Mediumship or what?

Mediumship is dying on its feet, many genuine mediums have left the churches and the wannabe "mediums" have taken over. It is pitiful to hear what is classed as spirit communication come from their mouths. It is not only dangerous for people like this to be in churches and giving false impressions of mediumship. They know nothing of the resposibilties of giving information, There is no understanding of the fragility of people who come to Spiritualist churches and also centres.
Many mediums have honed their gifts in home circles and novice medium services. There are those who say that mediums don,t need to work that long that is a nonsense for mediums never stop learning.
It is sickening to see that noboyd iwilling to take responsible action about it am reffering to the spiritualist authorities of all shades of opinion.

Of course things could be better seraphina, but is trying to control others not a backward step? Who is qualified to do so?

The present situation is far from satisfactory, although it is much preferable to earlier times (in the UK) when Christianity dictated the Who, Whats and Whens of Life.

Today's problems are the rising steps to increased knowledge for tomorrow and it was always so. All is well - not perfect by any means - and as tomorrows' Mediums emerge, the one or two with a deeper gift will carry the Spiritualist torch a little further.

so these Mediums of tomorrow are going to change the abysmal situation that is rife now? I doubt it because who is going to train these Mythical paragons who will appear? There are no home circles as such, they are very scarce on the ground. So congregations have to put up with non existent mediumship till this magnificent nheroes turn up. we have situation which is causing distress to vulnerable peole who seek out spiritualist churches and recieving nothing in return. After al if it was not for those seeking solace we would have no movement. Spiritualism is based on genuine mediumship not psychicism. And where was there a mention of control. I was asking a pertinent question about te bedrock of Spiritualism. If this situation continues it will be the end of Spiritualism for the mass of people Spiritualism is now a laughing stock and mirth comes on instead of curiosity

It may well prove to be the case that the pessimistic view will prevail.

I agree that early training is so important, if not vital. But who determines what, and to what extent, such training needs to obtained? What 'responsible action' might you suggest? By what Spiritual authorities?

Most, if not all emerging mediums are volunteers, propelled by different motives to work as they do. Some are likely to have deeper understanding of peoples needs and may aim at greater accuracy as a result. By their fruits... I suppose. Like learning to cycle or to swim, the tyro has to get on it or in it to gain maximum benefit and if a seasoned coach is keeping a parental eye on them so much the better.

In any case someone seeking evidence has a part to play in the outcome too.

Well we constantly return to this subject upon the forum. Yes we are in trouble because this is the age of instant things. We also have too many people being told their training as an instant medium is an investment upon which they can expect a return. So poorly trained as they are, with little understanding of what this skill is about, they start performing and running their own "training". Hence they get the promised dividend on the investment.

Changing this situation will be a slow job because you have to identify those with an innate skill, then identify their motives and the driving force behind their wish to progress. Then there is the job of persuading them to keep going although the decent training may take some time.

Sadly then when they are fledglings, starting on platform or doing private readings someone steps in to convonce them they are ready so they cut loose and go their own way.

You may start with 8 with potential and end up with only 3 or 4 continuing to stay the distance because of time, life changes etc etc.

However unless well trained mediums and centres do this work then all we will see on platform are the instant wannabees. Sadly it appears the shortage of mediums is driving the main organisations in that direction and we hear the dreaded words from those within their education circles of "fast tracking".

Places like the AFC should be finishing schools, or special skills places, no one can become a platform medium from a handful of courses attended there.

Places like the AFC should be finishing schools, or special skills places, no one can become a platform medium from a handful of courses attended there.

Absolutely right, Jim.

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

The solution would seem to be a more knowledgeable public, who understand and recognise Mediumship, which makes for a circular route as the 'education' comes largely from those very establishments that are part of the problem. They probably would not agree with that, in any case.

Churches who have access to a few evenings each week could consider staging a range of activities like workshops, circles, fledgling groups, invited speakers and exponents to widen general awareness.

Some are restricted to one evening per week and so find it difficult to extend their exposure.

Thats what we do Hiorta 2 open circles one in the evening one fortnightly in the day. One circle, invitation only, to those we feel will become platform mediums. One very open fledgling group once a month. Then we have our Sunday Meeting and a Friday Healing, daytime Clinic. Love to do more but to find the experienced people who work for the Center not themselves is tough.

The old story, Jim and the usual suspects will nod sagely when the maxim 'you must give in order to receive' is mentioned.

I remember Albert Best tried to do something to address this malaise and organised a series of discussions come workshops with invited proponents. The response was just about zilch because he was not giving clairvoyance.

I, too, arranged a one-evening workshop by Gordon Smith with the same outcome. Gordon was appalled and we wondered whether such 'Spiritualists' deserved any effort spent on them.

I think there are many fine demonstrators of mediumship, who also make fine teachers.

Muriel Tennant is one that comes to mind, she was excellent on the platform, and a fine teacher, who also would use trance clairvoyance in her sittings.

Azur wrote:I think there are many fine demonstrators of mediumship, who also make fine teachers.

Muriel Tennant is one that comes to mind, she was excellent on the platform, and a fine teacher, who also would use trance clairvoyance in her sittings.

I remember Muriel Tennant and Simone Key. They often came to listen to Gordon Higginson when I was at the AFC in the seventies.

She was a lovely lady, I had a sitting with her and my mother spoke through her in the trance state. The characteristics were phenomenal.

As trance clairvoyants go, she was excellent. Old school.

Admin wrote:Well we constantly return to this subject upon the forum. Yes we are in trouble because this is the age of instant things. We also have too many people being told their training as an instant medium is an investment upon which they can expect a return. So poorly trained as they are, with little understanding of what this skill is about, they start performing and running their own "training". Hence they get the promised dividend on the investment.

Changing this situation will be a slow job because you have to identify those with an innate skill, then identify their motives and the driving force behind their wish to progress. Then there is the job of persuading them to keep going although the decent training may take some time.

Sadly then when they are fledglings, starting on platform or doing private readings someone steps in to convonce them they are ready so they cut loose and go their own way.

You may start with 8 with potential and end up with only 3 or 4 continuing to stay the distance because of time, life changes etc etc.

However unless well trained mediums and centres do this work then all we will see on platform are the instant wannabees. Sadly it appears the shortage of mediums is driving the main organisations in that direction and we hear the dreaded words from those within their education circles of "fast tracking".

Places like the AFC should be finishing schools, or special skills places, no one can become a platform medium from a handful of courses attended there.

I like William Walker Atkinson take on what he mentions in his book under the title A Warning to Young Mediums

Atkinson quotes Wallis: After a time, after the development progresses, the medium and his spirit friends may be strong enough to undertake public work with out the assistance and protection of a circle, in the same manner as did D Home, Slade, Eglinton, and other noted public mediums; but they should be in no hurry about doing so, and they need to be very self-progressed and level headed to hold their own againest the 'phenomena hunters' on one side (who sap the very life of the sensitive), and the know-all, conceited spectics on the other side (who freeze up all the psychic conditions), and before whom it is worse than foolish to cast these pearls of great price.

From the book Genuine Mediumship: Invisible Powers by Swami Bhaka Vishita. Real name William Walker Atkinson.

seraphina wrote:Mediumship is dying on its feet, many genuine mediums have left the churches

Where are they now?

Jim

Left Behind wrote:

seraphina wrote:Mediumship is dying on its feet, many genuine mediums have left the churches

Where are they now?

Jim

Working independently I'd say.

Or just plain retired Z many of the really good ones around in the early 80's would all be getting into the wrong age group. Also they may have lost interest if some of the churches if they are not really reflecting what those mediums saw as Spiritualist Core values.

The one thing I also noted was that the circuit system at the time Lis was working also tended to mean the mediums were not as actively involved within specific Churches. Many were in home circles outside of the centres wether sitting for continued development or involved in a circle in another way such as the trance medium.

In many ways I think that worked better because it kept the mediums outside of the type of politics which happns all to often within centres. However, unless a centre managed to get one of the better mediums to run their teaching groups it did leave quite a hole in the development of new mediums unless they could get into one of the better home circles.

One thing I do know is that teh quality of mediumship does see many people not bother to come to our centres. I feel that is especially true of some who used to be regular attendee's. The one thing about Spiritualism is that it does not require you to attend a church to retain your core belief, the relationship with Spirit is different to a traditional Church and individuals can respect that on their own.

It is always exciting to watch a good medium in action and to hear a good inspirational address. How often do we now see that and if we do not we should accept that we will neither retain attendees or gather the new ones we really need.

Yes Jim, it's not just the mediumship that is suffering, but the lack of addresses that go beyond the off the cuff "feel-good/believe-in-yourself/look-at-me!" talks that are dominating the addresses I've seen here in Queensland.

While they can be inspiring, there's nothing about them that promotes or educates the audience about spiritualism. So when you combine poor mediumship with a generic new agey talk, you are doing nothing to engage newcomers or retain existing followers.

That's the problem in a nutshell, Wes. As posted in another thread, attempts to address this met with apathy - clairvoyance or nothing, seems to be the wish.

Often the initial contact with Spiritualism is due to bereavement and if that burning hole is in some way soothed, it is a little later that questions arise. Which is where those amazing addresses bridged a vital gap.

I'd often watched as excellent clairvoyance held the recipients in wonder as they received accurate information from a world that religion could not reach. But, in an address from a mighty guide - the entire audience was spellbound. The amazing thing, for me, is that each received, simultaneously, something precious to themselves as individuals.

Truly these talks fed the Mind and Soul of the inquirer.

This does not adress the situation at the moment, As for pessimism No!! not all if highkligting the problem yet again is being pessimistic then sorry I make no apologies. Psychicism is hurtful and cruel the way it is today for moat of it is inuennendo and guessing, cringing at statements that passed off as spirit communication. It appears that the authorities do not want to do anything to remedy this problem, because they have cosy little niches of power and fame in the movement and do not want to shake the apple cart. Infiltration is complete and mediumship of yesteryear is being subsumed by the mediocre. soon ther will br none left to remember what Mediumship meant.
Mediumship is not voluntary Mediumsa are chosen from Spirit and know spirit ffrom childhood, Gordon higginson' mother was told that a childe of hers would be an ambassador for spirit and eventually came to pass This mentioned on site about gordon higginson. Mediums do not appear out the woodwork a lot of work from goes on behind the scenes

Seraphina, how well did you know Gordon's mother?

I knew her very well and had a number of private sittings with her.

So many people write about her but never knew her.

Infiltration is complete and mediumship of yesteryear is being subsumed by the mediocre. soon ther will br none left to remember what Mediumship meant.
Mediumship is not voluntary Mediumsa are chosen from Spirit and know spirit ffrom childhood, Gordon higginson' mother was told that a childe of hers would be an ambassador for spirit and eventually came to pass This mentioned on site about gordon higginson. Mediums do not appear out the woodwork a lot of work from goes on behind the scenes

Hi Seraphina,

Ther are many more mediums out ther than either we or they know. Unless we draw people to our centres they will never reach their potential or even realise that they have it.

Even if Spirit drew them to our centres they may well leave because what is on offer can be so bad it does not keep them. Wes on here has teh potential and ability but no where in Queensland where Spiritualism is recognisable in the terms those in the UK or centres operating upon that tradition would recognise. He is neither the first nor last person to say that to me too.

Even natural Mediums need training to recognise and understand their potential. They do not just leap up and wow us off the platform. That is teh job we all face, finding people and helping them.

Amen to this thread...

What a pleasant relief to read so many singing from the same hymn book

I would not talk about. the. AFC, it now as courses on crystals and astrology so there goes the last bastion of Spiritualism. The remedial mediumship course they operating now is only available to those who can afford to come to the college regularly,,the fees being astronomical. Many people have to save to go there and then infrequently. It seems only those who have the wherewithal. I went before the price hike and things had changed the last time I went,this was to do with lectures