind.
123

Thedeceptivemessageswhichsooftenleadamediumastraybeginbyflatteringhimor
herwiththenotionthatheorsheisdestinedtobecometheleaderofagreatspiritual
revivalatleast,orthelongawaitedMessiahatmost.Buttheyendbydestroyingthe
medium'ssanity,morals,happiness,orhealth.
124

Evenifmediumshipdidnotyieldharmfulresultsbecauseofitsevilorigin,itwouldstill
beathingtobeavoidedbecauseitfallsintotheclassofpsychicpowers,which,as
Patanjali,thegreatmasterofYogainancientIndia,saysinhisclassicmanualonthe
subject,"areinjurioustothatmentalstillnesswhichitistheultimateobjectofmeditation
toattain."
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125

Itismorallywrongandpsychologicallyriskytosurrenderthemind,thewill,andthe
bodytoanunseenentity,whetherthisbedoneinunconscioustranceorinpartiallyaware
mediumship.Theinnerhistoryofspiritismisfullofinstancesoftheheavypricepaidby
thosewhoembarkedonsuchafoolishcourse.
126

Thespiritualistsusetheterm"trancecondition"inaspecialsense.Theythinkofitasa
completelossofconsciousness,whereinadisembodiedpersonalentitytakesoverand
usestheentrancedperson'svocalorganstospeak,orhishandstowrite.Themedium's
identitycompletelychangesandbecomesthatofthepurportedspirit.Philosophyrejects
suchaconditionfromitsdesiredgoalsandwarnsstudentsagainstsuchdangerousstates.
Whatitseeksisnotthisnegativepassivitybutapositivestatewhereinthemeditatordoes
notlosehisconsciousnessbutonlydeepensandwidensit.Itistruethatthemediumistic
conditionresemblesthemeditativeoneinsomerespects,butnotinthefundamentalones.
127

Anymediumwholetshimselfbepossessedattimesbylyingandmalignantspiritsinhis
sanceswouldbefortunatetoescapewithhissanityandpeaceofmind.Heshouldfirst
learnhowtoprotecthimselfbeforeheopenshimselfuptooutsideandunseenpowers.
Butsuchprotectioncanbegainedonlybydevelopinghisownstrength,character,
knowledge,andaspiration.Indeedhispersonalspiritualgrowthcallsforthispassagetoa
higherstage.Butthiscanbereachedonlybyabandoningmediumship,atleastforatime.
Atsomefuturedate,hemightbeabletoresumeit,butitwouldthenbesovastlysuperior
andsofullywithinhiscontrolthatitwouldreallybemysticism.Forthecontrollingentity
wouldbeeitherhisownhigherselforagenuinelivingmaster.
128

Themanwhopractisesmediumshipgainsnothingspirituallybyit,sinceevenhisnoblest
utterancesdonotbecomepartofhimbutmerelyflowaswaterthroughapipe.Evenafter
fiftyyearsofsuchpracticehegainsonlyameansofearningalivelihood.
129

ThereisalowerformofSpiritism,expressedthroughcheappaidmediums,aswellasa
higherform,expressedthroughnonprofessionalpersonswhomixthemysticalwiththe
mediumistic.Thestudentofphilosophymustscrupulouslyavoidboththeseforms,must
rejecttheirsocalledrevelationsandfaithfullystayonthesuperiorlevelwhichheisso
fortunatetohaveattained.
130

ProfessorErnestWoodtoldmethestoryofhisfather'svisittoanexhibitionwhich
markedtheopeningoftheManchesterShipCanalinEngland.Afewweeksafterthevisit
hisfatherwasgivenamessagefromasupposedspiritwhosedescriptionexactlytallied
withthatofawaxworksfigureofamanwhichhehadseenattheexhibition.What
happenedinthiscasewasthatthemediumhadpickedupcorrectlythepictureofthis
figure,buthadlethisimaginationincorrectlyconstructamessagebecauseofhisown
personalbeliefin,andbiastowards,spiritualism.Thuswhatbeganinpsychicvisionasa
truthbecameadulteratedasamixtureoftruthanderror.Thecasecitedhereillustratesthe
possibilityandactualityofmistakesnotonlyonthelowerlevelsofoccultism,butalsoon
thehigherlevelsofreligiousmysticism.Hereinspiredrevelationsaresometimesmixed
upwithpersonalbelieforeveninterpolatedunwittinglywithpriestlyimagination.
131

Thatmediumshipandhypnotismareundesirable,thattheycanleadtomental
disturbance,wasanopinionheldbybothHelenaBlavatskyandMabelCollins.Itmustbe
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notedthateventhoughtheywererightinseveralcases,theywerewronginothers.
132

Themindbecomesmoreandmoresensitiveandreceptive,rejectingnothingpresentedto
it.Thisunselectivitybecomesadangerifitisconstant,forthemindwouldbefloodednot
onlywithunhelpfuluselessmaterial,butalsowithnegative,unhealthy,morallylowand
unhappymaterial.Thedefenseandprotectionagainstthisinvasionistobetruetothe
OverselfandthustobeopenonlytotheGood,theTrueatwowayawareness.
133

Hecanbesurethathehasfallenintoamediumisticorapsychicphaseifthephenomenon
ofreceivingmessagesshowsitselfandif,afterthefirstperiodofexcitingdiscovery,the
messagesbecomemoreandmoreunreliable.
134

Justasitispossibleforthedreammindtoassumedifferentpersonalities,eachspeaking
andbehavingaccordingtotype,soitispossibleforotherhiddenlayersofthemindto
dramatizethemselvesandspeakastheymightbeexpectedtointheirrespective
capacities.Weareonlyonthefringeofdiscoveringwhatlatentpowersthehumanmind
possesses.Theentitywhichcontrolscanquitewellbehimselfinanotherguise,notonly
becauseoftheforegoingbutalsobecauseofcharacteristicsdevelopedinformerbirths
andstilllyingbeneaththesurfaceofthisbirth.Ontheotherhand,thereisalesslikely
possibilityofgenuinespiritcontrol.Thisistrueevenif,duringthedeliveryoftrance
addresses,themediumhimselfisquiteunconsciousofthemandofeverythingthatis
happeningatthetime.
135

Themediumyieldsuphermentalitybeforeshehasdevelopedit,henceprematurelyand
againstthetideofevolution.Hencemostmediumsareusuallyilliterateorhalfeducated
types.
136

Thisfeelingofbeingdirectedbysomeotherpower,ofbeingundercompulsiontothink
andactinacertainway,isgoodifthereferenceistotheHigherPower,butdangerousif
not.Forobediencemaythenbemediumshipnotmysticism,ordrughallucinationnot
inspiration.
137

Themediumiseitherdeceivedby,orconfusedabout,theverynatureofthephenomena
heencounters.Theaspirantshouldnotdallyinthembutshouldpassbeyondasquickly
andasfarashecan.
138

Themediumisintheendbroughttoapointwhereshehasnowill,nopowertochoose,
nofreelifeofherown.Sheobeystheenslavingentity'ssuggestionsandordersin
everything.Ifthisentityfeedsitspassionsandsatisfiesitsinstinctsthroughher,sheis
lostindeed.
139

Whereaspiritualisticmediumhasescapedharmdespitethepracticeofmediumship
duringtheearthlylife,theescapeisonlyanillusoryone.Assoonasshepassesoutofthe
bodyatdeath,anunseenentitywillfastenuponherandgainfurthercontroloverherin
suchawayastocauseseriousharmandbringmuchsufferingduringthepostmortem
existence.Andwhenthenextbirthinthisworldistaken,moralretrogressionand
spiritualretardationwillbethefinalpricetopayforthisdubiouspractice.Ifitsvictim
succeedsinescapingfrommediumshipandtakestoahigherlife,eventhentheunseen
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creaturebecomeshereviltempter,herhiddentormenter.Sucharethecreatureswhom
Jesuscalleddevils,butwhomourmodernmediumsintheirpitifulignoranceinviteinto
theirverybeingandlife.Howmanycasesofmadness,ofimmorality,ofcrime,of
drunkenness,suicide,andevenmurdermaybetracedtothesemalevolentdemons,
throughtheirsuggestion,influence,orobsession?
140

Itmayinterestyoutoknowthatprobablyhalfthecasesofpatientsinlunaticasylumsare
possessedbyevilspirits.Manyofthemcouldbecuredifthespiritcouldbeexorcisedand
drivenout.
141

Manyofthespiritswhoinfluencemediumsareevil,diabolic,ormalevolent.Othersare
onlymischievous,deceptive,andlying.Someareharmlessandafewmayevenbegood.
Buttherisksfromthefirsttwotypesaresolargeandsodangerousthatthepracticeof
mediumshipisbannedtoitsstudentsbyphilosophy.
142

Bygivinguphispersonalresponsibilitytotheunseenentity,whichinmostcasesisnever
whatitpretendstobe,themediumtakesaneasyroadtomoraldisaster.Byfailingto
exercisethisresponsibilityhedoesnotfreehimselffromthepainfuleffectsofsucha
disaster.
143

Whentheseevilspiritshaveledhimuptothepeakoftrustinthem,sothatheisreadyto
dotheirslightestbidding,theyhaveledhimalsotoahiddenchasmofdeceptionyawning
athisfeet.Unlesshewithdrawsintime,hewillfallintoitandbedestroyed.
144

Theevilspiritswhichattendsuchsancescancleverlyimitatehigherbeings,claimlofty
famousnames,andevencreateanauraoflightinthedarkenedroomunderthepretense
thatitistheauthenticholyDivineLight.
145

RasputinandspiritualistmediumswereatthelastCzar'scourt.Spiritualistmediums
attendedNapoleonIII'scourt.Whatmisguidancedidevilorlyingspiritsgive?
146

Evenaharmlesscontrolmayopenthewayforaharmfulonelater.Thereistheadded
dangerthatalyingspiritmaygiveupliftingmessagesandwiseguidanceuntilconfidence
isestablished.Then,whenthecensorshipofreasonandexperienceareovercome,the
victimisluredtofollyorsinordisaster.
147

Thewomanwhocultivatesmerepassivityratherthanpurity,whoseekscontactwith"the
otherworld"ratherthantruerknowledgeofthisone,laysherselfopentomediumship.In
thisdeplorablecondition,lyingspiritsmayenterhermindandmisguideher,evilspirits
mayenterherbodyanddegradeher.
148

Themediumcandonothingbeyondreceivingweaklywhatisimplantedinhim,forheis
nolongerinapositivepurposefulstateofactivity.Hehaslosthisownindividual
selfhood,andespeciallyhispoweroflogicalrationalthinking.Thusheliesatthemercy
ofwhateverentityorwhateversubconsciousimageovershadowshim.Thedangeristhat
malevolentforcesmaytakeholdofhimandmakehimtheircaptive.
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149

Whoevertakesonthetravailofmediumship,surrenderinghisbodyattimesto
disincarnatespirits,takestheriskofbeingcontrollednotonlyatundesiredtimesbutalso
inundesiredwaysand,worse,byundesirablebeingsstillworse,withoutthemedium's
ownawareness.Itthenbecomestreacherytohisownindividuality.
150

Ifthewouldbemysticistokeepoutofthesepitfallsheshouldkeepoutofspiritualism.
Heshouldrefusetoengageinanypracticeswhichleaddirectlytomediumistic
subjection.If,however,hehasalreadyengagedinthem,heshouldrenouncethematonce
andtrytobringhismindbacktoanalert,wakeful,andactivecondition.Heshouldseek
withthetruemysticthehighestdegreeofselfcontrolratherthanwiththespiritistic
mediumthelowestdegreeofselfsubmission.
TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.

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