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Conference hydra::dejavu

Title:Psychic Phenomena
Notice:Please read note 1.0-1.* before writing
Moderator:JARETH::PAINTER
Created:Wed Jan 22 1986
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2143
Total number of notes:41773

884.0. "Making Contact" by GRYHWK::WITHERS (Thorin Decairn) Mon Oct 10 1988 17:58

    Hello all.
    
    I recently visited a house where a friend recently began staying.
    This house, so says the previous owner, has a spirit that used to
    visit his young daughter.  The previous owner supposedly looked
    into the background and found that a man named Jack has indeed lost
    his life in the house and that was the name his daughter was using
    for the man she had seen.
    
    The previous owner also notes strange feelings in the cellar and
    has seen the rocking chair in his daughters room move on its own
    volition.
    
    My friend is house sitting as the owner is selling and has already
    moved out.  I was wondering how I would go about possibly contacting
    this spirit (if it exists) in a benign nature.  I guess the essence
    would be a seance.  Can anyone enlighten me on this?
    
    George
    
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884.1GLDOA::WETHERINGTONTue Oct 11 1988 15:1219
    I would not recommend a seance to anyone at any time.  What you're
    basically doing is inviting any entity who happens to be around,
    to come down onto the physical plane into the room and be with you.
    Given the nature of some of these entities, it's not a terribly
    wise thing to do.
    
    Why do you wish to contact it?  Just curious.
    
    If you will concentrate your thoughts on Jack, and fill your mind
    with the idea of his prescence, and address him with your thoughts,
    if he is there and chooses to communicate with you, it will very
    likely happen.
    
    You might want to mention to him that he no longer belongs on this
    plane, that he has passed through transition, and that he needs
    to go toward the white light, where he will be told what to do from
    there.
    
    DW
884.2VAXWRK::CONNORWe are amusedTue Oct 11 1988 18:324
	A seance, really?  Spirits coming down to the physical
	plane? Wow.  Wonder what Monty PYthon could do with
	this.  Shudder! I am already scared.

884.3WHITE LIGHT AY?USRCV1::JEFFERSONLJesus cares for you!Wed Oct 12 1988 18:377
    
    
         I think someone has benn watching a little bit too much of
    poltergist, myself.. What do you think?
    
    LORENZO
    
884.4Carol-anne!!...GRYHWK::WITHERSThorin DecairnWed Oct 12 1988 21:227
    Now don't get down on "Poltergiest"! :-)
    
    I'm sure there are *LOTS* of psychic midgets cleaning houses every
    day!  It's just not the sort of thing that gets widely reported!
    
    Gaw
    
884.5We, too, can be sarcastic...GLDOA::WETHERINGTONGreen grass and high tides foreverFri Oct 14 1988 15:0712
    I think the makers of Poltergeist borrowed a concept that is already
    well known in certain spiritual quarters.
    
    And I think I wouldn't have said anything if I didn't think I had
    something valid to add to the discussion.
    
    And I think next time...I'll keep my mouth shut.
    
    Is it just me, or has the character of this conference changed
    somewhat.
    
    DW
884.6"Is there anybody in there?" --Pink FloydWRO8A::WARDFRGoing HOME--as an AdventurerFri Oct 14 1988 15:4110
    re: Doug
    
        I'm not too sure of what's going on in this note, but
    I can't resist saying:
    
         "It's just YOU!"
    
    Frederick
    ;-) :-0  :-)
    
884.7But there is no need to be...ERLTC::COOPERTopher CooperFri Oct 14 1988 16:1237
RE: .5 (DW)
    
    It changes every day, depending on who's contributing, how their
    feeling, and whether or not a topic has touched one of their "buttons"
    (positive or negative).
    
    One of the long term patterns you'll see if you read back over old
    notes is waves of intollerance.  Their focus may be broad or narrow,
    and may be against "skeptics" or "believers" or against "skeptics"
    about one particular thing or against "believers" in one particular
    thing.  Frequently it seems to be triggered by someone saying something
    a bit strongly or more negatively than they intended, or out of
    ignorance.
    
    For what it is worth, Poltergeist started on a sound "factual"
    basis -- i.e., it drew on methods actually used by parapsychologists,
    belief systems common among American psychics, and typical
    ostensible haunting and poltergeist phenomena.  It then added a
    whole lot of stuff with no relation to any of them -- it was,
    after all, a piece of fantasy and never claimed to be anything else.
    
    Offhand I don't know of any psychics who work with parapsychologists
    who are little people; but I've met very few personally and a
    technical report is unlikely to mention such a fact.  It is not
    an unlikely combination, however: people who feel a bit alienated
    already are much more likely than others to take up a profession
    or hobby which is likely to result in further alienation -- less
    to lose.
    
    The modern technique of investigating haunted houses by using psychics
    (generally more than one) and correlating their reports with the
    residents' reports was pioneered by Dr Gertrude Schmeidler.  Bill
    Roll, unquestionably the countries top parapsychologist specializing
    in investigating poltergeist phenomena, regularaly brings in psychics
    to hold seances as part of his efforts to council the family.
    
    					Topher
884.8 <:-)GLDOA::WETHERINGTONGreen grass and high tides foreverFri Oct 14 1988 16:591
    
884.9I agree with Doug...SHRBIZ::WAINELindaFri Oct 14 1988 17:3318
    Doug,
    
    I agree with what you replied....  What I would add also is for
    the person who posted the base note (I'm sorry, I forgot your name...)
    also to picture this "Jack" being surrounded in white light.  If you
    cannot visualize the person, visualize the name "Jack" surrounded
    in white light.  This should also help the being to "go on".
    
    I would not recommend to ANYONE to just go and hold a seance unless
    you know what you are doing, who exactly you are contacting, is
    the being of Good and God, and ONLY if you know how to protect yourself
    psychically.  If you do not know how to protect yourself psychically,
    you should never, ever, ever, ever open yourself up to a being who you
    do not know!!! 
    
    Just my 2 cents...
    
    Linda
884.10Freely expressing opinions or harassment??SHIRE::ESTAHLITue Oct 18 1988 10:4615
    884.5
    <..has this conference changed..>
    If the answer to your question is based on the last couple of comments
    then yes it has changed.  People open a conference on subjects which
    interest them, they then feel that they can express their ideas
    freely to other interested readers.  To write about experiences
    and/or feelings and then have others mock it, because it is not
    their way of thinking/feeling makes a person feel very vulnerable.
    My understanding of this notefile and what has been contained in
    the past is that psychic phenomenon is an openly discussed
    controversial subject.  The controversary at this point however
    is not on ideas to help this person make contact or discourage him
    from so doing, but ridicule.  If you don't mind the paraphrase...
    My notesfile....right or wrong  or   My notesfile...love it or delete
    it .....and find someone else to harass.
884.11Sorry...GRYHWK::WITHERSThorin DecairnTue Oct 18 1988 16:5325
    As the person who started the base note I have to add something...
    
    When I posted the note it was poorly worded and I, whose main intent
    was just to do some research on a possible "haunting" (I'm afraid
    to use terms now :-) ), posted a poorly written note and got responce
    saying, logically I'll add, not to touch seances etc. (which wasn't
    necessarily the intent...again poorly written...I'll get out of
    the conference and hide my head in shame after I exit).
    
    As to Poltergeist, it was a fantastic movie.  A horror film with
    a haunted house that finally had a real reason for the family to
    remain.  Usually in such films they ignore occurences that would
    send people screaming out into the morning/day/night.  They had
    a reason to stay.  It also didn't offend the intellect completley
    on its "reasons" for the haunting.  I liked it and am sorry if I
    made a statement that offended you or anyone (see previous paragraphs
    end parenthesis).
    
    Since I, by posting the base note etc., caused this I will again
    reiterate that I'm sorry.  In the future I'll avoid posting notes,
    or at least not post/reply until I have had time to look into things
    and will avoid just casual adding of my pennies.
    
    George
    
884.12No appology needed!!!ERLTC::COOPERTopher CooperTue Oct 18 1988 17:4824
RE: .11 (George)
    
    You have nothing to appologize for.  Absolutely nothing.  Those
    who critisized your question (or seemed to) were in the wrong, not you.
    As I said earlier, such behavior surfaces periodically in this
    conference (I have said things, myself, which I was later sorry
    for, either because I overreacted to something or because my words
    were open to misinterpretation and did harm) but it is *not*
    typical of it.
    
    No question should be made fun of, since a question represents a
    desire to learn and that is always to be valued.  As it happens,
    those who made fun of your question (or seemed to) were simply
    showing their ignorance -- the use of psychics and seances to
    investigate a haunting is, as I indicated in a previous note, a
    valid scientific method of investigation when coupled with the
    proper controls and auxilary investigations.  Poltergeist borrowed
    from life.
    
    Please, please, continue to "add your pennies", some rather ordinary
    pennies turn out to be rare coins, and even the dullest of them
    are worth their face value.
    
    					Topher
884.13we must master the languageLETO::KELLOGGTue Oct 18 1988 18:347
    I agree with Topher. I just got womped on for trying to tell someone
    over in (Holistic notes) to stop being negative and defensive. I
    should have just let it alone and observed. Don't stop your input..
    this is excellent practice for learning how to get your real point
    across to many. See how well Topher can *coin* a phrase? sorry.
    rk
884.14ANT::JLUDGATEit's only life....Thu Oct 20 1988 15:2525
    Hey there George!!!!!!!             
    
    So you want to contact somebody?  HAHAHAHAHAHA
    
    
    Oops, sorry about that, this isn't SOAPBOX (aka, flame anything
    that moves), is it?
    
    Well, I was going to suggest a seance, but then, I know nothing
    about the field of parapsychology, and people who know about it
    apparently think that a bad idea.  I say stick to what the others
    suggested: think positively to the name Jack, try to acknowledge
    his presence, don't doubt his existance, be more receptive, etc
    etc etc.  Children seem to be more reachable because they don't
    "know" that ghosts aren't real.
    
    Now for more commentary..... Why?  Why do you seek him?  Perhaps
    are you trying to find out why he is sticking around?  I suggest
    this because this is a question I would like to ask also.  Maybe..
    maybe....maybe you could try a Ouija board?
    
    Well, let us know if you and your friend try anything, and if you
    get any results.
    
    .................................jonathan
884.15COULDN'T RESISTNRADM::THIBODEAUMon Oct 24 1988 18:2232
                        < COULDN'T RESIST MY TWO CENTS >
    
    
    I am definately not a psychic expert by any means, nor am I religious.
    But I have certainly read a great deal of literature over the years
    and have had many experiences of my own. 
    
    My comments are these, based on various books/articles etc. that
    I have read:
    
    		
    	Ouji (pardon the spelling) and seances are very dangerous because 
        they provide an opportunity for a living being to be exposed to 
        another plane of life that is not the same. 
    
        Without proper training and preparation, this can be extremely 
        dangerous to a person's life and mental/emotional well-being.
    
    Now - you might think I'm full of s---, I don't really care - but
    there are DEFINATELY too many unexplained phenomenons in this world. 
    Unless you are extremely well educated and experienced in the areas 
    you intend to explore, then my is advice is "leave it alone".

    If you still have some desire to make contact, then get in touch
    with a professional medium and ask for assistance.
    
    "Channeling" through a medium is also an excellent form of contact
    which you may want to pursue further. Via channelling, a medium 
    provides a safe barrier between you and the "other" person or entity.
    
    
    
884.16STRATA::RUDMANThe Posthumous NoterFri Oct 28 1988 16:3742
    Y'know, I'm glad this issue was raised.  Too many times in this
    conference people have suggested they may be interested in pursuing
    the supernatural on a personal level for the desired purpose of
    contacting a entity suspected of manifesting itself on this plane
    and immediately they get jumped on and terrified to the degree of
    backing off entirely.  Now, you people don't want us to get the
    impression you're afraid there's really nothing to it and any
    first-hand attempts which fail would tend to disprove your positions.
    
    Seance?  Too dangerous, you may be hurt if the entity enters this
    physical plane.  ('Course, if *it* can hurt *you*, then, logically, 
    *you* can hurt *it*...)  Better pay an expert to come in and do it 
    for you.  If you have first-hand knowledge of occurances of physical 
    injury please share it.
                        
    Ouija Board?  Too dangerous, your mind may be taken over or influenced
    to your detriment.  (The board is a prop; it is the mind that's
    the key.  It's no different than the visualization method prev.
    mentioned.)   
    
    [Before you jump, I've participated in an ouija experiment which,
    coincidence or not, worked w/o ill effects.]
    
    If the supernatural is so dangerous, why are so many people involved
    in it?  (You shouldn't skydive w/o proper instruction and guidance,
    but you can go up in a plane and look out the window.)
    
    Better to wish the white light at it so if nothing happens ever
    again you can say you sent it to Heaven.  
    
    .0 seems to be the typical viewpoint of the layman: curiosity (killed
    the cat, I know) and seeking after knowledge, and it appears you've
    discouraged this one, also.   My viewpoint is convince yourself
    there's really something "there" before bringing in "experts". 
    
    I had hoped to read a lot of accounts of supernatural events and
    subsequent investigations in this conference as well as all the
    book-learnin', and I still have hope.
    
    Remember, the more negative attitudes the less sharing.
    
               					Don
884.17Logic? Who said this has anything to do with logic?CTHULU::YERAZUNISI'm one of the bugs.Fri Oct 28 1988 19:219
    Not to get detoured into a "shaggy shoggoth" story, but:
    
    > ...  ('Course, if *it* can hurt *you*, then, logically,
    > *you* can hurt *it*...)  
                
    I'll remember that next time I'm being chased by Freddie in a
    Sherman Tank.  :-)
    
    	-Bill
884.18the stuff of which legends are made ...MARKER::KALLISAnger's no replacement for reasonFri Oct 28 1988 19:375
    Re .17 (Bill):
    
    Don't keep us in suspense:  When was the _last_ time? :-D
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
884.19More 2 cents (plus tax)VAXWRK::CONNORWe are amusedWed Nov 02 1988 15:3316
	RE. 16

	Wasn't Houdini offered $10,000 to any Medium who could
	contact his wife on the other side?  It never happened.
	The so-called mediums many of whom considred reputable
	were exposed as fakes.  Can you name a medium who is
	legit?

	Ouija boards, I have not worked with for a long time.
	I was scared off when I ask who we contacted and it said
	"Devil".  Looking back on that experience and what some
	others did, I feel that the dangers of the Ouija board
	is mostly psychological. (A psychologist explainded that
	the movement is controlled by the subconscious). The
	use of the board may cause breakdown of the normal
	"defense system".
884.20not quiteMARKER::KALLISAnger's no replacement for reasonWed Nov 02 1988 15:5415
    Re .16:
    
        >Wasn't Houdini offered $10,000 to any Medium who could
	>contact his wife on the other side?  It never happened.
	>The so-called mediums many of whom considred reputable
	>were exposed as fakes. 
         
    Kinda backwards.  Houdini's wife outlived him.  However, Houdini
    spent a lot of time and effort exposing fake mediums.  _Houdini
    On Magic_, a collection of his writings (edited by Walter Gibson,
    who may have ghosted one or two) is available as a Dover Press reprint.
    It includes his duel of wits with "Margery," a famous medium of
    the time.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
884.21"Houdini" SENIOR::DISMAINWed Nov 02 1988 16:1832
            RE: 19
    
               Houdini made the offer of $10,000 to any medium who could
    contact his Mother,after her death,which happened while he was away
    on tour. Houdini led the fight to expose fraudulent mediums,often
    assuming a disguise to attend the sceances. The only medium that
    perhaps gave Houdini any trouble as far as exposure goes was "Margery"
      who was from Boston.  The Scientific America was about to award
    her the prize, until Houdini stepped in to expose her. There is
    still much conjecture as to wether she was a true medium or a fraud
    and I have read articles that sway it both ways. Yankee Magazine
    published an article on "The Medium Who Baffled Houdini".      
        The exact issue date I am not sure but could look up if needed,
    as I have a copy at home.  There have been other mediums who could
    produce spirits who seemed totally real,as the spirit of Katy King
    was. "Dunninger" who made his fame as a mind reader,worked along
    with Houdini to expose false mediums, and compiled a book after
    Houdini's death entitled "Houdini's Spirit Exposes" which include
    many of the experiences they both had during the sceances.
     
      I have tried to put most of this down from memory as I do not
    have any of the sources at hand . There are many other books that
    I could mention as sources for info on the sceances and about  
     Houdini. If any of this is backwards or not correct it is because
    of this. I will put any other info in as requested.
    
    
    Magically
    
    Paul
    
    
884.22on exposesMARKER::KALLISAnger's no replacement for reasonWed Nov 02 1988 16:4050
    Re .20 (me), .21 (Paul):
    
 >        >Wasn't Houdini offered $10,000 to any Medium who could
 >	  >contact his wife on the other side?  It never happened.
 >	  >The so-called mediums many of whom considred reputable
 >	  >were exposed as fakes. 
 >        
 >   Kinda backwards.  Houdini's wife outlived him.
          
    ... But what I forgot to add was that before nHoudini's death, he
    gave a secret word to his wife that, he told her, if anty medium
    was able to produce, would demonstrate that he'd contacted her.
    
    After years, at one seance, the word was uttered, ostensibly by
    Houdini./  However, there is some evidence that the secrecy of the
    word had been unwittingly compromised by his wife, so whether it
    was genuine or not is quite up in the air.
    
    > ... Houdini led the fight to expose fraudulent mediums,often
    >assuming a disguise to attend the sceances. The only medium that
    >perhaps gave Houdini any trouble as far as exposure goes was "Margery"
    >  who was from Boston.  The Scientific America was about to award
    >her the prize, until Houdini stepped in to expose her. There is
    >still much conjecture as to wether she was a true medium or a fraud
    >and I have read articles that sway it both ways.
     
    Milbourne Christopher's biography, as I recall, suggests she was
    a fraud; Christopher gained his reputation as a stage magician.
    In Houdini's writings, he presents it as a duel of wits; if he is/was
    corect, "Margery" was an extraordinarily inventive young woman.
                                       
    >"Dunninger" who made his fame as a mind reader,worked along
    >with Houdini to expose false mediums, and compiled a book after
    >Houdini's death entitled "Houdini's Spirit Exposes" which include
    >many of the experiences they both had during the sceances.
                       
    One Houdini-Dunninger book I recall is titled _A Magician Among
    the Spirits_; it's pure expose.  
    
    The interesting thing I read about all this ios that Houdini/Weiss
    originally was most anxious to meet a true medium, and it was when
    he was attending seances that his _professional_ talents showed
    him fraud was taking place.  This apparently infuriated him and
    started him on his crusade.
                     
    Dunninger ran a stage-magic column is a magazine (_Science and
    Invention_?  my memory's rusty), and frequently, he'd show some
    of the more common mediums' tricks.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.                  
884.23Margery.ERLTC::COOPERTopher CooperWed Nov 02 1988 17:1851
RE: (last bunch)
    
    The Margery case is quite complex.  A fair amount has been written
    about it in the parapsychological literature since several key
    events in the history of the field revolve around it.
    
    Knowing Houdini's flair for showmanship, I have no doubt that he,
    or his companions, may have presented the situation as him rushing
    in to save the bamboozled savants at Scientific American from
    awarding the prize, and Houdini as leading a personal duel of
    wits with Margery, but my understanding is that though certainly
    an important character in the events he was in no way the key
    central character implied by this.
    
    First off, the Scientific American prize was distinct from Houdini's.
    A committee was appointed to investigate claimant's for the prize
    
    Complicating the issue was that the American Society for Psychical
    Research had become politically split between two factions: one
    pushing for continuation of the rigorous methods advocated by
    the Society in the past and the other perceived by most modern
    historians as having a position of advocacy for Spiritualism.
    The latter group was in the acendency.  They performed several
    investigations of Margery and pronounced her genuine.
    
    Several members of the Scientific American committee had been
    impressed by Margery in some initial, informal sittings with
    her, but they were far from awarding her the prize.  When formal
    investigations were held, Houdini was there, as I remember it,
    right from the start.  Houdini and others claimed to have found
    opportunities for Margery to have cheated, and noted various
    behaviors which were suspicious to say the least.  But, once again,
    to the best of my memory, no explicit cheating was actually
    observed.
    
    Until a young biologist with an interest in the area was granted
    a sitting.  He was shocked to observe Margery cheating several
    times during the session -- it must have been a bad night for her.
    As a result of this he concluded that investigations of the
    area would have to be done in the laboratory, without "professional"
    mediums, and using protocols completely designed by the investigator.
    The scientist was J.G. Rhine, and modern laboratory parapsychology
    was the result.
    
    Eventually, "the goods", hard, irrefutable evidence were found proving
    that Margery used fraud, at least some of the time.  Specifically,
    "ghosts" who left mysterious imprints in wax in some of her sessions
    were found to share fingerprints with, if I remember correctly,
    her dentist.
    
    					Topher
884.24"Addendum"SENIOR::DISMAINWed Nov 02 1988 17:3313
    Re:23   
         Topher,Thanks for going over the Margery case, I told you I
    might have forgotten some info,besides this was a hectic weeks as
    I was married on Halloween evening,after I did a magic show in town.
      I did have an additional note concerning the margery case,but
    it got eaten up by this machine, and lost in transit.
    
    
    Magically 
    
    
    Paul
    
884.25STRATA::RUDMANThe Posthumous NoterMon Nov 28 1988 17:1525
    Re: .19
    
    "...name a medium who is legit?"
            
    --Was I supposed to?  Having never knowingly even *met* one, I'm
      afraid I'd be no help.  I do, however, have a Dunninger/Houdini
      book on exposing mediums, and will not believe a true medium
      exists until I see it.  
      
      Uhhh, actually, it was his mother he wanted to contact.  Sorry.
      (Actually, he told his *wife* he'd contact her after *his* death.
      .22 covered this quite nicely.)
     
                           
    Re: .21
    
    Wow!  If you could find it in your heart to make a photocopy & send
    it to me I'd appreciate it.
    
    Re: .23
       
    Was her dentist alive at the time?  This seems to be the key
    question... :-)
    
    						Don
884.26WILLEE::FRETTSNoting with my Higher SelfMon Nov 28 1988 19:4110
    
    
    RE: .19, .25
    
    "...name a medium who is legit?"
    
    Could you define what your criteria is to be legit?
    
    Thanks,
    Carole
884.27Off the top of my head...STRATA::RUDMANThe Posthumous NoterTue Nov 29 1988 17:3156
    re: -.1
                              
    The basic requirement of a successful medium is to have people
    believe in them.  Blind Faith works, but for any who have a bit
    of skepticism (i.e., self-protection) in them a little convincing
    is required.
    
    As in a work environment, a medium must "prove" their revelations.
    e.g., I want to make a change in the process.  I set up and perform
    a few tests.  When I'm satisfied, I seek approval by those who 
    job it is to ensure we maintain yields.   Do I get their approval
    by my word alone?  No.  They want data based on the current process
    reality and established test matrices to ensure my changes will
    be beneficial and repetitive.
    
    Applying this to the supernatural, should I believe a medium just
    because he/she professes expertise and has a following?  (Add to
    this the difference between on-going buiness decisions vs. those
    that directly affect your life.)  I'd like some data.  A little
    proof.  [Tangent--believing in a medium offering hard truth from
    the beyond and viewing their revelations on speculated lifepaths  
    are two different things. In the latter you get to chose the path.
    The former must either be believed as gospel or treated as fiction.
    The former is what I'm refering to; the potentialy more dangerous.]
    Yeah, its great to talk to someone who has all the answers, but
    how do you know which one it is?  So tell me something specific
    (not vague, like the newspaper horoscopes) about me that is either
    unknown or so obscure or trivial that I *have* to be impressed,
    or predict an unexpected specific near-future event which can't
    be used to cover a typical news story (and no quatrains, please).
    Toss some hard data in front of me to establish your bona fides
    (e.g., conjure up my father and let him tell me something that passed
    between us alone) so I can consider the "unknown" data as legit.
    
    A quick thought on medium-lecturers:  Another category altogether.
    This aspect can be viewed differently.  Like religion, you get out
    of it what feels right to you.  The lectures offer information to
    consider and apply to your own views.  Hopefully, it is insightful
    enough to beneficially alter your life-perceptions and make you
    a happier individual.  And I'm wondering if the lecturers are
    more succesful by using the being-through-medium approach rather
    than a professor of pyschology on tour.
                                       
    BTW, what is a "scientifically-accredited medium"?  Who accredits
    them?  Is there a report available at the door?  Actually, it would
    be nice if the medium sat by the door and jotted down homey, revealing
    little notes for each cash customer on 3x5s as they enter.  If they
    don't get hung for a telepath they've got it made.
    
    And consider this:  Houdini (& later Dunninger) spent how many years in
    futile search of a real medium?  Did the real ones go into hiding?
    
    							Don
                                                   
    						
    
884.28WILLEE::FRETTSNoting with my Higher SelfTue Nov 29 1988 19:0568
    RE: .27 Don   -< Off the top of my head... >-

    I asked the question because I wasn't quite sure what you were
    looking for.  Now I understand.  What I initially thought you
    meant was a medium who, with integrity and responsibility and
    honesty, has developed their abilities over a period of time
    and does not use gimmicks or lies in the communication process.
    
    Based on the type of mediumship involved, proof varies.  There
    is inspirational mediumship that really can have no proof other
    than personal, subjective response on the part of the receiver
    of the information.  Add a good dose of balanced open-mindedness
    and common sense here.

    Trance mediumship can function as either inspirational or it
    can also be used for evidential work (evidential meaning 
    giving information to a person that gives evidence that the
    spirit communicating is someone they know and/or that the
    information has personal significance).  Again, this is highly
    subjective.  As an example, a communication from a mother in 
    spirit to her son in the body will be significant and meaningful
    and evidential to the son, but not necessarily to anyone else
    who is present.  Mental mediumship would perform the same function.
    If the trance medium is a deep-trance medium, there could possibly
    be some physical changes that could be scientifically tested/
    analyzed, however with mental mediumship there would be no
    physical changes (necessarily).  The only way this type of
    medium could be tested is by feedback from the receivers of the
    messages.

    Physical mediumship is a much more testable process in that
    there is some physical phenomena that can be recorded.

    I have worked with mediumship for 6 years and let me tell you,
    the development process *is hard work*!  If a person chooses
    to work in this way, it should be done with a commitment to service.
    I work with a wonderful group of people and everyone of them is
    *legitimately* developing so that they can be workers in service
    to their brothers and sisters.  The instructors of our class 
    stress integrity, responsibility and honesty as our top priorities.
    We recently had a group of people in phase 1 of our program who
    got caught up in ego issues and competition.  The instructors
    closed this particular class down because the group could not
    get by these issues, which naturally arise in the development
    process but they must be dealt with and gone beyond.  *That's*
    integrity!

    There is a lot of misuse of psychic and mediumistic abilities
    that is very sad to see because people can be really hurt.
    But there are good people out there who are sincere in this
    work.  If you are interested in attending a demonstration of
    evidential mediumship, make a note of the following info:

	          Wednesday, December 15, 1988
                      7:30 pm (be prompt!)

	          Demonstration of Evidential Mediumship
                  First Spiritual Temple
                  16 Monmouth Street
                  Brookline, MA  02147
                  617-566-7639

                  Donation: $5

    Carole                                               
    						
    
884.29WILLEE::FRETTSNoting with my Higher SelfTue Nov 29 1988 19:197
    
    
    RE. -1  
    
    Oops!  Please change the date to Wednesday, December 21, 1988.
    
    C.